Report: Timberwolves interested in Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon

Brogdon is making $22.5 million this season and will make the same in 2024-25.

Are the Minnesota Timberwolves interested in trading with Portland for Malcolm Brogdon?

According to Hoops Wire's Sam Amico, Minnesota is among the teams that has shown interest in the veteran guard, who is averaging 15.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists while shooting 41% from 3 this season. 

Other than Amico mentioning the Timberwolves in a post on X, there is zero context about Minnesota's level of interest. Here's his X post... 

Lakers, Knicks interested in Malcolm Brogdon. TWolves and Rockets among others, per Hoops Wire sources. Latest on LA interest. https://t.co/ssBtPNesYf pic.twitter.com/HALVurfAzS

— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) January 23, 2024

The elephant in the room with Brogdon is that he's making $22.5 million this season  and he'll make the same amount in 2024-25 before becoming a free agent. And it's no secret that Minnesota has some financial constraints with about $170 million tied up in six contracts next season. 

"My sense is, is that they absolutely are gauging the market," said Timberwolves insider Jon Krawczynski on his latest episode of The Jon Krawczynski Show. "... it's not a case where they believe, 'Hey, we are completely set and totally fine if we keep these guys together we'll just get the turnovers ironed out and we don't have any issues to really address in terms of roster construction.'"

Krawczynski believes the front office is looking at adding another point guard to back up Mike Conley and a scorer who can come off the bench. 

"I think they are looking hard at those types of positions for their second unit. What they can pull off remains to be seen and we'll see if they can find the right deal and find the right fit, but I do expect them to continue to be aggressive in looking for options and possibly pulling the trigger on something if they find it that can fit," Krawczynski said. 

According to The Athletic, the price for Brogdon could be a late first-round pick. Minnesota has their 2024 first-round pick so the question is if they're willing to part with it? And are they willing to part with it if it means Brogdon is a rental that they wind up trading after the season? 

Earlier this month The Athletic mentioned the Timberwolves among the "best fits" for players similar to Brogdon: Brooklyn's Royce O'Neale, Washington's Tyus Jones and Atlanta's Bogdon Bogdanovic. 

Dec 2, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Malcolm Brogdon (11) brings the ball up the court against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Delta Center / Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports