T’Wolves trying to unload Cole Aldrich on Nets in salary dump?

A report out of Minneapolis says the Timberwobes are trying to convince the Nets to take on Cole Aldrich and his $7.3 million contract in a salary dump.

But, says Darren Woodson of KSTP, the deal is unlikely to get done without the T’Wolves agreeing to give up the Thunder’s pick next year, which they control. Minnesota is apparently resisting. The Nets have no picks in 2018 Draft and the OKC would no doubt have a late first, following the addition of Paul George.

The Timberwolves need the roster space to fill out their roster, said Wolfson, specifically noting a desire to bring C.J. Miles back.

Earlier this week, a Kings writer tweeted that Minnesota was “floating” the OKC pick as a possible incentive for a team to take the 28-year-old Aldrich.

The pick is lottery protected

Aldrich is in the middle of an ill-advised three-year, $21 million contract.

The 6’11” center is due $7,300,000 this coming year, but only $2,056,021 of his $6,956,021 salary in 2018-19 is guaranteed. So the cost would be a minimum of $9.4 million.

Aldrich averaged 1.7 points and 2.5 rebounds in 62 games last year for Minnesota playing an average of 8.6 minutes.

If a deal is struck, Aldrich would take up about a quarter of the Nets cap space assuming the Wizards match on Otto Porter.