The Minnesota Timberwolves, owners of the NBA’s best record since Thanksgiving at 17-6, strengthened their case for a quiet trade deadline by routing the Milwaukee Bucks 129-96 on Tuesday. The blowout in Milwaukee came without suspended center Rudy Gobert and injured guard Anthony Edwards, yet Minnesota still won by 33 points.
Team president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has been weighing trade possibilities for weeks, but league sources told The Athletic the club is unlikely to chase high-salary point guards such as Ja Morant or LaMelo Ball. Remaining below the second tax apron and preserving roster depth are top priorities, making a lower-cost reserve wing or guard the most probable target before the Feb. 5 deadline.
“We don’t need anything,” one Timberwolves player said after Tuesday’s victory.
Bench duo delivers statement performance
Fifth-year guard Bones Hyland posted 23 points, five assists and a plus-41 rating in just 21 minutes, while rookie center Joan Beringer contributed 12 points, five rebounds and a plus-30 in 30 minutes during his first meaningful action of the season. Head coach Chris Finch indicated Beringer could enter the regular rotation if he continues to produce. “People are going to have to sacrifice minutes, but if he plays like this, we all benefit,” Finch said.
Hyland, drafted 26th overall by Denver in 2021, told R.org he has grown on and off the court. “The biggest thing is maturity—understanding the business side of basketball and the patience it requires,” he said.
Edwards remains day-to-day
Anthony Edwards will sit out his second straight game Friday at Houston because of right foot injury management. Finch labeled the All-Star guard “day-to-day,” and team officials do not consider the injury a long-term issue.
Source: Hoops Rumors
