Anthony Edwards’ knee procedure demands a measured response from the Minnesota Timberwolves. ESPN’s Shams Charania took to X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday to report that Edwards could miss up to two months after an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee.

The Timberwolves are 3-1 after Monday’s 127-125 overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, despite Edwards’ 47 points. With Donte DiVincenzo also sidelined, LaMelo Ball needs scoring support.

Ayo Dosunmu, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Jonathan Kuminga deserve expanded opportunities. The Wolves should supplement that group rather than trade away productive replacements. These two hypothetical deals would add complementary offense while preserving the rotation.

Trade Cody Williams for Jaden Hardy’s scoring

Timberwolves receive Jaden Hardy. Los Angeles Lakers receive Cody Williams.

Hardy averaged 9.2 points and shot 39.7% from three last season. His shooting and ability to attack an unsettled defense would help the Wolves generate offense without asking Ball to manufacture every possession.

The Lakers have Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes occupying backcourt roles. Hardy’s limited path to minutes makes him a logical target, although this proposal does not represent reported Timberwolves negotiations.

Williams would give the Lakers a longer developmental wing instead of another scoring guard. That is a positional investment, not a promise that Williams immediately improves their playoff lineup. His offensive inconsistency remains the principal reason the Lakers might decline.

The Timberwolves would sacrifice upside for a player better equipped to contribute now. Hardy’s $6 million team option for 2027-28 also provides a path to keeping him alongside Edwards without another major commitment.

Williams earns $6,015,600 against Hardy’s $6 million. The Lakers have sufficient first-apron room for the $15,600 increase. Williams cannot have his salary aggregated until October 29, but this individual exchange requires no aggregation or December waiting period.

Send Isaiah Evans to the Detroit Pistons for Taurean Prince’s shooting

Timberwolves receive Taurean Prince. Detroit Pistons receive Isaiah Evans.

Prince would provide perimeter shooting without demanding touches from Ball or Edwards. He shot 43.6% from three last season, but a neck injury limited him to 26 games. That injury history makes keeping the acquisition cost low essential.

Detroit acquired Prince in July and already has Duncan Robinson, Isaiah Joe, Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland among its perimeter options. Evans offers a younger shooting prospect on a multiyear contract while reducing the Pistons’ salary commitment.

The Pistons are competing, so this proposal cannot rest on treating them as sellers. Their incentive would be exchanging an expiring veteran from a crowded position for inexpensive development and financial flexibility. The Wolves’ sacrifice is Evans’ future, rather than Shannon’s current production.

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Prince’s trade availability remains unreported.

The mechanism is the minimum-salary exception. Prince’s two-year minimum contract qualifies for acquisition through that exception, allowing the Timberwolves to absorb his $3,815,861 salary without matching it against Evans’ $1,357,763 contract.

Prince exercised his player option rather than signing a new offseason contract. Evans signed in July, and his rookie waiting period has expired. Neither requires waiting until December.

Together, the moves increase the Wolves’ listed salary by $2,442,498, maintain their roster count and remain within their second-apron hard cap. Neither proposed package includes draft picks.

Hardy would provide scoring, while Prince would add shooting and lineup flexibility. Both could contribute immediately and remain valuable rotation pieces when Edwards returns.