Report: Bucks and Timberwolves putting players on the trade block

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Keita Bates-Diop and Milwaukee Bucks forward MarJon Beauchamp are both candidates to be traded, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.

Fischer shared some of the latest NBA rumblings via Threads and explained where things stand on those two players.

“The Timberwolves have looked to find a trade for veteran Keita Bates-Diop, sources said, to allow Minnesota to keep a personal favorite of president Tim Connelly on the roster: PJ Dozier,” Fischer wrote.

He continued.

“Lastly, the Bucks have informed rival teams of Milwaukee’s early interest in trading MarJon Beauchamp, sources said,” Fischer wrote. “Beauchamp, a G League Ignite product, could help the Bucks acquire a defensive-minded wing.”

Bates-Diop is back with the Timberwolves — the team that drafted him — after being involved in two trades this offseason. He started the offseason with the Brooklyn Nets before being traded to the New York Knicks and then later to the Timberwolves.

Last season was a pretty forgettable one for Bates-Diop from a production standpoint, as he averaged just 3.7 points per game across 53 combined appearances with the Phoenix Suns and the Nets.

But in the 2022-23 season, he was a very solid piece for the San Antonio Spurs. In 67 appearances and 42 starts, he averaged 9.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from deep.

Whatever his future holds, he’ll look to give a team some valuable minutes in the upcoming season. He’s still just 28 years old.

Beauchamp, meanwhile, is another player who should have many years left in the tank. He’s just 24 and was drafted in 2022.

As a rookie, Beauchamp actually played a bigger role than he did in his second NBA season. With that being the case, a trade could be what he needs to spread his wings in the NBA.

Across 100 total regular-season appearances in the NBA and 12 starts, he has averaged 4.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game on 43.3 percent shooting from the field and 35.5 percent shooting from long range. Last season, he shot an impressive 40.0 percent from deep, even if he only attempted 1.6 triples per game.

The start of the NBA season is approaching quickly, with the first games set for Oct. 22. It remains to be seen if either of the players in question will be traded by then, but their futures will certainly be something to keep an eye on.