Wolves Make First Trade of the Season, Marc Gasol Coming to Minnesota

Immediately after the trade restriction was lifted from players signed in the off-season, Minnesota and Dallas reached an agreement, swapping both of their 2 underachieving centers for each other. The Timberwolves sent shot blocker Andrew Bogut and sophomore shooting guard Jamaal Franklin for the offensively dominant Marc Gasol and veteran guard Kirk Hinrich.

Jake wrote:Of course we didn't plan on trading any of the guys we signed in free agency this soon. We wanted the team we left the off-season with to be our final form of the team, something we could immediately contend with. But that wasn't the case. Marc Gasol is dangerous. Putting Marc Gasol next to Kevin Love in the frontcourt was too tempting to pass up. Playing double post with those guys should be really, really fun.

Andrew Bogut is notorious for his shot blocking, and with averaging 2.5 blocks per game this season, he was the only guy standing in the way of Andrew Bynum and DeMarcus Cousins scoring 60 point games. But in addition to Marc Gasol's phenomenal post game, his defense is far underrated. He's one of the few centers that averages at least a block and a steal per game (1.8 and 1.0).


Not to be overlooked, the Wolves will also be receiving the 33 year old Kirk Hinrich. Gary Neal has proved to be a terrible point guard option off of the bench with a 37% FG% and .345 STP%, and he'll quickly be replaced with the better shooting Kirk Hinrich, shooting 40% 3P% and 77.5% STP%. Hinrich will also be asked to play the shooting guard spot with Jamaal Franklin headed to Dallas as well.

So does Marc Gasol get the Wolves out of their slump? Or is this team still doomed to the 9th seed in the West?

Good deal. I like both Gasol and Hinrich and they will be a great addition to the team

I like Gasol but not sure how it works for you as I feel Bogut wasn't the issue, we'll see though.

Honestly I like the Kirk Hinrich part of deal more than the main part as he's a pass 1st guy, older but gets it done.

I felt like Hinrich on my bench wasn't giving me what I needed and it was hurting him as well. Plus, with the trade for Teague, I knew he really wouldn't get much playing time, so I'm hoping Hinrich becomes a better fit for the Wolves as I really do like what Hinrich brings to the table.

I love Hinrich's game, great 3pt shooter, low-usage, savvy veteran who knows his role and won't try to do too much with the ball. Very good defender too, and can play both PG and SG. I'd love to have him on my team, tried to sign him this past offseason and even acquire him from the Mavs, but failed to do both.

Gasol is a great fit with Love. Just don't know if you can afford Lin - McLemore - Parsons - Love - Gasol since McLemore and Gasol seem to be max-players, Parsons already got a max deal and Love is a max guy for sure. Lin may be the odd one out of Minny because of financial troubles.

Frankly I'd start Hinrich - McLemore - Parsons - Love - Bogut, bring Lin off the bench and trade Granger before the deadline.

I liked Bogut a lot but his contract was not good at all. I also really liked Franklin and think he can be a good player in the league if given the time to develop and start.

Gasol is a top 10 center in the league though and Hinrich is a good player to have off the bench so good moves and to get rid of that contract was a good move too.

We were interested in Franklin, but he was already verbaled by the time we got there.

Love this trade, because I love Marc. He can be a total monster in the right situation, hope he gets back into form for you.

Think you nailed it with this deal. It's important to get Gasol signed this off-season though, as there will certainly be no lack of suitors. He'll probably command a max so you better get ready to pay up.

But definitely think Gasol is an upgrade over Bogut. Always been a Marc fan.