The Minnesota Timberwolves are right in the mix for one of the last playoff spots in the west this season and as the trade deadline gets closer, Evan Turner, Eric Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon and Jimmer Fredette could be players the Wolves chase for Alexey Shved, as the franchise knows missing the postseason again could lead to Love leaving in 2015.
The Timberwolves had a ton of promise last season heading into the year, but injuries to Love and Ricky Rubio doomed all that and now the team is looking to at least make the playoffs as the eighth seed in 2014, as everyone has reported that Love will be looking to leave once his contract opt out comes up. The Knicks, Lakers and Nets have all been mentioned as potential destinations for the star, who is leading the Wolves with 25 points and 13 rebounds and has been a double-double machine since he was drafted.
Fansided.com reports that the Wolves could look to move J.J. Barea and Alexey Shved in any deals, but teams aren't likely to give up much for those options. Kevin Martin went down with an injury for his thumb and while he will be out for a few weeks, it could end up being longer. Martin has been a solid scorer for the team and is averaging 19 points per game and the Wolves will have to find that production from somewhere. Martin's injury makes the 25-year-old Shved an option to get dealt and names like Evan Turner, Eric Gordon, Kirk Hinrich and Ben Gordon could be fits for the team at the deadline.
Gordon and Turner have been mentioned in trade talks with each other and the Sixers appear to be motivated to move him before he hits free agency. Turner is averaging close to 20 points and six rebounds this season and he has been playing well and ESPN.com reports that he is one player that is likely to get dealt at the deadline. The Sixers want draft picks for any trades they make, but since Turner is set to be a free agent, teams may not be willing to give up a high pick just for someone they could sign later in the offseason.
Hinrich is another option and his name has come up quite a bit as the trade deadline gets closer, as the Chicago Bulls already dealt Luol Deng and he could be next. Hinrich likely wouldn't cost as much as the other players, while Ben Gordon has been mentioned in potential swaps for the Bobcats, who have shown an interest in Turner as well.
The Timberwolves have been playing well on offense this season, averaging over 105 points per game under Rick Adelman, but the defense has not been there and they rank 22nd in the league in points allowed per game. Love has the team third in rebounds and they are seventh in assists, but at 24-28 they need to start turning things around and in the western conferences, a losing record may not be enough to make it into the playoffs.