By Pierre-Andréa Fraile | Sports journalist
While most of the big fish available on the market have already found buyers, the few that remain are logically the subject of a major battle. Wanted by the Spurs, one of them would also be on the shelves of the Timberwolves.
We didn’t have to wait long to see key free agents find the right fit. Less than 48 hours after the opening of free agency, there are actually few attractive profiles available in this market. However, most franchises are always looking to strengthen themselves and therefore decide to approach potential major candidates for a trade.
Wolves launched on the same hot track as Spurs
Long considered untouchable in the Jazz ranks, Lauri Markkanen would now likely be transferred in exchange for suitable compensation. This does not appear to have escaped Spurs, advertised among the teams interested in this file. However, the fight looks set to be tough, as other candidates have just appeared, and not least according to Jake Fischer from Yahoo Sports :
Jake Fisher: In addition to Golden State, Sacramento and San Antonio, two other teams have been categorized by knowledgeable league sources as strong suitors for Markkanen at this point: the Kings and Timberwolves. (…) According to sources, Minnesota has expressed interest in Markkanen.
It remains to be seen whether the Finn will join the team that drafted him.
Because yes, even though he made his league debut under Bulls colors, Markkanen was actually officially selected by the Wolves with the 7th pick in the 2017 Draft. It is therefore a kind of return to basics that he could perform. even if it raises questions. In fact, many internet users have questioned the logic of this potential arrival on the Minnesota site:
THE WOLVES ALREADY HAVE GOBERT AND CAT??
— Smiley (@30GotNext) 1 July 2024
THE WOLVES ALREADY HAVE GOBERT AND CAT??
What do the wolves plan to do???? Draft election in the 2040s?😂
— Aidan LaPorta (@AidanLaPorta69) 1 July 2024
And the Wolves plan to trade what exactly???? Draft elections in 2040? 😂
Still determined to play for the title, the Timberwolves would be in the race to recruit Lauri Markkanen, as would the Spurs. However, it is not certain that this will fit with Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert would fit the Finn.
