Report: T-Wolves have sought 2 1st-round picks for Covington

The Minnesota Timberwolves have sought two first-round picks in exchange for swingman Robert Covington ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, sources told The New York Times' Marc Stein.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets are reportedly the front-runners for the 6-foot-7 forward, Stein adds.

Covington is a solid 3-and-D wing option - he earned NBA All-Defensive first-team honors during the 2017-18 campaign. With the 29-year-old on the floor, the T-Wolves are scoring 10.4 more points per 100 possessions than with him on the bench this season, according to NBA.com.

Covington spent parts of five seasons with the 76ers, mostly as a starter. He played a vital role during the club's rebuild before being dealt to Minnesota last season in the blockbuster deal for Jimmy Butler. Covington would immediately bolster Philadelphia's outside shooting - the team is tied for 19th in 3-point percentage (34.9%) and 23rd in 3-point makes per game (10.8) this season.

Houston has been in the market for wing help since Gerald Green underwent foot surgery during the preseason. Covington would address that need and fit seamlessly into the Rockets' 3-point heavy offense. The Illinois native began his career with Houston in 2013 but spent the majority of the campaign with the team's G League affiliate.

Covington is averaging 12.8 points, 5.9 boards, and 1.6 steals across 47 appearances for the T-Wolves this campaign. He's in the second season of a four-year, $46-million contract.