Trade Talk (Part 17): Early Offseason Planning

[Slim Tubby]

Would the Wolves trade McDaniels for White or Garland? Would BOS or CLE?

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[BlacJacMac]

Would the Wolves trade McDaniels for White or Garland? Would BOS or CLE?

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No.

Absolutely not for Garland.

[Slim Tubby]

Would the Wolves trade McDaniels for White or Garland? Would BOS or CLE?

Sent from my N152DL using RealGM mobile app

No.

Absolutely not for Garland.

Interesting. I'm terrible at establishing trade values especially when our players are involved. Would CLE make that trade?

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[BlacJacMac]

Would the Wolves trade McDaniels for White or Garland? Would BOS or CLE?

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No.

Absolutely not for Garland.

Interesting. I'm terrible at establishing trade values especially when our players are involved. Would CLE make that trade?

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Probably.

Garland is very good, but he’s a bit fragile and he and Mitchell are not a good backcourt combo.

[Slim Tubby]

No.

Absolutely not for Garland.

Interesting. I'm terrible at establishing trade values especially when our players are involved. Would CLE make that trade?

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Probably.

Garland is very good, but he’s a bit fragile and he and Mitchell are not a good backcourt combo.

Fair enough. I have a tendency to overvalue the PG position.

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[Neeva]

No.

Absolutely not for Garland.

Interesting. I'm terrible at establishing trade values especially when our players are involved. Would CLE make that trade?

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Probably.

Garland is very good, but he’s a bit fragile and he and Mitchell are not a good backcourt combo.

Garland has been trash two straight post seasons and is small and injury prone that makes 15-18 million more than Jaden in every upcoming season till 2028. Garland would never make all star games if he was in the west.

[minimus]

Interesting. I'm terrible at establishing trade values especially when our players are involved. Would CLE make that trade?

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Probably.

Garland is very good, but he’s a bit fragile and he and Mitchell are not a good backcourt combo.

Garland has been trash two straight post seasons, and is small and injury prone that makes 15-20 million more than Jaden in every upcoming season. Garland would never make all star games if he was in the west.

So was (according to many) Randle. Need to acquire players at the lowest price. But I would not trade Jaden, this is no go for me, unless we get Giannis

[minimus]

What about helping two teams in East? Below is a framework

PHI IN: Julius Randle (PO), #26, #27
PHI OUT: PG13, #3

Why for PHI: Morey is good at identifying talents with low picks, he gets Randle expiring contract and two FRPs, gets rid of PG13 contract

BRO IN: PG13, #3
PHI OUT: Cameron Johnson, #26, #27, Day'Ron Sharpe

Why for BRO: they have four 2025 FRPs (#8, #19, #26 and #27). I would say that could use #3 to create some balance between youth and veterans and draft a player with star potential.

MIN IN: Cameron Johnson
MIN OUT: Julius Randle (PO)

Why for MIN: get a big wing shooter, Cameron Johnson contract has two more guaranteed years 20mil and 22 mil. It will allow us to keep Reid. Let NAW go, and sign a traditional PG Tyus Jones. Draft two bigmen, let say Rasheer Fleming (an athletic stretch four, who has potentail to be solid defender in space and provide rim protection) and Maxime Raynaud (full sized stretch five with good hands). Backup plan Yaxel Lendeborg and Ryan Kalkbrenner

Gobert/Reid/Raynaud
Reid/McDaniels/Fleming
McDaniels/Johnson/TJ
Edwards/Clark/DDV
DDV/Dillingham/Conley

MIN lose Randle's playmaking and physicality, NAW's screen navigation, but adds even more 3PT shooting (Johnson - 39%, 7.2 3PA, Fleming - 39%, 4.5 3PA, Raynaud - 35%, 5.5 3PA) MIN also lose Reid and DDV scoring punch from the bench, but will form a solid bench unit with Johnson as main scorer, Clark as PoA defender and Dillingham as ballhandler.

[frankenwolf]

What about helping two teams in East? Below is a framework

PHI IN: Julius Randle (PO), #26, #27
PHI OUT: PG13, #3

Why for PHI: Morey is good at identifying talents with low picks, he gets Randle expiring contract and two FRPs, gets rid of PG13 contract

BRO IN: PG13, #3
PHI OUT: Cameron Johnson, #26, #27, Day'Ron Sharpe

Why for BRO: they have four 2025 FRPs (#8, #19, #26 and #27). I would say that could use #3 to create some balance between youth and veterans and draft a player with star potential.

MIN IN: Cameron Johnson
MIN OUT: Julius Randle (PO)

Why for MIN: get a big wing shooter, Cameron Johnson contract has two more guaranteed years 20mil and 22 mil. It will allow us to keep Reid. Let NAW go, and sign a traditional PG Tyus Jones. Draft two bigmen, let say Rasheer Fleming (an athletic stretch four, who has potentail to be solid defender in space and provide rim protection) and Maxime Raynaud (full sized stretch five with good hands). Backup plan Yaxel Lendeborg and Ryan Kalkbrenner

Gobert/Reid/Raynaud
Reid/McDaniels/Fleming
McDaniels/Johnson/TJ
Edwards/Clark/DDV
DDV/Dillingham/Conley

MIN lose Randle's playmaking and physicality, NAW's screen navigation, but adds even more 3PT shooting (Johnson - 39%, 7.2 3PA, Fleming - 39%, 4.5 3PA, Raynaud - 35%, 5.5 3PA) MIN also lose Reid and DDV scoring punch from the bench, but will form a solid bench unit with Johnson as main scorer, Clark as PoA defender and Dillingham as ballhandler.

No, I don't see anyone doing that. I don't know why Brooklyn would trade for PG13. They are going rebuild and he would not be happy there. From my view, we don't need more 3pt shooters, we need a young mobile big and for Dilly to be ready to play 30 minutes a game efficiently. While not a fan of Randle, he seems to fit very well with what TC is building here. Just draft a good C/5 that can play defense and catch the balls thrown to him and keep things rolling together.

[minimus]

From my view, we don't need more 3pt shooters, we need a young mobile big and for Dilly to be ready to play 30 minutes a game efficiently.

Right now OKC can:
- double An
- go under every when McDaniels, Randle have the ball
- pre-switch and keep their best PoA defender on Edwards
- pre-switch and keep Holmgren near the rim to provide weak side help

I agree that if TC finds a bigman who can catch the ball pass and finish at rim it will help. But also DDV, Conley and NAW who are our main 3PT shooters dont have length to shoot over when contested. Last year Conley was on elite from 3PT, this season he is not. By adding someone like Cameron Johnson TC provides Edwards with 6' 7'' wing with 6' 10'' wingspan who is high volume, high efficiency shooter, improving passer.

Watch on YouTube

I also think that MIN future is Dillingham running the point, but surrounding Rob and Ant with multiple big shooter might only help.
Reid, Raynaud, Fleming, Johnson, Clark, DDV - these is a solid group assuming that Raynaud, Fleming and Clark will continue to develop 3PT shot in NBA.

Gobert, McDaniels - rim runners
Edwards, Dillingham - slashers

[jpatrick]

From my view, we don't need more 3pt shooters, we need a young mobile big and for Dilly to be ready to play 30 minutes a game efficiently.

Right now OKC can:
- double An
- go under every when McDaniels, Randle have the ball
- pre-switch and keep their best PoA defender on Edwards
- pre-switch and keep Holmgren near the rim to provide weak side help

I agree that if TC finds a bigman who can catch the ball pass and finish at rim it will help. But also DDV, Conley and NAW who are our main 3PT shooters dont have length to shoot over when contested. Last year Conley was on elite from 3PT, this season he is not. By adding someone like Cameron Johnson TC provides Edwards with 6' 7'' wing with 6' 10'' wingspan who is high volume, high efficiency shooter, improving passer.

Watch on YouTube

I also think that MIN future is Dillingham running the point, but surrounding Rob and Ant with multiple big shooter might only help.
Reid, Raynaud, Fleming, Johnson, Clark, DDV - these is a solid group assuming that Raynaud, Fleming and Clark will continue to develop 3PT shot in NBA.

Gobert, McDaniels - rim runners
Edwards, Dillingham - slashers

I agree that a big long shooter would help this team. That’s why I’d like someone like Cedric Coward at 17.

I like Johnson, but he makes over 20m next year and would cost assets. What are we sending out? McDaniels? DDV and somehow come up with another 10m? I doubt the Nets would want any kind of S/T, as not sure if NAW or Naz fit what they’re doing and if they did, they could just sign them outright.

Edit: I just saw Johnson and didn’t read the entire trade idea. My bad.

[Slim Tubby]

What about helping two teams in East? Below is a framework

PHI IN: Julius Randle (PO), #26, #27
PHI OUT: PG13, #3

Why for PHI: Morey is good at identifying talents with low picks, he gets Randle expiring contract and two FRPs, gets rid of PG13 contract

BRO IN: PG13, #3
PHI OUT: Cameron Johnson, #26, #27, Day'Ron Sharpe

Why for BRO: they have four 2025 FRPs (#8, #19, #26 and #27). I would say that could use #3 to create some balance between youth and veterans and draft a player with star potential.

MIN IN: Cameron Johnson
MIN OUT: Julius Randle (PO)

Why for MIN: get a big wing shooter, Cameron Johnson contract has two more guaranteed years 20mil and 22 mil. It will allow us to keep Reid. Let NAW go, and sign a traditional PG Tyus Jones. Draft two bigmen, let say Rasheer Fleming (an athletic stretch four, who has potentail to be solid defender in space and provide rim protection) and Maxime Raynaud (full sized stretch five with good hands). Backup plan Yaxel Lendeborg and Ryan Kalkbrenner

Gobert/Reid/Raynaud
Reid/McDaniels/Fleming
McDaniels/Johnson/TJ
Edwards/Clark/DDV
DDV/Dillingham/Conley

MIN lose Randle's playmaking and physicality, NAW's screen navigation, but adds even more 3PT shooting (Johnson - 39%, 7.2 3PA, Fleming - 39%, 4.5 3PA, Raynaud - 35%, 5.5 3PA) MIN also lose Reid and DDV scoring punch from the bench, but will form a solid bench unit with Johnson as main scorer, Clark as PoA defender and Dillingham as ballhandler.

The Nets are looking at a huge rebuild so Paul George makes little sense at first glance. However, getting #3 certainly fits that direction and could justify eating George's salary.

One suggestion from the Trade Board that makes a lot of sense to me is GS sending Kuminga to BKN for Johnson. That would seem to fit the 2025-26 narrative for both teams.

My guess at this point is the Wolves will bring back Randle on a deal close to 3/$115M. We have some decent trade assets in Reid (S&T), DDV, #17 and #31 to improve the team if we go in that direction.

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[BlacJacMac]

What about helping two teams in East? Below is a framework

PHI IN: Julius Randle (PO), #26, #27
PHI OUT: PG13, #3

Why for PHI: Morey is good at identifying talents with low picks, he gets Randle expiring contract and two FRPs, gets rid of PG13 contract

BRO IN: PG13, #3
PHI OUT: Cameron Johnson, #26, #27, Day'Ron Sharpe

Why for BRO: they have four 2025 FRPs (#8, #19, #26 and #27). I would say that could use #3 to create some balance between youth and veterans and draft a player with star potential.

MIN IN: Cameron Johnson
MIN OUT: Julius Randle (PO)

Why for MIN: get a big wing shooter, Cameron Johnson contract has two more guaranteed years 20mil and 22 mil. It will allow us to keep Reid. Let NAW go, and sign a traditional PG Tyus Jones. Draft two bigmen, let say Rasheer Fleming (an athletic stretch four, who has potentail to be solid defender in space and provide rim protection) and Maxime Raynaud (full sized stretch five with good hands). Backup plan Yaxel Lendeborg and Ryan Kalkbrenner

Gobert/Reid/Raynaud
Reid/McDaniels/Fleming
McDaniels/Johnson/TJ
Edwards/Clark/DDV
DDV/Dillingham/Conley

MIN lose Randle's playmaking and physicality, NAW's screen navigation, but adds even more 3PT shooting (Johnson - 39%, 7.2 3PA, Fleming - 39%, 4.5 3PA, Raynaud - 35%, 5.5 3PA) MIN also lose Reid and DDV scoring punch from the bench, but will form a solid bench unit with Johnson as main scorer, Clark as PoA defender and Dillingham as ballhandler.

That starting lineup has almost no playmaking at all. We become a worse rebounding team and we lose the one guy who can play defense against the more physical players.

[minimus]

That starting lineup has almost no playmaking at all. We become a worse rebounding team and we lose the one guy who can play defense against the more physical players.

Agree. Trade Reid, keep Randle? Will it look better?

Gobert/Raynaud/Fleming
Randle/McDaniels/Fleming
McDaniels/Johnson/TJ
Edwards/Clark/DDV
DDV/Dillingham/Conley

[minimus]

Watching Conley being the only one reliable ballhandler and passer I am wondering whether swapping Conley for Tyus Jones could be the easiest plug and play solution to make our offense work.

P.S. I also dont see better passers than Tyus at 17th in current draft

[minimus]

Basically what MIN had a year ago was:

- starting PF who could not beat double teams, and could not shoot more threes
- backup PF/C/SF/PG who could not shoot
- void at backup PG position

After that TC had limited options to fix the problem, and he decided that Randle, DDV and DET FRP was the best available solution at that moment.
Basically what MIN have right now is:

- a veteran PG Conley who cant/shouldnt play whole game (because of age): 24.5MPG, 6.5PPG, 3.7APG, 32% FG, 33% 3PT
- a veteran С Gobert who who cant/shouldnt play whole game (because of matchup issues): 27.6MPG, 8PPG, 9RPG, 1.3BPG
- a backup bigman Reid who in theory should provide a scoring punch: 25.8MPG, 10.3PPG, 47% FG, 37% 3PT
- a backup PG DDV who in theory should provide 3PT shooting: 25.8MPG, 8PPG, 3.3APG, 32% FG, 26% 3PT

I wonder what TC next step will be. Trade for KD? Trade Gobert? Trade Randle?

[LSWF]

I think there should be two untouchable players (Edwards, McDaniels). Two more that we should try to keep (NAW, Naz). I'm fine with keeping Gobert. After that I'm open to any moves TC makes.

I expect Rob and Mike to be good at PG next year. That is of course if TC and Finch think Rob will be ready.

Hope the team targets a playable back up two way center/rim protector and can add a big switchy wing in the draft or free agency. Of course we may have some of this on the bench already. But you can never have too many big switchable wings.

[shrink]

Watching Conley being the only one reliable ballhandler and passer I am wondering whether swapping Conley for Tyus Jones could be the easiest plug and play solution to make our offense work.

P.S. I also dont see better passers than Tyus at 17th in current draft

It would be a godsend if Tyus spent a year here on a vet min deal. But even though he was neglected by PHX throughout the season, he still put up decent enough numbers.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesty01.html

Sign-and-trades would be tough for both PHX and MIN because of our apron issues.

[shrink]

Maybe this is the wrong time to ask, but do you think that reaching Western Conference Playoffs again this year is enough for ARod and Lore to want to bring it back, or do you foresee changes?

[jpatrick]

Maybe this is the wrong time to ask, but do you think that reaching Western Conference Playoffs again this year is enough for ARod and Lore to want to bring it back, or do you foresee changes?

I think it depends on what you mean by changes. Outside of a championship, I don’t see any way we go over the second apron. And we are fairly asset poor to make major deals. My guess is we try to lock in Randle, Naz, and NAW to reasonable deals; maybe a small deal or free against contract to a backup center and/or PG; and run it back. NAW the most likely to not be back. If we could get value for Rudy, real value, I’d move him. He is a very helpful floor raiser during the regular season, but I don’t see any way he’s a top three player on a championship team. He just is too useless on the offensive end. Which makes it difficult on everyone else. As OKC shows, you need everyone to be two-way to some extent. Rudy would be fine at 15-20m/year, but he hurts at 35m.