Trade Talk (Part 16): Early Season Anxiety Edition

[Norseman79]

NOP won’t give us Murray for Randle. They paid a lot for DJM and they will want to recoup as much as possible.

Randle and Dillingham should do it but I'd want a protected 1 back

Ran it through spotrac, “ New Orleans is Hard-Capped & over the 1st Apron by $5,991,723”

Well, it has to be two separate trades. I haven't figured out how to work two separate trades on there yet.

[winforlose]

Randle and Dillingham should do it but I'd want a protected 1 back

Ran it through spotrac, “ New Orleans is Hard-Capped & over the 1st Apron by $5,991,723”

Well, it has to be two separate trades. I haven't figured out how to work two separate trades on there yet.

You would need a third team to take that extra 5.9+ and you need a connection between each team. So for us it could be an imaginary 2nd (the kind that never conveys,) and for NOP and team X it just needs to be filler to make the money work.

[BlacJacMac]

Randle and Dillingham should do it but I'd want a protected 1 back

Ran it through spotrac, “ New Orleans is Hard-Capped & over the 1st Apron by $5,991,723”

Well, it has to be two separate trades. I haven't figured out how to work two separate trades on there yet.

NOP would never do it, but Randle for Murray and Dillingham for Yves Missi would work. It would give us a legit young back-up to Rudy (and potentially make Rudy expendable eventually) and save us like 6.5M combined between the 2 deals.

[Norseman79]

Dillingham for Robinson-Earl, Matkovic and a protected 1 works.

Randle for Murray in first trade

[winforlose]

Ran it through spotrac, “ New Orleans is Hard-Capped & over the 1st Apron by $5,991,723”

Well, it has to be two separate trades. I haven't figured out how to work two separate trades on there yet.

NOP would never do it, but Randle for Murray and Dillingham for Yves Missi would work. It would give us a legit young back-up to Rudy (and potentially make Rudy expendable eventually) and save us like 6.5M combined between the 2 deals.

Spotrac says NOP are almost 3 million over hard cap. They would need to dump at least $2,798,523.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

How long does TC have to make a move before the season is lost?

Every year at least one team usually goes on a big run and surprises everyone. Last year Dallas looked like they would miss the play in, then they got the 5 seed. We have time, but the move has to be perfect. At this point we are unlikely to move any wolf from last season. That means Randle is the key, and TC isn’t likely to get good value back for him if we are struggling (negotiating from a position of weakness.) I said in the preseason I didn’t want management to **** it up after a WCF year, and it looks pretty ***** right now.

I don't disagree with any of this. It's also why I really think if we want any chance at a run, we're going to have to do something unpopular and gamble on a bad contract paying off. That would mean somebody like Jordan Poole. If we don't want to make a run, then you look for young prospects, cap relief, or draft picks.

What I can say is that I can hardly watch these guys play basketball right now. There is no fun, there is no fire, there's no excitement. I don't care if they lose if they're playing hard and it's intense. There's been nothing but disinterest and lack of give a damn.

People may disagree, but starting point guard is a need and so is backup center. Finch needs to change his rotations. He's trying to play eight guys but only one point guard and one center. If you're going to have a short rotation, you need to at least have two point guards and two centers, the three forward positions can be interchangeable.

Totally agree on what we need. Starting NAZ instead of Randle and trade Randle for a good PG ( guy able to score 15PPG but most important able to pass the ball well), like this him and Mike can share the min and conduct the game well. And a good back up C for Rudy unless we believe Garza can do it.

As long as the ball stay too much in hands of ANT and Randle we will have plenty of TO, and fast break point from opponent... ANT has to focus on scoring and defending and Randle has to focus of finding a new house far from Minny hopefully

[shrink]

So I’ve been hearing rumors that DEN is so desperate for another scorer that they might trade MPJ for Zach LaVine or Brandon Ingram, but they come with additional problems for the Nuggets - namely that DEN loses a lot of size with LaVine, and Ingram wants to get paid, and the Nuggets ownership is historically very cheap. I think they would pull the trigger on a Randle-for-MPJ deal. Julius has played well with better passers, and if it didn’t work, DEN ownership could bail financially.

Unfortunately, Michael Porter Jr makes $2.3 too much for us, so we couldn’t legally trade for him. However, one team though that might welcome the 26 year old and be okay with the three year is DET. Now DET is carrying the 32 year old Tobias Harris who is obviously not in their longterm plans, and would likely give up an asset to make that upgrade, say, reduce the protections on the 1st they owe us to Top 4? DET is playing better than expected, and at 13-17, they are the 10th seed in the East.

So for the many who think that MIN struggles from Randle hurting team chemistry, would you be interested in turning him into the less-talented Harris, who has a history of being a good teammate and willing to play a role behind stars? I wouldn’t do it straight up, and Harris’ contract of $25.4 and $26.6 is interesting. Maybe ownership wouldn’t nix the deal with the guaranteed money (lux taxes) if they felt Randle would pick up his option anyway for $31? But the interesting part of the $25.4 is that we could legally include another player making $7.6 or less in this trade.

So I went looking for a PG or C we could get under $7.6 for a top-4 protected DET pick. Any interest in Mark Williams? He can’t shoot three’s but he’s a bruising rebounder. CHA started strong, but is now 7-22. Williams has been .. fine ..but he’s on his third year of rookie scale, so maybe they’d swap him for a decent pick? If he develops, he could eventually replace Rudy.

So here’s the deal. I don’t dislike it for any teams. MIN probably loses the deal on paper, but it probably improves their chemistry and may lead to more wins?

MIN GETS: Tobias Harris + Mark Williams
MIN GIVES: Julius Randle + protected DET 1st

DEN GETS: Randle
DEN GIVES: Michael Porter Jr

DET GETS: MPJ
DET GIVES: Tobias Harris + reduced pick protections to Top 4

CHA GETS: Top 4 prot DET 1st
CHA GIVES: Mark Williams

[Norseman79]

This trade seems to keep popping up, but there's no way right? Plus trades that are talked about often don't happen..

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/news/rockets-predicted-part-phenomenal-top-3-pick-favor-wolves-117-million-star/8134205ca7411a09fcfa4579

[shrink]

This trade seems to keep popping up, but there's no way right? Plus trades that are talked about often don't happen..

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/news/rockets-predicted-part-phenomenal-top-3-pick-favor-wolves-117-million-star/8134205ca7411a09fcfa4579

Randle for Jabari Smith, Steven Adams, Jeff Green and a 2nd

Two years ago, the Rockets were super-excited about Jabari Smith, and hoped he’d become their franchise player. Right now though, they have other players have popped up that seem to be more a part of their present and their future, plus they face upcoming extension talks from Smith’s camp.

That next contract scares me, but Smith has looked more ordinary than extraordinary this season, so I think it would be an interesting opportunity to buy low on a kid who’s upside I still like. Of course, Steven Adams would be useful in a back up role, and maybe he and Jingles can tag team wrestle Draymond the next time he comes to town.

There is also a lot of smoke about the Rockets wanting to get a star, without giving up their favorite pieces. I could see it, and I’d be in favor.

I wouldn’t do the other trade.. Randle for Normal Powell, Nic Batum and a 2031 LAC 1st. I doubt the Wolves would either, with $26 mil in salary in 2025-26.

[Guest84]

This trade seems to keep popping up, but there's no way right? Plus trades that are talked about often don't happen..

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/news/rockets-predicted-part-phenomenal-top-3-pick-favor-wolves-117-million-star/8134205ca7411a09fcfa4579

If it were doable, this is the route I’m choosing. This or something from Detroit. If Detroit, I’d prefer Ivey, Duran, or something

[Norseman79]

This trade seems to keep popping up, but there's no way right? Plus trades that are talked about often don't happen..

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/news/rockets-predicted-part-phenomenal-top-3-pick-favor-wolves-117-million-star/8134205ca7411a09fcfa4579

If it were doable, this is the route I’m choosing. This or something from Detroit. If Detroit, I’d prefer Ivey, Duran, or something

I mean it's doable according to sportrac. I think it's an overpay for Randle, But maybe I'm wrong.

[Guest84]

The more my I think about it, it seems like we might be stuck as is until after the season. I don’t see any team wanting Randle or any other player from the team really. Just not a good position for the wolves to be in.

[Norseman79]

The more my I think about it, it seems like we might be stuck as is until after the season. I don’t see any team wanting Randle or any other player from the team really. Just not a good position for the wolves to be in.

I would say that is my fear.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Randle screwed us. Wants the PO to take this year off. He will play next year.

[Domejandro]

This trade seems to keep popping up, but there's no way right? Plus trades that are talked about often don't happen..

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/minnesota-timberwolves/news/rockets-predicted-part-phenomenal-top-3-pick-favor-wolves-117-million-star/8134205ca7411a09fcfa4579

Randle for Jabari Smith, Steven Adams, Jeff Green and a 2nd

Two years ago, the Rockets were super-excited about Jabari Smith, and hoped he’d become their franchise player. Right now though, they have other players have popped up that seem to be more a part of their present and their future, plus they face upcoming extension talks from Smith’s camp.

That next contract scares me, but Smith has looked more ordinary than extraordinary this season, so I think it would be an interesting opportunity to buy low on a kid who’s upside I still like. Of course, Steven Adams would be useful in a back up role, and maybe he and Jingles can tag team wrestle Draymond the next time he comes to town.

There is also a lot of smoke about the Rockets wanting to get a star, without giving up their favorite pieces. I could see it, and I’d be in favor.

I wouldn’t do the other trade.. Randle for Normal Powell, Nic Batum and a 2031 LAC 1st. I doubt the Wolves would either, with $26 mil in salary in 2025-26.

I don't think that the Los Angeles Clippers would even begin to consider that trade. Norman Powell has been a beast this year (24.1 PPG on 64.3 TS%) while Ivica Zubac Is averaging an efficient 15.2/12.6/2.5 while being locked up for three more seasons.

Seems like a nonstarter for the Los Angeles Clippers to add a first when the trade would completely gut them of two starters who are performing well this season.

[MN7725]

The more my I think about it, it seems like we might be stuck as is until after the season. I don’t see any team wanting Randle or any other player from the team really. Just not a good position for the wolves to be in.

seems most likely

I think the most likely trade would be a straight up salary dump

maybe expiring Tim Hardaway jr for Jaden Mcdaniels type of trade, shed $7 mil in salary with Detroit having space, but thats multiplied in tax savings

its just the reality of the team being the 2nd most expensive in the league and being a .500 team

[Domejandro]

At this point, I think that the best situation (should the team trade Julius Randle) would be one where the target is Cameron Johnson.

Think something like…

BRK: Tim Hardaway Jr. and DET FRP
OUT: Cameron Johnson

DET: Julius Randle and P.J. Dozier
OUT: Tim Hardaway Jr., Simone Fontecchio, and DET FRP

MIN: Cameron Johnson and Simone Fontecchio
OUT: Julius Randle and P.J. Dozier

Same format exists with the Chicago Bulls (Jalen Smith) and the Miami HEAT (two of Haywood Highsmith, Kel’el Ware, Kevin Love, or Josh Richardson).

Would give Minnesota a starting forward who shoots 42% from behind-the-arc who is under contract for two more seasons and a potential additional role-player.

[shrink]

I know people are down on Randle, but I think he has trade value. He’s averaging 20-7-4, and he’s been an All NBA PF twice in the last four years. His $33 mil contract is not excessive in today’s NBA, plus there is a decent chance he could b an expiring. This is the type of mercenary talent that teams go after for a playoff run.

[minimus]

I like both Cameron Johnson and Fontechio. I just assume that Randle and DET pick can't give us this.

[Guest84]

I know people are down on Randle, but I think he has trade value. He’s averaging 20-7-4, and he’s been an All NBA PF twice in the last four years. His $33 mil contract is not excessive in today’s NBA, plus there is a decent chance he could b an expiring. This is the type of mercenary talent that teams go after for a playoff run.

While he may have some value, wolves historically don’t do well in trades. Look at what we got for Karl. I doubt we get fair value for Randle.