Apr 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Derrick Williams (7) dunks against the Phoenix Suns in the third quarter at the Target Center. Timberwolves won 105-93. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Per Matt Moore at CBS Sports, the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the injury to Chase Budinger, are openly shopping for depth at the wing positions. Derrick Williams has lost a good amount of weight this summer, and the Wolves are hoping that he could be versatile enough to be effective at both forward spots, at least in a pinch. It’s no secret that Williams’ career hasn’t taken off with the Wolves the way many expected. Could he just not be a match with what Rick Adelman is trying to do in Minnesota? Williams has a $6.3 million team option for next season. If things continue to not work out, is Minnesota going to want to pay that option next season? As things currently stand, the Wolves are pretty close to the presumed luxury tax for 2014-15. What if, and this may very well be a preseason pipe dream, in addition to the wing depth issue, could Wiliams possibly be dangled because the team may not want to pay that $6 million? Gee, if only there was a team with a glut at the wings willing to give up a player while also offering cap relief. Hmmmm….

Many Wizards fans have been seemingly enamored with Derrick Williams ever since the 2011 NBA Draft. Many wanted to trade JaVale McGee and the sixth pick for Minnesota’s third pick. Some wanted to trade, McGee, Andray Blatche, Trevor Booker, the sixth pick, G-Wiz, John Beck and $12 million for Minnesota’s third pick. While being a bit of a disappointment himself thus far, Wiliams would seem to fill a void of young promise at the power forward (stretch 4?) position, an area where the current Wizards slotted here are either not very good, out of position, not very good and out of position, aging, injured, or aging and injured. In other words, the Wizards could use some help here, and I think this would be a risk worth taking (though I’m curious how the weight loss has affected his game).

My first “there’s no way in hell” trade idea of the year: Is there any chance a deal centered around Trevor Ariza’s expiring contract can bring back Derrick Williams? Could it get done without including a protected first? (*editors note: Keep in mind that Flip Saunders, who is Minnesota’s director of basketball operations, played a big role in drafting Jan Vesely in Washington. Could he be included instead of having to throw in the first round pick?) Ariza would offer cap relief, and he’s not some stiff that will provide no on-court value, but that would probably be a lot to ask Minnesota to give up on Williams for a veteran on an expiring contract. But hey, stranger things have happened! You know, it’s too bad David Kahn’s not around any more, maybe the Wizards could throw in Eric Maynor! I kid, I kid. At any rate, fire up your trade machine, Wizards fans! Let’s make this hypothetically happen.

(h/t to Adam McGinnis, his mention of the Moore article led me to this.)