Windhorst: Wolves may be 'more involved' in buyout market

If Kyle Lowry is bought out, are Timberwolves a contender he could choose?

The countdown from 10 days to the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline has started and ESPN's Brian Windhorst believes the Timberwolves are more likely to be active in the buyout market rather than making a trade. 

Windhorst reported Tuesday that Minnesota's most tradable assets are Shake Milton and Troy Brown Jr., who he says "don't have much of a market" and therefore "the Wolves are likely to stand pat."

"Minnesota may be more involved in the buyout market with an open roster spot and about $2 million in room below tax," Windhorst added, noting in his story that his reporting is a "realistic view" that is "based on what executives, agents and players are talking about."

One player to keep an eye on might be Kyle Lowry, who according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Hornets are attempting to trade. But as Stein reported in his newsletter on Monday, it's more likely that Lowry gets bought out. 

If Lowry is bought out he'll more than likely want to join a contender, but that list is rather short considering there are seven teams who aren't allowed to sign anyone on the buyout market whose salary this season is $12.8 million or more. Lowry's salary this season is $29.6 million, though if he's bought out he could sign with a contender for cheap. 

The seven teams that cannot sign him, per Stein, are Boston, Denver, Golden State, the Clippers, Miami, Milwaukee and Phoenix. 

That leaves a rather short list of realistic suitors for Lowry, including Minnesota, Philadelphia. New York, Cleveland, Indiana, Oklahoma City, Sacramento, Dallas, New Orleans and the Lakers. 

Would Lowry come to Minnesota for less than $2 million to be Mike Conley's backup? 

'Imma take the fine': Anthony Edwards rips 'cheating' refs

Nov 11, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Miami Heat guard Kyle Lowry (7) in game against Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena / Credit: Jordan Godfree-USA TODAY Sports