NBA trade rumors 2016: Minnesota Timberwolves to trade their young players for veterans from Lakers and Bulls

Featured in the image is Tom Thibodeau Wikimedia Commons/Keith Allison

The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently experiencing a losing streak, winning only 4 out of 14 games thus far. The team is now expected to switch their strategy and quite possibly trade some of the new, younger players out in favor of veterans that Timberwolves President and coach Tom Thibodeau worked with in the past.

According to a Twitter post by Bleacher Report, Thibodeau reportedly does not have the patience to wait and improve a team of young players, and he is known for his hunger in gaining victories as quickly as possible. It is speculated he will be trading someone like Karl-Anthony Towns or Andrew Wiggins.

It is further stated that if he trades his young players, he will be going for Luol Deng from the Los Angeles Lakers or Taj Gibson and Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls. This is because he has already worked with these players and that they are people that he already trusts.

"His first look will be for a player he already knows and trusts because he's already had that player in his system," reads the post. "Those in the league who know his hunger to win and win now are convinced he will begin calling around soon, if he hasn't already," it went on to say.

During his long tenure with the Chicago Bulls, he had consistently led them to the top spots per seasons. He was fired from the Bulls and then took one year off before signing on for the Minnesota Timberwolves. NBC Sports points out that Thibodeau hasn't experienced a losing streak in over a decade, and his persistence to win may be the reason why he'll be trading out players to build a team he knows he can with.

According to the report, fans should look forward to the Lakers making a deal with the Timberwolves in the following weeks, unless the Bulls can secure a trade earlier than that.

News
UK Christian charities help raise over £10m for Myanmar earthquake survivors
UK Christian charities help raise over £10m for Myanmar earthquake survivors

A powerful wave of compassion from across the UK has helped raise more than £10m for the people of Myanmar, devastated by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit on 28th March 2025, claiming over 3,000 and leaving many more injured and displaced.

Church of England invests millions in parish renewal and mission expansion
Church of England invests millions in parish renewal and mission expansion

In a major funding boost aimed at revitalising local churches and expanding outreach efforts, the Church of England has announced a new wave of grants supporting parishes across both urban and rural communities. 

Lottery gives £1.69m grant to restore Pugin designs in Nottingham Cathedral
Lottery gives £1.69m grant to restore Pugin designs in Nottingham Cathedral

The grant is part of the cathedral's Restoring Pugin Project

Half of Gaza's Christians hiding in one church
Half of Gaza's Christians hiding in one church

Those who have survived consider themselves lucky