The Timberwolves are doing their due diligence on the Hornets guard, not LaMelo Ball

As NBA trade speculation continues to build with the calendar heading into the new year, The Minnesota Timberwolves are expanding their evaluation of potential point guard options. According to The Stein Line’s Jake Fisher, Minnesota is conducting due diligence on trades that now include Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sextonand not franchise cornerstone LaMelo Ball.

Fisher reported that rival executives continue to identify the Timberwolves as one of the Western Conference teams most closely watched in the quarterback market as he looks for ways to upgrade his backcourt.

“The various teams I spoke with in Orlando routinely mentioned Minnesota as the West team that best fits that description. At the very least, a number of rivals are curious to see how aggressive the Timberwolves will actually be in their well-chronicled quest to increase their options at the point guard position.”

There are a number of leading guards who have already been mentioned as potentially available on the trade market this winter, depending on the circumstances. Memphis’ Ja Morant, Atlanta’s Trae Young, Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball, Cleveland’s Darius Garland, even the Clippers’ Harden…all are being tracked in various front offices (to use the ever-popular in-season terminology) in case they actually become available. The question for the Wolves, of course, is that they couldn’t realistically enter the hunt for either of them — even if it’s confirmed they want to — without parting ways with either Julius Randle or Naz Reed. Which would seem to create its own problems.

Timberwolves protect Jayden McDaniels as trade attention expands on Hornets’ Colin Sexton

Important footnote: Sources say Minnesota is adamant it won’t part with Jaden McDaniel in any of its upcoming deals. Such reluctance is certainly understandable when McDaniels, at 25, is quietly flirting with 50/40/90 splits while averaging a career-high 15.0 points per game on top of his defensive prowess.

Fisher added that while Chicago has become more receptive to discussions involving Kobe White, Minnesota’s interest is limited by White’s impending unrestricted free agency and modest salary.

“I also heard that Minnesota did some work on Charlotte’s Sexton. The Wolves seem intent on establishing their range of options at the position.

For a team that has made back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances, what lever it pulls — if any — could be the most significant move of the season we see atop the West.

According to Fisher, Charlotte’s willingness to listen is focused on Sexton, not Ball, as the organization tries to stay competitive while managing its long-term outlook.

“Sources say the Hornets are also somewhat open to business, but that could just mean shopping veteran guard Colin Sexton while Charlotte — who has the league’s longest playoff drought at nine seasons and counting — clings to hope that it can still be a play-in team.”

Trade talk around the league is growing as Minnesota stays the course

The report matches the earlier one speculation linking Minnesota with guards like James Harden. Marc Stein previously noted that Harden’s contract presents logistical challenges, but it’s not impossible to move it to $39.1 million this season, with a $42.3 million player option for next year.

Despite the increasing trade talk, Timberwolves insider Jon Krawczynski tempered expectations any current move.

“I can tell you there’s absolutely nothing brewing there right now. Could that change in the future? Maybe. He’s certainly a name to watch. But nothing is breaking through yet.”

Sexton, 26, is averaging 15.5 points, 4.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from three in 21 games, including 10 starts. He is in the final year of a four-year, $70.9 million contract and has an expiring salary of $18.9 million.

Charlotte enters Tuesday night’s matchup against the Washington Wizards with a 9-20 record as it looks to snap a two-game sweep. Minnesota, meanwhile, is 19-10 and will close out a three-game homestand against the New York Knicks on Tuesday before traveling to Colorado for a Christmas Day game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at 10:30 PM ET on ABC and ESPN.