Timberwolves Trade Wendell Moore Jr, No. 37 Pick, to Pistons

Apr 9, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Wendell Moore Jr. (7) during a break against the Washington Wizards in the fourth quarter at Target Center. Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Timberwolves remain active in the 2024 NBA Draft, recently finalizing a trade with the Detroit Pistons. The deal involves Minnesota sending former first-round pick Wendell Moore Jr. and the No. 37 overall pick to Detroit in exchange for the No. 53 overall pick.

The Timberwolves picked Wendell Moore Jr. from Duke with the No. 26 overall selection in the 2022 draft, recognizing his potential as a versatile 3-and-D guard. During his standout junior year with the Blue Devils, he averaged 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.4 steals, shooting 50% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range.

Since entering the league, Moore has found it challenging to secure a consistent and significant role with the Timberwolves. This, coupled with the team's selection of guards Rob Dillingham and Terrance Shannon Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, made the former first round pick expendable.

Dane Moore, host of the Dane Moore Podcast covering the Timberwolves, explained that Minnesota's decision to trade Moore Jr. was primarily a cost-cutting measure.

“By replacing Wendell Moore Jr. 's $2.537M contract with a veteran minimum contract ($2.1M), the Wolves will save about $450k in salary -- which will also save them a couple million in luxury tax payments depending on how far above the tax they finish the season out at, Moore said. “But if they replace him with the No. 53 pick and sign that rookie to a rookie league minimum ($1.1M) they will save millions more. This is a cost-cutting move.”

As a second-apron team with limited flexibility this offseason, the Timberwolves are seeking creative solutions to build out their roster for the upcoming 2024-25 season.