2022 Free Agency

[shangrila]

Nowell, yes. Reid, no.

[shrink]

Why would we jump at extending fringe rotation players and tying up future cap space and roster spots to guys who we should really be looking to upgrade? Naz's ceiling is as a 15 minute backup 5. Utterly the most replaceable rotation position in basketball.
There will be better options that come along during the life of a proposed Naz extension.

Nowell was consitsently efficient this year and he had some good stretches.
But the sample size is still small and FInch did not trust him to play any meaningful playoff minutes.
His ceiling is higher for me than Naz, but he also needs more polish. He needs to show he can succeed against other teams best lineups as well as he does against their second units.

But I doubt either are excited to forego free agency after getting boned so spectacularly on their rookie deals.

I'm starting to lean this way....I think these are guys who are replaceable for us. Not bad players, but they can be upgraded.

They may be rotation guys on a team improving from 25 to 45 wins. But should they be in the rotation if you want to jump from 45 to 55 wins? I'm not so sure. Tweaks will need to be made. Everyone points at Russell and some at Beverley while others look at Vanderbilt or Beasley as potential spots for upgrade but in doing that, unless you're sending them out there is fat that will be trimmed from the bottom of the rotation. Are you willing to trust Reid or Nowell deep in the playoffs?

The important thing to me is that we don’t lose trade value for nothing. Next year, Naz Reid ans Jaylen Nowell are going to be on a below-market deals, and have positive trade value. They may have even more trade value if they sign below-market extensions, to lock in some guaranteed money.

If we keep them, yes, they use roster spaces, but it leaves us more payroll to invest in the starters in front of them. That’s where more wins come from. And the same goes for other teams, so we can trade them for small value. For example, if the Lakers can’t/won’t move their three big contracts, they need players that are cheap that can fill out their roster, and help them win regular season games. The stars are supposed to win the playoff games.

I don’t want to see them walk for nothing.

[Dewey]

Outside of Ant and Kat … this is where a GM targets moves to acquire a need.

To start with - I’m guessing we’ll see our GM given the job or we make a change.

Then - we leverage everything we have to upgrade the roster. Players and picks … whatever it takes. This is a team that still needs help … PF and PG.

[Klomp]

Any interest in a Bjelica return?

[LibertyPrime]

Any interest in a Bjelica return?

At the right price, and with the right expectations. At this point, he is what he is, a semi-skilled big, mostly bench, occasional starter, without the passion or individual drive to really contribute on the level some had hoped. He wouldn't solve the problem at the 4 but at the right price he might become part of the solution. I guess I'll vote meh on this one, yes if he comes cheap, and definite no if he's taking up a roster spot that would go to a better solution.

[shangrila]

Not really. He’s only gotten worse as a defender and wasn’t exactly all-defence to start with.

[minimus]

Any interest in a Bjelica return?

Yes, he is one of my favourite players. Shooting, experience, rebounding, high IQ and passing.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I really really like the Jalen Smith fit. I also like TJ Warren as a Prince replacement on probably a short, cheap deal where he tries to re-prove himself.

[karch34]

Any interest in a Bjelica return?

At the right price, and with the right expectations. At this point, he is what he is, a semi-skilled big, mostly bench, occasional starter, without the passion or individual drive to really contribute on the level some had hoped. He wouldn't solve the problem at the 4 but at the right price he might become part of the solution. I guess I'll vote meh on this one, yes if he comes cheap, and definite no if he's taking up a roster spot that would go to a better solution.

This. Gives us better O and worse D at PF so modest net improvement at the spot.

[Klomp]

How much would you pay for this skill set during the first round series? (just avoid looking at the score)

Watch on YouTube

[moss_is_1]

How much would you pay for this skill set during the first round series? (just avoid looking at the score)

Watch on YouTube

I think he'll get at least the taxpayer MLE. Not a lot of teams have cap, but there also is a pretty underwhelming FA class. He's young and isn't a negative on offense or defense.

[Klomp]

Dallas needs to sign and trade Jalen Brunson. Why? Because just paying him in free agency won't improve their team. But they can use that salary slot he's going to get as an avenue to bring pieces in. Kinda how GS used the Durant S/T to bring in Russell on S/T which was then used to bring in Wiggins.

I think I might even throw DeAndre Ayton into this discussion. Maybe LaVine too.

How's this for crazy...I don't have salaries figured, but they'd all be close in the end.

Chicago: S/T LaVine for Brunson
Dallas: S/T Brunson for Ayton
Phoenix: S/T Ayton for Russell
Minnesota: Russell for LaVine.

The two hardest sells on this would be us (for some fans) and Phoenix. This might be one of those thinking a few moves ahead scenarios for Phoenix. But I think it's interesting because for the most part it gets guys to where they'd fit. Maybe for Phoenix we need to instead reroute Russell to Brooklyn for Simmons? Is there another star or semi-star who could be on the move?

[old school 34]

How much would you pay for this skill set during the first round series? (just avoid looking at the score)

Watch on YouTube

I think he'll get at least the taxpayer MLE. Not a lot of teams have cap, but there also is a pretty underwhelming FA class. He's young and isn't a negative on offense or defense.

He's a guy definitely on my list that I'd be interested in & he's a guy that Connolly has liked in the past as well?

Price will be very interesting....I don't believe he's MLE...maybe BAE guy....last year he was a very late minimum guy. I know he's continuing to show stuff, but not certain he's shown enough that he jumps all the way there just yet?

Does his fit get wonky on the team if say V8 moves to the bench (now you have two rebounding energy bigs playing together...could stagger some...but could be spacing nightmare as well).....But say you draft your eventual spacing 4...now you play him off bench with Hartenstein & your good.

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[Klomp]

Under-the-radar developmental target: Petr Cornelie

Was drafted by Connelly in the Murray/Beasley/Juancho draft. They had to cut him from his two-way this year due to a roster crunch with no healthy guards, but still re-signed with their G League program. Was dominating at the G League level. Could be our 2022-23 version of Nathan Knight.

Watch on YouTube

[thinktank]

Under-the-radar developmental target: Petr Cornelie

Was drafted by Connelly in the Murray/Beasley/Juancho draft. They had to cut him from his two-way this year due to a roster crunch with no healthy guards, but still re-signed with their G League program. Was dominating at the G League level. Could be our 2022-23 version of Nathan Knight.

Watch on YouTube

I did some nosing around and I’m intrigued by him more than Knight.

Wolves can just add him like an FA?

[Klomp]

I did some nosing around and I’m intrigued by him more than Knight.

Wolves can just add him like an FA?

Yes, he's a free agent.

I'm intrigued by the fact he's 27. I know some won't like that from a reserve without a 100% cemented role, but I think it provides a little more dependability from a later reserve. You have to be able to trust your reserves, even if they don't have a regular spot.

He also dominated against the G League. As he should, but it's still worth noting. I also like that he returned to the Gold after being dropped from his two-way. He could've bolted back to France, but it shows me he's committed to the grind.

[thinktank]

I did some nosing around and I’m intrigued by him more than Knight.

Wolves can just add him like an FA?

Yes, he's a free agent.

I'm intrigued by the fact he's 27. I know some won't like that from a reserve without a 100% cemented role, but I think it provides a little more dependability from a later reserve. You have to be able to trust your reserves, even if they don't have a regular spot.

He also dominated against the G League. As he should, but it's still worth noting. I also like that he returned to the Gold after being dropped from his two-way. He could've bolted back to France, but it shows me he's committed to the grind.

Seems to be very long, quick leaper, sneaky dunker, and can obviously shoot it.

Doesn’t seem to be too much of a defender but he has good size to at least body somebody.

[Nick K]

Any interest in a Bjelica return?

i've always liked him but at this point I'd say no. I thought he'd be a better player. He's a teaser type.

I'd like to see them bring Prince back at the right price. 15 mil is way too much but around 7 maybe. He likes it here too.

[Nick K]

How much would you pay for this skill set during the first round series? (just avoid looking at the score)

Watch on YouTube

I just like this guy. I'd pay 5 mil and he'd be a bargain. I like him much more than Reid. He's not flashy but he does a lot of things well.

He'd be a great get on our 2nd unit.

[Slim Tubby]

Under-the-radar developmental target: Petr Cornelie

Was drafted by Connelly in the Murray/Beasley/Juancho draft. They had to cut him from his two-way this year due to a roster crunch with no healthy guards, but still re-signed with their G League program. Was dominating at the G League level. Could be our 2022-23 version of Nathan Knight.

Watch on YouTube

He has a short Petr.