By trading for Naz Reid in part of a deal for LaMelo Ball, the Minnesota Timberwolves now have a glaring hole at the power forward position. The Wolves have two primary options for filling this void: they could either sign a budget-friendly free agent or make a minor trade.
If they opt for the latter approach, trading Terrence Shannon Jr. is one of their few paths to filling this void (if they target a higher-end player). Within all likelihood, TSJ would be paired with Josh Green in order for the Wolves to trade for a power forward, such as, P.J. Washington.
Should the Timberwolves keep or trade Shannon?
It's a real dilemma, though. Shannon showed significant promise at the end of last season, highlighted by a stellar 24-point performance in Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets. Minnesota could use his sparkplug scoring abilities in a sixth-man-like role and giving up on young players could always backfire.
The problem is that this past season proved that Shannon needs the ball in his hands to be successful. While I still see a role for him as a transition threat, it will prove to be difficult for him to carve out a consistent role in the halfcourt, since the Wolves now have another player who can take the ball out of his hands more.
As such, for the right player, I would move Shannon as part of a deal for a power forward.
In general, I'm more in favor of trading for a power forward than signing one. Yes, the Wolves have access to the taxpayer mid-level exception, allowing them to sign a free agent for $6.1 million a year.
Ideally, the Wolves could sign someone like Dean Wade or Sandro Mamukelashvili, but there's also a strong chance these two players are out of the Wolves' price range, and it's slim pickings from there.
Thus, while it would sting to lose Shannon, trading him (and Green) for someone like Washington or Obi Toppin could prove to be worth it. Frankly, these power forwards are clearly a notch above anyone Minnesota can realistically sign on the open market.
There are simply not many better options for filling this major need than including Shannon in a deal for a power forward. He's one of their few trade assets, right now.
Again, though, giving up on a player after just two seasons would sting, especially since Shannon showed promise in flashes as a sparkplug scorer. Overall, while I lean toward trading Shannon if you can land someone like Washington or Toppin, it's not an easy call.
