2023 Free Agency

[SO_MONEY]

He said he will resume playing in 2024, so I doubt we can count on him this season

Does that also mean he remains unsigned tho?

No, I think he will be signed in some form... I have seen two variants standard NBA contract for 2nd rounder with Gupta specail structure and two-way

Unless they are really confident in his recovery, it sure seems to me that a 2W makes the most sense. I see Dane Moore keeps slotting in in as an NBA contract.

[Norseman79]

So...

PG Conley, ???, ???
SG Edwards, ???, Moore
SF McDaniels, ???, Minott
PF Towns, Anderson, Miller
C. Gobert, Reid, ???

So, realistically need about 5 players, including 3 legit backups at the 1-3.

Let's play pessimist...

PG - Smith Jr
SG - Brown Jr
SF - McDaniels

C Garza (2way)
PG Nkilitina

Plugged back in

PG Conley Jr, Smith Jr, Nkilitina
SG Edwards, Brown Jr, Moore
SF McDaniels, McDaniels, Minott
PF Towns, Anderson, Miller
C. Gobert, Reid, Garza

How would you feel?

I'm hoping for better.

Oh, I viewed this as a pessimistic take. I should specify that is Troy Brown Jr not Bruce.

[minimus]

I would be happy if we end up with:

Watanabe 12mil / 3 yrs (Vando deal)
Jevon Carter 9 ml / 2 yrs (old DDV deal)
NAW 15 mil / 3 yrs

My biggest hope is that team will be busy with top tier FA, so we can really sign low profile guys such as Watanabe, Carter and NAW. I think here Naz Reid re-signing might end up crucial because we dont need to wait when FA market will open. Here are a few name whos trade or signing might trigger avalanche:

Dame
Harden
LaVine
Irving
FVV
Dray Green
Austin Reaves
Kuzma
Jerami Grant
Bruce Brown

For instance, if Harden gets traded in LAC, LAC and PHI will be busy with trade and might involve other teams or FAs.

[minimus]

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/37933713/nba-free-agency-2023-projected-salaries-every-free-agent

Projected FAs contracts

[KGdaBom]

Okay, it was reported MIN interest for following players:

Eric Gordon (still an elite shooter, little defense, injury risk)
Bruce Brown (how will he perform without Jokic?)
DDV (elite defense, inconsistent jumper)
NAW (elite defense, inconsistent jumper)
Jevon Carter (good PoA defense, good 3PT shooter)
Monte Morris (zero chance after TP was waived)
Delonte Wright (zero chance after TP was waived)
LeVert (some playmaking, little defense, injury risk, inconsistent jumper)
TP (good 3PT shooter, active defender but below average defender, poor rebounder, a lot of unnecessary fouls and turnovers)

---

I would be happy if we end up with:

Watanabe 12mil / 3 yrs (Vando deal)
Jevon Carter 9 ml / 2 yrs (old DDV deal)
NAW 15 mil / 3 yrs

C Gobert, Reid, Garza
PF Towns, Anderson, Miller
SF McDaniels, Watanabe, Minott
SG Edwards, NAW, Moore
PG Conley Jr, Carter, NAW

This roster can play lockdown defense AND they can shoot good enough to be top10 offense. Being top5 defense and top10 offense is an identity I would love to have here in MIN.

Is Clark in the GLeague?

Clark won't be healthy enough to play until sometime in 2024 if at all. Him being on the NBA roster is a huge long shot.

[KGdaBom]

So...

PG Conley, ???, ???
SG Edwards, ???, Moore
SF McDaniels, ???, Minott
PF Towns, Anderson, Miller
C. Gobert, Reid, ???

So, realistically need about 5 players, including 3 legit backups at the 1-3.

Let's play pessimist...

PG - Smith Jr
SG - Brown Jr
SF - McDaniels

C Garza (2way)
PG Nkilitina

Plugged back in

PG Conley Jr, Smith Jr, Nkilitina
SG Edwards, Brown Jr, Moore
SF McDaniels, McDaniels, Minott
PF Towns, Anderson, Miller
C. Gobert, Reid, Garza

How would you feel?

I'm hoping for better.

Oh, I viewed this as a pessimistic take. I should specify that is Troy Brown Jr not Bruce.

Yes it is a very pessimistic take and I knew that was Troy so I said I'm hoping for better than that.

[minimus]

Watch on YouTube

Oubre for 8 mil?

[Krapinsky]

Watch on YouTube

Oubre for 8 mil?

Too much of a knucklehead for me.

[Klomp]

Unless they are really confident in his recovery, it sure seems to me that a 2W makes the most sense. I see Dane Moore keeps slotting in in as an NBA contract.

Because a rookie minimum salary is cheaper than a veteran’s minimum.

[Klomp]

Clark won't be healthy enough to play until sometime in 2024 if at all. Him being on the NBA roster is a huge long shot.

You can still lock him into a NBA spot even if he’s out for the year. And with the new “Harry Giles III rule” it won’t be held against him in terms of future G League eligibility.

[SO_MONEY]

Unless they are really confident in his recovery, it sure seems to me that a 2W makes the most sense. I see Dane Moore keeps slotting in in as an NBA contract.

Because a rookie minimum salary is cheaper than a veteran’s minimum.

You could put him on a 2W and put just about any ZERO year in and get a look at him. That is what I am saying. Kind of pointless to carry a player who can't play when 2W is an option.

[Krapinsky]

My predictions —
Brown to Lakers
DiVincenzo to Knicks
Strus to Indiana
Levert to Cavs
Gordon to Grizzlies

Wolves sign NAW and Jevon Carter or Schroeder.

[moss_is_1]

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/37933713/nba-free-agency-2023-projected-salaries-every-free-agent

Projected FAs contracts

Basically we could try and get someone for the full mle - no Naw
2 guys with part of the MLE - 1 Free agent + Naw or 2 free agents.

Biggest need is backup PG. However I think we could use a shooter, and a big bodied center as well.

Bruce Brown - Struss - Ddv would cost the whole MLE.

Jevon Carter - Dennis Smith jr - Schroder - Seth Curry - Eric Gordon - Josh Richardson - Pat Bev should be considerably cheaper and might be a better bargain to sign someone like Carter or Schroder and keep Naw.

Then sign a couple guys for the minimum - Damion Lee or Watanabe for shooting. Corey Joseph, Augustine, Neto, or Shake Milton would be solid. Along with a big from the scrap heap.

[TimberKat]

My predictions —
Brown to Lakers
DiVincenzo to Knicks
Strus to Indiana
Levert to Cavs
Gordon to Grizzlies

Wolves sign NAW and Jevon Carter or Schroeder.

I like Schroeder. He can drive, break down defense and defense. Maybe a little better with the French connection too. If we keep NAW, would like to add Watanabe for that bigger wing 3pt shooter although he likely end up in PHX or Cavs.

[TimberKat]

If it's Taylor running the show, I would say they just want to save money and put the new guys out there. But this time I think they are thinking big, maybe like Barnes or some full MLE guy.

I didn't see here, but there was a report that the Naz signing came after a Taylor call, TC was millions apart of the offer he finally gave to Naz

So if Taylor hadn't stepped in we would have lost Naz at $14M a year?

I hope "Taylor stepping in" means that he told Conley don't worry about the cap tax, do whatever you need to fill the best team. If we overpaid a little, it's fine. It's not my money and I can't take it with me anyway.

[jpatrick]

I didn't see here, but there was a report that the Naz signing came after a Taylor call, TC was millions apart of the offer he finally gave to Naz

So if Taylor hadn't stepped in we would have lost Naz at $14M a year?

I hope "Taylor stepping in" means that he told Conley don't worry about the cap tax, do whatever you need to fill the best team. If we overpaid a little, it's fine. It's not my money and I can't take it with me anyway.

I don’t think so. It’s pretty important that we stay under the tax this year because unless we start salary dumping large contracts next offseason, we will be in the tax next year. Repeater tax is not good. Second apron not good. My guess is Taylor gets too close to the players and wants the guys he knows to stay. Besides, Taylor won’t be the one making any decisions in the future re: tax.

[Klomp]

You could put him on a 2W and put just about any ZERO year in and get a look at him. That is what I am saying. Kind of pointless to carry a player who can't play when 2W is an option.

So an undrafted rookie should get an active roster spot over the guy you just drafted? What does that say to Clark? We only believe in you on a year-by-year basis?

I get that money-wise it makes sense, but on a human level I just don't think that's a fair practice. It's literally the same money to reverse that, giving Clark the spot. You're not losing money.

[Worm Guts]

It would seem strange to have Taylor making personnel decisions at this point in selling process. I guess not impossible, but it seems unlikely.

[SO_MONEY]

You could put him on a 2W and put just about any ZERO year in and get a look at him. That is what I am saying. Kind of pointless to carry a player who can't play when 2W is an option.

So an undrafted rookie should get an active roster spot over the guy you just drafted? What does that say to Clark? We only believe in you on a year-by-year basis?

I get that money-wise it makes sense, but on a human level I just don't think that's a fair practice. It's literally the same money to reverse that, giving Clark the spot. You're not losing money.

Yes, if he can't play, you give him a 2W and add him to the roster next year Worst case the player you put on the roster is off the team and you didn't waste a year of his contact.

If Clark doesn't understand we have invested in him by drafting him, giving medical treatment, developing him and paying him while he is not playing... maybe he isn't the hard nosed personality people are making him out to be. And frankly, being a 2nd round pick is not a guarantee, most are cut or end up as 2W and at 53 he should be thankful for the opportunity. You wouldn't be mistreating him, he isn't getting a raw deal.

[minimus]

I like Schroeder. He can drive, break down defense and defense. Maybe a little better with the French connection too. If we keep NAW, would like to add Watanabe for that bigger wing 3pt shooter although he likely end up in PHX or Cavs.

I don't want anyone in this roster who can be exploited as mismatch in defense due to size, defense, limited mobility or effort.