Los Angeles Lakers: Trades that open with a top-four pick

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(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

This might sound like an outlandish trade and there have been virtually no reports of the Minnesota Timberwolves even considering trading Karl-Anthony Towns. It is completely fair if you look at this trade and your initial reaction is you scoffing at me.

However, hear me out.

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The NBA is a crazy league. One day a player looks like he is going to spend his entire career somewhere and the next that player is shipped off to another team.

The perfect example of this is Blake Griffin. After signing an extension and being billed a Clipper for life, Griffin was traded to the Detroit Pistons. That extension was squandered months into it because the Clippers were having buyers remorse around the contract.

The Timberwolves could have the same thing with Towns. Although Towns is much younger and is trending upwards, he is set for a five-year, $158 million contract extension. That is a big number for a small market team that is not a playoff team with Towns being the best player.

Then the desperation of the Lakers wanting a second star could come in and lead the team to accept taking on this contract. The Timberwolves would be getting a phenomenal return as well, getting two younger, much cheaper, assets while also getting their pick at a prospect in the 2019 NBA Draft.

Ball is someone that Minnesota was reportedly interested in as well when he was coming into the league. It wouldn’t be surprising to see that interest re-emerge if the Lakers engaged in trade talks.

This all depends on the Timberwolves’ mindset this offseason. Minnesota is not necessarily a free agent destination and could be doomed to mediocrity.

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And after seeing the success that the Clippers have had after trading Blake Griffin, the Lakers’ offer might just be enough to sway the Timberwolves.

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