RealGM

The Minnesota Timberwolves lacked a realistic path to acquire Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, but they still made a few calls to register interest and are expected to make another attempt this offseason. 

"Another small market team to watch: the Minnesota Timberwolves," said Brian Windhorst on Get Up. "Which Ant Edwards and KD have a very tight connection. Also from the Olympics. The Timberwolves tried to pull off a crazy trade at the deadline for KD. Look for them to revisit those talks this summer."

The Wolves were serious enough about acquiring Durant at the trade deadline that they called third teams about potentially getting under the second apron to facilitate a trade. Minnesota would likely have to build a trade package around Julius Randle and some combination of younger players and future assets. The Wolves do not currently have any tradeable first round picks, but they could send out a number of swaps.

Via Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Should have held onto KAT rather than traded him in the summer.

The most realistic destination for KD on the court. (Other teams could offer more.) They have a good core and it wouldn't hurt to have someone that Ant might deffer to from time to time. They would have the DET pick to trade if DET makes the playoffs. Some combination of Randle, cap relief, that 1st and maybe a future swap would be a good start to a trade package.

Pickled Prunes wrote:The most realistic destination for KD on the court. (Other teams could offer more.) They have a good core and it wouldn't hurt to have someone that Ant might deffer to from time to time. They would have the DET pick to trade if DET makes the playoffs. Some combination of Randle, cap relief, that 1st and maybe a future swap would be a good start to a trade package.

Randle is negative value. Who wants his deal?

Slim Charless wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:The most realistic destination for KD on the court. (Other teams could offer more.) They have a good core and it wouldn't hurt to have someone that Ant might deffer to from time to time. They would have the DET pick to trade if DET makes the playoffs. Some combination of Randle, cap relief, that 1st and maybe a future swap would be a good start to a trade package.

Randle is negative value. Who wants his deal?

No he isn't. He clearly doesn't fit with Gobert clogging the paint, but in the right situation he's going to give you 20/10/5. Teams will have interest.

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Slim Charless wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:The most realistic destination for KD on the court. (Other teams could offer more.) They have a good core and it wouldn't hurt to have someone that Ant might deffer to from time to time. They would have the DET pick to trade if DET makes the playoffs. Some combination of Randle, cap relief, that 1st and maybe a future swap would be a good start to a trade package.

Randle is negative value. Who wants his deal?

No he isn't. He clearly doesn't fit with Gobert clogging the paint, but in the right situation he's going to give you 20/10/5. Teams will have interest.

"Right situation" being him being the main focus of the offense and the go to #1 option. Maybe then and he'll still give you bad efficiency and defense.

Also name some teams that would send out legit assets for Randle. Cause I don't see a lot.

Slim Charless wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Slim Charless wrote:
Randle is negative value. Who wants his deal?

No he isn't. He clearly doesn't fit with Gobert clogging the paint, but in the right situation he's going to give you 20/10/5. Teams will have interest.

"Right situation" being him being the main focus of the offense and the go to #1 option. Maybe then and he'll still give you bad efficiency and defense.

Also name some teams that would send out legit assets for Randle. Cause I don't see a lot.

Randle averaged 24/9/5 last season and Brunson was the focus of the offense. Next season Randle will be at 20% of the cap. Teams will be interested.

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Slim Charless wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:No he isn't. He clearly doesn't fit with Gobert clogging the paint, but in the right situation he's going to give you 20/10/5. Teams will have interest.

"Right situation" being him being the main focus of the offense and the go to #1 option. Maybe then and he'll still give you bad efficiency and defense.

Also name some teams that would send out legit assets for Randle. Cause I don't see a lot.

Randle averaged 24/9/5 last season and Brunson was the focus of the offense. Next season Randle will be at 20% of the cap. Teams will be interested.

Maybe, maybe not. Either way, he is not the lynchpin in a Durant trade. The main piece going out to get Durant.

Slim Charless wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Slim Charless wrote:
"Right situation" being him being the main focus of the offense and the go to #1 option. Maybe then and he'll still give you bad efficiency and defense.

Also name some teams that would send out legit assets for Randle. Cause I don't see a lot.

Randle averaged 24/9/5 last season and Brunson was the focus of the offense. Next season Randle will be at 20% of the cap. Teams will be interested.

Maybe, maybe not. Either way, he is not the lynchpin in a Durant trade. The main piece going out to get Durant.

Durant will pick his destination. When KD left GSW, the Warriors sen out a 1st, a 2nd, and KD for Treveon Graham, Shabazz Napier and D'Angelo Russell. When PHX got KD the linchpin was Bridges. KD only has one year left on his deal; nobody is giving up the farm for him.

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Slim Charless wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:Randle averaged 24/9/5 last season and Brunson was the focus of the offense. Next season Randle will be at 20% of the cap. Teams will be interested.

Maybe, maybe not. Either way, he is not the lynchpin in a Durant trade. The main piece going out to get Durant.

Durant will pick his destination. When KD left GSW, the Warriors sen out a 1st, a 2nd, and KD for Treveon Graham, Shabazz Napier and D'Angelo Russell. When PHX got KD the linchpin was Bridges. KD only has one year left on his deal; nobody is giving up the farm for him.

Lol

Trying to compare Bridges to Randle. I wonder which had more trade value?

You still haven't given me teams that you think want to trade for Randle BTW. Anytime now.

Slim Charless wrote:

Pickled Prunes wrote:

Slim Charless wrote:
Maybe, maybe not. Either way, he is not the lynchpin in a Durant trade. The main piece going out to get Durant.

Durant will pick his destination. When KD left GSW, the Warriors sen out a 1st, a 2nd, and KD for Treveon Graham, Shabazz Napier and D'Angelo Russell. When PHX got KD the linchpin was Bridges. KD only has one year left on his deal; nobody is giving up the farm for him.

Lol

Trying to compare Bridges to Randle. I wonder which had more trade value?

You still haven't given me teams that you think want to trade for Randle BTW. Anytime now.

I didn't compair Bridges to Randle, they are very different players. But I'm not convince Bridges is better. Career averages of almost 15/4/3.

Where will Randle end up? It depends on the package, but probably a third of the NBA would have some level of interest. You want me to make a list? Just wait and see where he ends up. If he ends up in Europe, I will admit I was wrong. I might even buy you a pizza.