8. Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an interesting team to keep an eye on when it comes to the Damian Lillard saga, especially if it lingers closer to the NBA Trade Deadline. There’s one big reason why; while the Wolves may not have the draft capital that the Portland Trail Blazers would likely be looking for in a return for Lillard, they do have one intriguing player who could be of interest to a rebuilding team – Karl-Anthony Towns.
At this point, with the way things have developed recently in Minnesota, it would almost be surprising if KAT was not traded in the next 1-2 seasons. He looks like a player who would greatly benefit from a change of scenery and the Wolves are clear in win-now mode (which would check a potential box for Lillard).
Would the Blazers be open to a package centered around KAT, another young player, and less draft capital? It’s no foregone conclusion but you’d have to think that the Blazers would at the very least consider it – especially if they’re not completely sold on the Heat’s collection of draft picks that they could offer Portland.