As a part of the three team trade which finally sends Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks, the Minnesota Timberwolves send Corey Brewer to the Big Apple to be one of Anthony’s new teammates. In the deal, they acquire Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry.

The question becomes: Why would Minnesota do this?

Although Corey Brewer is an adequate defensive player, he is more than likely a role player in the NBA at best. In Minnesota, he found himself as a part of a log-jam at the shooting guard/small forward positions with players such as rookie Wesley Johnson, Martell Webster and Wayne Ellington, who is in the midst of a fine stretch of play as of late. In New York, Brewer can now focus on the things he does well and not have to shoot the ball on a regular basis.

Eddy Curry is irrelevant, as he will be waived nearly immediately.

{AUTHOR_BOX}Randolph is a player the Timberwolves targeted a while ago. They believe his athleticism and rebounding ability will make him a fine compliment to All-Star Kevin Love, who will certainly see more time at the center position after this acquisition. On most nights, the Timberwolves can get away with Love at the five spot, but in the end, this trade is about adding another young player with upside to the team. Essentially, this trade will take minutes away from Nikola Pekovic on some evenings and, on other nights, Anthony Tolliver, unless those players decide to out-play the new guy.

Brewer wasn’t going to be in Minnesota at the end of the year anyway. The Timberwolves helped facilitate this trade to receive Randolph, who is locked into a relatively small contract for next season. They do not give up a first round pick in the trade, as some reported early. It is a low-risk move for the Timberwolves that, if it works out, would be a nice trade. At some point though, the Timberwolves and David Kahn are going to have to hit a homerun, rather than hitting singles or striking out.

This is not that move, but it adds another player with potential. That’s about it. They trade a player who was gone anyway for a player with potential, but who couldn’t crack the rotation steadily for Don Nelson or Mike D’Antoni. Those are two easy rotations to crack.

Update: The Wolves will also send center Kosta Koufos to the Nuggets and receive a 2015 second-round pick from Denver.