Tom Thibodeau expected to trade young Timberwolves player for established veteran

Discussion in 'Minnesota Timberwolves' started by truebluefan, Nov 24, 2016.

  1. truebluefan

    truebluefan Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    It’s been a decade since Tom Thibodeau worked for a losing team.

    The Bulls won each season he coached. Prior to Chicago, he served as an assistant on championship-contending Celtics teams. He was a Rockets assistant before that, and he suffered through his last losing season in Houston. (He took last year off after getting fired by the Bulls.)

    Thibodeau appears likely to break his winning streak this year. President and coach, he’s overseeing a Timberwolves team that’s too young to win consistently. Minnesota is 4-10 while relying heavily on three 21-year-olds: Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine.

    So, the anticipated question has become reality: How will Thibodeau, a coach at heart and first-time executive, handle roster building?

    Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report:



    Tom Thibodeau is not exactly a paragon of patience, which is why league sources expect that he is only a few more losses away from dealing one of his young stars for a veteran who can help him win now. His first look will be for a player he already knows and trusts because he’s already had that player in his system. Would the Lakers consider advancing their youth movement and dealing former Bull Luol Deng? Would the Bulls consider parting with Jimmy Butler or Taj Gibson? Where Thibs looks is not certain, nor is who he’d be willing to move. But those in the league who know his hunger to win and win now are convinced he will begin calling around soon, if he hasn’t already.

    There are a few possibilities, potentially overlapping, here:

    1. “League sources” are aware of Thibodeau’s notoriously competitive nature and, without specific insight here, are merely supposing he’ll push for a win-now trade. You or I could do the same.

    - See more at:http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/11/24...eteran/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
     

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