The Mavericks’ latest move may have opened a door the Timberwolves badly need.
On Wednesday, Memphis sent Santi Aldama to Dallas in exchange for AJ Johnson, a protected 2030 first-round pick and two future second-round picks. That deal doesn’t involve Minnesota directly, but it could change the market in a way the Wolves are watching closely.
With Aldama now in the fold, Dallas has a deeper forward group, which could make P.J. Washington more available.
For Minnesota, that matters. After moving Naz Reid and Julius Randle, the Timberwolves are staring at a clear hole at power forward.
The free-agent pool has thinned out fast, so a trade may be their best route to solving the problem. Washington looks like the kind of target that makes sense both on paper and in reality.
A deal would likely have to start with Josh Green for salary purposes, while Terrence Shannon Jr. could be the extra piece that helps get it over the line. Green’s expiring money and Shannon’s appeal as a young player might be enough to make Dallas listen.
And Washington brings exactly the kind of game Minnesota needs.
Defensively, he’s the kind of forward stopper teams covet. He has the size, length, discipline and strength to handle opposing forwards on the ball, and the numbers back that up.
Basketball Index had Washington in the 94th percentile for matchup difficulty and the 93rd percentile for perimeter isolation defense last season. He also averaged 2.1 stocks and can make life miserable as a help defender.
Jaden McDaniels can take on more forward assignments, and that may even be necessary. He’s a terrific defender.
But he’s more naturally comfortable guarding guards, which is why Washington would be such a useful piece. He could take on the tougher forward matchups and give Minnesota a true on-ball presence there.
He’s also been a sturdy rebounder, averaging 6 boards for his career.
There’s offensive value here, too. Washington can attack mismatches, finish around the rim, and provide a little spacing.
He shot 32.5 percent from 3-point range last season, but he knocked down 38.1 percent of his threes the year before. The shot isn’t the headline attraction, but there’s reason to think his numbers could bounce back in a better offensive setting.
Put it together, and Washington offers the kind of two-way impact that would help shore up a glaring need. If he’s really on the market, the Timberwolves should be pressing Dallas hard - and after the Grizzlies-Mavericks trade, that possibility looks more real than it did before.
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