2025 NBA Draft Thread: Detroit Pick Edition

[DaMplsKid]

I mean come on this guy has to be a timberwolve right? A point forward 7'0 footer. He has a lot of Sengun and Joker in his game. His turnovers are way to high for me right now, he doesn't shoot well from the FT line and he is older for the draft class but the way he see to court and moves the ball rebounds and size are a prefect fit with our current roster. Plus the last name come on.

Danny Wolf Michigan

[url]

Watch on YouTube

[/url]

[TheZachAttack]

I'd love to see the Wolves bolster the Piston's playoff chances with a Randle trade . I think players like Ivey, Sasser, Duran, Beasley, Hardaway Jr and Isiah Stewart are all pretty interesting and would help the Wolves. One interesting thing about Detroit is that they may also be willing to give up more value if we gave them back the rights to their pick.

The most realistic trade is probably something like Sasser/Hardaway Jr or Beasley/Isiah Stewart for Randle and pieces. I think we would want Ivey or Duran included but Detroit doesn't have a great other options at C and Ivey's injury makes it tough to trade for him. In addition, there's not a guarantee that Randle would sign which is part of why including the pick could be beneficial.

I think I'd personally be willing to do something like

Stewart (15m)
Beasley or Hardaway Jr (6m or 16m)
Sasser (2.7m)

for

Randle (33m)
Unprotecting the Detroit pick
Filler players

This would allow the Wolves to add another shooter, a backup center behind Rudy, and a good shooter like Beasley or a microwave bench scorer in Hardaway Jr. Sasser has a lot of Conley/Tyus type qualities to his game. Stewart has shown flashes as a shooter and can play the 5 or the 4. Beasley or Hardaway Jr would help give the Wolves more shooting and ball handling creation and be options fo the Wolves to use the MLE next year to retain one of them if the fit works.

I think Hardaway Jr may be a better fit this year. But Beasley's shooting is interesting to add to this team.

[winforlose]

I'd love to see the Wolves bolster the Piston's playoff chances with a Randle trade . I think players like Ivey, Sasser, Duran, Beasley, Hardaway Jr and Isiah Stewart are all pretty interesting and would help the Wolves. One interesting thing about Detroit is that they may also be willing to give up more value if we gave them back the rights to their pick.

The most realistic trade is probably something like Sasser/Hardaway Jr or Beasley/Isiah Stewart for Randle and pieces. I think we would want Ivey or Duran included but Detroit doesn't have a great other options at C and Ivey's injury makes it tough to trade for him. In addition, there's not a guarantee that Randle would sign which is part of why including the pick could be beneficial.

I think I'd personally be willing to do something like

Stewart (15m)
Beasley or Hardaway Jr (6m or 16m)
Sasser (2.7m)

for

Randle (33m)
Unprotecting the Detroit pick
Filler players

This would allow the Wolves to add another shooter, a backup center behind Rudy, and a good shooter like Beasley or a microwave bench scorer in Hardaway Jr. Sasser has a lot of Conley/Tyus type qualities to his game. Stewart has shown flashes as a shooter and can play the 5 or the 4. Beasley or Hardaway Jr would help give the Wolves more shooting and ball handling creation and be options fo the Wolves to use the MLE next year to retain one of them if the fit works.

I think Hardaway Jr may be a better fit this year. But Beasley's shooting is interesting to add to this team.

There are 3 things to balance.

1. The Wolves are salary phobic. The more we take back the harder it is to retain NAW and Naz. So much so in fact that I have started to question the value of keeping NAW. He plays our deepest position, he had a terrible playoff performance, his overall production is limited in real minutes, and while his defense is excellent, his contract is his true value. Going from 4 and change to 15+ is hard for us to handle while also improving.

2. Detroit will only make a deal that makes them better. Beasley is one of their leading scorers. Thompson and Sasser are vital to their defense. I see a deal between the Wolves and Pistons as a 3 team moving Harris to a 3rd team, improving Harris with Randle and getting their pick restored. If we send NAW to that 3rd team and return Stewart and player X the question is who is player X?

3. When rebuilding teams make their run they don’t want to be too young, but they also don’t want to get too old. You say filler, but the Wolves only have 2 filler players (Garza and Jingles.) When we get past them now we are into prospects. We cannot hand over prospects as filler unless we are getting them back as well. Details matter in a trade like this.

[TheZachAttack]

I'd love to see the Wolves bolster the Piston's playoff chances with a Randle trade . I think players like Ivey, Sasser, Duran, Beasley, Hardaway Jr and Isiah Stewart are all pretty interesting and would help the Wolves. One interesting thing about Detroit is that they may also be willing to give up more value if we gave them back the rights to their pick.

The most realistic trade is probably something like Sasser/Hardaway Jr or Beasley/Isiah Stewart for Randle and pieces. I think we would want Ivey or Duran included but Detroit doesn't have a great other options at C and Ivey's injury makes it tough to trade for him. In addition, there's not a guarantee that Randle would sign which is part of why including the pick could be beneficial.

I think I'd personally be willing to do something like

Stewart (15m)
Beasley or Hardaway Jr (6m or 16m)
Sasser (2.7m)

for

Randle (33m)
Unprotecting the Detroit pick
Filler players

This would allow the Wolves to add another shooter, a backup center behind Rudy, and a good shooter like Beasley or a microwave bench scorer in Hardaway Jr. Sasser has a lot of Conley/Tyus type qualities to his game. Stewart has shown flashes as a shooter and can play the 5 or the 4. Beasley or Hardaway Jr would help give the Wolves more shooting and ball handling creation and be options fo the Wolves to use the MLE next year to retain one of them if the fit works.

I think Hardaway Jr may be a better fit this year. But Beasley's shooting is interesting to add to this team.

There are 3 things to balance.

1. The Wolves are salary phobic. The more we take back the harder it is to retain NAW and Naz. So much so in fact that I have started to question the value of keeping NAW. He plays our deepest position, he had a terrible playoff performance, his overall production is limited in real minutes, and while his defense is excellent, his contract is his true value. Going from 4 and change to 15+ is hard for us to handle while also improving.

Hardaway Jr is an expiring contract. He did struggle in the playoffs, especially after his injury but I think he's taken steps forward and I think is decisiveness and spacing is a contributor to the lineups in which the Wolves look good. I think he is worth a 15m contract

2. Detroit will only make a deal that makes them better. Beasley is one of their leading scorers. Thompson and Sasser are vital to their defense. I see a deal between the Wolves and Pistons as a 3 team moving Harris to a 3rd team, improving Harris with Randle and getting their pick restored. If we send NAW to that 3rd team and return Stewart and player X the question is who is player X?

I think Randle makes Detroit better this year, especially with Ivey's injury. I think if you add another prospect like Leonard Miller they can also create certainty in their future ability to add assets around their core.

3. When rebuilding teams make their run they don’t want to be too young, but they also don’t want to get too old. You say filler, but the Wolves only have 2 filler players (Garza and Jingles.) When we get past them now we are into prospects. We cannot hand over prospects as filler unless we are getting them back as well. Details matter in a trade like this.

I'd add Leonard Miller to the deal to allow them to move off of Stewart. I was starting discussion on a trade. I think when you look at Hardaway Jr (16.6m), Stewart (15m), and Sasser (2.7m) you get to 34.3m. On the Wolves side Randle (33m) and Miller (1.9m) means we are taking in about .6m less than we are sending out. This deal works even in the apron world we are in.

I don't think we are getting back better players and we are actually paying a lot to move out, but I think the Wolves would be a team that is in position to play better than the sum of its parts. Next year, Hardaway expiring allows you to then sign Naz and Naw to bigger deals.

Starters

Gobert
Naz
Jaden
Ant
Dante

Bench

Rob
Sasser
NAW
Stewart
Minott
Shannon Jr

[winforlose]

I'd love to see the Wolves bolster the Piston's playoff chances with a Randle trade . I think players like Ivey, Sasser, Duran, Beasley, Hardaway Jr and Isiah Stewart are all pretty interesting and would help the Wolves. One interesting thing about Detroit is that they may also be willing to give up more value if we gave them back the rights to their pick.

The most realistic trade is probably something like Sasser/Hardaway Jr or Beasley/Isiah Stewart for Randle and pieces. I think we would want Ivey or Duran included but Detroit doesn't have a great other options at C and Ivey's injury makes it tough to trade for him. In addition, there's not a guarantee that Randle would sign which is part of why including the pick could be beneficial.

I think I'd personally be willing to do something like

Stewart (15m)
Beasley or Hardaway Jr (6m or 16m)
Sasser (2.7m)

for

Randle (33m)
Unprotecting the Detroit pick
Filler players

This would allow the Wolves to add another shooter, a backup center behind Rudy, and a good shooter like Beasley or a microwave bench scorer in Hardaway Jr. Sasser has a lot of Conley/Tyus type qualities to his game. Stewart has shown flashes as a shooter and can play the 5 or the 4. Beasley or Hardaway Jr would help give the Wolves more shooting and ball handling creation and be options fo the Wolves to use the MLE next year to retain one of them if the fit works.

I think Hardaway Jr may be a better fit this year. But Beasley's shooting is interesting to add to this team.

There are 3 things to balance.

1. The Wolves are salary phobic. The more we take back the harder it is to retain NAW and Naz. So much so in fact that I have started to question the value of keeping NAW. He plays our deepest position, he had a terrible playoff performance, his overall production is limited in real minutes, and while his defense is excellent, his contract is his true value. Going from 4 and change to 15+ is hard for us to handle while also improving.

Hardaway Jr is an expiring contract. He did struggle in the playoffs, especially after his injury but I think he's taken steps forward and I think is decisiveness and spacing is a contributor to the lineups in which the Wolves look good. I think he is worth a 15m contract

2. Detroit will only make a deal that makes them better. Beasley is one of their leading scorers. Thompson and Sasser are vital to their defense. I see a deal between the Wolves and Pistons as a 3 team moving Harris to a 3rd team, improving Harris with Randle and getting their pick restored. If we send NAW to that 3rd team and return Stewart and player X the question is who is player X?

I think Randle makes Detroit better this year, especially with Ivey's injury. I think if you add another prospect like Leonard Miller they can also create certainty in their future ability to add assets around their core.

3. When rebuilding teams make their run they don’t want to be too young, but they also don’t want to get too old. You say filler, but the Wolves only have 2 filler players (Garza and Jingles.) When we get past them now we are into prospects. We cannot hand over prospects as filler unless we are getting them back as well. Details matter in a trade like this.

I'd add Leonard Miller to the deal to allow them to move off of Stewart. I was starting discussion on a trade. I think when you look at Hardaway Jr (16.6m), Stewart (15m), and Sasser (2.7m) you get to 34.3m. On the Wolves side Randle (33m) and Miller (1.9m) means we are taking in about .6m less than we are sending out. This deal works even in the apron world we are in.

I don't think we are getting back better players and we are actually paying a lot to move out, but I think the Wolves would be a team that is in position to play better than the sum of its parts. Next year, Hardaway expiring allows you to then sign Naz and Naw to bigger deals.

Starters

Gobert
Naz
Jaden
Ant
Dante

Bench

Rob
Sasser
NAW
Stewart
Minott
Shannon Jr

Putting everything else aside you missed the 2nd apron. We cannot aggregate. So you can trade Randle for 3 but their money must be below his current money. You can do 2 trades, but Miller must be above one of the other players. In this case the 3 exceed Randle and Miller’s money cannot help.

[minimus]

I am a bit concerned with Stewart lack of self awareness. Yes, he is athletic, physical, mobile big, but I have seen being out of control many times. I also kind of prefer bigmen who has potential to develop either passing skills or three point shooting skills or playing high IQ basketball.

[TheZachAttack]

There are 3 things to balance.

1. The Wolves are salary phobic. The more we take back the harder it is to retain NAW and Naz. So much so in fact that I have started to question the value of keeping NAW. He plays our deepest position, he had a terrible playoff performance, his overall production is limited in real minutes, and while his defense is excellent, his contract is his true value. Going from 4 and change to 15+ is hard for us to handle while also improving.

Hardaway Jr is an expiring contract. He did struggle in the playoffs, especially after his injury but I think he's taken steps forward and I think is decisiveness and spacing is a contributor to the lineups in which the Wolves look good. I think he is worth a 15m contract

2. Detroit will only make a deal that makes them better. Beasley is one of their leading scorers. Thompson and Sasser are vital to their defense. I see a deal between the Wolves and Pistons as a 3 team moving Harris to a 3rd team, improving Harris with Randle and getting their pick restored. If we send NAW to that 3rd team and return Stewart and player X the question is who is player X?

I think Randle makes Detroit better this year, especially with Ivey's injury. I think if you add another prospect like Leonard Miller they can also create certainty in their future ability to add assets around their core.

3. When rebuilding teams make their run they don’t want to be too young, but they also don’t want to get too old. You say filler, but the Wolves only have 2 filler players (Garza and Jingles.) When we get past them now we are into prospects. We cannot hand over prospects as filler unless we are getting them back as well. Details matter in a trade like this.

I'd add Leonard Miller to the deal to allow them to move off of Stewart. I was starting discussion on a trade. I think when you look at Hardaway Jr (16.6m), Stewart (15m), and Sasser (2.7m) you get to 34.3m. On the Wolves side Randle (33m) and Miller (1.9m) means we are taking in about .6m less than we are sending out. This deal works even in the apron world we are in.

I don't think we are getting back better players and we are actually paying a lot to move out, but I think the Wolves would be a team that is in position to play better than the sum of its parts. Next year, Hardaway expiring allows you to then sign Naz and Naw to bigger deals.

Starters

Gobert
Naz
Jaden
Ant
Dante

Bench

Rob
Sasser
NAW
Stewart
Minott
Shannon Jr

Putting everything else aside you missed the 2nd apron. We cannot aggregate. So you can trade Randle for 3 but their money must be below his current money. You can do 2 trades, but Miller must be above one of the other players. In this case the 3 exceed Randle and Miller’s money cannot help.

How is this the case? The total money coming in is less than the money coming out (34.3m vs 34.9m)?

[TheZachAttack]

I am a bit concerned with Stewart lack of self awareness. Yes, he is athletic, physical, mobile big, but I have seen being out of control many times. I also kind of prefer bigmen who has potential to develop either passing skills or three point shooting skills or playing high IQ basketball.

I think it’s more about elevating the rest of our roster into roles and allowing Finch to be more versatile with lineups — think the Wolves without KAT last year.

[winforlose]

I'd add Leonard Miller to the deal to allow them to move off of Stewart. I was starting discussion on a trade. I think when you look at Hardaway Jr (16.6m), Stewart (15m), and Sasser (2.7m) you get to 34.3m. On the Wolves side Randle (33m) and Miller (1.9m) means we are taking in about .6m less than we are sending out. This deal works even in the apron world we are in.

I don't think we are getting back better players and we are actually paying a lot to move out, but I think the Wolves would be a team that is in position to play better than the sum of its parts. Next year, Hardaway expiring allows you to then sign Naz and Naw to bigger deals.

Starters

Gobert
Naz
Jaden
Ant
Dante

Bench

Rob
Sasser
NAW
Stewart
Minott
Shannon Jr

Putting everything else aside you missed the 2nd apron. We cannot aggregate. So you can trade Randle for 3 but their money must be below his current money. You can do 2 trades, but Miller must be above one of the other players. In this case the 3 exceed Randle and Miller’s money cannot help.

How is this the case? The total money coming in is less than the money coming out (34.3m vs 34.9m)?

Total money trades are not the same as second apron trades. we cannot combine salaries for matching purposes. Miller is the smallest contract. Which means Miller cannot be factored in for money out. Pretend you gave them Miller in a 2nd trade for no return. Randle’s money out must not exceed the money in. Shrink posted some examples in the trade thread to help you understand.

[TheZachAttack]

Putting everything else aside you missed the 2nd apron. We cannot aggregate. So you can trade Randle for 3 but their money must be below his current money. You can do 2 trades, but Miller must be above one of the other players. In this case the 3 exceed Randle and Miller’s money cannot help.

How is this the case? The total money coming in is less than the money coming out (34.3m vs 34.9m)?

Total money trades are not the same as second apron trades. we cannot combine salaries for matching purposes. Miller is the smallest deal. Which means Miller cannot be factored in for money out. Pretend you gave them Miller in a 2nd trade for no return. Randle’s money out must not exceed the money in. Shrink posted some examples above to help you understand.

Then just add Joe Ingles. I think it’s more interesting to discuss the construction and what it would make the roster look like. It seems like a more plausible trade format to what we could expect then what I see discussed here.

[winforlose]

How is this the case? The total money coming in is less than the money coming out (34.3m vs 34.9m)?

Total money trades are not the same as second apron trades. we cannot combine salaries for matching purposes. Miller is the smallest deal. Which means Miller cannot be factored in for money out. Pretend you gave them Miller in a 2nd trade for no return. Randle’s money out must not exceed the money in. Shrink posted some examples above to help you understand.

Then just add Joe Ingles. I think it’s more interesting to discuss the construction and what it would make the roster look like. It seems like a more plausible trade format to what we could expect then what I see discussed here.

It still doesn’t work. You cannot combine Miller and Jingles, and Jingles is below the lowest salary for Detroit.

[Klomp]

I'd love to see the Wolves bolster the Piston's playoff chances with a Randle trade . I think players like Ivey, Sasser, Duran, Beasley, Hardaway Jr and Isiah Stewart are all pretty interesting and would help the Wolves. One interesting thing about Detroit is that they may also be willing to give up more value if we gave them back the rights to their pick.

The most realistic trade is probably something like Sasser/Hardaway Jr or Beasley/Isiah Stewart for Randle and pieces. I think we would want Ivey or Duran included but Detroit doesn't have a great other options at C and Ivey's injury makes it tough to trade for him. In addition, there's not a guarantee that Randle would sign which is part of why including the pick could be beneficial.

I think I'd personally be willing to do something like

Stewart (15m)
Beasley or Hardaway Jr (6m or 16m)
Sasser (2.7m)

for

Randle (33m)
Unprotecting the Detroit pick
Filler players

This would allow the Wolves to add another shooter, a backup center behind Rudy, and a good shooter like Beasley or a microwave bench scorer in Hardaway Jr. Sasser has a lot of Conley/Tyus type qualities to his game. Stewart has shown flashes as a shooter and can play the 5 or the 4. Beasley or Hardaway Jr would help give the Wolves more shooting and ball handling creation and be options fo the Wolves to use the MLE next year to retain one of them if the fit works.

I think Hardaway Jr may be a better fit this year. But Beasley's shooting is interesting to add to this team.

With the salary explanation from Dane, I no longer think this kind of a deal is as realistic. Stewart (or anyone we trade for in the $10-15M range) would likely be replacing one of Naz, NAW or a MLE option on the 2025-26 roster.

[shangrila]

I'm not usually a stickler for the rules but this is a draft thread. Maybe take the trade talk to that one?

[shangrila]

I mean come on this guy has to be a timberwolve right? A point forward 7'0 footer. He has a lot of Sengun and Joker in his game. His turnovers are way to high for me right now, he doesn't shoot well from the FT line and he is older for the draft class but the way he see to court and moves the ball rebounds and size are a prefect fit with our current roster. Plus the last name come on.

Danny Wolf Michigan

[url]

Watch on YouTube

[/url]

He's a really intriguing talent. I'd actually compare him to Naz in the way he could play both a wing and big man role within the offence.

He's incredibly fluid for a guy his size so I think he could comfortably play on the perimetre defensively. I also like his IQ on that end as he seems to make good reads in terms of switching and moving off ball, although he's far from perfect. His playmaking is impressive especially at 7ft, but he also doesn't struggle with the traditional big man responsibilities like rebounding.

The shooting needs refining, as you point out, but the form doesn't look horrible. I also think his turnovers are directly related to his high handle, which is also something that should be able to be refined by a development coach (and may be less of an issue in the more spaced out NBA; i.e. less people in the paint and able to dig in when he's driving).

I'd take him with the Jazz pick easily but he might end up going higher. Not high enough to be worth taking with the Pistons pick if it conveys, so maybe either a trade down from there or a trade up from the Jazz pick might be necessary.

[TheZachAttack]

I'd love to see the Wolves bolster the Piston's playoff chances with a Randle trade . I think players like Ivey, Sasser, Duran, Beasley, Hardaway Jr and Isiah Stewart are all pretty interesting and would help the Wolves. One interesting thing about Detroit is that they may also be willing to give up more value if we gave them back the rights to their pick.

The most realistic trade is probably something like Sasser/Hardaway Jr or Beasley/Isiah Stewart for Randle and pieces. I think we would want Ivey or Duran included but Detroit doesn't have a great other options at C and Ivey's injury makes it tough to trade for him. In addition, there's not a guarantee that Randle would sign which is part of why including the pick could be beneficial.

I think I'd personally be willing to do something like

Stewart (15m)
Beasley or Hardaway Jr (6m or 16m)
Sasser (2.7m)

for

Randle (33m)
Unprotecting the Detroit pick
Filler players

This would allow the Wolves to add another shooter, a backup center behind Rudy, and a good shooter like Beasley or a microwave bench scorer in Hardaway Jr. Sasser has a lot of Conley/Tyus type qualities to his game. Stewart has shown flashes as a shooter and can play the 5 or the 4. Beasley or Hardaway Jr would help give the Wolves more shooting and ball handling creation and be options fo the Wolves to use the MLE next year to retain one of them if the fit works.

I think Hardaway Jr may be a better fit this year. But Beasley's shooting is interesting to add to this team.

With the salary explanation from Dane, I no longer think this kind of a deal is as realistic. Stewart (or anyone we trade for in the $10-15M range) would likely be replacing one of Naz, NAW or a MLE option on the 2025-26 roster.

Yes, replacing the MLE option.

[TheZachAttack]

I'm not usually a stickler for the rules but this is a draft thread. Maybe take the trade talk to that one?

I think talking about Detroit winning and the pick conveying and what that might mean specifically with trading with the Pistons is in the scope (and draft talk), but fair.

[TheZachAttack]

Total money trades are not the same as second apron trades. we cannot combine salaries for matching purposes. Miller is the smallest deal. Which means Miller cannot be factored in for money out. Pretend you gave them Miller in a 2nd trade for no return. Randle’s money out must not exceed the money in. Shrink posted some examples above to help you understand.

Then just add Joe Ingles. I think it’s more interesting to discuss the construction and what it would make the roster look like. It seems like a more plausible trade format to what we could expect then what I see discussed here.

It still doesn’t work. You cannot combine Miller and Jingles, and Jingles is below the lowest salary for Detroit.

Alright then add some Detroit prospect who is below Miller.

[Mattya]

I mean come on this guy has to be a timberwolve right? A point forward 7'0 footer. He has a lot of Sengun and Joker in his game. His turnovers are way to high for me right now, he doesn't shoot well from the FT line and he is older for the draft class but the way he see to court and moves the ball rebounds and size are a prefect fit with our current roster. Plus the last name come on.

Danny Wolf Michigan

[url]

Watch on YouTube

[/url]

He's a really intriguing talent. I'd actually compare him to Naz in the way he could play both a wing and big man role within the offence.

He's incredibly fluid for a guy his size so I think he could comfortably play on the perimetre defensively. I also like his IQ on that end as he seems to make good reads in terms of switching and moving off ball, although he's far from perfect. His playmaking is impressive especially at 7ft, but he also doesn't struggle with the traditional big man responsibilities like rebounding.

The shooting needs refining, as you point out, but the form doesn't look horrible. I also think his turnovers are directly related to his high handle, which is also something that should be able to be refined by a development coach (and may be less of an issue in the more spaced out NBA; i.e. less people in the paint and able to dig in when he's driving).

I'd take him with the Jazz pick easily but he might end up going higher. Not high enough to be worth taking with the Pistons pick if it conveys, so maybe either a trade down from there or a trade up from the Jazz pick might be necessary.

Yea this guy looks incredible. I’ll go as far as saying you might be able to convince me to take him with the Detroit pick. I’d definitely trade up from the Jazz pick. He has an elite skill for his position. He could play the Kyle Anderson role minus the perimeter defense, but better floor spacing. Run a bunch of dribble hand offs with Ant could be unstoppable.

[Klomp]

Yeah I'm in on him...

Read on Twitter

[winforlose]

So why isn’t he a lottery pick?