Randle to OKC

[zimpy27]

This feels like it needs a 3rd team. OP leaves Minnesota with way too many wings/guards and fair empty at PF.

One of Wiggs/Joe with potentially some combo of the first OKC gives up, the 2025 Detroit 1st, and Jazz2025 2nd probably lands them someone interesting, right?

Well I was thinking of Minny beyond this season.

From now to 2027 offseason, Minnesota has this squad for 87% of cap: Dilly, DDV, Ant, McD, Gobert
Thought it might be good to add 2 more guys (Joe and Wiggins) at 14% of cap. Keeping Naz probably costs 12%.

If Minny signs the last 6-7 spots as vet mins then they could duck the tax but it seems likely they acquire a TaxMLE player and continue to sign first round picks. So I'm guessing they sit below 2nd apron next 2 seasons (still a win over current place).

[shrink]

I think it’s a hard no from OkC. Wiggins is one of the most underrated players in the league, and both he and Joe are super important to OkC on court.

Also Randle wouldn’t fit at all with what OkC do on offense; rapid ball and player movement, non-stop cutting and selfless passing are the literal antithesis of how Randle plays.

For the record, the Wolves front office has been effusive in their praise for Randle taking on a role he’s never done before in his career. What has seemed to unlock him has been Finch playing him additional minutes with the second unit, where he plays more of a point forward. The second unit plays fast and does a lot more running, which Randle seems to enjoy, and we have seen more motivated defense and less of that slow, probing, offense. To be honest, I never expected to see him play any differently than what we’ve seen from the guy for years, but he seems to love Finch (who he knew from NOP), and he and the team look a lot different than the beginning of the season, where he was told, “You be you - we’ll all fit around you.”

I actually came back to say two things. First, like Mamba said, this is a deal screaming for a third team. Wiggins and Joe are decent players, but just not players MIN is going to push Ant to SF for. Second, if anyone is beating OKC, they are doing it with size. MIN is nowhere near as good as OKC, but they have been a bad match up for the Thunder for years, and in a playoff series, you don’t know. After last season’s WCF appearance, the expectations for fans (and likely the lux-paying owner), is for a playoff run. OKC is clearly the team to beat in the West, and fixing their size issue while removing MIN’s advantage their (at least until Chet gets back), would be a painful move.

[Devilanche]

There are still clear gaps on OKC roster and roles but I don’t believe that Randle is part of the solution to those gaps.

[JeffFosters]

For the record, the Wolves front office has been effusive in their praise for Randle taking on a role he’s never done before in his career.

Breaking news: front office talks up an asset they hope to move.

What has seemed to unlock him has been Finch playing him additional minutes with the second unit, where he plays more of a point forward. The second unit plays fast and does a lot more running, which Randle seems to enjoy, and we have seen more motivated defense and less of that slow, probing, offense. To be honest, I never expected to see him play any differently than what we’ve seen from the guy for years, but he seems to love Finch (who he knew from NOP), and he and the team look a lot different than the beginning of the season, where he was told, “You be you - we’ll all fit around you.”

I agree that it’s been better recently after the fit was clunky, but the way OkC play is a whole another step up from the actions the wolves run. It’s fast, it’s off-ball work, it’s passing early - it’s just not Randle at all.

I actually came back to say two things. First, like Mamba said, this is a deal screaming for a third team. Wiggins and Joe are decent players, but just not players MIN is going to push Ant to SF for.

I don’t see OkC moving Wiggins or Joe at all, perhaps not even for a star. Both are excellent players on team-friendly deals. Wiggins may be one of the most underrated players in the league. I’m also not sure OkC is too keen to mess with their chemistry, midseason trades can be risky.

Second, if anyone is beating OKC, they are doing it with size. MIN is nowhere near as good as OKC, but they have been a bad match up for the Thunder for years, and in a playoff series, you don’t know. After last season’s WCF appearance, the expectations for fans (and likely the lux-paying owner), is for a playoff run. OKC is clearly the team to beat in the West, and fixing their size issue while removing MIN’s advantage their (at least until Chet gets back), would be a painful move.

I don’t think OkC would be too worried about MN, even with the size. My sense is that OkC wants to see how this group goes this year before adding or restructuring next year.

[Texas Chuck]

I love the reason for OKC to trade Wallace for Randle is well he will be too expensive in 3 years. Well guess what, that's plenty of time to solve.

I don't think the trade makes sense for OKC on basketball levels and they definitely shouldn't give up Wallace. I think the value is good for Minny and they should simply look to flip one of the wings for a big and take the value here.

[Ethomasp31]

For the record, the Wolves front office has been effusive in their praise for Randle taking on a role he’s never done before in his career.

Breaking news: front office talks up an asset they hope to move.

What has seemed to unlock him has been Finch playing him additional minutes with the second unit, where he plays more of a point forward. The second unit plays fast and does a lot more running, which Randle seems to enjoy, and we have seen more motivated defense and less of that slow, probing, offense. To be honest, I never expected to see him play any differently than what we’ve seen from the guy for years, but he seems to love Finch (who he knew from NOP), and he and the team look a lot different than the beginning of the season, where he was told, “You be you - we’ll all fit around you.”

I agree that it’s been better recently after the fit was clunky, but the way OkC play is a whole another step up from the actions the wolves run. It’s fast, it’s off-ball work, it’s passing early - it’s just not Randle at all.

I actually came back to say two things. First, like Mamba said, this is a deal screaming for a third team. Wiggins and Joe are decent players, but just not players MIN is going to push Ant to SF for.

I don’t see OkC moving Wiggins or Joe at all, perhaps not even for a star. Both are excellent players on team-friendly deals. Wiggins may be one of the most underrated players in the league. I’m also not sure OkC is too keen to mess with their chemistry, midseason trades can be risky.

Second, if anyone is beating OKC, they are doing it with size. MIN is nowhere near as good as OKC, but they have been a bad match up for the Thunder for years, and in a playoff series, you don’t know. After last season’s WCF appearance, the expectations for fans (and likely the lux-paying owner), is for a playoff run. OKC is clearly the team to beat in the West, and fixing their size issue while removing MIN’s advantage their (at least until Chet gets back), would be a painful move.

I don’t think OkC would be too worried about MN, even with the size. My sense is that OkC wants to see how this group goes this year before adding or restructuring next year.

A month ago I was one of the Wolves fans who would have traded Randle for just about anything. But honestly we have played pretty well the last month, and if we are healthy I would like our chances against just about anyone in the West in a 7 game series. I guess what I trying to say is that the Wolves aren't going to just dump Randle. I don't think he will be traded unless we get a decent package back for him. If we trade him for wings we will have no big man depth.

[MoneyTalks41890]

The player from Minny that I want is Naz Reid. No real interest in the OP.