Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: F/C Chris Boucher
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Josh Okogie, F Jake Layman, MIN 2022 2nd Round Pick, MIN 2023 2nd Round Pick
Right now, the Timberwolves rank 27th in the league in offensive rating and surprisingly, they rank 10th in the league in defensive rating. With guys constantly being in and out of their rotations due to injuries and Karl-Anthony Towns’ injury history, it would be smart for this franchise to target another frontcourt piece ahead of the trade deadline this season.
You can never have too much depth in the NBA and for the Wolves, they do not really have much depth in their frontcourt, as mentioned before.
Chris Boucher has proven to be effective in or out of the starting rotation and given his ability to block shots, he would make the Timberwolves an even better defensive team than they have looked like so far this year. As for their offense, they need more guys who can stretch the floor and be effective next to Towns and Edwards.
Not only can Boucher be a threat in the low-post, but he shot 38.3% from three-point range last season, making him a threat to score in the frontcourt next to Karl-Anthony Towns. Going out and getting Chris Boucher would be a smart move for the Timberwolves to make, but losing Josh Okogie is tough.
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Now in his fourth season in the league, Josh Okgoie is in the final year of his rookie contract and has become an athletic wing defender. Possessing a 7-foot wingspan, Okogie has been a defensive threat in Minnesota for years now and is only going to get better since he is 23-years-old.
Toronto is always looking for guys to make them a better defensive team and they definitely have a need for a versatile defender in their second-unit.
Josh Okogie could definitely be a guy they show interest in and while they may not have a need for Jake Layman, he is in the final year of his contract as well.
The Toronto Raptors are currently over the luxury tax threshold on the season and they would be taking back an extra $1M in salaries from this trade with the Timberwolves, but they do have a $4.8M TPE they created from the Lowry sign-and-trade this offseason, so Okogie’s contract could be absorbed using this exception.
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There is definitely value to be had for both sides in this trade, but does this deal really benefit both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Toronto Raptors right now?
