Utah Jazz: 3 Karl-Anthony Towns trades the team could get involved with

Utah Jazz upgrade on the margins

So far, the win-now Golden State Warriors have been apprehensive to aggregate their suddenly impressive collection of future assets in exchange for a win-now player. If Karl-Anthony Towns were to request a trade out of Minnesota, the front office should change their tune, and change it as quickly as possible.

The addition of KAT to a lineup already featuring Steph Curry and Klay Thompson would certainly make for the most devastating spacing in the entire history of the NBA. Furthermore, Towns’ pairing with Draymond Green in the front court feels like a match made in heaven: Towns compensates for Green’s somewhat shaky three-point shot as well as Green is able to mask Towns’ questionable defense.

There is no question the Warriors would like to acquire Towns. In all likelihood, the package they can provide the Timberwolves is as good as any they’ll find should Towns ask out of Minnesota. Jonathan Kuminga is an immensely high-upside prospect who was frequently projected as a top-5 draft pick in a loaded 2021 NBA Draft. Some teams made some unexpected decisions (we dare a single reader to find a mock draft that ranked Josh Giddey ahead of Kuminga) and he slipped into the Warrior’s hands at 7th. If he reaches his ceiling, he’ll be the type of 2-way wing with the prerequisite length and athleticism to be a franchise player.

Meanwhile, James Wiseman did not look that part over the duration of his rookie season, but if KAT did request a trade from the Wolves, they’d be in a prime position to afford the 20-year-old some patience. After all, he fits Anthony Edwards’ timeline perfectly. Even if Wiseman never develops the type of offensive skillset that his team can game plan around, it’s easy to envision Clint Capela with a three-pointer when Wiseman hits his ceiling.

The Timberwolves receive the Warrior’s 2022 first round pick in this exchange too. There will be no protections on the pick. This is Karl-Anthony Towns we’re talking about.

As for the Utah Jazz, they’re parting with little to gain a little more in this exchange, and their involvement is mostly a consequence of salary matching necessity. Still, their return is solid here. While we’ve recently taken issue with the notion that the Jazz are “one wing short”, the addition of Juan Toscano-Anderson ought to minimize those concerns. He’s a sound, multi-positional defender who also just shot 40.7% from three-point range.

Damion Lee may not be a household name, but he’s only a season removed from averaging 12.7 points per game for a depleted Warriors squad. The Dubs may not be enthusiastic about parting with either of these solid players. They’d simply have no choice if it netted them Karl-Anthony Towns.