Rosas: T-Wolves want Beasley, Hernangomez for 'long, long time'

High on the list of priorities for the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2020 offseason is a pair of relative newcomers to the organization: Impending restricted free agents Malik Beasley and Juancho Hernangomez.

"We want those guys to be Timberwolves for a long, long time," team president Gersson Rosas said about the pair in a radio interview Saturday, according to Zone Coverage's Dane Moore. "Hopefully, for the rest of their careers."

The team acquired both players, plus Jarred Vanderbilt, from the Denver Nuggets ahead of the February trade deadline in a four-team deal.

The Timberwolves also received Evan Turner and a 2020 first-round pick from the Atlanta Hawks in the transaction, sending Shabazz Napier, Noah Vonleh, and Keita Bates-Diop to the Nuggets, along with Robert Covington and Jordan Bell to the Houston Rockets, in return.

After averaging just over seven points per game through his first three-and-a-half seasons in Denver, Beasley broke out upon arriving in Minneapolis. The 23-year-old shooting guard, who immediately received a starting spot and over 33 minutes per game, averaged 20.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 14 contests with his new team.

Similarly, the 24-year-old Hernangomez averaged close to 13 points, seven rebounds, and a steal while also starting in all 14 of his appearances with the Timberwolves. Additionally, the 6-foot-9 native of Spain shot 26-of-69 (42%) from long range.

Thanks in part to season-long injury struggles from franchise center Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves slumped to a 19-45 record before the campaign was waylaid by the coronavirus pandemic.

However, thanks to a number of big midseason trades - including shipping former first overall pick Andrew Wiggins to the Golden State Warriors for 2019 All-Star D'Angelo Russell - Rosas has quickly rebuilt the roster he inherited since being named the team's top decision-maker one year ago.