Apr 3, 2013; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams (7) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Minnesota won 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
#3 – Derrick Williams
Drafted 2nd overall behind Kyrie Irving in 2011, the Timberwolves have been unable to find a prominent role for him in the shadow of Kevin Love. Surprisingly, even when Love missed most of the 2012-2013 season with broken fingers, Williams split minutes pretty heavily with former Blazer, Dante Cunningham. Williams has grown understandably frustrated with Minnesota and could be available given his modest role.
There had been question of Love’s commitment to the team (as Minnesota has struggled to appease many of their players, it seems), but he announced last week that he and the Timberwolves were past any previous animosity. Let the Williams requests roll in. Like Thomas Robinson, Williams would play behind LaMarcus Aldridge, but with a renewed sense of a larger destiny. At this point, the Blazers may have less time with Aldridge than Minnesota has with Love.
Williams is owed $5 million for the 2013-2014 season with a $6.3 million team option for the following season. Though there may still be bad blood between Portland and Minnesota involving the Martell Webster trade once upon a time.