The NBA trade rumors lit up at the start of the season with talks of the San Antonio Spurs possibly trading LaMarcus Aldridge.
This all started with Zach Lowe of ESPN in his list of "crazy predictions" but it was enough for other websites to run take shots at other scenarios. For proper context, here's Lowe's exact prediction.
"The Spurs will see if this team outperforms expectations. If it doesn't, they should take calls on Aldridge. He's really good, and there are a lot of impatient owners chasing immediate gratification. If opportunism meets desperation, the Spurs could fleece some rival and restock with a bundle of assets that better line up with Leonard's timetable," Lowe said.
The Minnesota Timberwolves could meet the criteria of a team that would trade for Aldridge. While their owner has not been vocal about it, they hired Tom Thibodeau for one reason-to make the playoffs. Thibodeau himself would not accept any less for himself and since he can make changes in the roster aside from the playbook, a trade would not be difficult to execute.
The Timberwolves need veterans to lead them as they are very talented yet very inconsistent. They need players who are reliable and also have a winning DNA.
For the better part of his career, Aldridge has been in the playoffs with the Portland Trailblazers and last season with the San Antonio Spurs. Aldridge can put up solid numbers and a coach would know exactly what they would expect from him.
Sports site 12Up suggested that the Timberwolves trade for LaMarcus Aldridge. In their proposal, the T-Wolves will send Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad and Nikola Pekovic to the Spurs in exchange for Aldridge.
"Perhaps the Spurs would like to improve their wing instead by acquiring a scorer in Andrew Wiggins along with Shabazz Muhammad. Pekovic, once again, could be waived. Aldridge would bolster Minnesota's frontcourt and would gracefully compliment Towns by providing floor spacing and major scoring at the power forward position."
Muhammad is dispensable for the Wolves and Pekovic, while seen as a bad contract, could be waived. Paying the price of Wiggins for Aldridge may be too steep, but the argument is that Zach Lavine could develop into a serviceable shooting guard while Towns could be pushed as the center.
Still, there is little motivation for Minnesota to make this trade. Andrew Wiggins could become a prime talent and he should not be traded.