TimberKat wrote:Nembhard does not need to be an established star... seems to imply he doesn't need to "turn into" a star.
I guess it is my bad english, let say Nembhard does not need to be an established star at the moment of trade. But for sure MIN should do everything to develop him into NBA star. But it would be totally fine if Nembhard follow Kyle Lowry, Mike Conley, FVV path consistently improving from role player into NBA star. He reminds me a bit Rubio with a little less passing creativity and more shooting. If we get Nembhard AND resign Conley for one more year, it will be a perfect situation when Nembhard can learn from Conley and make a smooth transition into starting role.
TimberKat wrote:So, why are we trading away a star player for a rotational player. Even if we think Nembhard is a better fit, we should get a lot more in return.
On paper Towns should command at least a Gobert like package: 4-5 FRPs or equivalent in young players + expiring contracts. But like many posters said here «picks are overrated». If Nembhard has potential to be Kyle Lowry level PG, he is worth at least two FRPs. It was reported that Mikal Bridges is worth four late FRPs, OG Anunoby - three. Because they have bargain contracts. So a bargain contract worth at least one additional late FRP, because in theory you can use this salary space in other ways. And a overpriced contract is at least minus one FRP. It is al pure speculation, I think that:
+ Towns is a star who worth 4-5 FRPs, because of elite shooting and slashing ability, improving passing, good teammate
- minus one FRP because of his mediocre playoff performance, general maturity concerns (turnover, fouls, moving screens) and lack of defense
- minus one FRP because of supermax contract
That was my idea behind of getting Nembhard, Toppin, one FRP in next 2024 draft (not in 2025-29 years), expiring contracts (Theis, Hield).
If Nembhard is as good as advertised he complete our rebuild around Edwards and we get MCD-Edwards-Nembhard young core and can build on it. I think about it as complete cycle of development process build-test-production. Right now this cycle is not complete and lasts since Rubio was traded back in 2017. Since then we got 2.5 yrs of Teague who cant execute a simple post pass, three years of DLo and now when finally we found or ideal PG in Conley he will soon be 36 (!!!) yo veteran. It is naïve to think that:
a) he gets any better
b) it will be easy to find a replacement via draft/waive/g-league/overseas market
It means that after six seasons of rebuild we don't have a starting PG. Everything else is manageable: Gobert and Reid as C, Miller, Minott as comboforwards, Brown as shooter, NAW, Milton as comboguards.
TimberKat wrote:Naz for Nembhard makes more sense. However, I am expecting Naz to take another step and be a key contributor off the bench this year.
Unfortunately I cant see how Gobert, Towns and Reid co-exist in our roster from next season. Last year Reid and Anderson were on fire when Towns was out. This year Reid and Anderson need minutes. And I wonder if Reid + Anderson for 22 mil are much worse than Towns for 36 mil this season and Towns for 49-61 mil starting from next season.
