The Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly shopping veteran small forward Chase Budinger as they look to solve a logjam at the wing position, a source close to situation disclosed on Friday.
Yahoo Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Timberwolves are looking for trade partners willing to absorb Budinger and the two-year, $10M left in his current contract.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves are shopping forward Chase Budinger in trade talks, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” as reported by Wojnarowski.
Budinger, who averaged 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 35 percent from the three-point arc in his five-year career, hasn’t played a lot of games the last two seasons, because of injuries and struggles to gain consistent playing time primarily due to a clog of small forward on the T-Wolves roster.
Do the Lakers Have Chance to Trade for Budinger?
The Lakers have a realistic shot at making a deal for Budinger. Unlike their previous trade targets (Eric Bledsoe and Rajon Rondo), the Lakers don’t have to unload a young talent or a high draft pick to acquire the veteran sniper.
Based on Wojnarowski assumptions, sending two second-round draft picks to Minnesota might be all the Lakers need to get the job done.
Why Trade for Budinger?
Aside from a quality rim protector, the Lakers are still looking for a player with the ability of hitting long range jumpers and adding more scoring firepower at the wing spot.
Outside Wesley Johnson, Los Angeles doesn’t have a natural small forward on their current roster. When healthy, the 26-year old Budinger can provide the Lakers with some range and another offensive-minded wing player alongside Kobe Bryant.
Possible Competitions:
The Houston Rockets and the Detroit Pistons are considered as the front-runner for the Budinger sweepstakes. The Indiana Pacers have also been mentioned as another suitor for the former Arizona Wildcats standout.
“Among talks with several teams, the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets have shown an interest, league sources said,” via Yahoo Sports.
“Houston is reluctant to take on the $5 million player option Budinger’s deal has in 2015-16, as are the Pistons, sources said. Nevertheless, the Pistons are taking a long look at Budinger and considering the possibility of making a deal. No trade is considered imminent for Budinger.”
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