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via Reuters

via Reuters

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  Debate

Debate

Can you imagine the Timberwolves with both Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant? Worth the $220 million gamble?

Ahead of the Paris Olympics, the NBA world was scrambling in their quest to figure out which elite free agent would land where. Much like the stacked 12-man roster of Team USA, the off-season trade scenario was heaven for teams with the right assets. Of course, we all know what happened there. The most insane of the deals was none other than the one between cross-town rivals, Brooklyn and New York, a.k.a. the Mikal Bridges trade. However, it seems like, in the wake of the Dream Team 2.0, a much-welcome trade rumor has picked up pace – Kevin Durant to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Of course, you don’t need us to tell you what prompted those! The intergenerational link-up of Anthony Edwards and his idol, KD, has been nothing but pure basketball nirvana for their fans. The veteran Olympian’s unabashed compliments for the MJ look-alike (in more ways than one) have many a Minnesotan secretly hoping the ‘Slim Reaper’ would join them for the upcoming season.

But basketball analyst Nick Wright had no qualms in casually throwing out a real possibility of the same in the latest episode of First Things First. “Listen, the Karl-Anthony Towns for Kevin Durant trade is still just sitting out there if anyone wants to do it,” Wright said in the most offhand way, like he did not just drop a bomb! Greg Jennings, his co-host for the day, had a more satisfying reaction.

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“Ant would welcome that and so will every Minnesotan,” he responded, looking like he was trying very hard to hold that shrill scream of suppressed excitement. Bleacher Reports‘ Zach Buckley’s proposed Towns for Durant swap in mid-June was when the whole thing took off. Per Buckley’s projection, the Wolves would have to give up their No. 27 and 37 picks along with KAT for the 2x NBA champion.

But how much of this will realistically be possible is up for debate.

Will the Suns be willing to let go of Kevin Durant?

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The Suns’ GM, James Jones, was quite adamant about not breaking up their Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker. But just the salary of these three, along with the 13 other players, comes to a whopping $220 million! And that’s not including the tax incurred for going way over their limit. He also addressed the apparent “frustration” that KD was under in an appearance on Sirius XM Radio last month.

“He wants to win more than anyone, but I think what this gets lost in translation a lot of times is his frustration with not winning … A lot of times if you ask him, it’s a deep inner frustration when he is like ‘Man, I could have done more.’,” Jones said. Well, there’s no doubt that the Wolves are on the championship path.

What’s your perspective on:

Can you imagine the Timberwolves with both Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant? Worth the $220 million gamble?

Have an interesting take?

And given the kind of performances Edwards and Durant put up in the Olympics, Minnesota will turn into a deadly contender with the 14x All-Star’s arrival!

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 Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.