Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau is increasingly growing impatient with the slow-paced development of his young team that he might pull off a trade that would bring him in a familiar veteran player like Los Angeles Lakers forward Luol Deng.
According to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, Thibs isn't happy with the way the Wolves are performing this early this season.
The Wolves enter the 2016-17 NBA season as one of the young teams tabbed to emerge in the Western Conference with the caliber of their young and dynamic roster. However, injuries and inability to close out game costs the team some of their game, putting them 3 games below .500 at 7-4.
Bucher thinks it won't take too long for the Wolves head coach / executive to make a powerplay on the trading block. The B/R analyst believes Thibodeau will likely make a move to acquire a familiar player, and Deng certainly on top of the list.
H/T SB Nation - Silver Screen & Roll:
"Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher reports that sources around the league believe that Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau is growing impatient with his team's slow start and may look to trade a young piece to bring in a veteran that can help the team win now. Bucher mentions that Thibodeau's first look would be for a player that he is familiar with, listing Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Luol Deng.
There is a lot of information to process with this report, but Deng being mentioned is solely because he fits the criteria of player that Thibodeau would reportedly be looking for."
Deng played his best basketball years under Thibs during his time with the Chicago Bulls. In fact, he made his two All-Star appearances under the defensive-oriented head coach.
This summer, the Wolves made an attempt to scoop Deng off the free-agency market, but the Somali baller found the Lakers situation more appealing as he signed a four-year, $72M deal.
The 31-year old Deng is off to a slow start, averaging just 6.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while shooting 32 percent from the field. Still, head coach Luke Walton has no doubt Deng is a nice summer acquisition because of his professionalism and leadership he brings to this young team.
