Trade Talk (Part 15): Trade Deadline Day (and onwards!)

[winforlose]

Utah fans are done with Kessler, he has regressed since rookie year not sure why people here still have a hard on for him.

He has the size and his rookie year showed the potential. Now you just need to get him back to that level.

One year wonder, he looks out of shape too he doesn’t take basketball seriously . I predicted his rookie year was a fluke.

It is very possible. That said he was hurt much of last year. A good opportunity might set him on a better path.

[younggunsmn]

We kind of have a hole in the roster when it comes to a backup big-bodied rebounding C.
Luka is fine as a 3rd stringer, but if Rudy misses time the rebounding in particular will really suffer.

One guy we could target is Jonas Valanciunas from the Wizards.
May not be feasible this season because it will be impossible to salary match without moving Naz or a player making more than him.

But next summer, if Naz or Randle walk in free agency, we could easily slide him into a sign and trade, and we have the Detroit pick we got in the KAT trade.

Just a long term thought with it being very financially punishing to keep both Naz and Randle next year with them both hitting the unrestricted free agent market, we may need to supplement our big man rotation.

I'm not really seeing a vet minimum guy out there that I like in trade or someone making slightly less than NAW.

I think the idea that I keep going back to is NAW and that DET 1st for Walker Kessler. Utah might not want NAW, but they should be able to find a taker for him easily enough...

I don't think that's near enough for Utah to move him but I like the idea.
They've done a really really poor job of developing him and I wonder how much of that has to do with trading away all their veterans, he was doing great when Mike was still there. They are just dumping so many minutes into guys like John Collins who are never going to be anything but mediocre.

[Klomp]

They've done a really really poor job of developing him and I wonder how much of that has to do with trading away all their veterans, he was doing great when Mike was still there. They are just dumping so many minutes into guys like John Collins who are never going to be anything but mediocre.

Precisely. For those wondering why we'd be interested, this is why. Next year still under $5 million too and then we can decide where to go from there, depending on what happens with Gobert, Reid and Randle.

And at the end of the day, it was still someone Connelly targeted. It wasn't a situation where Utah told us to draft him. Connelly wanted him once, so I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted him again...especially at that price.

As far as if it's enough for Utah to bite, they'd be getting one 1st and they could potentially flip NAW into another 1st if they wanted to. That's been the asking price, last I heard.

[Neeva]

No thanks, almost all Utah fans admit they are just starting Kessler hoping to drive up his trade value, but also admit he is getting slammed by opposing starting centers, they have no hope for him. Connelly drafted him but he also drafted Moore Jr that draft, it’s a night he probably would like to forget

[Klomp]

No thanks, almost all Utah fans admit they are just starting Kessler hoping to drive up his trade value, but admit he is getting slammed by opposing starting centers, they have no hope for him. Connelly drafted him but he also drafted Moore Jr that draft, it’s a night he probably would like to forget

Utah had no hope for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell either though...

[Klomp]

Naz Reid for Keegan Murray, who says no first?

[shrink]

We kind of have a hole in the roster when it comes to a backup big-bodied rebounding C.
Luka is fine as a 3rd stringer, but if Rudy misses time the rebounding in particular will really suffer.

That’s the way I see it too. I’d like a big body, someone who can rebound, and a little upside wouldn’t hurt. I’m also looking for a player who makes less than $4.3, since NAW is the biggest salary we’d likely be able to send out. Bonus points too if he there is team control.

I’m going to regret floating this guy, but .. James Wiseman?

Wiseman is the #3 center on the Pacers depth chart. He is clearly a big body (7-0, 240), and he can rebound. He’s young (23) with undoubted upside, which he likely won’t cash in on. He’s also only $2.2 mil, with a $2.5 mil player option. He’s trade eligible December 15th.

Now, if we need to trade NAW or Terrance Shannon Jr to make the salaries work under the apron, then I would want some significant value coming back. Both are worth a lot more than Wiseman. NAW would get rotation minutes for IND, and work well with Halliburton. IND traded its 1sts for Siakim, but is owed 2nds from 2027 UTA, 2029 POR, 2030 SAC and I’d probably ask for all three. Maybe try to get them to use part of their MLE to absorb Dozier in a separate transaction, though they’d then have to cut even more money mid-season to get under the lux. If not, we can afford to waive him ourselves, since we save $2 mil and Dozier costs $1.

Losing NAW hurts, but opens up minutes for DiVincenzo, Shannon and Dillingham. And if Rudy gets hurt, we might still be able to be functional with Wiseman clogging the paint. This saves us some payroll and tax as well.

MIN GETS: James Wiseman, 2027 UTA 2nd, 2029 POR 2nd, 2030 SAC 2nd
IND GETS: Nickiel Alexander-Walker

[winforlose]

Naz Reid for Keegan Murray, who says no first?

We cannot pay Keegan Murray. Naz might get 20, Murray will get 40 easy. Naz took less to be here, he should stay, get his money here, and grow with the pack.

[Slim Tubby]

Utah fans are done with Kessler, he has regressed since rookie year not sure why people here still have a hard on for him.

He has the size and his rookie year showed the potential. Now you just need to get him back to that level.

I agree. Kessler has been overvalued somewhat by haters of the Gobert trade but he would definitely be a solid backup C.

I think UTA would get a better offer than NAW and the DET FRP but I'd make that trade immediately. The only true value that FRP will ever have is as a trade asset. It will never convey.

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[Slim Tubby]

We kind of have a hole in the roster when it comes to a backup big-bodied rebounding C.
Luka is fine as a 3rd stringer, but if Rudy misses time the rebounding in particular will really suffer.

That’s the way I see it too. I’d like a big body, someone who can rebound, and a little upside wouldn’t hurt. I’m also looking for a player who makes less than $4.3, since NAW is the biggest salary we’d likely be able to send out. Bonus points too if he there is team control.

I’m going to regret floating this guy, but .. James Wiseman?

Wiseman is the #3 center on the Pacers depth chart. He is clearly a big body (7-0, 240), and he can rebound. He’s young (23) with undoubted upside, which he likely won’t cash in on. He’s also only $2.2 mil, with a $2.5 mil player option. He’s trade eligible December 15th.

Now, if we need to trade NAW or Terrance Shannon Jr to make the salaries work under the apron, then I would want some significant value coming back. Both are worth a lot more than Wiseman. NAW would get rotation minutes for IND, and work well with Halliburton. IND traded its 1sts for Siakim, but is owed 2nds from 2027 UTA, 2029 POR, 2030 SAC and I’d probably ask for all three. Maybe try to get them to use part of their MLE to absorb Dozier in a separate transaction, though they’d then have to cut even more money mid-season to get under the lux. If not, we can afford to waive him ourselves, since we save $2 mil and Dozier costs $1.

Losing NAW hurts, but opens up minutes for DiVincenzo, Shannon and Dillingham. And if Rudy gets hurt, we might still be able to be functional with Wiseman clogging the paint. This saves us some payroll and tax as well.

MIN GETS: James Wiseman, 2027 UTA 2nd, 2029 POR 2nd, 2030 SAC 2nd
IND GETS: Nickiel Alexander-Walker

I like the idea and it's well thought out. Wiseman would give us some C depth and he showed some improvement last year (it didn't take much).

I'd also move Miller for him instead if IND preferred a younger player in return. I had high hopes for Miller and he may still figure some things out, but he's FAR behind Minott and Luka for possible minutes.

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[shrink]

MIN GETS: James Wiseman, 2027 UTA 2nd, 2029 POR 2nd, 2030 SAC 2nd
IND GETS: Nickiel Alexander-Walker

I like the idea and it's well thought out. Wiseman would give us some C depth and he showed some improvement last year (it didn't take much).

I'd also move Miller for him instead if IND preferred a younger player in return. I had high hopes for Miller and he may still figure some things out, but he's FAR behind Minott and Luka for possible minutes.

Leonard Miller doesn’t quite make enough. They are both on vet min deals, but he only has one year of experience.

Would you trade TJ Shannon for this package, to maybe open a few more minutes for NAW?

[Neeva]

MIN GETS: James Wiseman, 2027 UTA 2nd, 2029 POR 2nd, 2030 SAC 2nd
IND GETS: Nickiel Alexander-Walker

I like the idea and it's well thought out. Wiseman would give us some C depth and he showed some improvement last year (it didn't take much).

I'd also move Miller for him instead if IND preferred a younger player in return. I had high hopes for Miller and he may still figure some things out, but he's FAR behind Minott and Luka for possible minutes.

Leonard Miller doesn’t quite make enough. They are both on vet min deals, but he only has one year of experience.

Would you trade TJ Shannon for this package, to maybe open a few more minutes for NAW?

What is your fascination with trading TJ? Wolves need to see what they have in him first before they send him away.

[Neeva]

Utah fans are done with Kessler, he has regressed since rookie year not sure why people here still have a hard on for him.

He has the size and his rookie year showed the potential. Now you just need to get him back to that level.

I agree. Kessler has been overvalued somewhat by haters of the Gobert trade but he would definitely be a solid backup C.

I think UTA would get a better offer than NAW and the DET FRP but I'd make that trade immediately. The only true value that FRP will ever have is as a trade asset. It will never convey.

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I think you’re wrong it will convey in next few years. Detriot finally has a somwhat competent coach.

[shrink]

I like the idea and it's well thought out. Wiseman would give us some C depth and he showed some improvement last year (it didn't take much).

I'd also move Miller for him instead if IND preferred a younger player in return. I had high hopes for Miller and he may still figure some things out, but he's FAR behind Minott and Luka for possible minutes.

Leonard Miller doesn’t quite make enough. They are both on vet min deals, but he only has one year of experience.

Would you trade TJ Shannon for this package, to maybe open a few more minutes for NAW?

What is your fascination with trading TJ? Wolves need to see what they have in him first before they send him away.

It’s not a fascination, but if we want to fix our giant hole at back up center, we have to send out salary because of our apron constraints. Our vet min deals aren’t big enough, as I showed, so the CBA doesn’t leave us many options.

In addition, adding DiVincenzo a month after the draft means one of our guards is not going to get many minutes, and Ant, Conley, DiVincenzo and NAW are the first four. People believe Dillingham will get minutes too, since we invested a lot into getting him. I’m not sure we’re going to “see what we have” in Shannon if he doesn’t get any minutes, and he won’t learn much from playing in the G-League.

[shrink]

Naz Reid for Keegan Murray, who says no first?

We cannot pay Keegan Murray. Naz might get 20, Murray will get 40 easy. Naz took less to be here, he should stay, get his money here, and grow with the pack.

Well, we’d have another year with Keegan Murray on rookie scale for 2025-26, and I doubt he gets a max, especially if he joins our stacked team. I also think with KAT gone, Naz will have an even better season and his number is going to be more than $20.

Keegan is a good defender, but he is miscast as SAC’s point-of-attack defender. But the King’s biggest problem is they don’t have any other options - the other four starters are all below average defenders. The Kings are another team that could really use NAW or McDaniels.

I love Keegan Murray, but in the end, since we have Ant, Jaden, NAW and DDV, he’s probably more valuable to the SAC than MIN. Keegan is probably overkill with us, while Naz plays an important role. Interesting idea, though!

[Neeva]

Tj aint going anywhere wolves will need cheap depth like him in upcoming years. He is hitting his prime in a few seasons. Garza may surprise everyone or wolves can get a cheap vet center or wait for buy out center. Minnott looking good at PF means more Naz at backup center anyway. Kessler is not the answer.

[Neeva]

Naz Reid for Keegan Murray, who says no first?

We cannot pay Keegan Murray. Naz might get 20, Murray will get 40 easy. Naz took less to be here, he should stay, get his money here, and grow with the pack.

Well, we’d have another year with Keegan Murray on rookie scale for 2025-26, and I doubt he gets a max, especially if he joins our stacked team. I also think with Naz gone, his number is going to be more than $20.

Keegan is a good defender, but he is miscast as SAC’s point-of-attack defender. But the King’s biggest problem is they don’t have any other options - the other four starters are all below average defenders. The Kings are another team that could really use NAW or McDaniels.

I love Keegan Murray, but in the end, since we have Ant, Jaden, NAW and DDV, he’s probably more valuable to the SAC than MIN. Keegan is probably overkill with us, while Naz plays an important role. Interesting idea, though!

Murray is the King’s third best player (maybe fourth)they will pay Him to keep him. He would be 7th(maybe 6th) best player for the wolves at best? Definitely can get paid more with the Kings.

[Biff Cooper]

Other than possibly trading someone to get down to the minimum roster number, I don't think we'll be making another trade before the season starts. I think we will be planning on a combination of Randle, Garza, and Reid taking all the backup C minutes plus 80% of the PF minutes.

[Slim Tubby]

MIN GETS: James Wiseman, 2027 UTA 2nd, 2029 POR 2nd, 2030 SAC 2nd
IND GETS: Nickiel Alexander-Walker

I like the idea and it's well thought out. Wiseman would give us some C depth and he showed some improvement last year (it didn't take much).

I'd also move Miller for him instead if IND preferred a younger player in return. I had high hopes for Miller and he may still figure some things out, but he's FAR behind Minott and Luka for possible minutes.

Leonard Miller doesn’t quite make enough. They are both on vet min deals, but he only has one year of experience.

Would you trade TJ Shannon for this package, to maybe open a few more minutes for NAW?

Good point on the Miller salary. I really like what NAW brings to this team, but with his expiring contract and our acquisition of Ragu, he's expendable to me for the right deal.

There wasn't a bigger fan of TSJ leading up to the Draft. I'd definitely prefer to keep him. His Rookie deal is valuable and I strongly believe he'll be a good player for this team when given minutes.

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[winforlose]

I like the idea and it's well thought out. Wiseman would give us some C depth and he showed some improvement last year (it didn't take much).

I'd also move Miller for him instead if IND preferred a younger player in return. I had high hopes for Miller and he may still figure some things out, but he's FAR behind Minott and Luka for possible minutes.

Leonard Miller doesn’t quite make enough. They are both on vet min deals, but he only has one year of experience.

Would you trade TJ Shannon for this package, to maybe open a few more minutes for NAW?

Good point on the Miller salary. I really like what NAW brings to this team, but with his expiring contract and our acquisition of Ragu, he's expendable to me for the right deal.

There wasn't a bigger fan of TSJ leading up to the Draft. I'd definitely prefer to keep him. His Rookie deal is valuable and I strongly believe he'll be a good player for this team when given minutes.

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The question is what does NAW expect in his next contract. He had a bad playoffs and one solid year/ year and a third with an otherwise unsuccessful career. If he has told the team he wants 10-12 we could make that work. If he said 20-30 he is gone. Of course the hard part in trading him is the low salary. A rookie scale C with some upside is my preference.