PF targets

[Snakebites]

I wouldn’t assume we’re interested in these guys as power forwards.

[tmorgan]

I don’t think you’ll like what you see if you run Naz Reid out there for starters minutes, or for any minutes at center.

[Canadafan]

I agree I wouldn't give up any assets for Naz, but we have $19 million of cap space and if we could simply give Naz 3 years $60 million and then use the room exception to resign Beasley I think we're better off. Its mostly about Naz being better than Font and also Tobias's age that makes this move a no brainer IMO.

Ivey coming back also means the back court is going to be a bit crowded for Schroeder anyways and we could sill offer him the BAE (bi-annual exception) for two years.

BAE is only for over the cap teams though

[the_l_train]

I don’t think you’ll like what you see if you run Naz Reid out there for starters minutes, or for any minutes at center.

Seems like the board is split on if his true position is center or PF…whenever I’ve watched him, he seems too upright and slow footed on defense to guard power forwards.

Although he’s 6 foot 9, still seems like a stretch 5 to me if he struggles to move laterally like that.

[Crymson]

Seems like the board is split on if his true position is center or PF…whenever I’ve watched him, he seems too upright and slow footed on defense to guard power forwards.

Although he’s 6 foot 9, still seems like a stretch 5 to me if he struggles to move laterally like that.

He's definitely not good enough at center right now to start there for a team that wants to win.

[tmorgan]

I don’t think you’ll like what you see if you run Naz Reid out there for starters minutes, or for any minutes at center.

Seems like the board is split on if his true position is center or PF…whenever I’ve watched him, he seems too upright and slow footed on defense to guard power forwards.

Although he’s 6 foot 9, still seems like a stretch 5 to me if he struggles to move laterally like that.

If you play him at center defensively, he’ll get worked, both as a defender and on the glass. At least Duren can rebound.

Offensively, sure, but he’ll probably just get cross-matched by a smaller player unless they have no options. You can’t pull everyone out of the paint unless you have five semi-reliable shooters, and we’re never going to have that unless we play lineups without Duren, Ausar, and at least currently, Holland. So that’d be, what, Cade/Ivey/(Beasley or similar)/Tobias/Naz? That lineup will not hold up at all defensively or on the glass.

[the_l_train]

I'll admit I was wrong in my center take ---- I went to the Wolves board and sounds like everyone over there considers him a forward (or small ball Center at best).

Kind of scary seeing how many of the posters over there have soured on him --- "worse defender than KAT" --- "flailing chucker who whines and checks out"...."silly fouls/biting on every pump fake/no discipline".

I'm torn and may be back on the Bobby Portis train even though he is 5 years older. I don't think Portis toughness is questioned, and that's what we need at that spot. Our window is now with this current East conference, regardless of our young core.

[LaSheed]

I wouldn’t assume we’re interested in these guys as power forwards.

That would certainly be interesting.

So I went and looked back at the Lakers/Mark Williams trade wondering if I would accept that same package (if offered) for Duren. Which then led me to watching Mark Williams and my lord if that guy could stay on the court!!

[tmorgan]

I wouldn’t assume we’re interested in these guys as power forwards.

That would certainly be interesting.

So I went and looked back at the Lakers/Mark Williams trade wondering if I would accept that same package (if offered) for Duren. Which then led me to watching Mark Williams and my lord if that guy could stay on the court!!

He’s not an “aware” defender, just like Duren, but they call him The Condor for a reason. Seems like he can touch both sidelines at once sometimes. Fragile fella, though, as you said.

[Snakebites]

I don’t think you’ll like what you see if you run Naz Reid out there for starters minutes, or for any minutes at center.

If he worse defensively than Duren?

[tmorgan]

I don’t think you’ll like what you see if you run Naz Reid out there for starters minutes, or for any minutes at center.

If he worse defensively than Duren?

His instincts are probably better, although not “good” (that’s true of 90% of the league compared to Duren, after all), but his body is not. To me, at least, defensive rebounding is a part of defense. Naz may be four years older, but Duren has the better body. Naz is weedy, which is cool for the occasional weak side help, but he’ll get badly bullied quite a bit.

You can’t start him at center unless you have someone like Giannis at power forward, and then you aren’t reeeeeally starting him at center.

[Snakebites]

I don’t think you’ll like what you see if you run Naz Reid out there for starters minutes, or for any minutes at center.

If he worse defensively than Duren?

His instincts are probably better, although not “good” (that’s true of 90% of the league compared to Duren, after all), but his body is not. To me, at least, defensive rebounding is a part of defense. Naz may be four years older, but Duren has the better body. Naz is weedy, which is cool for the occasional weak side help, but he’ll get badly bullied quite a bit.

You can’t start him at center unless you have someone like Giannis at power forward, and then you aren’t reeeeeally starting him at center.

To me that all speaks to the notion that it’s quite possible they don’t intend for Reid and Duren to be on the same roster. If what you say is true you certainly don't want two of those guys on the roster at the same time.

[Crymson]

I think it's clear that if the Pistons are interested in the likes of Turner, it would be as a replacement for Duren. Given Duren's very dubious defensive future, I'd be surprised if they aren't exploring some options.

It's interesting how much Duren's massively inflated value amongst fans mirrors that of Drummond back in the day -- it's like non-Pistons fans see a young, highly athletic, physically imposing big who dunks a lot and puts up gaudy raw stats and assume that he's a good player.

[the_l_train]

If we do go after Naz, I could see other teams being very tempted to get Duren --- we all know his faults, but his age and athleticism is enough for a team hurting for a center to take a chance on him.

Lakers may sweeten their offer since options out there are limited for a rim runner of his caliber (I still figure main piece offered was Knecht and Trajan just hung up the phone). Depending on the Giannis move, I think the Bucks would be interested --- and the Suns could be in the mix as well.

[BlacJacMac]

Wolves fan offering his 2 cents (for what its worth).

Naz is a great story and an even better dude. He's basically a folk hero in Minnesota. Went undrafted because he was fat and lazy in college, but really busted his ass to get in shape and improve his game. And up until this year, he's come back significantly improved every year of his career. I think he's probably close to his ceiling. I don't foresee another jump in production.

Offensively, he's a very good, but streaky shooter. The ball also never sticks with him. He makes very quick decisions to shoot/drive/pass. It can lead to very good movement, it also leads to some bad turnovers.

Defensively he really lacks awareness. He gets caught out of position frequently and tends to reach and grab from a flat-footed base. He will pull off some very impressive weakside blocks, but he's not a rim protector at all.

He rebounds like a SF.

So...what is his position? That's tough. He's a legit 6'9, but he's cut his weight down into the low 230s. Its helped him move on offense, but he's been a really poor defender both heavy and light. He's more of a "big wing" than a post or even a stretch big, but he's not really a creator and he struggles defending in space.

I think he's been in the perfect role the past few years - he's an offensive-minded 6th man. He should be playing 25-30 minutes when his shot is falling and he's helping the team. And probably 10-15 minutes when his shot isn't falling because then he's actively hurting you.

I love the guy, but I'd hesitate to pay him more than 20M/year. But I'll always cheer for him wherever he plays and hope he ends up in a great situation for him - either in Minny or elsewhere.

[Crymson]

If we do go after Naz, I could see other teams being very tempted to get Duren --- we all know his faults, but his age and athleticism is enough for a team hurting for a center to take a chance on him.

I'm sure someone would take a flier. But those generally aren't worth much on the trade market.

Lakers may sweeten their offer since options out there are limited for a rim runner of his caliber (I still figure main piece offered was Knecht and Trajan just hung up the phone).

The Lakers were on the lookout for a postseason rim runner and were in a time crunch with the deadline coming up. They'll probably be less pressed for options in the offseason. We also don't know what, exactly, they may have offered for Duren; we know that Williams was the option hand-selected by Luka.

Depending on the Giannis move, I think the Bucks would be interested --- and the Suns could be in the mix as well.

The Bucks won't be in a position to trade away draft capital either way. I'd imagine the Suns are content with Richards at the moment, and they're drastically short on draft stock as well.

[the_l_train]

Depending on the Giannis move, I think the Bucks would be interested --- and the Suns could be in the mix as well.

The Bucks won't be in a position to trade away draft capital either way. I'd imagine the Suns are content with Richards at the moment, and they're drastically short on draft stock as well.

Bucks: I could see us getting in as the 3rd or 4th team on a Giannis deal - If Duren is in the mix, I would hope that means we are getting Portis and more back in return.

Suns: Per Marc Stein/Hoopshype 2 days ago "Sources say Phoenix, whether or not Durant is ultimately dealt before training camp, will be prioritizing the addition of a starting-level center this offseason. The Suns want a further upgrade on the move they made during the season to deal away Nurkic and replace him with Nick Richards. (https://hoopshype.com/rumor/suns-looking-to-add-starting-level-center-in-the-offseason/)

If we can somehow get a really solid PF or SF in the deal, I would not hate having Nick Richards as our backup center if Duren is dealt. Start Beef Stew with Richards as backup. Could also see being a team there to facilitate a multi-team Suns deal when Durant is dealt.

Maybe its a blockbuster with Giannis and Durant both involved and we just pick up the scraps.

[Crymson]

Bucks: I could see us getting in as the 3rd or 4th team on a Giannis deal - If Duren is in the mix, I would hope that means we are getting Portis and more back in return.

How do you foresee a rotation in which Schroder and Beasley are kept AND Portis is acquired?

Suns: Per Marc Stein/Hoopshype 2 days ago "Sources say Phoenix, whether or not Durant is ultimately dealt before training camp, will be prioritizing the addition of a starting-level center this offseason. The Suns want a further upgrade on the move they made during the season to deal away Nurkic and replace him with Nick Richards. (https://hoopshype.com/rumor/suns-looking-to-add-starting-level-center-in-the-offseason/)

By "content with Richards," I meant in the context of acquiring Duren. I don't doubt that they'd like to upgrade. But Duren isn't really an upgrade, and he's not a starter-level center for a team that wants to win.

[the_l_train]

Bucks: I could see us getting in as the 3rd or 4th team on a Giannis deal - If Duren is in the mix, I would hope that means we are getting Portis and more back in return.

How do you foresee a rotation in which Schroder and Beasley are kept AND Portis is acquired?

Suns: Per Marc Stein/Hoopshype 2 days ago "Sources say Phoenix, whether or not Durant is ultimately dealt before training camp, will be prioritizing the addition of a starting-level center this offseason. The Suns want a further upgrade on the move they made during the season to deal away Nurkic and replace him with Nick Richards. (https://hoopshype.com/rumor/suns-looking-to-add-starting-level-center-in-the-offseason/)

By "content with Richards," I meant in the context of acquiring Duren. I don't doubt that they'd like to upgrade. But Duren isn't really an upgrade, and he's not a starter-level center for a team that wants to win.

Never said anything about keeping all our free agents and Portis. Yes, I want Beasley and Shroder back, but it all depends on the "and more" pieces involved in the multi team deal.

Both would need to accept team friendly deals most likely, but I don't have a magic trade machine proposal ready for you at the moment, spit-balling here...sorry.

Poor defense or not, Duren is a clear upgrade over Richards --- even if you don't think he is a win-now guy. Richards is 6 years older and was a disappointment for the Suns. He was in Coach Buds dog house. Ishbia also seems clueless, so he may still be in new-owner mode and ready to make a deal for the sake of making a deal.

[LaSheed]

Wolves fan offering his 2 cents (for what its worth).

Naz is a great story and an even better dude. He's basically a folk hero in Minnesota. Went undrafted because he was fat and lazy in college, but really busted his ass to get in shape and improve his game. And up until this year, he's come back significantly improved every year of his career. I think he's probably close to his ceiling. I don't foresee another jump in production.

Offensively, he's a very good, but streaky shooter. The ball also never sticks with him. He makes very quick decisions to shoot/drive/pass. It can lead to very good movement, it also leads to some bad turnovers.

Defensively he really lacks awareness. He gets caught out of position frequently and tends to reach and grab from a flat-footed base. He will pull off some very impressive weakside blocks, but he's not a rim protector at all.

He rebounds like a SF.

So...what is his position? That's tough. He's a legit 6'9, but he's cut his weight down into the low 230s. Its helped him move on offense, but he's been a really poor defender both heavy and light. He's more of a "big wing" than a post or even a stretch big, but he's not really a creator and he struggles defending in space.

I think he's been in the perfect role the past few years - he's an offensive-minded 6th man. He should be playing 25-30 minutes when his shot is falling and he's helping the team. And probably 10-15 minutes when his shot isn't falling because then he's actively hurting you.

I love the guy, but I'd hesitate to pay him more than 20M/year. But I'll always cheer for him wherever he plays and hope he ends up in a great situation for him - either in Minny or elsewhere.

Thanks for your input! If we can free up cap he's #1 on my list. If we operate as an over the cap team i do not see a way to add him.