shrink wrote:Wolves fan, swinging by. A few things you may want to consider.
1. NAW was the Wolves most consistent player for most of the season, and they were a wildly inconsistent team. They have Bird rights, and might not trade him. It could be tight, but they could keep all their potential free agents (Randle, Naz, NAW), and perhaps stay under the second apron.
2. MIN may let NAW walk because they are deep at guard (with Ant and DDV) and have two young (cheap) guards they like behind him (Jaylen Clark and Terrence Jones Jr.). Agree with Johnny, they may try to do a sign-and-trade.
3. I listened to Yossi’s podcast about the Wolves, and he mentions that NAW and Naz are two guys that many teams are trying to get this summer. Just having the MLE doesn’t mean the Magic can pencil him in.
4. Speaking of the MLE, in 2023 it became usable as a TPE. Does a Donte DiVincenzo trade appeal, with his $12 mil/2 yr salary.
5. I wish I had more info, but there are so many different ways that MIN can play this, it’s impossible to predict which way GM Tim Connelly will go, especially if they trade for Durant. I can say the team needs are likely a PG who can help Mike Conley until Dillingham is ready, a back up or replacement center for Gobert (Naz and Randle need defender behind them), and some payroll relief. They may do little and roll it back after two WCF’s, but Connelly has never been scared to swing for the fences.
Good luck this summer! I’m rooting for you guys!
1. This is what is appealing about NAW for me. He's been very durable and very consistent the last two years. Someone you can plug in for 25 minutes each night and he's not going to take much off the table. Basically over the last two years he's been what the Magic thought they were getting from KCP when they signed him this past summer (and honestly exactly what they *did* get from him minus like 4-5% on his 3PT shot).
2. Sign-and-trades are tricky, especially when both teams are playing around in and around the aprons.
3. I've heard rumors that Portland is going to offer NAW the full MLE as well, so he'll have plenty of options. Reid should as well.
4. I'd be interested in DDV for sure at that price. Absolutely interested.
