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The Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves are both among the worst teams in the Western Conference. It’s been a tremendously disappointing season for the two franchises that started off with playoff aspirations.
The Warriors have been derailed by an injury to two-time MVP Stephen Curry. With Klay Thompson already out with a torn ACL, they’ve been struggling to find any type of success behind three-time All-Star Draymond Green.
The Dubs are looking towards next year already, but at the same time, they’ll be looking so much further into the future.
That’s why they’re reportedly monitoring former Wildcat superstar Karl-Anthony Towns relationship with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team that drafted him first overall in the 2015 NBA Draft.
The Timberwolves, who looked to add D’Angelo Russell this offseason, saw him opt into a sign-and-trade with Golden State, placing him in the Bay for potential the next three seasons.
Knowing that D-Lo and KAT are close friends, securing the duo should’ve been a high priority in which the failure to do so could eventually draw the end of an era in Minnesota.
However, Towns is technically under contract until following the 2023-2024 season.
That’s not to say he couldn’t force his way out sooner though.
The Athletic’s (premium content) Ethan Strauss reported that the Warriors are monitoring Towns’ situation and that multiple team executives have mentioned how the center is currently unhappy.
Towns is a two-time All-Star and will be looking at his third appearance this season with career highs almost across the board. The value of a player of Towns’ caliber is relatively unknown. He’d be worth a lesser superstar talent AND potentially numerous picks.
The Warriors have the talent, but they’re certainly not parting ways with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson or Draymond Green. Pressed against the league’s hard cap, finances would be enough difficult situation as well.
On top of that, there’s no point in building the future around Russell and Towns if you’d have to trade the young guard in order to secure the 24-year-old big man. The man chip at play is the potential No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft Golden State may have.
Could that and young talent be enough? Either way, look for rumors surrounding one of the best big man to ever come through Lexington to start heating up the near future.