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Boston Celtics: 3 names to keep an eye out for in 2020

By Andrew Hughes

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 13: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves smile and laugh during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge as part of NBA All-Star 2016 on February 13, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Charlie Lindsay/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 13: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics and Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves smile and laugh during the Taco Bell Skills Challenge as part of NBA All-Star 2016 on February 13, 2016 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Charlie Lindsay/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Boston Celtics (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
Boston Celtics (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Karl-Anthony Towns

Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz had the Boston Celtics on his short list of trade destinations and packages for increasingly disgruntled Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Karl-Anthony Towns. The former #1 overall pick in 2015 is treading water on a team that doesn’t have the infrastructure to contend now nor the organizational history to show it could improve the team in the future.

Since Kevin Garnett left the team for greener pastures *wink wink* in 2007, the Timberwolves have made exactly one playoff appearance. That was in 2018, when the team had an All-NBA talent in Jimmy Butler to lead the young Timber-pups. After barely squeaking into the playoffs following a regular season finale against the Nuggets, they were trounced by the top-seeded Houston Rockets.

The beginning of the 2018-19 season was a disaster in Minnesota. Butler forced his way out of town with a trade demand that stemmed from not being happy with his teammates. That dysfunction is a microcosm of a larger issue: an organization that can’t keep its prized player happy.

Which is where we are at now. After the team started off the season as a surprise sleeper, they have fallen off a cliff to a 12-21 record and the 12th seed out west. Towns is reportedly unhappy and wants a trade; hence Swartz’ piece.

Now, if he is to be believed, the asking price for Towns would be immense. Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward is the starting point, with the Boston Celtics also giving up Carsen Edwards, Grant Williams, Robert Williams and a first round draft pick.

For a player like Towns? Maybe it’d be worth it. A big three of Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Towns would be supported by Enes Kanter, Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis. Rookies like Romeo Langford, Tremont Waters and Tacko Fall(!) would have bigger roles.

Such a move would be more likely for the off-season. A player like Towns is theoretically the kind of player to cash in all of the chips for. It’ll be Ainge’s move this summer if the All-NBA big continues to be unhappy in the Twin Cities.

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