West Notes: Timberwolves, Pelicans, Brandon Ingram, Blazers

Timberwolves

The Timberwolves made a run to the Western Conference finals, upending the 2023 champion Nuggets along the way. So there was no need to make any sort of splashy deals. So they earned a “B-minus” offseason grade from Kevin Pelton of ESPN.

 “Limited in draft capital after the Rudy Gobert trade, the Timberwolves added Rob Dillingham with the No. 8 pick. We won’t know if that’s the right decision until a few seasons pass,” Pelton wrote.

The Timberwolves lost Kyle Anderson to the Warriors, replacing him with Joe Ingles, formerly of the Magic.

“Kyle Anderson was the only free agent who played more than 67 minutes during Minnesota’s playoff run, and the Timberwolves’ tax bill made it unrealistic for him to return,” Pelton wrote. “Adding Joe Ingles at the veteran’s minimum to offer some similar skills was a good move but they’ll probably need either Dillingham or No. 27 pick Terrence Shannon Jr. to contribute this season.”

• For the record, several Hoops Wire sources said they believe Shannon will be a steal that late in the draft. 
• Last month, one report suggested the Knicks wanted to trade for Wolves standout forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns, but that rumor has quickly died down. It doesn’t appear Minnesota would be motivated to move Town anytime soon.

Pelicans

The search for a true starting center is likely to continue for the Pelicans. Other than that, they have done a pretty decent job this offseason, landing guard Dejounte Murray and earning a “B-minus” grade from Pelton.

“When the Pelicans dealt for Murray on June 28, it looked like the first in a series of deals,” Pelton wrote. “Nearly a month later, we’re still waiting. New Orleans has no proven starter to replace center Jonas Valanciunas, who signed with the Washington Wizards this offseason. New Orleans did add Daniel Theis for the minimum and No. 22 pick Yves Missi but it will be hard for the duo to replace Valanciunas’ value, especially early on.”

Of course, along with finding a center (we’re assuming New Orleans still wants to), there needs to be some sort of resolution involving forward Brandon Ingram.

“Former All-Star Brandon Ingram’s future also remains uncertain heading into the final year of his contract,” Pelton wrote. “The good news is the Pelicans can still make moves beyond this summer, and that process began with Murray. However, there’s definitely more work to be done.”

• The Jazz are one team that’s been continuously linked to Ingram and remain so today. They also have an array of big men that might make them a natural trade partner for the Pelicans. We have that full story here.

Trail Blazers

This summer is showing that the Blazers may be determined to just stay the course and keep building, as opposed to rushing the process. Or something like that. For their efforts, they received a “B-minus” mark from Pelton.

“With a full roster, the Blazers haven’t made a notable move since an active first night of the draft,” Pelton wrote. “Portland sent the No. 14 pick, a future first-rounder and Malcolm Brogdon to the Wizards for Deni Avdija, then took Donovan Clingan after the UConn center slid to No. 7.”

The Avdija deal was … well, interesting.

“Giving up more than two first-round picks in value was a lot for Avdija, who must maintain or beat last season’s 37% 3-point shooting to fit well alongside the Blazers’ young guards,” Pelton wrote. “But Avdija and Clingan, who averaged 4.3 blocks during the NBA summer league, should help a porous defense.’

• Obviously, there is plenty of buzz surrounding forward Jerami Grant, though there are hardly any guarantees the Blazers are feeling desperate to move him. Grant reportedly would like to stay in Portland, too. We have the latest on all that here.