There are two times of great convergence on the sports calendar: late March and early October. The ends of seasons overlap with starts of other seasons — and even those who aren't in-season are often making news.
We are feeling it right now in Minnesota: The Wolves and Wild are about halfway into their seasons, which will go even longer than usual because of a late start. The Twins and Loons are preparing to start their years. The Gophers men's hockey team is gearing up for the NCAA tournament. The Gophers men's basketball team just finished its year but now we are awaiting a coaching hire. The Vikings are in the thick of free agency, to be followed by the draft.
There is no shortage of things to write and talk about, which was reflected on Monday's Daily Delivery podcast. I feel like we covered a lot of ground with Patrick Reusse and Randy Johnson, and still there's so much more we didn't get to.
If you don't see the podcast player, click here to listen.
One thing I mentioned at the end that I would like to expand on here: Three things I am watching for this week with some of the most prominent teams in town.
*Will the Wolves make a trade (or trades) at the NBA deadline? Team President Gersson Rosas made a flurry of moves at last year's deadline, including swaps that brought in D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley. The Wolves have been linked to some of the biggest names on the trade market leading up to Thursday's deadline, including Atlanta's John Collins and Orlando's Aaron Gordon.
But the Hawks have won eight in a row, with Collins playing a key role. And Gordon — who has requested a trade — might be better suited heading to a contender than a team with a longer timeline like the Wolves.
Will Rosas nudge his way into the way into the market and come away with an impact deal? Or will the Wolves stand relatively still — relying instead on the impending return in the not-too-distant future for Russell from injury and Beasley from suspension as upgrades to a roster that has played better since the break?
