Utah-Minnesota-Atlanta

[myrak433]

first let me start off by saying I saw this mock trade somewhere else.

Atlanta in: Karl-Anthony Towns and Walker Kessler
Atlanta out: De'Andre Hunter, Clint Capela,Garrison Matthews, Laker's 2025 1st round pick, 2027 1st round pick from Atlanta (least favorable from either the Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans' own), 2030 1st round pick.

Minnesota in: Lauri Markkanen and De'Andre Hunter
Minnesota out: Karl-Anthony Towns, 2028 1st round swap from Minnesota, and a 2025 2nd round pick from Minnesota (via Utah)

Utah in: Clint Capela, Garrison Matthews, 2025 1st round pick from Atlanta (unprotected via the Lakers), 2027 1st round pick from Atlanta (least favorable from either the Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans' own), 2030 1st round pick (via Atlanta), 2028 1st round swap from Minnesota, and a 2025 2nd round pick from Minnesota (via Utah)
Utah out: Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.

Atlanta gets another star player with Trae Young

Minnesota does it to to cut salary without losing much talent (if any talent at all).

Utah goes in to tank for Cooper Flagg.

[shrink]

So in a previous thread where MIN swapped Towns for Markannen, I pointed out Lauri is only 1.5 years younger, and his upcoming extension (10% cap raise, 30% max) is only $6.2 mil cheaper. However, some smart posters on my local board pointed out that the savings THIS year would be $31, and leave MIN only $3 mil over the lux. Maybe they could wiggle under, and at least they would free themselves of some onerous second apron restrictions.

This deal though has MIN receiving DeAndre Hunter, who is making $21,696,429 this year, and $23,303,571 and $24,910,714 the next two. His inclusion means the Wolves only save $10 mil this season, but cost $15 MORE than they would the following year!

In general, I think Towns is a little better player on both ends, he’s locked into his contract and he has shown team loyalty and a willingness to make Ant a superstar. However, assuming Markannen promised to sign longterm with MIN next summer, the financial benefits of a KAT-Lauri swap make it something that Tim Connelly would have to consider. I’m not sure I would add pick swaps and seconds (Connelly might though) and the trade just can’t include adding other players to the deal with a lot of additional salary.

[Threezus]

Deal for the hawks

[schaffy]

"Minnesota does it to to cut salary without losing much talent (if any talent at all)." -- This is (at best) only true for 1 year. If they extend Lauri they are actually spending more in total. And since he's a FA if Lauri walks they have cut salary and then also taken a huge hit on talent.

I'd be very on the fence about a KAT for Lauri deal straight up. For sure not including anything else for the privilege of taking on Hunters deal.

[babyjax13]

Minnesota shouldn't take back Hunter. Half the appeal would be what this does for the books in terms of keeping their core together longer by avoiding some of the second apron restrictions for a year.

[SO_MONEY]

Find a 4th team to send Hunter to in return for an expiring contract and an asset or assets of some sorts.

[moss_is_1]

Minnesota shouldn't take back Hunter. Half the appeal would be what this does for the books in terms of keeping their core together longer by avoiding some of the second apron restrictions for a year.

Agreed. Find the Wolves a smaller prospect or a pick or 2 instead of Hunter and we'd have interest.

[babyjax13]

Find a 4th team to send Hunter to in return for an expiring contract and an asset or assets of some sorts.

No one will send assets for Hunter.

[SO_MONEY]

Find a 4th team to send Hunter to in return for an expiring contract and an asset or assets of some sorts.

No one will send assets for Hunter.

That seems harsh. I think he is still positive value, just too much for MN given all of the tax stuff. Otherwise I think they would like him, the player.

[babyjax13]

Find a 4th team to send Hunter to in return for an expiring contract and an asset or assets of some sorts.

No one will send assets for Hunter.

That seems harsh. I think he is still positive value, just too much for MN given all of the tax stuff. Otherwise I think they would like him, the player.

He is making 21-24 million a year for not much production. Doesn't generate defensive stats at all, large negative BPM every season, and misses a ton of games.

[SO_MONEY]

No one will send assets for Hunter.

That seems harsh. I think he is still positive value, just too much for MN given all of the tax stuff. Otherwise I think they would like him, the player.

Ge is making 21-24 million a year for not much production. Doesn't generate defensive stats at all, large negative BPM every season, and misses a ton of games.

I don't think his salary is that out of whack, good defender, not great with flexibility and a decent offensive game, but didn't realize he missed a ton of games though. I think he has value, if I was looking at a mid tier SF/PF I think his name comes up.

[shrink]

If MIN is going to downgrade Towns to [edit: Markannen - thank Myrak] and assume the risk he leaves for nothing, I imagine Connelly would want Kessler back, which isn’t impossible functionally with the Drew Eubanks signing. I also think Hunter isn’t horrible and could improve if he gets out of ATL. If UTA took him, the Hawks could incentivize, and Ainge might trade him off to a contender at the deadline.

I’ll say this. A three teamer with Markannen, Towns, and a third team with young assets that could use KAT has potential.

[myrak433]

If MIN is going to downgrade Towns to Kessler and assume the risk he leaves for nothing, I imagine Connelly would want Kessler back,

I believe you may have had a typo, I believe you meant downgrade Towns to Markkanen. If that is the cause I think the difference in salaries is worth the minor downgrade.

which isn’t impossible functionally with the Drew Eubanks signing.

I also think Hunter isn’t horrible and could improve if he gets out of ATL. If UTA took him, the Hawks could incentivize,

I wouldn't think The Hawks would incentivize anyone to take Hunter anyone unless it is a package like this for a clear roster upgrade
like in the OP with the Hawks getting KAT,
and Ainge might trade him off to a contender at the deadlin e.

I’ll say this. A three teamer with Markannen, Towns, and a third team with young assets that could use KAT has potential.

[babyjax13]

If MIN is going to downgrade Towns to [edit: Markannen - thank Myrak] and assume the risk he leaves for nothing, I imagine Connelly would want Kessler back, which isn’t impossible functionally with the Drew Eubanks signing. I also think Hunter isn’t horrible and could improve if he gets out of ATL. If UTA took him, the Hawks could incentivize, and Ainge might trade him off to a contender at the deadline.

I’ll say this. A three teamer with Markannen, Towns, and a third team with young assets that could use KAT has potential.

I'm really not convinced that you would be downgrading by trading for Lauri.

KAT/Lauri
BPM: 2.5/3.6
DBPM: 0.9/-1.5
TS: 62.5%/63.1%
REB%: 14.4/13.6
Darko +/-: 3.51/1.88
Crafted +/-: 2.5/2.9

I see two players who have extremely similar impact and I'm not sure how you could definitively argue that one is better than the other. I'd take Lauri because of positional versatility and I think his offensive repertoire is quite a bit better (and the +/- stats seem to indicate that he has more offensive value), but I could see the argument that KAT is locked into a contract and is a true 5 that several teams could really use.

[shrink]

If MIN is going to downgrade Towns to [edit: Markannen - thank Myrak] and assume the risk he leaves for nothing, I imagine Connelly would want Kessler back, which isn’t impossible functionally with the Drew Eubanks signing. I also think Hunter isn’t horrible and could improve if he gets out of ATL. If UTA took him, the Hawks could incentivize, and Ainge might trade him off to a contender at the deadline.

I’ll say this. A three teamer with Markannen, Towns, and a third team with young assets that could use KAT has potential.

I'm really not convinced that you would be downgrading by trading for Lauri.

KAT/Lauri
BPM: 2.5/3.6
DBPM: 0.9/-1.5
TS: 62.5%/63.1%
REB%: 14.4/13.6
Darko +/-: 3.51/1.88
Crafted +/-: 2.5/2.9

I see two players who have extremely similar impact and I'm not sure how you could definitively argue that one is better than the other. I'd take Lauri because of positional versatility and I think his offensive repertoire is quite a bit better (and the +/- stats seem to indicate that he has more offensive value), but I could see the argument that KAT is locked into a contract and is a true 5 that several teams could really use.

The two things I would say is that these numbers are Towns playing somewhat out of position, and as the #2 option on a contender.

I’d also point out Jokic isn’t going anywhere, and Towns’ defense on Jokic is going to be needed.

[babyjax13]

If MIN is going to downgrade Towns to [edit: Markannen - thank Myrak] and assume the risk he leaves for nothing, I imagine Connelly would want Kessler back, which isn’t impossible functionally with the Drew Eubanks signing. I also think Hunter isn’t horrible and could improve if he gets out of ATL. If UTA took him, the Hawks could incentivize, and Ainge might trade him off to a contender at the deadline.

I’ll say this. A three teamer with Markannen, Towns, and a third team with young assets that could use KAT has potential.

I'm really not convinced that you would be downgrading by trading for Lauri.

KAT/Lauri
BPM: 2.5/3.6
DBPM: 0.9/-1.5
TS: 62.5%/63.1%
REB%: 14.4/13.6
Darko +/-: 3.51/1.88
Crafted +/-: 2.5/2.9

I see two players who have extremely similar impact and I'm not sure how you could definitively argue that one is better than the other. I'd take Lauri because of positional versatility and I think his offensive repertoire is quite a bit better (and the +/- stats seem to indicate that he has more offensive value), but I could see the argument that KAT is locked into a contract and is a true 5 that several teams could really use.

The two things I would say is that these numbers are Towns playing somewhat out of position, and as the #2 option on a contender.

I’d also point out Jokic isn’t going anywhere, and Towns’ defense on Jokic is going to be needed.

Lauri has been playing as the focus of every defense and he's frequently played at small forward which isn't his ideal position. If he is a second option does he get more efficient? etc. etc. (though I do get the point, I'm just saying that the distinction in a vacuum is probably hard to make)

[winforlose]

So in a previous thread where MIN swapped Towns for Markannen, I pointed out Lauri is only 1.5 years younger, and his upcoming extension (10% cap raise, 30% max) is only $6.2 mil cheaper. However, some smart posters on my local board pointed out that the savings THIS year would be $31, and leave MIN only $3 mil over the lux. Maybe they could wiggle under, and at least they would free themselves of some onerous second apron restrictions.

This deal though has MIN receiving DeAndre Hunter, who is making $21,696,429 this year, and $23,303,571 and $24,910,714 the next two. His inclusion means the Wolves only save $10 mil this season, but cost $15 MORE than they would the following year!

In general, I think Towns is a little better player on both ends, he’s locked into his contract and he has shown team loyalty and a willingness to make Ant a superstar. However, assuming Markannen promised to sign longterm with MIN next summer, the financial benefits of a KAT-Lauri swap make it something that Tim Connelly would have to consider. I’m not sure I would add pick swaps and seconds (Connelly might though) and the trade just can’t include adding other players to the deal with a lot of additional salary.

The problem is the Wolves cannot wiggle under without giving up a core player as well. Also don’t forget the Wolves need to add at the very least 2 minimum contracts to complete the roster. Walker Kessler makes almost a million more than the vet minimum cap hit of $2,087,519, and we would probably need him and some pick compensation for the downgrade/risk, to say nothing of the locker room chemistry hit. I do see some value in a deal like this, but not without treating Lauri as a depressed asset given his expiring deal.

[shrink]

The two things I would say is that these numbers are Towns playing somewhat out of position, and as the #2 option on a contender.

I’d also point out Jokic isn’t going anywhere, and Towns’ defense on Jokic is going to be needed.

Lauri has been playing as the focus of every defense and he's frequently played at small forward which isn't his ideal position. If he is a second option does he get more efficient? etc. etc. (though I do get the point, I'm just saying that the distinction in a vacuum is probably hard to make)

I think this is true, and ironically, a point I tried to get across about Towns for several years when he had garbage teammates! I was trying to get across that it’s hard to make an apples-to-apples comparison, and probably should have just said it that way.

This fit issue is also why a trade might have some potential! Towns loses a lot of offensive potential when he isn’t matched up against fives in a five-out, and when he’s giving up shots to make sure Ant (and Rudy!) get fed. Because of this, for MIN, swapping a worse-fitting KAT at PF for Lauri, who is more of a PF, might not hurt their production too much, at least in the regular season. At the same time, if a third team can magnify Towns benefits by playing 5-out, UTA might get a better trade package, or at least add different potential suitors!

It’s really tough for me to gamble that a player won’t walk - I’ve been a MIN fan for a long time, and I realize the place is not a free agent hot spot. Heck, I just saw Monte Morris take a vet min deal in PHX rather than stay in MIN. But I’m not the GM, and Tim Connelly has certainly shown the cojones to take big swings. So I can see a path to realism in a trade like this

[babyjax13]

So in a previous thread where MIN swapped Towns for Markannen, I pointed out Lauri is only 1.5 years younger, and his upcoming extension (10% cap raise, 30% max) is only $6.2 mil cheaper. However, some smart posters on my local board pointed out that the savings THIS year would be $31, and leave MIN only $3 mil over the lux. Maybe they could wiggle under, and at least they would free themselves of some onerous second apron restrictions.

This deal though has MIN receiving DeAndre Hunter, who is making $21,696,429 this year, and $23,303,571 and $24,910,714 the next two. His inclusion means the Wolves only save $10 mil this season, but cost $15 MORE than they would the following year!

In general, I think Towns is a little better player on both ends, he’s locked into his contract and he has shown team loyalty and a willingness to make Ant a superstar. However, assuming Markannen promised to sign longterm with MIN next summer, the financial benefits of a KAT-Lauri swap make it something that Tim Connelly would have to consider. I’m not sure I would add pick swaps and seconds (Connelly might though) and the trade just can’t include adding other players to the deal with a lot of additional salary.

The problem is the Wolves cannot wiggle under without giving up a core player as well. Also don’t forget the Wolves need to add at the very least 2 minimum contracts to complete the roster. Walker Kessler makes almost a million more than the vet minimum cap hit of $2,087,519, and we would probably need him and some pick compensation for the downgrade/risk, to say nothing of the locker room chemistry hit. I do see some value in a deal like this, but not without treating Lauri as a depressed asset given his expiring deal.

I think this is why New Orleans as a third team makes sense. They can send matching salary that doesn't have much value (b/c of CJ) to Utah (because we have space) and they can send the pick compensation for Lauri (at least, hypothetically). It may have to happen after an Ingram trade, though, so that they definitely have enough picks.

[schaffy]

I'm really not convinced that you would be downgrading by trading for Lauri.

KAT/Lauri
BPM: 2.5/3.6
DBPM: 0.9/-1.5
TS: 62.5%/63.1%
REB%: 14.4/13.6
Darko +/-: 3.51/1.88
Crafted +/-: 2.5/2.9

I see two players who have extremely similar impact and I'm not sure how you could definitively argue that one is better than the other. I'd take Lauri because of positional versatility and I think his offensive repertoire is quite a bit better (and the +/- stats seem to indicate that he has more offensive value), but I could see the argument that KAT is locked into a contract and is a true 5 that several teams could really use.

The two things I would say is that these numbers are Towns playing somewhat out of position, and as the #2 option on a contender.

I’d also point out Jokic isn’t going anywhere, and Towns’ defense on Jokic is going to be needed.

Lauri has been playing as the focus of every defense and he's frequently played at small forward which isn't his ideal position. If he is a second option does he get more efficient? etc. etc. (though I do get the point, I'm just saying that the distinction in a vacuum is probably hard to make)

Yeah wolves fans are well aware of this argument -- we've been on that side of it for 15+ years, see: Jefferson, Al; Love, Kevin, [insert former Wolves player here], KAT. I'm not even saying I disagree with that stance, but it's pretty hard to prove other than just feel/hindsight later on.

Sent from my SM-S901U using RealGM mobile app