Minnesota Timberwolves Working on Last-Minute Trade Before NBA Season Starts

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Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Tim Connelly never sleeps. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ president of basketball operations recently pulled off yet another one of his trademark blockbuster moves. But just because the Wolves just shook up their roster in a big way with the KAT for Julius Randle + Donte DiVincenzo trade doesn’t mean they’re done making deals.

The Timberwolves’ regular season schedule tips off on Tuesday, Oct. 22, but before it does, Connelly has one last trade up his sleeves.

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Minnesota Timberwolves trying to trade Keita Bates-Diop

Minnesota Timberwolves, Keita Bates-Diop
Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ trade for Julius Randle was quite complicated due to Karl-Anthony Towns’ massive $49.2 million salary. This meant the Wolves couldn’t simply swap Towns for Randle plus DiVincenzo; they also had to take back more salary, which led to the inclusion of Keita Bates-Diop in the trade.

In a perfect world, this wouldn’t be a problem. KBD is a serviceable player who can help add experienced depth and size to a championship-caliber team. Yet, while he’s been on the team since the trade was completed on Oct. 2, the Wolves don’t have enough roster spots to keep him. Well, they could, but Connelly prefers to keep another one of his former players instead.

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Now, according to Yahoo’s Jake Fischer, the Timberwolves are “working to find a trade partner” for Bates-Diop.

“The Timberwolves have looked to find a trade for veteran Keita Bates-Diop, sources said, to allow Minnesota to keep a personal favorite of president Tim Connelly on the roster: PJ Dozier.”

Jake Fischer on Minnesota Timberwolves

PJ Dozier was added to the roster on July 15th, well before KBD was, so it seems he’s long been in the Timberwolves’ plans. Yet, once Bates-Dip was added, determining who would snag the team’s final roster spot became a bit murky.

Now, we know who the last man standing is expected to be, yet will Connelly be able to get back any draft compensation for Bates-Diop? Don’t expect anything more than a second-round pick or a pick swap.

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