NBA: 5 non-star trade targets that could change the playoff race

Robert Covington – Minnesota Timberwolves

If you look up 3-and-D in the dictionary you probably won’t find anything. But if you did for some reason find something, it would be a picture of Robert Covington.

Covington could fit in with all 30 teams in the NBA. He is a career 36 percent 3-point shooter who doesn’t need the ball to be happy is an elite perimeter defender and can play the 3 or be a small ball 4. Oh, and he’s on a team-friendly contract with two years and $25 million left on his deal after this season per Spotrac. Who wouldn’t want this guy?

The obvious counterpoint to that is – so why would the Timberwolves want to trade him? It’s a good point by my hypothetical debate opponent and is the only thing that could get in the way of the #FreeBobCovington movement.

But look at it this way. The Timberwolves are going nowhere. They currently sit 13th in the Western Conference standings and don’t have a realistic shot at making a push for the final playoff spot. Also, Covington’s value might be the highest it’s ever been. So far this month per NBA.com, he’s averaging 15 points, seven rebounds, and over two steals per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from 3-point range.

This might be the most leverage they’ll ever have in a Covington trade and not pulling the trigger on that could very well be something they regret in the long run. If you can’t win with him, you might as well get some assets for him.