The Ringer’s Zach Kram predicts the Miami Heat will make a blockbuster trade this offseason to acquire a superstar-level player, citing Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns as a potential trade target.
“Contrary to their reputation, the Miami Heat haven’t brought on a new star in five years,” Kram said in an article titled “2024 NBA Playoff Predictions: Finals Picks, Upsets, and Summer Blockbusters” published on April 22. Since signing and dealing Jimmy Butler in 2019, they’ve added strong players, including post-prime Kyle Lowry, P.J. Tucker, and Terry Rozier, but no stars.
“That will change this summer, once the Butler-less Heat are eliminated early and Pat Riley decides to bolster a roster that has struggled through two regular seasons—and thus earned a much more challenging playoff path—in a row,” Kram said.
The Heat are largely expected to make a huge move this offseason following an early playoff elimination to their Eastern Conference rivals, the Boston Celtics.
Kram indicated that the Timberwolves would most likely sell numerous salaries from their payroll in order to avoid incurring a big luxury tax charge under the new collective bargaining agreement.
The NBA writer noted that the Wolves’ precarious financial predicament may allow the Heat and other potential trade partners to inquire about the availability of their star big man.
“Maybe they’ll make a deal with the potentially cash-strapped Timberwolves for Karl-Anthony Towns, who can provide the Heat with a scorer and spacer while pairing with another top big man defender, as he does now with Rudy Gobert. (Though Butler, a previous teammate, may not want to play with KAT again.)” Kram stated in the post.
Timberwolves’ Financial Situation Makes Karl-Anthony Towns the Odd Man Out
According to Spotrac, Towns will make $49.5 million next season after signing a four-year, $221 million contract with the Timberwolves in the summer of 2023.
Anthony Edwards’ rookie-scale agreement for $204.4 million over five years will also begin next season, giving the Timberwolves with a critical decision to make: keep the core of Edwards and Towns or move for salary cap relief.
According to Spotrac, Towns will earn $49.5 million next season after signing a four-year, $221 million contract with the Timberwolves in July 2023.
Anthony Edwards’ rookie-scale contract for $204.4 million over five years will also begin next season, leaving the Timberwolves with a vital option to make: maintain the core of Edwards and Towns or seek salary cap relief.
Reggie Miller Thinks Towns is the Key Factor to Force Game 7
Reggie Miller, a TNT analyst and basketball hall of famer, feels the Timberwolves’ season will rest on Towns’ shoulders as they attempt to avoid elimination in Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets.
“For Minnesota, Karl Anthony Towns must play at an elite level. I believe he is forcing things. Miller mentioned this on The Dan Patrick Show on May 14. “But I give Denver a lot of credit because they’re putting him against smaller players and tempting him into playing bully-ball down low, which isn’t working. If he continues to shoot as he has, this series will be over in the next two games. “He needs to improve his efficiency significantly.”
Towns dominated the first two games of the series, averaging 23.5 points on a 64.1 FG% and 55% three-point percentage. However, the Wolves’ big man performance dipped dramatically in Games 3 and 4, with 13.5 points, 42.5 FG%, and 52.0 3PT%.
Towns performed better in Game 5, scoring 23 points on 53 percent shooting, but he left the court hobbling with 1:23 remaining in the first quarter. He logged back into the game and finished it. According to CBS Sports, Towns re-aggravated his left knee, which had been surgically repaired last March.
