Everybody seems to know that the Minnesota Timberwolves need a point guard. Even with Bones Hyland’s emergence, this will likely be the focus of all the rumors around the Timberwolves leading up to the trade deadline.

The Wolves have most notably been connected to Ja Morant, James Harden, and Coby White. Jake Fischer also reported that the Timberwolves could be in play for Collin Sexton. Frankly, these names sound great, but the reality is that making a move for the Wolves will be easier said than done.

As a result, despite the rumors, I don’t see a major move being in the cards.

Trading for a star is unlikely

Listen, all these names sound awesome in theory. However, in the tax-apron era, trades are a lot more complicated, and the Wolves have limited draft capital. As a first-tax apron team, the Wolves would have to match salaries in any move they make.

For Harden or Morant, that would mean they’d have to match close just under $40 million. Likewise for Trae Young or LaMelo Ball. In fact, Young at $45.9 million is even more expensive.

The Wolves have made it clear that they aren’t trading Jaden McDaniels. As a result, the clearest path would involve trading Julius Randle. However, Randle has proven to be an ideal co-star next to Anthony Edwards, and with his $30.8 million contract, the Wolves would have to include more than just Randle.

Frankly, Randle himself has been better than Young, Ball, and Morant while Harden is 36. Trading him and depth pieces would be far too risky.

Could something centered around Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo work for one of these stars? I think other teams would want a bit more back. Similarly, at 33, Rudy Gobert likely isn’t good enough to be a centerpiece of a trade for a star.

How bad do the Wolves want a star point guard?

Other options for the Timberwolves

Now, there are other options, most notably Coby White and Collin Sexton. Regardless, this would in all likelihood have to involve DiVincenzo. While the Big Ragu isn’t the same ball handler as White or Sexton, he’s a better shooter and overall player.

Interestingly, Fischer noted that despite the Wolves checking in on White, his looming free agency offsets the attractiveness of a possible trade. That makes a lot of sense, and I’ve mentioned this problem, especially since DiVincenzo has an extra year under his belt.

Nevertheless, the Wolves would run into the same problem with Sexton. Plus, Sexton makes $6.1 million more than White. Meaning that the Wolves would have to include some young talent along with DiVincenzo or make the deal centered around Reid.

That’s not worth it to me.

The Wolves will undoubtedly have to make some tough decisions at the deadline. However, unless something changes, I don’t see the Wolves making a major trade. When it’s all said and done, trading for a role player like Tre Jones could end up being the perfect move for Minnesota.