The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to be active leading up to the NBA trade deadline. Players Minnesota reportedly could look to move include Thaddeus Young, Kevin Martin and Chase Budinger.
Minnesota is trying to improve without having a complete rebuild. Timberwolves coach, president and part owner Flip Saunders won't have a fire sale this season, but he is expected to entertain offers for a number of his players before the Feb. 19 deadline passes.
"I think they'll (be) active, mainly because they have pieces they can sell," Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler wrote Monday. "Keep in mind Flip values veteran guys and getting good veterans is hard for a young losing team, so don't expect a dump - but I suspect a lot of teams will try and pry away Thad Young, Kevin Martin and the like. I know (Minnesota would) love to move Chase Budinger, (but I am) not sold anyone wants him."
All of the aforementioned players have been linked previously to trade rumors. Recently, a report from ESPN's Marc Stein indicated Young, whom the Brooklyn Nets are said to covet, was included in a three-team trade for Brook Lopez.
"Sources say one option that strongly interests Nets, IF Brook L trade goes down, is trying to deal Perk for Thaddeus Young," Stein tweeted Friday. "... ESPN sources say Wolves are willing to move Thaddeus Young as part of ongoing rebuild and Young said to be high on list (of) players (Brooklyn) covets."
The trade, which ultimately stalled, was centered around the Oklahoma City Thunder sending Kendrick Perkins to Brooklyn in exchange for Lopez.
Young is an intriguing option for at least some teams because he's only 26 years old and would provide a team with solid minutes at the small forward position. Martin, who averaged 20.4 points per game this season before being sidelined with a wrist injury, would give a team a veteran scorer who can space the floor with his 48.1 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Budinger, as mentioned, is a tougher sell.
Martin is owed $14.4 million over the next two seasons, and both Young and Budinger can opt out of their contracts in July.
