Timberwolves ‘aggressively’ pursuing Derrick White trade

The Minnesota Timberwolves have fallen short in the playoffs for five straight years despite having a balanced roster, led by Anthony Edwards. Now, they are continuing their search yet again for a key piece who could help them get over the hump and reach the NBA Finals for the first time.

The front office could restructure the team, with Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Mike Conley Jr. possibly being the first ones to go. Ironically, Karl Anthony-Towns, whom the Timberwolves traded in 2o24 to get Randle, won the title before them.

Minnesota’s initial target this offseason was Kyrie Irving. The Dallas Mavericks, however, intimated that they are keen on keeping Irving and pairing him with Cooper Flagg. Thus, the Timberwolves were forced to look elsewhere.

According to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, the Timberwolves have set their sights on Derrick White, although the Boston Celtics are not budging—at least for now.

“Minnesota has been most aggressive in pursuing White, the Celtics’ defensive mastermind who has the experience and the savvy to help Edwards and the Wolves break through in the West. White turns 32 next month and saw his three-point shooting percentage drop considerably this season, but so far, the Celtics have rebuffed the Wolves’ advances,” wrote Krawczynski.

White had all-around averages of 16.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks in 77 games this season.

The Celtics are high on the hard-nosed guard, who is a well-respected presence and has a tight bond with coach Joe Mazzulla. It is unlikely that Boston will ship him to Minnesota.

The Celtics are rumored to be interested in Gobert. That could be something that the Timberwolves could work with, plus the No. 28 pick in the upcoming draft, in their pursuit of White.