The Minnesota Timberwolves have high expectations entering the 2025-26 season.
They’ve reached the Western Conference Finals twice in the last two years, but have yet to break through and reach the franchise’s first NBA Finals.
Under the guidance of franchise cornerstone Anthony Edwards, the Wolves have steadily improved every year since selecting the former Georgia standout No. 1 overall.
It makes sense why the pressure is on to finally reach the mountain top.
The team, as currently constructed, is just as talented as it’s been in years past.
But will that be enough to allow Minnesota to achieve its goal of a championship?
It wasn’t enough against the Oklahoma City Thunder last year, and if the Timberwolves want any chance of besting the reigning champions in a seven-game series, they may have to upgrade their own roster with a midseason trade.
Timberwolves Given ‘Realistic’ Trade Target
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey gave each NBA team a “realistic” and “dream” trade target as the NBA season progresses.
For the Minnesota Timberwolves, he believes Sacramento Kings point guard Dennis Schröder is the most realistic target they could acquire.
“If the Sacramento Kings’ season goes haywire early, they may look to move some of their veterans,” wrote Bailey.
“And though Dennis Schröder may not be the ideal fix for the Minnesota Timberwolves’ lack of point guard depth, he’s coming off a EuroBasket MVP and is six years younger than Mike Conley.”
Minnesota is lacking at the point guard position.
They’ve been starting Donte DiVincenzo since the start of the regular season, leading to mixed results.
The former Villanova star is averaging 3.3 assists per game with two turnovers, not a great ratio through four games.
But the shooting guard is playing out of position, and 38-year-old Mike Conley can’t be relied upon to play heavy minutes each night.
Schröder, on the other hand, is averaging 6.6 assists per game so far in Sacramento and could be a relatively cheap solution for their point guard dilemma.
Acquiring the German star may be the correct answer for a Timberwolves team searching for stability and production at the point guard position.
Timberwolves ‘Dream’ Trade Target
Bailey has Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid listed as the Minnesota Timberwolves’ dream trade target.
It would be a massive swing for a team looking to put itself over the edge of championship contention.
“If the Philadelphia 76ers ever decided to try to get out from under Joel Embiid’s contract and injury history, the Timberwolves are a team that might be able to justify the risk,” continued Bailey.
“There’s no guarantee Embiid would suddenly become more durable in Minnesota, but pairing him with Anthony Edwards might give Minnesota the league’s next Shaq and Kobe.”
It’s a massive “if,” but acquiring the former league MVP may just be what the Timberwolves are looking for to compete with the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West.
The hypothetical trade would likely mean parting ways with defensive anchor Rudy Gobert, but considering the Wolves seem to have hit their ceiling with the former Defensive Player of the Year, it may be worth the chance.
Like Bailey said, the pairing of Edwards and Embiid may create one of the most threatening offensive pairings in recent league history.
If the Timberwolves get desperate enough, this could be the move that makes or breaks the team’s future.
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