Most of the offseason talk will be about how aggressive the Minnesota Timberwolves will be when it comes to pairing Anthony Edwards with another blue-chip superstar. Some of the names that have been floated around a lot are Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, and Kawhi Leonard. While I agree that Edwards needs a reliable second option badly, this team also needs depth.
There are lots of quality role players available that the Timberwolves could seek out to help fill some big needs on the team. My personal favorite of these guys is New Orleans Pelicans forward Saddiq Bey.
Bey has flown under the radar the last couple of seasons, and honestly, given his ultra-cheap contract combined with his awesome production, he might be the most underrated guy in the NBA. If a team trades for him, their fans will likely be surprised by how good he is, and I’m hoping it’s the Wolves.
Why is Saddiq Bey not talked about as much as he should be?
A lot of it probably has to do with his situation over the last couple of years. Three years ago, he was a key reserve for the Atlanta Hawks before an ACL tear halfway through his season closed the book on his tenure with the Hawks during his contract year. He would then sign a contract with the Washington Wizards for three years, but he would never suit up for them due to his rehabbing from the ACL injury in the first year.
Last offseason, he was traded from the Wizards to the Pelicans as a “throw-in” in the deal that was centered around a swap for CJ McCollum and Jordan Poole, but he might have had the best season out of the three this past year. Bey was a bright spot in a miserable season for the Pelicans. He averaged a career-high 17.7 points per game, to go along with 5.6 rebounds and a career-high 2.5 assists.
He can score at all three levels. He’s a physical, strong defender. He can play in isolation or serve as a floor spacer, and honestly. Simply put, he doesn’t have many flaws at all.
Plus, Bey is entering the last year of his three-year, $19 million contract. With his production on that bargain of a contract, he should have no shortage of suitors if he hits the open market.
Why he would be a perfect fit on the Timberwolves
The Wolves need more guys who can create their own shot, and they need more guys who can contain the defender on the perimeter. Bey does both of these extremely well, and maybe most importantly, he won’t cost the moon and the stars to acquire. The Pelicans could look to sell high on his career-best season and secure some draft capital for their inevitable rebuild.
Depending on the roster construction of the Wolves at the start of next season, Bey could either start or come off the bench in a sixth-man role. If the Wolves move off of Julius Randle, starting Bey alongside Jaden McDaniels on the wing would be an elite blend of shotmaking, physicality, and defense.
He’s not the flashiest name, and he’s gone under the radar while being in losing situations, but if the Wolves can trade for Bey, and maybe even a point guard as well, that will be nothing less than a home run of an offseason for Tim Connelly and company.
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