Trade Talk (Part Nine) (READ FIRST POST)

[Danimals]

No players should be completely off the table in trades, but Towns and Edwards should only be available for a top 5 player in their prime. Everyone else should at least be up for discussion to improve the team.

I think we should either push our chips in for a clear, long term upgrade to the starters. Or utilize lesser assets to improve the bench for this year and next. I don’t believe the upgrade to starters is very likely. So how do we improve the bench and maintain assets flexibility moving forward?

Are Naz in Nowell in the same contract situation? Naz will either be a RFA after next season or an URFA the season after that. Either way I don’t think he will be worth the cost to resign him for us. I’d prefer to get a big, defensive back up center for the 15 mins a game Towns sits. Who is the Beverley of vet centers? Then keep a higher upside big to develop as the 3rd stringer. We can get a scoring/rebounding forward for the bench. Which is much easier to find then a 3pt shooting and defensive anchor 4 to fit with Naz.

I see our minor assets as to use this year as Naz, Okogie, Prince and Layman’s expiring, and our 3 second rounders.

[raleigh]

Pretty sure it is too late for that. Once the trade is complete there is a waiting period before the recently traded player can be moved again. Fanspo trade machine says 2 months which misses the trade deadline. Also, not sure we want Knox.

Knox can be moved again immediately as long as he's not packaged with anyone else.

No, you don't want Knox but you don't want him any less than you want Layman, right? This move would be more about replacing Okogie with someone who fits more. I don't know your roster well enough to know if that's needed...

[raleigh]

I’m not sure ATL could accept it though. They are only $2,367,012 under the lux threshold themselves, so adding $2,182,110 would severely limit them from making any transactions over the rest of the season. Maybe the deal could be expanded, or a third team introduced, that doesn’t bite the Hawks this hard financially?

The suspicion of a lot of Hawks fans is that they will not make any major movies until the offseason. They're in such a strange spot: not as bad as the record indicates but likely not good enough to make another deep playoff run. Moves around the edges are about all we expect at this point.

[winforlose]

Pretty sure it is too late for that. Once the trade is complete there is a waiting period before the recently traded player can be moved again. Fanspo trade machine says 2 months which misses the trade deadline. Also, not sure we want Knox.

Knox can be moved again immediately as long as he's not packaged with anyone else.

No, you don't want Knox but you don't want him any less than you want Layman, right? This move would be more about replacing Okogie with someone who fits more. I don't know your roster well enough to know if that's needed...

I tested it one for one on Fanspo trade machine and it said flat out 2 months. No picks or players other than Okogie for Knox.

[shrink]

Dane Moore had an interesting point in a recent podcast.

He pointed out during the regular season, players get mixed and matched, and often widely different team strategies are applied to help them develop and unlock their individual areas of skill. However, when teams get to the playoffs, rosters shrink and starters play more and more minutes. When a starter sits, bench players come in and now need to be an approximation of the starter they replaced, so the team maintains its style.

He mentioned Nowell coming in as an early first quarter replacement for DLo, so that Nowell and the other four starters continue to play the same successful style our five starters play. I also think Nowell can approximate Ant as well. This could also apply to Naz playing as a poor man’s KAT - a floor-spreading big that continues to allow Jared Vanderbilt to do his thing.

I have long listed Naz as a good trade candidate, because he would get more minutes on other teams, and because that means other teams could offer him more next summer (or the summer after that). However, as we start to gear up for the playoffs, Naz may be more useful to us.

[raleigh]

I tested it one for one on Fanspo trade machine and it said flat out 2 months. No picks or players other than Okogie for Knox.

Read the text underneath:

Kevin Knox II cannot be traded to a team aggregated with other players from his team because 2 months have not passed since he was traded for. He can only be traded away to a team by himself and other non-player assets from his team (draft picks, cash considerations, etc). This restriction expires after Mar 14, 2022.

[winforlose]

I tested it one for one on Fanspo trade machine and it said flat out 2 months. No picks or players other than Okogie for Knox.

Read the text underneath:

Kevin Knox II cannot be traded to a team aggregated with other players from his team because 2 months have not passed since he was traded for. He can only be traded away to a team by himself and other non-player assets from his team (draft picks, cash considerations, etc). This restriction expires after Mar 14, 2022.

I stand corrected. Good catch. I still wouldn’t make this move until I am 100% sure we cannot use the expiring contracts for a better player. I would rather Daniel Theis for example.

[IceManBK1]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/265483/Lakers-Blazers-Knicks-Jazz-Wizards-Celtics-Pacers-Wolves-Kings-Interested-In-Jerami-Grant

Beasley+Okogie+1st for Grant

[winforlose]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/265483/Lakers-Blazers-Knicks-Jazz-Wizards-Celtics-Pacers-Wolves-Kings-Interested-In-Jerami-Grant

Beasley+Okogie+1st for Grant

You assume JO has enough upside. I am wondering about Naz. Or the combo of Leo and Knight. Instead of one super hyped young prospect they get 2 guys who both have yet to get a chance to strut their stuff.

[IceManBK1]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/265483/Lakers-Blazers-Knicks-Jazz-Wizards-Celtics-Pacers-Wolves-Kings-Interested-In-Jerami-Grant

Beasley+Okogie+1st for Grant

You assume JO has enough upside. I am wondering about Naz. Or the combo of Leo and Knight. Instead of one super hyped young prospect they get 2 guys who both have yet to get a chance to strut their stuff.

I think detroit would like Okogie..tough, physical defender..fits their defensive identity.

If not, we offer them reid, novell, mcdaniels..even Vanderbilt.

[winforlose]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/265483/Lakers-Blazers-Knicks-Jazz-Wizards-Celtics-Pacers-Wolves-Kings-Interested-In-Jerami-Grant

Beasley+Okogie+1st for Grant

You assume JO has enough upside. I am wondering about Naz. Or the combo of Leo and Knight. Instead of one super hyped young prospect they get 2 guys who both have yet to get a chance to strut their stuff.

I think detroit would like Okogie..tough, physical defender..fits their defensive identity.

If not, we offer them reid, novell, mcdaniels..even Vanderbilt.

Reid yes, everyone else no way no sir. Nowell is going to be the next Lou Williams at this rate. MCD is a prodigy in the making and V8 is the best contract in the NBA. The only young guys we move for Grant are either Naz or Leo+Knight. Or Okogie (though I doubt they want him.)

[moss_is_1]

I really have no interest in Grant, especially for that price. I think we need more of a bench 2/3, and a big man. Not a forward tweener, we already have McDaniels, V8, and Prince.

- He wasn't happy being just a guy in Denver and wanted a big role so he was traded.
- He's going to want a huge contract extension in the offseason.

[winforlose]

I really have no interest in Grant, especially for that price. I think we need more of a bench 2/3, and a big man. Not a forward tweener, we already have McDaniels, V8, and Prince.

- He wasn't happy being just a guy in Denver and wanted a big role so he was traded.
- He's going to want a huge contract extension in the offseason.

He wanted a starting role, he will here as well. I don’t know what he demands, but his numbers are a little down from last year. Unless he has a breakout during the second half or next season he will not get much beyond what he is already getting. I don’t see a lot of teams looking to max him.

[Mattya]

I really have no interest in Grant, especially for that price. I think we need more of a bench 2/3, and a big man. Not a forward tweener, we already have McDaniels, V8, and Prince.

- He wasn't happy being just a guy in Denver and wanted a big role so he was traded.
- He's going to want a huge contract extension in the offseason.

I don’t think we need any more 2s on this roster when we already have 4 guys who get minutes at that position. Not to mention Grant can defend 2s and 3s.

[winforlose]

I really have no interest in Grant, especially for that price. I think we need more of a bench 2/3, and a big man. Not a forward tweener, we already have McDaniels, V8, and Prince.

- He wasn't happy being just a guy in Denver and wanted a big role so he was traded.
- He's going to want a huge contract extension in the offseason.

I don’t think we need any more 2s on this roster when we already have 4 guys who get minutes at that position. Not to mention Grant can defend 2s and 3s.

5 if you count Leo and don’t count Beasley or JO. Beverly, Dlo, Ant, Nowell, and Leo can all play SG.

[Baseline81]

Read on Twitter

[wolves_89]

A Turner trade seems a lot less likely since the risk involved has increased by a huge amount. I don't think the Wolves are in a position to bet on Turner's health when he only has 1.5 years left under contract. I would guess a team earlier in their rebuild will be willing to offer far more than makes sense for Minnesota (there's also a decent chance Turner doesn't get moved at all).

[fattymcgee]

A Turner trade seems a lot less likely since the risk involved has increased by a huge amount. I don't think the Wolves are in a position to bet on Turner's health when he only has 1.5 years left under contract. I would guess a team earlier in their rebuild will be willing to offer far more than makes sense for Minnesota (there's also a decent chance Turner doesn't get moved at all).

Even if he comes back healthy there is the risk of how long he will be out. We'll have to give some rotation players for him so we'd be short-handed until he was ready to play.

[IceManBK1]

Read on Twitter

maybe it's not that serious of an injury..they're just holding him out for a trade. we need to do our due deligence on his injury. we have many other options..jerami grant; harrison barnes; serge ibaka; marcus morris just to name a few. hope we get somebody. we need a better option at PF to propel us into the playoffs IMO.

[Domejandro]

Based on what? Knight was an in demand two way who will likely end up on someone’s roster, and Leo is a first round draft pick who is known for his defense and has a history in Europe. A slow start with inconsistent minutes doesn’t make him trash. Reid and a first for Turner is only doable for us if we go out and get another big to make up the depth we lose.

Beyond the fact that Myles Turner would replace all of Naz Reid's minutes, Nathan Knight is not "in-demand" enough to be a serious piece in a trade discussion.

Personally, I think Taurean Prince, Leandro Bolmaro, Naz Reid, and a Lottery Protected First for Myles Turner is pretty much on the money value wise (and keeps Minnesota just outside of the Luxury-Tax), but figuring out roster spots for Indiana is rough.

You don’t need to send both Naz and Leo. Naz is a promising young player. Naz plus Prince plus a first works and we can make other moves to get back under the tax. Especially if we can find a buyer for Beasley.

Naz Reid is a RFA this off-season and Leandro Bolmaro is a decent - but limited - prospect. Along with the pick, they roughly even out to Myles Turner's value (if healthy), but individually, I really think you are overvaluing Minnesota's assets.

This season, Taurean Prince and Naz Reid play a combined 31.1 minutes per game, while Myles Turner has played 29.4 minutes per game, this season. Effectively, we are talking about replacing their production with a player who is capable of stretching the court out to 28 feet, is very good at attacking closeouts, is a top-tier rim protector, can switch onto and contain guards, and (most importantly) is a low-usage player. Myles Turner is a limited player, but he is very good at what he specializes at.

The stress reaction is now a concern, but to me, replacing the production of Taurean Prince and Naz Reid is pretty clearly worth a Lottery-Protected First and Leandro Bolmaro.

Roster:

Spoiler:

D'Angelo Russell / Patrick Beverly / McKinley Wright IV
Anthony Edwards / Jaylen Nowell /
Jarred Vanderbilt / Malik Beasley / Josh Okogie
Myles Turner / Jaden McDaniels / Jake Layman
Karl-Anthony Towns / Nathan Knight

Depth Chart (Roughly)

Spoiler:

D'Angelo Russell (32) / Patrick Beverly (16)
Anthony Edwards (8) / Malik Beasley (16) / Jaylen Nowell (16) / Patrick Beverly (8)
Jarred Vanderbilt (12) / Anthony Edwards (26) / Jaden McDaniels (6) / Malik Beasley (4)
Myles Turner (14) / Jarred Vanderbilt (16) / Jaden McDaniels (18)
Karl-Anthony Towns (34) / Myles Turner (14)

Minute Distribution:

Spoiler:

Anthony Edwards - 34
Karl-Anthony Towns - 34
D'Angelo Russell - 32
Myles Turner - 28
Jarred Vanderbilt - 28
Patrick Beverly - 24
Jaden McDaniels - 24
Malik Beasley - 20
Jaylen Nowell - 16

Realistically there would be a lot of games where Beverly finishes instead of one of Myles Turner or Jarred Vanderbilt, depending on the matchup. This gives Minnesota a lot of flexibility.

EDIT: To reiterate, the most direct way to think about this is "what is upgrading Taurean Prince and Naz Reid minutes to Myles Turner minutes worth?" The stress reaction is worth considering, but if that is clear, Leandro Bolmaro and a Lottery Protected First is absolutely worth that cost, in my opinion.

The big problem is that the injury he had take about twenty games (on average) to recover, so this would be a deal that Minnesota would want to do right at the deadline (10 Feb), not right now. Doing it then makes it so Minnesota only has to play four games until the All-Star Break, which Myles Turner will likely return after.