Game 16 : MIN at BOS

[TimberKat]

Let’s make this dollar-for-dollar, and say that the trade allowed us to keep other players.

Which side has a better chance of winning a ring over the next four years, as Ant and Jaden approach prime? A or B?

A. NO TRADE
2025 Towns, Naz, NAW
2026 Towns ($53), nobody
2027 Towns ($57)
2028 Towns ($61)

B. TRADE
2025 Randle, DDV, Naz, NAW
2026 DDV ($12), Naz ($19), NAW ($10), +$12 mil player
2027 DDV ($12.5), Naz ($20), NAW ($11), +$13.5 mil player
2028 Naz ($21), NAW ($12), +$28 mil player

I’m making assumptions here about the next deals for Naz and NAW, but I feel like this trade probably lowered our chances this year, but extended the window to have a better chance over the next four. Also, while KAT’s big salary may have made it tough to salary match a future trade, DDV, Naz, NAW and the mystery free agent will be on easily tradeable deals.

I actually take A. None of B are all stars. Ant+Towns in 2026 would take up appx $100Mil and you have another $80+ mil to build around them. Maybe let Gobert walk after his contract to save money. I don't remember any team win anything with one star player. Most teams will have two max players anyway. PHX was playing well until KD and Beal got hurt.

I feel people on this board generally overrate role players. We think Nowell, Milton, Minott, KA, now DDV are good players until you see them play. They are way easier to find than all stars. I will trade Naz and NAW for picks or let them walk before a DDV+2 2nds for Towns. Now we have the difficult task of finding another all star next to Ant.

[thinktank]

It's all about the money. Even though Taylor said he wants to keep Towns, I think he really wanted to save a few millions before selling the team. Unless it's Towns requested a trade. Just here on Realgm, it must be 9 out of 10 opposed the trade. Finch could had been tired to be KAT's shrink but I can't imagine Connelly is this stupid. I can understand maybe a Towns for KD or PG13 trade.

1. We have heard from external and internal sources that Taylor (and ARod and Lore), didn’t instruct Connelly to make this trade for financial purposes.

2. Taylor is not cheap. He paid for all those extensions, and even after this trade, the team is #2 in the entire NBA in lux taxes scheduled to pay $96 mil in taxes this year.

3. With new Apron and higher lux taxes, even Steve Ballmer’s Clippers cut salary. It’s becoming impossible to operate huge salary teams, even for an owner who’s 30 times richer than Taylor. I’m sure Connelly is aware of the functional aspects of the new rules.

4. Taylor hires GMs and lets them do their basketball thing. Often this has been a problem, when he hires bad GM, they make bad decisions, and he’s slow to fire them. Even with Tim Connelly, Taylor said he didn’t agree with the Gobert trade at the time and thought we gave up too much. Instead of stopping the trade, he trusted Connelly. And btw, that trade (expirings and picks) ADDED tons of payroll/lux for him to pay. If you don’t like a MIN trade, blame the GM, because they are empowered to make it.

5. If the plan was to cut salary and trade Towns, it would have been done over the summer, when teams could send cap space to lower payroll. In fact, this trade was delayed so long because the Knicks wouldn’t include Donte DiVincenzo. Until that point, Connelly had turned down many dollar-saving offers from NYK, and the plan was to bring back the team with Towns and the top 7.

6. I am a big KAT fan, but I don’t know if KAT (4 years $220 mil) has much more trade value than DDV (3 years $36 mil) the possible 1st, and the salary relief.

7. A trade for Kevin Durant is illegal because we are above the second apron, and KD makes slightly more than KAT.

1. Orgs can lie for PR purposes. They do this often.

2. He shouldn’t be cheap because the team is good. But this trade was “cheap”.

3. Clippers weren’t good. They’re not like us.

4. Past behavior isn’t always a good indicator for future behavior. Ex: This was a “cheap” trade.

5. So what? We still got rid of the best player in the deal.

6. KAT had the most value for us. Or he did until we traded him for lesser players.

7. I think most fans don’t want Durant, and they know we can’t get Durant anyway.

In summary, I don’t put much stock into any of your 7 points that try to convince us the trade was made for non-money reasons.

[guest81]

Let’s make this dollar-for-dollar, and say that the trade allowed us to keep other players.

Which side has a better chance of winning a ring over the next four years, as Ant and Jaden approach prime? A or B?

A. NO TRADE
2025 Towns, Naz, NAW
2026 Towns ($53), nobody
2027 Towns ($57)
2028 Towns ($61)

B. TRADE
2025 Randle, DDV, Naz, NAW
2026 DDV ($12), Naz ($19), NAW ($10), +$12 mil player
2027 DDV ($12.5), Naz ($20), NAW ($11), +$13.5 mil player
2028 Naz ($21), NAW ($12), +$28 mil player

I’m making assumptions here about the next deals for Naz and NAW, but I feel like this trade probably lowered our chances this year, but extended the window to have a better chance over the next four. Also, while KAT’s big salary may have made it tough to salary match a future trade, DDV, Naz, NAW and the mystery free agent will be on easily tradeable deals.

I actually take A. None of B are all stars. Ant+Towns in 2026 would take up appx $100Mil and you have another $80+ mil to build around them. Maybe let Gobert walk after his contract to save money. I don't remember any team win anything with one star player. Most teams will have two max players anyway. PHX was playing well until KD and Beal got hurt.

I feel people on this board generally overrate role players. We think Nowell, Milton, Minott, KA, now DDV are good players until you see them play. They are way easier to find than all stars. I will trade Naz and NAW for picks or let them walk before a DDV+2 2nds for Towns. Now we have the difficult task of finding another all star next to Ant.

I think it's been proven that with KAT being your 1 or 2nd best player that you can only get so far and it's not championship level. I would rather have my GM take a chance to be a title contender and have it fail, rather then play it safe and be just good enough

[TimberKat]

Let’s make this dollar-for-dollar, and say that the trade allowed us to keep other players.

Which side has a better chance of winning a ring over the next four years, as Ant and Jaden approach prime? A or B?

A. NO TRADE
2025 Towns, Naz, NAW
2026 Towns ($53), nobody
2027 Towns ($57)
2028 Towns ($61)

B. TRADE
2025 Randle, DDV, Naz, NAW
2026 DDV ($12), Naz ($19), NAW ($10), +$12 mil player
2027 DDV ($12.5), Naz ($20), NAW ($11), +$13.5 mil player
2028 Naz ($21), NAW ($12), +$28 mil player

I’m making assumptions here about the next deals for Naz and NAW, but I feel like this trade probably lowered our chances this year, but extended the window to have a better chance over the next four. Also, while KAT’s big salary may have made it tough to salary match a future trade, DDV, Naz, NAW and the mystery free agent will be on easily tradeable deals.

I actually take A. None of B are all stars. Ant+Towns in 2026 would take up appx $100Mil and you have another $80+ mil to build around them. Maybe let Gobert walk after his contract to save money. I don't remember any team win anything with one star player. Most teams will have two max players anyway. PHX was playing well until KD and Beal got hurt.

I feel people on this board generally overrate role players. We think Nowell, Milton, Minott, KA, now DDV are good players until you see them play. They are way easier to find than all stars. I will trade Naz and NAW for picks or let them walk before a DDV+2 2nds for Towns. Now we have the difficult task of finding another all star next to Ant.

I think it's been proven that with KAT being your 1 or 2nd best player that you can only get so far and it's not championship level. I would rather have my GM take a chance to be a title contender and have it fail, rather then play it safe and be just good enough

Have we proven that Towns as second best player and Gobert as a specialist can't get us there? I think we were a backup shot creator away and a trap defense scheme away from the finals last year. There is no reason to not run it back. I don't mind the GM take a chance like the Gobert trade or any "upgrade". But we clearly down graded and have no plan in sight to upgrade. Could anyone suggest a way we bring another all star to MIN or do you think Randle will be an all star again, and he will gel with Gobert and Naz?

[shrink]

It's all about the money. Even though Taylor said he wants to keep Towns, I think he really wanted to save a few millions before selling the team. Unless it's Towns requested a trade. Just here on Realgm, it must be 9 out of 10 opposed the trade. Finch could had been tired to be KAT's shrink but I can't imagine Connelly is this stupid. I can understand maybe a Towns for KD or PG13 trade.

1. We have heard from external and internal sources that Taylor (and ARod and Lore), didn’t instruct Connelly to make this trade for financial purposes.

2. Taylor is not cheap. He paid for all those extensions, and even after this trade, the team is #2 in the entire NBA in lux taxes scheduled to pay $96 mil in taxes this year.

3. With new Apron and higher lux taxes, even Steve Ballmer’s Clippers cut salary. It’s becoming impossible to operate huge salary teams, even for an owner who’s 30 times richer than Taylor. I’m sure Connelly is aware of the functional aspects of the new rules.

4. Taylor hires GMs and lets them do their basketball thing. Often this has been a problem, when he hires bad GM, they make bad decisions, and he’s slow to fire them. Even with Tim Connelly, Taylor said he didn’t agree with the Gobert trade at the time and thought we gave up too much. Instead of stopping the trade, he trusted Connelly. And btw, that trade (expirings and picks) ADDED tons of payroll/lux for him to pay. If you don’t like a MIN trade, blame the GM, because they are empowered to make it.

5. If the plan was to cut salary and trade Towns, it would have been done over the summer, when teams could send cap space to lower payroll. In fact, this trade was delayed so long because the Knicks wouldn’t include Donte DiVincenzo. Until that point, Connelly had turned down many dollar-saving offers from NYK, and the plan was to bring back the team with Towns and the top 7.

6. I am a big KAT fan, but I don’t know if KAT (4 years $220 mil) has much more trade value than DDV (3 years $36 mil) the possible 1st, and the salary relief.

7. A trade for Kevin Durant is illegal because we are above the second apron, and KD makes slightly more than KAT.

1. Orgs can lie for PR purposes. They do this often.

2. He shouldn’t be cheap because the team is good. But this trade was “cheap”.

3. Clippers weren’t good. They’re not like us.

4. Past behavior isn’t always a good indicator for future behavior. Ex: This was a “cheap” trade.

5. So what? We still got rid of the best player in the deal.

6. KAT had the most value for us. Or he did until we traded him for lesser players.

7. I think most fans don’t want Durant, and they know we can’t get Durant anyway.

In summary, I don’t put much stock into any of your 7 points that try to convince us the trade was made for non-money reasons.

In summary, I don’t ever put much stock in your posts.

They never contain evidence, just denial of evidence, and hand-waving accusations. Denying what happens, ignoring the effect of new CBA rules, and saying “so what?” to evidence that doesn’t agree with your personal biases doesn’t make for a good discussion.

[thinktank]

1. We have heard from external and internal sources that Taylor (and ARod and Lore), didn’t instruct Connelly to make this trade for financial purposes.

2. Taylor is not cheap. He paid for all those extensions, and even after this trade, the team is #2 in the entire NBA in lux taxes scheduled to pay $96 mil in taxes this year.

3. With new Apron and higher lux taxes, even Steve Ballmer’s Clippers cut salary. It’s becoming impossible to operate huge salary teams, even for an owner who’s 30 times richer than Taylor. I’m sure Connelly is aware of the functional aspects of the new rules.

4. Taylor hires GMs and lets them do their basketball thing. Often this has been a problem, when he hires bad GM, they make bad decisions, and he’s slow to fire them. Even with Tim Connelly, Taylor said he didn’t agree with the Gobert trade at the time and thought we gave up too much. Instead of stopping the trade, he trusted Connelly. And btw, that trade (expirings and picks) ADDED tons of payroll/lux for him to pay. If you don’t like a MIN trade, blame the GM, because they are empowered to make it.

5. If the plan was to cut salary and trade Towns, it would have been done over the summer, when teams could send cap space to lower payroll. In fact, this trade was delayed so long because the Knicks wouldn’t include Donte DiVincenzo. Until that point, Connelly had turned down many dollar-saving offers from NYK, and the plan was to bring back the team with Towns and the top 7.

6. I am a big KAT fan, but I don’t know if KAT (4 years $220 mil) has much more trade value than DDV (3 years $36 mil) the possible 1st, and the salary relief.

7. A trade for Kevin Durant is illegal because we are above the second apron, and KD makes slightly more than KAT.

1. Orgs can lie for PR purposes. They do this often.

2. He shouldn’t be cheap because the team is good. But this trade was “cheap”.

3. Clippers weren’t good. They’re not like us.

4. Past behavior isn’t always a good indicator for future behavior. Ex: This was a “cheap” trade.

5. So what? We still got rid of the best player in the deal.

6. KAT had the most value for us. Or he did until we traded him for lesser players.

7. I think most fans don’t want Durant, and they know we can’t get Durant anyway.

In summary, I don’t put much stock into any of your 7 points that try to convince us the trade was made for non-money reasons.

In summary, I don’t ever put much stock in your posts.

They never contain evidence, just denial of evidence, and hand-waving accusations.

Oh BS. We can't trust Taylor or Connelly to tell us why they made a deal. They can say whatever they want publicly, but we'll never know what was said behind the curtain, because we never get to hear Taylor's private orders to Connelly. We're not there for their private conversations. So the "evidence" you posted as to why we made the trade is not "evidence" (point #s 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 contain information but not "evidence").

[winforlose]

None of us are in the locker rooms or the homes of these players. None of us know whether the poor culture is causing the poor play, or the poor play is causing the poor culture. DDV at 40% from distance and a solid on ball/off ball hybrid guard would have tremendous value for us. Unfortunately, that isn’t what we got. A Julius Randle willing to play defense and distribute the ball quickly and cleanly according to Finch’s vision would be very helpful to us, unfortunately that isn’t what we got. A TC that put the team before his personal needs (I.E a backup center over PJ Dozier,) would be very helpful to us. The bottom line is our situation is dire because the team isn’t willing to do the work. They don’t rotate properly on defense, they don’t space well on offense, they don’t gang rebound and hustle the way winning teams do. Karl might be the missing piece or not. Maybe he stays healthy, maybe not. At the end of the day, Ant is proving he cannot lead the locker room, and Finch is proving he cannot lead the locker room. We have too much talent to play this badly. Something is broken. Does it matter if TC, Taylor, Lore/Arod, Finch, Ant, or anyone else broke it? We need to fix it, or make changes so it becomes fixable.

[shrink]

I actually take A. None of B are all stars. Ant+Towns in 2026 would take up appx $100Mil and you have another $80+ mil to build around them. Maybe let Gobert walk after his contract to save money. I don't remember any team win anything with one star player. Most teams will have two max players anyway. PHX was playing well until KD and Beal got hurt.

I feel people on this board generally overrate role players. We think Nowell, Milton, Minott, KA, now DDV are good players until you see them play. They are way easier to find than all stars. I will trade Naz and NAW for picks or let them walk before a DDV+2 2nds for Towns. Now we have the difficult task of finding another all star next to Ant.

I think it's been proven that with KAT being your 1 or 2nd best player that you can only get so far and it's not championship level. I would rather have my GM take a chance to be a title contender and have it fail, rather then play it safe and be just good enough

Have we proven that Towns as second best player and Gobert as a specialist can't get us there? I think we were a backup shot creator away and a trap defense scheme away from the finals last year. There is no reason to not run it back. I don't mind the GM take a chance like the Gobert trade or any "upgrade". But we clearly down graded and have no plan in sight to upgrade. Could anyone suggest a way we bring another all star to MIN or do you think Randle will be an all star again, and he will gel with Gobert and Naz?

To be honest, I put up this question because I don’t know which side I fall on myself, and there are good points either way. I’m open and was looking for some good arguments that would get me off the fence.

I will say everything would have had to fall right for MIN to win a ring with Towns this year (no bench after), but at least it’s a shot. I think MIN clearly extended its window, and Naz, NAW, Ant, McDaniels, and the rookies (and maybe DDV at 27) will have time to improve over the next four years. Naz gets more opportunity after the trade. MIN also extended its flexibility to make moves and react over those four years. However, top end talent is needed to win a championship. I don’t know.

[shrink]

None of us are in the locker rooms or the homes of these players. None of us know whether the poor culture is causing the poor play, or the poor play is causing the poor culture. DDV at 40% from distance and a solid on ball/off ball hybrid guard would have tremendous value for us. Unfortunately, that isn’t what we got. A Julius Randle willing to play defense and distribute the ball quickly and cleanly according to Finch’s vision would be very helpful to us, unfortunately that isn’t what we got.

This is a really good point.

Whether Randle + DDV is better than Towns as a player, or as trade value, is often how we evaluate trades. However, even if they are better, it doesn’t matter if they make the team worse than before. Team wins (you can choose your own length of time to get them) is the ultimate barometer if a team is successful. If these guys are better, but chemistry is killed (and I think KAT helped chemistry), then we probably need to do something.

[Klomp]

None of us are in the locker rooms or the homes of these players. None of us know whether the poor culture is causing the poor play, or the poor play is causing the poor culture. DDV at 40% from distance and a solid on ball/off ball hybrid guard would have tremendous value for us. Unfortunately, that isn’t what we got. A Julius Randle willing to play defense and distribute the ball quickly and cleanly according to Finch’s vision would be very helpful to us, unfortunately that isn’t what we got.

This is a really good point.

Whether Randle + DDV is better than Towns as a player, or as trade value, is often how we evaluate trades. However, even if they are better, it doesn’t matter if they make the team worse than before. Team wins (you can choose your own length of time to get them) is the ultimate barometer if a team is successful. If these guys are better, but chemistry is killed (and I think KAT helped chemistry), then we probably need to do something.

It's easy to fall into the trap of judging a transaction based only on the immediate results. Denver trading for Aaron Gordon coming off a WCF berth resulted in a worse playoff finish in each of the first two seasons....bad trade, right?!

Yes, we will probably be worse this year. But I don't think we can have a full understanding of the trade's effect on the franchise until years down the road.

[shrink]

1. Orgs can lie for PR purposes. They do this often.

2. He shouldn’t be cheap because the team is good. But this trade was “cheap”.

3. Clippers weren’t good. They’re not like us.

4. Past behavior isn’t always a good indicator for future behavior. Ex: This was a “cheap” trade.

5. So what? We still got rid of the best player in the deal.

6. KAT had the most value for us. Or he did until we traded him for lesser players.

7. I think most fans don’t want Durant, and they know we can’t get Durant anyway.

In summary, I don’t put much stock into any of your 7 points that try to convince us the trade was made for non-money reasons.

In summary, I don’t ever put much stock in your posts.

They never contain evidence, just denial of evidence, and hand-waving accusations.

Oh BS. We can't trust Taylor or Connelly to tell us why they made a deal. They can say whatever they want publicly, but we'll never know what was said behind the curtain, because we never get to hear Taylor's private orders to Connelly. We're not there for their private conversations. So the "evidence" you posted as to why we made the trade is not "evidence" (point #s 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 contain information but not "evidence").

Dude, every time Taylor’s Wolves adds huge amounts of salary (to the tune of the #2 payroll in the NBA!), you ignore all that, but any move that slightly lowers MIN salary, you always show up to say, “See! I know the real reason, and it’s because Taylor’s cheap!”

Every move is not going to add salary. That’s childish. You are choosing a reason that fits your bias. I can’t take you seriously.

[shrink]

While I appreciate KAT more than most, I understand why Connelly might have made this deal. If you’re GM, you have a very narrow window here.

Many fans, including the owners, love KAT, while another large group have, for years, wanted MIN to get rid of him.

Many fans have wanted the Wolves to form a timeline based on Ant’s age, while another group want us to go for it right now.

Many fans are aware of the incredible restrictions that lux and apron rules put on teams, while another group ignores all that.

I think this trade improved our chances of being a strong franchise for years, but probably lowered our ceiling this year. And still, it was possible to see a scenario where we were just as good now and later. I think that NYK was probably the team that would offer us the most, or at least it sounded like they were the most interested. Personally, I don’t know if trading Towns was the right decision, but this deal could have been the last best chance to get off the merry-go-round where having a few hugely expensive players strangles your team’s future.

[TimberKat]

I’ve said this before, but while I appreciate KAT more than most, I understand why Connelly might have made this deal. If you’re GM, you have a very narrow window here.

Many fans, including the owners, love KAT, while another large group have, for years, wanted MIN to get rid of him.

Many fans have wanted the Wolves to form a timeline based on Ant’s age, while another group want us to go for it right now.

Many fans are aware of the incredible restrictions that lux and apron rules put on teams, while another group ignores all that.

I think this trade improved our chances of being a strong franchise for years, but probably lowered our ceiling this year. And still, it was possible to see a scenario where we were just as good now and later. I think that NYK was probably the team that would offer us the most, or at least it sounded like they were the most interested. Personally, I don’t know if trading Towns was the right decision, but this deal could have been the last best chance to get off the merry-go-round where having a few hugely expensive players strangles your team’s future.

I don't see how the trade is making us a stronger franchise? Able to keep 3 role players instead of an all star level player? It doesn't help us land the next all star. Is NAW or DDV going to be the next Brunson? Is Naz going to be better than Towns? Are we reloaded draft picks for trade? I like to believe but the argument is like trickle down economics. Having financial flexibility but not spending it is actually what cheap means. I like to believe but 16 games in, I haven't heard anything that convince me logically.

[minimus]

I’ve said this before, but while I appreciate KAT more than most, I understand why Connelly might have made this deal. If you’re GM, you have a very narrow window here.

Many fans, including the owners, love KAT, while another large group have, for years, wanted MIN to get rid of him.

Many fans have wanted the Wolves to form a timeline based on Ant’s age, while another group want us to go for it right now.

Many fans are aware of the incredible restrictions that lux and apron rules put on teams, while another group ignores all that.

I think this trade improved our chances of being a strong franchise for years, but probably lowered our ceiling this year. And still, it was possible to see a scenario where we were just as good now and later. I think that NYK was probably the team that would offer us the most, or at least it sounded like they were the most interested. Personally, I don’t know if trading Towns was the right decision, but this deal could have been the last best chance to get off the merry-go-round where having a few hugely expensive players strangles your team’s future.

I don't see how the trade is making us a stronger franchise? Able to keep 3 role players instead of an all star level player?

Watch DEN and PHI this season. Two and half stars without strong supporting cast.

[TimberKat]

I’ve said this before, but while I appreciate KAT more than most, I understand why Connelly might have made this deal. If you’re GM, you have a very narrow window here.

Many fans, including the owners, love KAT, while another large group have, for years, wanted MIN to get rid of him.

Many fans have wanted the Wolves to form a timeline based on Ant’s age, while another group want us to go for it right now.

Many fans are aware of the incredible restrictions that lux and apron rules put on teams, while another group ignores all that.

I think this trade improved our chances of being a strong franchise for years, but probably lowered our ceiling this year. And still, it was possible to see a scenario where we were just as good now and later. I think that NYK was probably the team that would offer us the most, or at least it sounded like they were the most interested. Personally, I don’t know if trading Towns was the right decision, but this deal could have been the last best chance to get off the merry-go-round where having a few hugely expensive players strangles your team’s future.

I don't see how the trade is making us a stronger franchise? Able to keep 3 role players instead of an all star level player?

Watch DEN and PHI this season. Two and half stars without strong supporting cast.

Can you win with one star and a bunch of role players?

[shrink]

I don't see how the trade is making us a stronger franchise? Able to keep 3 role players instead of an all star level player? It doesn't help us land the next all star. Is NAW or DDV going to be the next Brunson? Is Naz going to be better than Towns?

I hear you, and I don’t know what the future will bring. I doubt anyone outside of the Brunson’s expected him to become a star, so we have 3-4 bites at that apple (I say 4 because Towns makes more than those three’s next contracts).

But even if they don’t, they will likely be starters/rotation players on good contracts, which means they have decent trade value. Under the new apron system, I question whether teams want to pay their #2 options supermax deals. Even if DDV, Naz, NAW and #4 don’t become All Stars, they may be valuable trade pieces we could use to trade for an All Star, but this time one on a reasonable deal. At a minimum, it gives us future flexibility with apron rules and pieces to have options.

[for example, aggregation is a Second Apron restriction. Taking back more money in a deal is a First Apron, so harder to duck]

[shrink]

I don't see how the trade is making us a stronger franchise? Able to keep 3 role players instead of an all star level player?

Watch DEN and PHI this season. Two and half stars without strong supporting cast.

Can you win with one star and a bunch of role players?

Do you consider Jaylen Brown a star? BOS was easily the best team in the NBA last year.

How about the Nuggets the year before? Kawhi’s Raptors?

Ant needs to become a superstar, or the trade doesn’t matter one way or the other. I think he can.

[shrink]

I just wanted to be clear after my last few posts that I’m not sure I disagree with you, TimberKat. Talent consolidation lets you get more on the floor, and creates opportunities for young players to develop. I also am not as opposed to max deals as many posters,so you could certainly be right.

I just don’t see it so cut-and-dry. Having depth of talent usually helps a team win regular season games, and provides insurance against injuries wrecking a season. In the playoffs, having depth of talent makes it harder for opposing teams to target the #5-8 players, because they are still good, and better than opponents depth.

I’m not saying your wrong, I’m saying I can see scenarios where this trade works out.

[thinktank]

It was a cost cutting move sold as a trade off for more flexibility that would help us build around Ant.

Right after we made the WCF.

And we didn’t have to trade KAT at all.

Heck, even “KAT haters” like me had already come around and were looking forward to more gaudy win totals and playoff runs.

[minimus]

I don't see how the trade is making us a stronger franchise? Able to keep 3 role players instead of an all star level player?

Look at DEN and PHI this season. Two and half stars without strong supporting cast.

Can you win with one star and a bunch of role players?

There is a difference between star, superstar on supermax contract, young star on baby max contract etc. With new CBA is extremely difficult to build a balanced, deep roster with two superstars. Even if you are someone like Balmer. It is not only financial issue, it is extremely difficult from operational stand point. But what TC is trying to do instead, is too build a roster around one superstar (Edwards), one aging DPOY (Gobert), one All-NBA defense player (McDaniels), one former All Star (Randle), one 6th player of the year (Reid), and one elite C&S shooter (DDV), plus bunch of young players such as Rob, TJ, Miller, Minott, Clarke.

So this roster has multiple ongoing dynamics, a lot of untapped potential and a lot of issues.

P.S. When I was writing about 2nd apron, I heard voices saying that I was panicking. Well, it turns out that we should have better traded Towns this summer. However, I guess it would look very unpleasant for fanbase because even now fans don't care about 2nd apron, CBA etc. They only want to win now. I understand it, but I simply don't want to whine about objective circumstances. This is how real life is, this is how reality works.