Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Deadline Map

[shrink]

Valuable trade asset: Ed Davis ($5 million, UFA) and Juancho Hernangomez ($6.5 million, UFA 2023)

What?

[AbeVigodaLive]

Look at what happens to teams who lose their best player for a long stretch. Add to that our lack of chemistry, long offseason thanks to Covid, and our insanely bad coaching (I would argue we have the worst head coach in the history of the NBA who literally could not get hired as an assistant coach without using his daddy’s name.) Assuming things remain semi normal the rest of the season (Covid vaccine is a good thing,) I do think we will be better out the gate next season. If KAT stays healthy I do think we can compete for the 6-8 spots in the competitive west. That said, we need to drop small ball, fill in the gaps on our bench and look to move people like Rubio. We agree this season is lost, next season is up in the air, and of course KAT needs to stay healthy.

I don't have confidence in Saunders. I don't think he's a good coach. There's even a good chance he's a terrible coach.

But you might need to take a closer look at former head coaches... and I'm ONLY talking about this organization. The legacy of bad Wolves coaches might even be more "impressive" than the team's legacy of bad players.

I agree it is a joke how poorly Glen has run things. Bad POBOs and GMs have blown it in ways that defy not just belief but also the law of averages. That said, nepotism hires seldom get promoted to head coach of an NBA team. Ryan has literally no talent whatsoever for coaching. His players don’t listen to him and are not motivated by him. His schemes are the dreams of other teams. At least one player will have a season best against us every single game. When a team is in a slump they thank god they play the wolves. Ryan has to go. He makes Thibs looks like a genius for gods sake.

To be fair... Ryan Saunders isn't even the only former Minnesota Gophers player cruising NBA sidelines via nepotism.

How do you think JB Bickerstaff got his start?

Heck, how do you think he got his current gig for the Cavaliers?

[shrink]

Fact is when/if Rosas gets a call on any player on Wolves roster — even Towns — they are available for right price. And no, that doesn’t mean only listen to Doncic for Towns unrealistic offers. Legit make this franchise better in long run offers — all will and should be considered.

Yes, if the nets call and offer us Durant and Irving for KAT and Dlo (I know the money doesn’t work, but it’s the easiest off the top of my head example,) we would hard pressed to say no. But what realistic offer is coming in to acquire any of the six I listed as untouchable or should be untouchable. The last thing we need is another rebuild. We have a talent filled core now. What we lack is coaching, scheme, and leadership. Also, you can do harm by answering the phone and discussing trades. Players find out, leaks happen. We overpaid Beasley by a few mil given his legal trouble and earned a lot of loyalty from him. Start shopping him and you lose that loyalty. Start shopping KAT and have it get out and watch KAT want to leave even more. I strongly disagree with you.

I agree with you, and I don’t even think Rosas would say yes to Durant and Irving. For a non-destination like MIN, it is critical to have team control. Irving has already screamed his way out of two locations, and even a championship was not enough to keep Durant in GSW.

Like it or not, Towns is here, a young superstar talent with plenty of room to get even better. He doesn’t want out, and the team has control of him, even if he did. They aren’t giving up that security for players they could lose right away.

[shrink]

The finances: Minnesota has an open roster spot and is $2.8 million below the luxury tax. In 2020-21, the Timberwolves have $130 million in salary (but with 12 players under contract) and are projected $5 million below the tax.

To me, this is the most interesting part.

MIN will be sure to stay under the lux this season, especially since Glen gave permission to Rosas to slip over it last year and will want to avoid the repeater tax for a non-playoff team. However, there are few teams that can do a 1-for-2 trade without having to buy out one of their current players first. If DLo is back, you might see Rubio (or other bigger contracts) traded in a 1-for-2 deal, particularly if it reduces our financial commitments for next season.

If we make no action and that slot still exists, you might see Rosas try to get McLaughlin to sign a guaranteed deal to lock him up and get him off the two-way.

Looking at how close we are to the lux next year, do you think we’d offer Vanderbilt another contract next year? And for how much?

[winforlose]

The finances: Minnesota has an open roster spot and is $2.8 million below the luxury tax. In 2020-21, the Timberwolves have $130 million in salary (but with 12 players under contract) and are projected $5 million below the tax.

To me, this is the most interesting part.

MIN will be sure to stay under the lux this season, especially since Glen gave permission to Rosas to slip over it last year and will want to avoid the repeater tax for a non-playoff team. However, there are few teams that can do a 1-for-2 trade without having to buy out one of their current players first. If DLo is back, you might see Rubio (or other bigger contracts) traded in a 1-for-2 deal, particularly if it reduces our financial commitments for next season.

If we make no action and that slot still exists, you might see Rosas try to get McLaughlin to sign a guaranteed deal to lock him up and get him off the two-way.

Looking at how close we are to the lux next year, do you think we’d offer Vanderbilt another contract next year? And for how much?

Boston seems like the perfect destination for Rubio. The more I look into it they have a 28 million exemption and plenty of cap space to absorb Ricky. They also need a backup center would likely take Ed Davis off our hands. The question is what we get back. I doubt they part with Pritchard, but there is no doubt Boston would love to have more PG depth.

[Danimals]

We need to bring in a competent coach first and foremost. There is more than ample amounts of tape showing how poor Saunders X’s and O’s are. He is no where near getting the most out of the roster.

We better not trade Rubio unless it’s for an upgrade at PG. D’Lol is not that player. He’s simply not good enough to dominate the ball with a starting unit who actually wants to win. PG’s must make others better either by offensive gravity or playmaking for others. Maybe he can be salvaged as a SG who provides some secondary creation or a bench gunner.

We need to consolidate some of our young players and out of rotation vets for starter level vet. We are too young to win. You cannot consistently win in the NBA with a young roster. And you cannot attempt to develop too many players at a time.

What I’d like to see:

Rubio 32 Russell 16
Russell 16 Beasley 32
Edwards 32 Layman 16
? 24 McDaniels 24
Towns 32 Reid 16

With some combo of McLaughlin, Nowell, Okogie, Culver, Hernangomez, Vanderbilt, Davis traded to fill the ?

Or even better would be trading D’Lo for a vet PF.

[shrink]

The finances: Minnesota has an open roster spot and is $2.8 million below the luxury tax. In 2020-21, the Timberwolves have $130 million in salary (but with 12 players under contract) and are projected $5 million below the tax.

To me, this is the most interesting part.

MIN will be sure to stay under the lux this season, especially since Glen gave permission to Rosas to slip over it last year and will want to avoid the repeater tax for a non-playoff team. However, there are few teams that can do a 1-for-2 trade without having to buy out one of their current players first. If DLo is back, you might see Rubio (or other bigger contracts) traded in a 1-for-2 deal, particularly if it reduces our financial commitments for next season.

If we make no action and that slot still exists, you might see Rosas try to get McLaughlin to sign a guaranteed deal to lock him up and get him off the two-way.

Looking at how close we are to the lux next year, do you think we’d offer Vanderbilt another contract next year? And for how much?

Boston seems like the perfect destination for Rubio. The more I look into it they have a 28 million exemption and plenty of cap space to absorb Ricky. They also need a backup center would likely take Ed Davis off our hands. The question is what we get back. I doubt they part with Pritchard, but there is no doubt Boston would love to have more PG depth.

I could see it. Rubio is my favorite Wolf, and second favorite of all-time, but I realistically think he could be traded. There are limited places where he would fit, because the PG position is just so crowded right now. However, for a playoff team that has an injured or unproductive starter, like Kemba, I think you are absolutely right - they might be a good match.

I wouldn’t expect a big return for Rubio either. Even though many 2021 free agents signed extensions, reducing the value of cap space, his $19 mil next year is pretty steep if he is coming off your bench. We basically got him for an expiring James Johnson (I think the pick trade was relatively even. #17 and future 2nd for #23 and #28). Hopefully Rubio’s weeks starting will help rehab his value a little, but for a player like Rubio .. not a lot is needed. He has played so many games that GM’s know who he is, and who he is not.

[winforlose]

To me, this is the most interesting part.

MIN will be sure to stay under the lux this season, especially since Glen gave permission to Rosas to slip over it last year and will want to avoid the repeater tax for a non-playoff team. However, there are few teams that can do a 1-for-2 trade without having to buy out one of their current players first. If DLo is back, you might see Rubio (or other bigger contracts) traded in a 1-for-2 deal, particularly if it reduces our financial commitments for next season.

If we make no action and that slot still exists, you might see Rosas try to get McLaughlin to sign a guaranteed deal to lock him up and get him off the two-way.

Looking at how close we are to the lux next year, do you think we’d offer Vanderbilt another contract next year? And for how much?

Boston seems like the perfect destination for Rubio. The more I look into it they have a 28 million exemption and plenty of cap space to absorb Ricky. They also need a backup center would likely take Ed Davis off our hands. The question is what we get back. I doubt they part with Pritchard, but there is no doubt Boston would love to have more PG depth.

I could see it. Rubio is my favorite Wolf, and second favorite of all-time, but I realistically think he could be traded. There are limited places where he would fit, because the PG position is just so crowded right now. However, for a playoff team that has an injured or unproductive starter, like Kemba, I think you are absolutely right - they might be a good match.

I wouldn’t expect a big return for Rubio either. Even though many 2021 free agents signed extensions, reducing the value of cap space, his $19 mil next year is pretty steep if he is coming off your bench. We basically got him for an expiring James Johnson (I think the pick trade was relatively even. #17 and future 2nd for #23 and #28). Hopefully Rubio’s weeks starting will help rehab his value a little, but for a player like Rubio .. not a lot is needed. He has played so many games that GM’s know who he is, and who he is not.

Rubio will do better in a system that is... what’s the word, oh yeah, competent. Having an actual defense will help as well. I think he will definitely play better for anybody else. As for return, I could see a late first given the fit and the need. At the same time getting rid of Ricky’s contract has a lot of value by itself.

[Crazy-Canuck]

The finances: Minnesota has an open roster spot and is $2.8 million below the luxury tax. In 2020-21, the Timberwolves have $130 million in salary (but with 12 players under contract) and are projected $5 million below the tax.

To me, this is the most interesting part.

MIN will be sure to stay under the lux this season, especially since Glen gave permission to Rosas to slip over it last year and will want to avoid the repeater tax for a non-playoff team. However, there are few teams that can do a 1-for-2 trade without having to buy out one of their current players first. If DLo is back, you might see Rubio (or other bigger contracts) traded in a 1-for-2 deal, particularly if it reduces our financial commitments for next season.

If we make no action and that slot still exists, you might see Rosas try to get McLaughlin to sign a guaranteed deal to lock him up and get him off the two-way.

Looking at how close we are to the lux next year, do you think we’d offer Vanderbilt another contract next year? And for how much?

Gsw was the ideal partner because they could use a 2 year deal player and a back up pg.

However, with oubres improved play, i think that ship has sailed.

[Dewey]

I see nothing happening for trades with the exception of some minor “swapping spit” type deals/transactions… Until we play out the year and go through the draft Lottery, We just don’t have enough to gain unless some team surprises us.

Rather than trading just to trade I would rather roll the dice and see how Culver, Layman, Juancho type guys finish out the year… also see how McD and JV hold up. We need them all to have some value for a package in the off-season If we wanna upgrade anything.

[PharmD]

As long as KAT wants DLo here, we can’t move him

Thing is, if Towns is tied to DLo he becomes not so amazing. Basically paying 65M for Towns + a scrub ain't gonna win anything so what's the point?

[Klomp]

I don't think anyone except Towns is untouchable. The team needs to be very selective on some players, but they're not unattainable.

[UnFadeable21]

Juancho, Ed Davis, and Okogie for Larry Nance

[AbeVigodaLive]

Juancho, Ed Davis, and Okogie for Larry Nance

I assume the counter offer from Cleveland will be a pile of flaming dog poop in a paper bag to sweeten the pot...

[Jedzz]

30,000’ view... let’s assume one or the other...

1.) A .500 record maybe with a complete roster from day 1.

2.) A .250 record with absent key players and young’s players improving.

This where I flip flop ... right now, would DLo be helping us or would he be merely washing out production of Rubio and ANT? Are he or Beasley willing to play winning basketball in that 6th man role? We need to know these things, but seem we’ll never get the the whole roster in the floor

Are you capable of allowing a rookie to be the 6th or 7th man? I don't think enough were, are, ever open to it. Because he could still get 29-31 minutes as 6th or 7th. Rubio could have been 6th/7th as well. But people think #1 picks have to start, former #6 picks have to start, and hoped for Rubio to start, and that is what has broken this team this year. The rest is a bunch of crying about players that would have been great to watch this year had none of this occured.


30,000 view? We had one before this offseason of mistakes. Haven't had a single forward looking view since.

[IceManBK1]

Rubio to Bulls for Thad Young.. I think they are looking for backup PG.

Beasley to Knicks for Randle or to Orl for Gordon

Or both Rubio and Beasley together to same teams. Rubio and Beasley for Randle and Knox or to Orl for Gordon and Terrence Ross. We get a sf and pf in return. Balance up the roster a bit.

Dlo
Edwards
Thad Young
Randle
Towns
. 500 team guaranteed

Randle and Towns will eat up all the boards.. 2 bigs who can play pnr and pnpop with dlo. Edwards play in his natural position. Thad Young good veteran who can knock down 3s and defend.

[Dewey]

30,000’ view... let’s assume one or the other...

1.) A .500 record maybe with a complete roster from day 1.

2.) A .250 record with absent key players and young’s players improving.

This where I flip flop ... right now, would DLo be helping us or would he be merely washing out production of Rubio and ANT? Are he or Beasley willing to play winning basketball in that 6th man role? We need to know these things, but seem we’ll never get the the whole roster in the floor

Are you capable of allowing a rookie to be the 6th or 7th man? I don't think enough were, are, ever open to it. Because he could still get 29-31 minutes as 6th or 7th. Rubio could have been 6th/7th as well. But people think #1 picks have to start, former #6 picks have to start, and hoped for Rubio to start, and that is what has broken this team this year. The rest is a bunch of crying about players that would have been great to watch this year had none of this occured.


30,000 view? We had one before this offseason of mistakes. Haven't had a single forward looking view since.

I think we are seriously fractured - but not broken. There’s been some spirit and some drive we have not seen for a while ... we just desperately lack that player that “wants” to and “can” lead this team. It seems to be a burden instead of an opportunity because of talent and the fact it’s a very unstable environment when your flipping rosters and staff. Players Tend to try to survive rather than accommodate the team cause they dont know if they be here and are also playing for their job. About the closet thing we have is Ricky like it or not ... if he’d steady his game he’d be the only one right now imo

[IceManBK1]

I doubt Rosas can get any major trades happen w/o us getting fleeced. Giving a top 3 protected pick for dlo is overpriced. I pray to God we stay in top 3 with this blatant tanking.

[RiRuHoops]

I doubt Rosas can get any major trades happen w/o us getting fleeced. Giving a top 3 protected pick for dlo is overpriced. I pray to God we stay in top 3 with this blatant tanking.

Need lottery luck over blatant tanking nowadays.

[Jedzz]

30,000’ view... let’s assume one or the other...

1.) A .500 record maybe with a complete roster from day 1.

2.) A .250 record with absent key players and young’s players improving.

This where I flip flop ... right now, would DLo be helping us or would he be merely washing out production of Rubio and ANT? Are he or Beasley willing to play winning basketball in that 6th man role? We need to know these things, but seem we’ll never get the the whole roster in the floor

Are you capable of allowing a rookie to be the 6th or 7th man? I don't think enough were, are, ever open to it. Because he could still get 29-31 minutes as 6th or 7th. Rubio could have been 6th/7th as well. But people think #1 picks have to start, former #6 picks have to start, and hoped for Rubio to start, and that is what has broken this team this year. The rest is a bunch of crying about players that would have been great to watch this year had none of this occured.


30,000 view? We had one before this offseason of mistakes. Haven't had a single forward looking view since.

I think we are seriously fractured - but not broken. There’s been some spirit and some drive we have not seen for a while ... we just desperately lack that player that “wants” to and “can” lead this team. It seems to be a burden instead of an opportunity because of talent and the fact it’s a very unstable environment when your flipping rosters and staff. Players Tend to try to survive rather than accommodate the team cause they dont know if they be here and are also playing for their job. About the closet thing we have is Ricky like it or not ... if he’d steady his game he’d be the only one right now imo

Nobody can be that guy because nobody on the coaches or gm/pobo role, nor the majority of fans will respect the veteran players. Every dang year we have a new high draft pick that breaks everything because everyone thinks they are the new great hope. Why has RUbio struggled? because Culver and Edwards have more clout than he was given coming in. Why has Dlo struggled to lead them, same issue, exact same. Heck even Okogie was handed more clout with this coach this year. As if his purported great defense did anything for them this year. These were the wrong players to feature at this time. Can't be fixed because just like the coaches who chose to play them this way, so many want the team wrapped around the new guys now. They can't see that this Pobo/GM was just hoping really badly to play them to make a trades. He didn't care about the season at all. So now we have Rookies(tails) wagging the dog and it has looked like it all year. Towns is the only one who could have led everyone. He's the only one with enough talent and has been here all this time to have the clout but he had the worst possoble offseason imaginable and he just wasn't coming into this season with the right frame of mind, then got injured, meanwhile the team crushed itself. That's a wrap.

The recent spirit was from Towns returning. If Dlo didn't decide to pull a RoCo they could have hit the reboot all at once. Right now I'm half thinking Dlo might be asking for a deadline trade out, or waiting for others to be traded out. Like a number of players around the league sitting out right now waiting for their trade out, or stars "resting" with whatever medical story while their teams give minutes to other players they plan on sending out soon. The only thing that keeps me from fully believing this is that Kat bothered to come back to play. When in the recent past he also chose these moments to shut it down. So I'm uncertain. I'm just certain it's all broken and will be until someone pulls their head out of where they've had it since November and choose whatever path they are going to.

I sort of wish the seasons were all cut down to 40 games, then a large playoff system kicked in. Remove all the midyear trade bs and we could finally see teams prepare to actually play a season with who they have and try to prepare themselves for the playoffs. Instead, every year the same teams are pulling the same tired acts preparing the talent movements towards the big teams for their late season builds to the playoffs. All the farm teams spread their legs and wave their peacock feathers hoping to attract a buyer and our newest Pobo/GM iteration appears to like doing nothing more than this. It's maybe just about the Pobo creating staying power for himself as AbeVigodaLive has alluded to a little lately. Everything else is just going through the motions.