Re: Trade Talk (Part Eleven): 2022 Offseason Edition

[moss_is_1]

3 Teamer:

MN IN: TJ McConnell, James Johnson
MN OUT: Prince, Naz Reid,

BRK IN: Prince, Naz Reid
BRK OUT: Patty Mills, Cam Thomas

IND IN: Patty Mills, Cam Thomas,
IND IN: McConnell, James Johnson

For MIN: balances roster, add the Kyle Anderson of PG's to steady the young players, signed cheap for 2 years after this one.
Can start next year if D-Lo walks in free agency.
For BRK: Add shooting and center depth, balances roster
For IND: Swap backup PGs and take a chance on a former 1st rounder.

Trade is salary neutral for us, BRK adds 1.3 mil in salary, Ind loses 1.3 mil in salary.

I think the Wolves need more value here. McConnell is decent, but doesn't space the floor and not a great defender. Johnson is a good defender, but he's old and can't shoot. We need to really add shooting, high level defense, rebounding, and smart players. We lose 2 high level rotation pieces here for a decent backup PG.

I'd be open to moving Naz or Prince for a backup guard to help and balance the roster as we have a log jam at the 3/4/5 and Nowell has been so disappointing.

[moss_is_1]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/270176/Alex-Caruso-Nearly-Untouchable-In-Trade-Talks

Not surprised. Elite role player and the Bulls need his defense bad next to Lavine and Derozan. Was hoping they'd blow it up and be open to moving off him, but the report of them wanting 2 1sts for him made that unlikely.

[shrink]

Trading Naz Reid is the test that determines how important each of us values winning the most games this season, versus winning games in the future. Naz is playing great, and has a valuable back up role for us while Towns is out. If we trade him, there will likely be some number of games where Nate Knight and Luka Garza will need to fill those back up minutes, which is a clear downgrade for that timespan. However, when KAT is back, Finch wants to stagger all the center minutes between Gobert and Towns, so our backup center, whether it is Knight, Garza OR NAZ, will pick up some DNP-CD’s, just like early in the season.

I heard in a recent podcast that the Wolves have re-engaged Naz in extension talks, which would cover us for the games KAT would miss and the playoffs, but still probably mean Naz is traded this summer. There is no role here for him here with his level of skill, so it is still a gamble the Wolves can make an offer for more than he’s worth to the Wolves. And after serving here for four years on unguaranteed minimum deals, no player deserves testing his value in free agency, so it’s unlikely he and the Wolves will find an extension that works for them both.

If the deadline passes and we haven’t either traded or extended Naz, we have likely lost him for nothing. He will be an Unrestricted Free Agent this summer, and our offer, both financially and as a role for his career, will almost certainly be outbid by another team. I think the question comes down for most people which is more valuable - having Naz for the rest of this season, or getting something in trade that will help, perhaps in the future.

[wolves_89]

Trading Naz Reid is the test that determines how important each of us values winning the most games this season, versus winning games in the future. Naz is playing great, and has a valuable back up role for us while Towns is out. If we trade him, there will likely be some number of games where Nate Knight and Luka Garza will need to fill those back up minutes, which is a clear downgrade for that timespan. However, when KAT is back, Finch wants to stagger all the center minutes between Gobert and Towns, so our backup center, whether it is Knight, Garza OR NAZ, will pick up some DNP-CD’s, just like early in the season.

I heard in a recent podcast that the Wolves have re-engaged Naz in extension talks, which would cover us for the games KAT would miss and the playoffs, but still probably mean Naz is traded this summer. There is no role here for him here with his level of skill, so it is still a gamble the Wolves can make an offer for more than he’s worth to the Wolves. And after serving here for four years on unguaranteed minimum deals, no player deserves testing his value in free agency, so it’s unlikely he and the Wolves will find an extension that works for them both.

One thing to consider is that this season 1-2 additional wins are probably more valuable than at any point in recent history. That could be the margin between a 5th-6th seed in the west and homecourt advantage or the deciding factor between a play in game and the 5th-6th spots. This isn't looking like a normal year where the standings are spread out and the majority of the playoff positions are largely locked in weeks before the end of the regular season.

[shrink]

We should probably discuss what we might get back in a Naz trade

One rumor we heard (probably planted by the Wolves), was that the Clippers (Terrance Mann) and Nuggets (Bones Hyland) were interested. Both seem like an overpay, that I imagine would at least require we send out the NYK 2nd. However, both players would help us now, and are locked up for two more years. It should be noted with Mann’s extension ($10.5, $11.4), this would mean that MIN could only keep DLo OR the MLE. They would go into the lux a year early if they tried to keep both. We can expect Connelly to like Bones as a Nowell replacement - he drafted him for DEN.

The Celtics are a team that could definitely use an upgrade at back up center. Payton Prichard seems like a much-discussed piece, but Naz seems more valuable than that. If the price is two second round picks, BOS has POR (41) and MIA (52) this year. However, these aren’t great, and I suspect Connelly would look for at least one pick in the future. MIN already has NYK’s 2nd (51), and it has been reported that he stashed project Josh Minott as a replacement 2023 pick. Fortunately, BOS has a very appealing 2024 Spurs 2nd, so I would base a deal on that, plus whatever between the other 2nds or Pritchard.

[shrink]

Trading Naz Reid is the test that determines how important each of us values winning the most games this season, versus winning games in the future. Naz is playing great, and has a valuable back up role for us while Towns is out. If we trade him, there will likely be some number of games where Nate Knight and Luka Garza will need to fill those back up minutes, which is a clear downgrade for that timespan. However, when KAT is back, Finch wants to stagger all the center minutes between Gobert and Towns, so our backup center, whether it is Knight, Garza OR NAZ, will pick up some DNP-CD’s, just like early in the season.

I heard in a recent podcast that the Wolves have re-engaged Naz in extension talks, which would cover us for the games KAT would miss and the playoffs, but still probably mean Naz is traded this summer. There is no role here for him here with his level of skill, so it is still a gamble the Wolves can make an offer for more than he’s worth to the Wolves. And after serving here for four years on unguaranteed minimum deals, no player deserves testing his value in free agency, so it’s unlikely he and the Wolves will find an extension that works for them both.

One thing to consider is that this season 1-2 additional wins are probably more valuable than at any point in recent history. That could be the margin between a 5th-6th seed in the west and homecourt advantage or the deciding factor between a play in game and the 5th-6th spots. This isn't looking like a normal year where the standings are spread out and the majority of the playoff positions are largely locked in weeks before the end of the regular season.

I agree. And the stacked standings also mean that if Connelly trades Naz for 2023 2nds, it’s hard to know where they will be at the end of the season.

[shrink]

Read on Twitter

Good to see it’s from Shams.

[life_saver]

why the hell do some of our fans want to trade KAT ? Been seeing it on twitter quite a bit recently. Unless you are getting some ridiculously crazy return, I really don't see why you'd wanna trade KAT if your goal is to contend for title in next couple of seasons (Ant alone isn't sufficient). We aren't getting some star in FA and we don't even have some huge cap space. It's also very less likely that we will be getting a star in return in a trade involving KAT. KAT makes this offense lot more dangerous and gives you a different dimension...he will also give lot of matchup issues for opponents..we saw how KAT literally made Steven Adams unplayable in last year's playoff series. He isn't perfect but you need that offense in playoffs

[jpatrick]

why the hell do some of our fans want to trade KAT ? Been seeing it on twitter quite a bit recently. Unless you are getting some ridiculously crazy return, I really don't see why you'd wanna trade KAT if your goal is to contend for title in next couple of seasons (Ant alone isn't sufficient). We aren't getting some star in FA and we don't even have some huge cap space. It's also very less likely that we will be getting a star in return in a trade involving KAT. KAT makes this offense lot more dangerous and gives you a different dimension...he will also give lot of matchup issues for opponents..we saw how KAT literally made Steven Adams unplayable in last year's playoff series. He isn't perfect but you need that offense in playoffs

I think the problem is that Rudy turns 31 in a few months. We need to maximize his window since we gave up our future for it. Do we think Rudy and KAT will be able to coexist in a championship level offense/defense? I don’t think so. Normally we would just play it out and see if they gel. But because KAT hasn’t been healthy, this hasn’t happened. Do we stay status quo? Probably. See if it works. Can re-examine this offseason. But the alternative would be getting someone like Siakim, who no doubt fits better, in a three-way deal with some other assets coming our way. Is that better? I don’t know. I love KAT and wouldn’t move him now. But I could see the temptation to get a star that is a much better fit. The West has never been this wide open.

[minimus]

I am a big Towns fan. In the past I rejected any remote idea of trading him because he is shooting big, that might be cornerstone of very unique smallball lineup. I feel like obsession with five out lineup had been a bit dogmatic under Rosas. Sure, we don't know how this could be if we just added one more defensive wing last year. However, with Rudy at C we finally have an alternative. I can see Wolves trading Towns if they believe they can bring pieces that maximize Edwards and MCD. Let's say we bring another big wing and a quality PoA defender. They will be very tough to score against.

[Danimals]

I suggest a listen to today’s Locked on Wolves podcast. He does a great dive into Dlo’s improved play. Spoiler alert: it appears to be due to career best shooting from every where on the floor, in spite of career worst assist/turnovers and rebounding. Luckily the shooting streak has come when we’ve needed it most with Kat out. If we trade him, we do need some legit offense coming back in the deal.

https://youtu.be/C7EwDtDcsQU

And don’t trade Kat, he’s insanely versatile on offense. That won’t be an issue. If we can exchange Dlo for a high level defender, then we will be just fine with Kat as our worst defender in the starting unit.

[Nick K]

I am a big Towns fan. In the past I rejected any remote idea of trading him because he is shooting big, that might be cornerstone of very unique smallball lineup. I feel like obsession with five out lineup had been a bit dogmatic under Rosas. Sure, we don't know how this could be if we just added one more defensive wing last year. However, with Rudy at C we finally have an alternative. I can see Wolves trading Towns if they believe they can bring pieces that maximize Edwards and MCD. Let's say we bring another big wing and a quality PoA defender. They will be very tough to score against.

I would not trade Kat. He and Rudy can play together as long as they don't go back to what they wanted to do from the start. Forget about Towns passing and running the offense through him. Have Rudy rim protect and get rebounds with lobs at the basket. Make it simple for him as we are seeing right now with his improved play.

Let Kat shoot the 3 and drive to the basket. Let Kat be a typical PF. He can do that.

I'd start Rudy, Kat, McD, Dlo/KA, Ant.

Do we trade or keep Dlo?

I'd like to pick up Bones Hylund to replace Nowell.

[shrink]

I think trading Towns is ridiculous. Who would you trade for? It takes stars to win a championship, and they are not lining up to come to MIN. One reason Connelly pulled the trigger on the Gobert deal was that he is probably the best player who wanted to be here. MIN has team control of KAT for 4.5 years, and more importantly, Towns wants to be here, and has been loyal through some very trying times.

Second, his fit with Gobert should not be people’s major focus - his fit with Ant should be. Ant is the future. He’s the #1 guy. And it’s hard to think of a better fit with Ant, since Towns can be Ant’s yin and yang. Ant hitting three’s well? Towns can score underneath. Ant getting to the bucket well? KAT’s tremendous three point shooting spreads the floor and pulls out a big. They could become the NBA’s best one-two punch.

Finally, I don’t buy into all this worry about Towns (improved) defense either. Imagine the team goes and gets a defensive point of attack guard to pair with point-Ant, let’s say Josh Hart. Hart defends the other team’s best guard. McDaniels defends the other team’s best forward. Rudy is waiting underneath, and opponents no longer barrel in, unopposed, with a head of steam. Ant could be a strong defender too. I can’t believe Towns needs to be good at defense as well, for this team to become one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.

I think the “Trade Towns” talk is completely unrealistic.

[shrink]

Naz Reid - Minnesota Timberwolves - (PF/C)


https://celticswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-boston-celtics-get-naz-reid/

“Reid seems tailor-made for (as a reserve most nights but starting at times) since he can make an impact off the bench or hold his own with the first five when needed for a spot start,” suggests Buckley, and we couldn’t agree more.

“An active rebounder, skilled scorer from inside and out and high-energy player, he brings enough positives to snag a spot in Boston’s postseason rotation.”

Frankly, in our estimation, given Reid only makes $1.8 million on an expiring deal, he is perhaps the best trade target out there for Boston not only for the reasons B/R notes but also because the Celtics would be in a position to retain him if needed.

Bleacher Report

The Minnesota Timberwolves owe an absurd amount of cash to Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns over the coming seasons. It's hard to imagine they'll find enough change in the couch cushions to cover the cost of Naz Reid's upcoming free agency.

Trade vultures are already circling the Gopher State with an eye on Reid, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. The Celtics should join that circle.

Reid seems tailor-made for this role, since he can make an impact off the bench or hold his own with the first five when needed for a spot start. His career per-36-minutes averages are nothing short of drool-worthy: 20 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.8 threes, per Basketball-Reference.

[Klomp]

Second, his fit with Gobert should not be people’s major focus - his fit with Ant should be. Ant is the future. He’s the #1 guy. And it’s hard to think of a better fit with Ant, since Towns can be Ant’s yin and yang. Ant hitting three’s well? Towns can score underneath. Ant getting to the bucket well? KAT’s tremendous three point shooting spreads the floor and pulls out a big. They could become the NBA’s best one-two punch.

I think in a way, people are looking at Ant by talking about his fit with Gobert. Because he's been vocal about not really liking playing with two bigs, and the on-court product shows it too.

That being said, I'm excited to see what they will look at with Ant looking at his best.

[m2002brian]

Shrink.
Trade towns has more to do with attitude and availability than with talent or fit.

Haven’t you noticed?
We were winning at a similar clip last year but there was always some stink about it. The whining, the offensive fouls, the entitlement was infuriating. Even in the wins.

This year, that stink is gone. Even in losses, bad losses, like to Houston, that stink isn’t as stinky. It’s maddening, but not stinky and whiney. So yeah, we’re mad because we lost, sure, but sometimes, last year, it was harder to watch us win with KAT than to watch us lose to Houston.

Availability:

Out of the last 4 years, only last year was KAT available for more than 50 games. He’s an injury waiting to happen. AD slim. He’s an indisciplined player who gets by on talent. That’s why he hurt his calf, you don’t take off flat footed. Why would he take off flat footed? He doesn’t put in the work on his game, his foot work, his technique.

[Klomp]

Shrink.
Trade towns has more to do with attitude and availability than with talent or fit.

Haven’t you noticed?
We were winning at a similar clip last year but there was always some stink about it. The whining, the offensive fouls, the entitlement was infuriating. Even in the wins.

This year, that stink is gone. Even in losses, bad losses, like to Houston, that stink isn’t as stinky. It’s maddening, but not stinky and whiney. So yeah, we’re mad because we lost, sure, but sometimes, last year, it was harder to watch us win with KAT than to watch us lose to Houston.

Availability:

Out of the last 4 years, only last year was KAT available for more than 50 games. He’s an injury waiting to happen. AD slim. He’s an indisciplined player who gets by on talent. That’s why he hurt his calf, you don’t take off flat footed. Why would he take off flat footed? He doesn’t put in the work on his game, his foot work, his technique.

If "the stink" is what you think it is, why did "the Wiggins stink" not completely tank Golden State's future?

[Klomp]

Out of the last 4 years, only last year was KAT available for more than 50 games. He’s an injury waiting to happen. AD slim. He’s an indisciplined player who gets by on talent. That’s why he hurt his calf, you don’t take off flat footed. Why would he take off flat footed? He doesn’t put in the work on his game, his foot work, his technique.

I'm not sure I'm ready to classify him yet as "an injury waiting to happen," but he's probably not far away before long.

He was Mr. Indestructible in his first four seasons, sort of like we're viewing Ant now.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

Good to see it’s from Shams.

Bones is exactly what fans expected Nowell to be this season while being locked into a dirt-cheap rookie deal for two more seasons. This is the type of move that Connelly should make to lessen the impact of the traded picks.

[shrink]

Sounds like Bones destination isn’t us, unless it’s a three-way with Naz.

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