The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the better teams in the NBA’s loaded Western Conference.
After back-to-back Conference Finals appearances, they’ll look to finally break through in 2025-26 and make the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
It may take a little more firepower than how their roster is currently constructed, though, if their sights are set on an NBA championship.
Minnesota had a solid offseason, retaining key players such as Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and Joe Ingles, but they lost reserve guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency to the Atlanta Hawks.
If the Timberwolves want to contend with the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets, they’re going to need a scoring punch off the bench to sustain their offense when superstar Anthony Edwards is off the floor.
Luckily for them, there’s a former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up just waiting to be traded for.
Timberwolves Trade Idea Lands Kings Guard Malik Monk
In a trade idea proposed by Athlon Sports’ Nathaniel Holloway, the Minnesota Timberwolves could acquire Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk to solidify their bench.
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Malik Monk
Sacramento Kings receive: Donte DiVincenzo, Bones Hyland, and Leonard Miller, draft capital
While giving up Donte DiVincenzo, a player who was a key factor in their most recent run to the Conference Finals, would be a tough pill to swallow, he doesn’t have the same scoring output Monk can provide Minnesota.
“Monk is a great scorer and he also improved his playmaking skills last season in Sacramento when he was asked to fill in at the point guard position after they traded De’Aaron Fox,” wrote Holloway.
“By adding Monk, Minnesota would add another key scorer to their bench as well as a solid playmaker who could help them make a run at the NBA Finals this season.”
Last season, Monk averaged a career-high 17.2 points and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 43.9% from the floor and 32.5% from three-point range.
Would the Kings Make the Trade?
Monk has had three great seasons with the Sacramento Kings, but it appears they’re ready to move on.
The former Kentucky star is one of the few holdovers from previous head coach Mike Brown’s tenure, and the Kings have been rumored to be shopping Monk all offseason.
When the Golden State Warriors and Kings were engaged in sign-and-trade talks surrounding Jonathan Kuminga, Sacramento was reportedly dangling Monk as a trade piece.
Obviously, the Kings are ready to move on from Monk, and this trade provides a unique opportunity for Sacramento to bolster their supporting cast around Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis by trading one player for three.
Despite this, Monk appears committed to the Kings, despite the coach who brought him here being run out of town.
“I bought a house. Bought some acres. So you tell me? Feels just like [home]. Like I said before, I’ve been feeling at home here. I love it here,” Monk said during Kings media day.
The former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up patiently awaits to see how his future in the NBA unfolds.
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