Trade Talk (Part 17): Early Offseason Planning

[ILC]

How many more picks (which we don't have) do you think we'd have to add?

[Krapinsky]

If Randle extends at a number starting around $25m (wishful thinking, I know), then a Donte for Sexton trade could get done under the second apron. I’d think Donte has more value so maybe we could get a swap back or something too?

Minnesota cannot take back more than they send out unless they go under the First Apron (not the Second Apron, which they are currently trying their best to avoid dipping into).

It would be a three team deal where NAW goes to a third team, like Hawks, into a TPE or capspace.

[Wolves21]

Nembhard would be and interesting target,dont think with Hali being injured they would have any interest in trading him.But long term going to have to move on from some of there talent and depth do to the cap.

[shrink]

Another option would be trading Donte DiVincenzo instead. Maybe...

BRK: Pat Connaughton, filler, and seconds
OUT: Protected Second

MKE: Donte DiVincenzo
OUT: Pat Connaughton and 2031 FRP

MKE: 2031 MKE FRP
OUT: Donte DiVincenzo

(Milwaukee is kind of sparse on fillers, but think the framework, rather than the actual trade itself.)

Would give Minnesota ample space to resign Nickeil Alexander-Walker, while picking up an asset.

I also wanted to point out that BRK doesn’t have to be the only third team here. New CBA rules allow teams to use their MLE as trade exceptions, and DDV’s salary fits nicely under the $14.1 non-taxpayer MLE. This opens up several other third teams in a deal like this, even if BRK uses its cap space on another player.

[shrink]

I also want to point out that there is a scenario that we sign both Randle and NAW, even if it takes us over the second apron.

Remember, signing your own players does not trigger any apron restrictions, so while our payroll could be higher than the second apron, it doesn’t mean it’s illegal. We operated that way last season. We just couldn’t do a future move that violated the second apron threshold if our payroll was above that AFTER the trade was completed. In fact, we could roll it all the way back, the only penalty would be the luxury taxes, so NAW could stay.

But suppose that Connelly has been told by ARod and Lore that their spending limit is the second apron. That still doesn’t mean that MIN shouldn’t sign NAW! It is generally assumed that a few teams would use their non-taxpayer MLE to sign NAW for a deal starting at $14.1. MIN SHOULD sign him for that same amount if he likes it here, and even play him for two-thirds of the season to the trade deadline, and then trade him then to a team that still has their MLE. Last year, several teams held onto their MLE throughout the season, in case they needed to improve at the deadline for a playoff run. It might be a case of hot potato, but NAW at $14 is a decent, tradeable contract. It also keeps our chemistry and retains talent for our playoff ambitions, and it gives us flexibility if, by February, we have other options we need to trade, if a trade is even required at all.

“NAW is not gone,” at least not yet.

[shrink]

Isn’t it weird that while Tim Connelly proclaimed he was “super happy here” at the end of the season, we STILL haven’t heard about an actual extension of his contract? Why the delay, if he was just waiting for ARod and Lore to be confirmed? You’d think a deal would have already been in place, so Connelly could start the new season (which starts in TWO days!) focused on free agency?

My guess is that Connelly is using his leverage to get promises from the new owners that they are willing to pay up next season.

[Ethomasp31]

I don’t know if it’s a realistic option,but if Randle were to opt out and sign an extension that starts at something lower than his player option then it’s possible we could have enough money to sign NAW and stay below the 2nd apron.

This was unlikely , but possible, before Naz’s contract. But now he’s going to start at a number that even if Randle went down to 26-27m, it’d be impossible to sign NAW unless we shed another contract (DDV?).

DDV has injured last year and coming into a new situation. The last three seasons he has shot 39.7%, 40.1% and 39.7% from three. Two years ago he made the third most three pointers in the NBA behind only Curry and Luka. i have no idea why people are so ready to move on from him. Especially considering he is making less than $12M next year and about $12.5M the year after. Let NAW go...we have TSJ and Clark to take his place.

[shrink]

Speaking of Connelly, I have been happy with him overall. He has a strength of historically being a good evaluator of talent in the draft. He has been brave enough to take big swings, and they have turned out for us in on-court success, even if the price tags have been expensive.

However, one area that has been a concern of mine is his loyalty to “his” guys. Connelly did a wonderful job putting the Nuggets team in a position to win a championship, but he was quick to give those top players fat contracts in free agency, maxing Jokic, Murray and even MPJ. He was able to squeeze underpaid Aaron Gordon in temporarily, but those big deals made it impossible to keep necessary players like KCP, and it’s left them no money to fill out any kind of a bench for two years.

I have been happier with Connelly’s work here. He has been able to negotiate decent, tradeable deals where most players on this team have taken a bit of a haircut. Even with Ant, who has all the leverage on the world to get any deal he asked for, Connelly was able to get his fifth year to NOT be a player option. Naz took less in his first deal, Gobert renegotiated, etc.

But my fingers are crossed, especially after seeing him sign Bones Hyland. Connelly likes the guys he likes. Naz got fully paid, and we need new deals on Randle and NAW. This is the critical period for our future, and imho, it’s where Connelly botched the Nuggets sustainability by spending too much on “his” guys.

[jpatrick]

I don’t know if it’s a realistic option,but if Randle were to opt out and sign an extension that starts at something lower than his player option then it’s possible we could have enough money to sign NAW and stay below the 2nd apron.

This was unlikely , but possible, before Naz’s contract. But now he’s going to start at a number that even if Randle went down to 26-27m, it’d be impossible to sign NAW unless we shed another contract (DDV?).

DDV has injured last year and coming into a new situation. The last three seasons he has shot 39.7%, 40.1% and 39.7% from three. Two years ago he made the third most three pointers in the NBA behind only Curry and Luka. i have no idea why people are so ready to move on from him. Especially considering he is making less than $12M next year and about $12.5M the year after. Let NAW go...we have TSJ and Clark to take his place.

I think DDV and NAW are about equally valuable. Just hypothetically, what gives us more value: keeping DDV and letting NAW walk with no compensation (only team that could s/t above MLE is Atlanta, at best we’d get a second round pick, at best). Or trade DDV into someone’s MLE, lots of teams are options, I’d think we could get a FRP, maybe something slightly more, and resign NAW just above MLE. So is NAW/FRP > DDV?

[karch34]

Speaking of Connelly, I have been happy with him overall. He has a strength of historically being a good evaluator of talent in the draft. He has been brave enough to take big swings, and they have turned out for us in on-court success, even if the price tags have been expensive.

However, one area that has been a concern of mine is his loyalty to “his” guys. Connelly did a wonderful job putting the Nuggets team in a position to win a championship, but he was quick to give those top players fat contracts in free agency, maxing Jokic, Murray and even MPJ. He was able to squeeze underpaid Aaron Gordon in temporarily, but those big deals made it impossible to keep necessary players like KCP, and it’s left them no money to fill out any kind of a bench for two years.

I have been happier with Connelly’s work here. He has been able to negotiate decent, tradeable deals where most players on this team have taken a bit of a haircut. Even with Ant, who has all the leverage on the world to get any deal he asked for, Connelly was able to get his fifth year to NOT be a player option. Naz took less in his first deal, Gobert renegotiated, etc.

But my fingers are crossed, especially after seeing him sign Bones Hyland. Connelly likes the guys he likes. Naz got fully paid, and we need new deals on Randle and NAW. This is the critical period for our future, and imho, it’s where Connelly botched the Nuggets sustainability by spending too much on “his” guys.

I agree with the concern when looking at Denver and particularly MPJ. I hope he’s learned from that. I am happy with his work so far.

[jpatrick]

I do think Connelly is much more a scout than contract negotiator. He gave Murray and MPJ those max deals as soon as they were possible with no negotiation, no making them wait and possibly going to RFA. Murray ended up earning it. MPJ did not and it’s killing Denver now.

Rumor is the Pistons were making an offer we had to match for Naz. Is that true? We’ll never know. But this is a lot for a bench player. A great bench player though. And as far as aging as the cap rises. The cap goes up 10% per year. His contract goes up 8%. So yes, it will continually decline as a percentage of the cap but not by some significant amount.

[cmoss84]

I'm about to be decapitated and have my head thrown in a rim with some finesse by Rocco. I HATE Lediddy James with a passion, but we would win a MF championship.
LeBron for Randle, DDV, and RD.
Ant. Jaden. LeBron. Naz. Rudy.

[jpatrick]

I'm about to be decapitated and have my head thrown in a rim with some finesse by Rocco. I HATE Lediddy James with a passion, but we would win a MF championship.
LeBron for Randle, DDV, and RD.
Ant. Jaden. LeBron. Naz. Rudy.

If we offered that for Durant, I’m sure we’d offer that for Lebron. Lakers aren’t going to trade him unless he requests it. And to be fair, it’d have to be Bron and Bronny for Randle, DDV, and RD.

[TimberKat]

I'm about to be decapitated and have my head thrown in a rim with some finesse by Rocco. I HATE Lediddy James with a passion, but we would win a MF championship.
LeBron for Randle, DDV, and RD.
Ant. Jaden. LeBron. Naz. Rudy.

In general, replace Randle with an all star level player would make Wolves very good. I also expect LeBron able to throw good lobs to Gobert. Anyway, that isn't going to happen. If Randle opt in today, can we deal the same package to Celtics for Brown?

[Worm Guts]

I know LeBron is still playing at a high level but he turns 41 this year. We’re heading into unprecedented territory here with how old someone can be and still be a top tier NBA player. Even if it was available, I wouldn’t trade for him. It’s too likely the production falls off a cliff.

[Wolves21]

So if where pretty much running back the same team and having Shannon,Dillingham & Clark have actual rotation roles in minutes just dont see the need or role for Divincenzo moving forward.

What could Divincenzo and spare parts net us in a trade to improve the team ? Still think need a big upgrade at PG even if Dillingham has a larger role.

[KGdaBom]

I don’t know if it’s a realistic option,but if Randle were to opt out and sign an extension that starts at something lower than his player option then it’s possible we could have enough money to sign NAW and stay below the 2nd apron.

This was unlikely , but possible, before Naz’s contract. But now he’s going to start at a number that even if Randle went down to 26-27m, it’d be impossible to sign NAW unless we shed another contract (DDV?).

DDV has injured last year and coming into a new situation. The last three seasons he has shot 39.7%, 40.1% and 39.7% from three. Two years ago he made the third most three pointers in the NBA behind only Curry and Luka. i have no idea why people are so ready to move on from him. Especially considering he is making less than $12M next year and about $12.5M the year after. Let NAW go...we have TSJ and Clark to take his place.

Absolute agreement. Unless some great trade presents itself we should not be moving on from DD3.

[ILC]

Read on Twitter

How is this the price bro? They're literally dumping Sexton. We could've gotten our pick back if we sent them DDV...

[minimus]

I’m so happy I don’t have to see any more Sexton trade ideas.

[Neeva]

He was super cheap though, basically a salary dump?