Post#302 » by shangrila » Sun Oct 24, 2021 6:49 am
Right, so I'm going to propose the framework of a trade I'm sure a lot of you will hate. But I think it has merit so...deal.
Minnesota trades; Malik Beasley, Naz Reid, Jake Layman, '27 2nd, '28 2nd
Minnesota gets; Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, better of Utah/LAL '22 1sts
Memphis trades; Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke, better of Utah/LAL '22 1sts
Memphis gets; Malik Beasley, Naz Reid
OKC trades; future heavily protected 2nd
OKC gets; Jake Layman, both Minnesota 2nds
Reason - We need rebounding and this is one of the few guys I think might be available. Adams is overpaid, sure, but he'll give us the bulk and toughness we're currently lacking, not to mention being a positive veteran influence. Clarke is a bonus after a disappointing season last year and the pick is to help balance value (I still think it's off, but there's a lot in the air with this deal).
For what we're sending out...frankly, I think Beasley is unnecessary at this point. He can't create for himself, making him useless as an offensive focal point for the bench mob. And we can't afford him, DLo and Towns on the court together defensively for long periods because they're just not good enough, so it creates a fit issue. Moving him would open up more time for DLo at SG alongside either Bev or JMac, both of whom I prefer right now over Beasley for different reasons.
Losing Naz would suck but he'd be squeezed out of minutes after this anyway and doesn't provide the rebounding we need to begin with, not to mention he's got a contract extension coming up which might get pricey. Getting Clarke as a "prospect" I feel sort of makes up for losing Reid. Layman and the 2nds is the cost to duck the lux with OKC.
For Memphis, they get younger (which was a stated goal of theirs, to take steps back to ensure they're competing when Ja/JJJ hit their primes) without costing too much. OKC picks up some far future 2nds for a bit of money this season.
I'll be honest, I'm not sure about this deal (hence the term "framework"). I feel like the value is off but I'm not 100% sure where or how to fix it. But I think the core of it has legs, so...thoughts?