Timberwolves rumors: Insider connects dots on Labaron Philon Jr. to NBA Draft trade

Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has long been one of the most aggressive front office members in the NBA. The decision maker in Minnesota seems to make a blockbuster trade on a nearly yearly basis, with the move that brought in Rudy Gobert, as well as the Karl-Anthony Towns trade, standing out as two of his most notable roster changes.

After losing in the second round of the NBA playoffs, Connelly and the Timberwolves are once again expected to be aggressive, particularly in the trade market. The team has been linked to numerous superstar trade candidates, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trey Murphy, Kyrie Irving, Derrick White, and Josh Giddey, according to The Athletic. Jon Krawczynski reports that the team could even make a big trade during the 2026 NBA Draft.

“The Wolves’ trade scenarios include trading the 28th pick as part of a package for a veteran or moving up in the first round,” Krawczynski wrote.

A trade-up could very well be for Labaron Philon, a sophomore guard from Alabama. Philon is projected to go somewhere between the late lottery and the middle of the first round, meaning he almost certainly wouldn’t be on the board when the Timberwolves pick at the end of the first round. Despite that, the Alabama product went to Minnesota for a workout in the days leading up to draft day.

It seems unlikely that the guard would agree to such a workout if Minnesota didn’t have an established interest in trading up for him. Philon is a skinny guard who can get buckets from everywhere on the floor. This fits the makeup of what Connelly likes in his guards, especially since he already has a team littered with great defenders. Philon reportedly performed well in the workout, too, and the Timberwolves need a Rob Dillingham replacement after trading him. This all should only further incentivize Connelly to be aggressive in a trade for the prospect. Making the logistics work in a trade for a superstar is never easy, so perhaps Connelly’s blockbuster this year will come in the form of a draft-day trade up.

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