Trade Talk (Part 17): Early Offseason Planning

[Note30]

Who's the best combo guard you can get with Dilly + Donte + FRP ?

With Finch doing everything he can to tank their value it won't be good. Starting Donte at PG??????? Giving Bones minutes over Dilly. I'm starting to come around to W4Ls point of view. Not really, but Finch's lack of trust in young players is too extreme. Beringer was nothing but impressive in SL/Preseason and camp, but Finch doesn't give him a single second of PT.

The hyperbole is out of control...

He had some really good preseason/SL games and he had some poor ones. And he clearly has a number of things he needs to work on and/or clean up.

The star potential is absolutely there. And while he appears farther along than most thought at the time of the draft, he's still really raw in areas and has a lot to learn.

I think he'll get spot minutes in good situations for a while and hopefully he can grow quickly into a more consistent role.

But to think he's just going to step into the regular rotation of a (hopefully) contending level team seems somewhere between premature and foolish.

If he's getting 10-15 MPG after the ASB, I'll consider it a huge win.

Massive considering Rob hadn't managed to prove that and TSJ only did because NAW is gone and the playoffs were his break out.

[Klomp]

However, Hansen did embarrass himself in his 5 minutes.

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

[KGdaBom]

However, Hansen did embarrass himself in his 5 minutes.

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

Dilly isn't a rookie. Le Berricade IMO is a special rookie.

[Note30]

This got a little bigger than expected, but try it on, walk around a bit with entire roster outcome…

To Pacers: McDaniels/Conley

To Heat: Gobert/Randle

To Wolves: Nembhard/Bam/Wiggins/Toppin/Pacers 1st

Bam/Reid/Beringer
Reid/Toppin
Wiggins/Edwards/TSJ
Edwards/DDV/Nembhard
Nembhard/Dilly

Bam is a nice upgrade over Gobert - tater’s choice upgrade - but at least younger and little more offense come playoffs.

Nembhard is upgrade at starting PG. Near as perfect fit with Edwards as Wolves can get in their price point - but cost them McDaniels.

Wiggins has a reunion tour in MN - backfilling McDaniels - but on a clock. Offseason 2026 Wiggins’ expiring plus 3x 1sts available (26 rights, own 33, Pacers owed) will look real juicy to TC for an upgrade (adding Dilly as needed if any value left).

Reid/Toppin need to replace Randle/Reid best they can.

If it comes with three picks this is a pretty awesome trade but I do think it makes little sense for Miami. They aren't exactly win now.

I would see if Wiggins with Dilly can go to a third team like Denver, Portland, Phoenix, or San Antonio. See if we can get back a decent backup guard.

[BlacJacMac]

However, Hansen did embarrass himself in his 5 minutes.

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

And Yang has been playing basketball since 3rd grade.

At 15 his team won the Chinese U17 National Championship. They won it again the next year with Yang being named MVP.

In his 2 years playing in the CBA he was Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, a 2x All-Star and a 2x All CBA First Team.

He should be way more ready than Beringer - and look at how he struggled.

That said, I would never trade Joan for Hansen, but Joan is a play for the future. Anything he gives us now is gravy,

[Note30]

However, Hansen did embarrass himself in his 5 minutes.

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

Dilly isn't a rookie. Le Berricade IMO is a special rookie.

He was talking about Yang.

[BlacJacMac]

However, Hansen did embarrass himself in his 5 minutes.

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

Dilly isn't a rookie. Le Berricade IMO is a special rookie.

Beringer IMO is a special prospect.

[Note30]

However, Hansen did embarrass himself in his 5 minutes.

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

And Yang has been playing basketball since 3rd grade.

At 15 his team won the Chinese U17 National Championship. They won it again the next year with Yang being named MVP.

In his 2 years playing in the CBA he was Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, a 2x All-Star and a 2x All CBA First Team.

He should be way more ready than Beringer - and look at how he struggled.

That said, I would never trade Joan for Hansen, but Joan is a play for the future. Anything he gives us now is gravy,

You can't teach athleticism, and that's all he is right now. An absolute **** ton of athleticism at his height.

He may turn into a superstar he might also turn into Jeremy Evans.

[Danimals]

Who's the best combo guard you can get with Dilly + Donte + FRP ?

With Finch doing everything he can to tank their value it won't be good. Starting Donte at PG??????? Giving Bones minutes over Dilly. I'm starting to come around to W4Ls point of view. Not really, but Finch's lack of trust in young players is too extreme. Beringer was nothing but impressive in SL/Preseason and camp, but Finch doesn't give him a single second of PT.

Finch has no issue playing young players (1st, 2nd, 3rd year) who EARN their time. He has also shown to be very good at developing these players. Examples are Ant, Jaden, Naz, NAW, and now we see him playing Clark and even closing with TSJ.

[KGdaBom]

However, Hansen did embarrass himself in his 5 minutes.

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

And Yang has been playing basketball since 3rd grade.

At 15 his team won the Chinese U17 National Championship. They won it again the next year with Yang being named MVP.

In his 2 years playing in the CBA he was Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, a 2x All-Star and a 2x All CBA First Team.

He should be way more ready than Beringer - and look at how he struggled.

That said, I would never trade Joan for Hansen, but Joan is a play for the future. Anything he gives us now is gravy,

If Finch gives him the chance I expect to see a big ole gravy boat full of that gravy.

[KGdaBom]

However, Hansen did embarrass himself in his 5 minutes.

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

And Yang has been playing basketball since 3rd grade.

At 15 his team won the Chinese U17 National Championship. They won it again the next year with Yang being named MVP.

In his 2 years playing in the CBA he was Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, a 2x All-Star and a 2x All CBA First Team.

He should be way more ready than Beringer - and look at how he struggled.

That said, I would never trade Joan for Hansen, but Joan is a play for the future. Anything he gives us now is gravy,

Good points.

[KGdaBom]

Because getting thrown out there in an NBA game as a green, inexperienced rookie will often lead to more negatives than positives.

And Yang has been playing basketball since 3rd grade.

At 15 his team won the Chinese U17 National Championship. They won it again the next year with Yang being named MVP.

In his 2 years playing in the CBA he was Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, a 2x All-Star and a 2x All CBA First Team.

He should be way more ready than Beringer - and look at how he struggled.

That said, I would never trade Joan for Hansen, but Joan is a play for the future. Anything he gives us now is gravy,

You can't teach athleticism, and that's all he is right now. An absolute **** ton of athleticism at his height.

He may turn into a superstar he might also turn into Jeremy Evans.

I gave you a +1. You had me until you said Jeremy Evans whoever that is.

[Note30]

And Yang has been playing basketball since 3rd grade.

At 15 his team won the Chinese U17 National Championship. They won it again the next year with Yang being named MVP.

In his 2 years playing in the CBA he was Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, a 2x All-Star and a 2x All CBA First Team.

He should be way more ready than Beringer - and look at how he struggled.

That said, I would never trade Joan for Hansen, but Joan is a play for the future. Anything he gives us now is gravy,

You can't teach athleticism, and that's all he is right now. An absolute **** ton of athleticism at his height.

He may turn into a superstar he might also turn into Jeremy Evans.

I gave you a +1. You had me until you said Jeremy Evans whoever that is.

He played for the Jazz 10-15 years ago. He was arguably one of the most athletic players I've even seen. He also had zero BBIQ and pretty terrible skills.

He was a bit shorter but probably had the same skillet as Joan.

[KGdaBom]

You can't teach athleticism, and that's all he is right now. An absolute **** ton of athleticism at his height.

He may turn into a superstar he might also turn into Jeremy Evans.

I gave you a +1. You had me until you said Jeremy Evans whoever that is.

He played for the Jazz 10-15 years ago. He was arguably one of the most athletic players I've even seen. He also had zero BBIQ and pretty terrible skills.

He was a bit shorter but probably had the same skillet as Joan.

I think Le Berricade has athleticism, but he also has balance, foot work and good instincts IMO.

[KGdaBom]

Thanks to everybody for politely discussing Le Berricade and Dilly. I hope that Finch gives them a chance.

[minimus]

Atlanta does not own their picks, so it makes them a weird team to trade with, but if Nickeil Alexander-Walker becomes available, Minnesota should sniff around with Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, and seconds. They would probably want Donte DiVincenzo instead, but I would prefer just adding value to the Mike Conley framework.

Not a sexy trade at all (I don’t see Atlanta having interest, barring a horrific start), but NAW would fully lean Minnesota into a defensive identity.

(Actual positions tweaked a bit just for cosmetic reasons, you guys know the actual minutes depth-chart. Maybe start Donte still, but whatever.)
Nickeil Alexander Walker / Donte DiVincenzo / Bones Hyland
Anthony Edwards / Jaylen Clark /
Jaden McDaniels / Terrence Shannon Jr. /
Julius Randle / Naz Reid / Leonard Miller
Rudy Gobert / Joan Beringer
2WP: Rocco Zikarsky, Enrique Freeman, and Johnny Juzang

Not thrilling (and frankly, I think the team needs a consolidating trade), but increasing depth without sacrificing continuity would be great.

God no.

I like NAW, but he's reached a mythological status among Wolves fans. He's a very good defender and a very good low volume 3pt shooter (ignore last night...). But he's barely a secondary ballhandler who can not break the press and has no creation ability for himself or others. If he and Donte shared the point, teams would blitz them mercilessly.

It would be tragic if he got minutes ahead of TSJ - who I think will be an obviously better player than NAW by the ASB at the latest. I also wouldn't be surprised if Clark ends up better than NAW.

Only god knows how much I love NAW story here in MIN, but I agree with you. There is no way MIN can afford NAW's contract when TJ and Clark are playing for 1/3 of NAW's contract.

[minimus]

We'd be destroying teams 12-8 for the quarter...

(Provided they didn't counter with size and beat the crap out of us)

I don’t care, I want to see it!

P.S. Is Black a PG? Can he be a new Lonzo Ball in terms of 3&D development and passing?

I think Black he has a chance defensively to be near Lonzo. But he hasn't shown any real ability to shoot and he's not anywhere near Lonzo as a passer.

He's interesting, but he's a well below average player to this point.

So are you saying he might be developed into Andrew Nembhard type of comboguard? I mean tall, physical defender, who can be a secondary ballhandler and possibly starting PG material if he develops three point shot?

[Domejandro]

Only god knows how much I love NAW story here in MIN, but I agree with you. There is no way MIN can afford NAW's contract when TJ and Clark are playing for 1/3 of NAW's contract.

To put things into better context, NAW is making 9.8% of the cap this year, and closer to 8% of the cap for the next three years.

[minimus]

Only god knows how much I love NAW story here in MIN, but I agree with you. There is no way MIN can afford NAW's contract when TJ and Clark are playing for 1/3 of NAW's contract.

To put things into better context, NAW is making 9.8% of the cap this year, and closer to 8% of the cap for the next three years.

Yeah, but it is still 15 mil AAV...

[frankenwolf]

Do you know what I stole that line from?

Please tell...

Watch on YouTube

;list=RD3Hj3U18FHgQ&start_radio=1

I can't believe there are people out there who don't know this.
But then, I'm old. Get off my lawn!