Trade Talk (Part 17): Early Offseason Planning

[BlacJacMac]

Randle already opt out. If he plays for Wolves again, it will be under a new contract

This is totally wrong.

In the 2025 NBA season, the deadline for players to exercise or decline player options is June 29 (4 days after Day 1 of the draft). This is also the last day for teams to make qualifying offers to players eligible for restricted free agency.

I must miss read some report that had them already opt out but maybe it's just likely but not officially.

I would say its more likely he opts in. And then either gets an extension, gets traded or waits it out for next offseason.

Its not in his best interests to opt out.

[wolves_89]

This is totally wrong.

In the 2025 NBA season, the deadline for players to exercise or decline player options is June 29 (4 days after Day 1 of the draft). This is also the last day for teams to make qualifying offers to players eligible for restricted free agency.

I must miss read some report that had them already opt out but maybe it's just likely but not officially.

I would say its more likely he opts in. And then either gets an extension, gets traded or waits it out for next offseason.

Its not in his best interests to opt out.

I would bet the only way Randle opts out is if he and the Wolves come to an agreement on a new contract before the opt out date.

[moss_is_1]

Let's play a game called what's likely going to happen...
NAW is gone, Randle will be gone, Naz will be extended.

PG - Conley Jr, Dillingham
SG - Ant, DD, Clark
SF - McDaniels, TSJ, Minott
PF - Naz, ???, Miller
C. - Gobert, ????, Garza

Simple free agent vet PG - Tyus Jones
Draft 17 and 31 BPA at PF/C

What are we getting for Randle? I doubt we just let him walk.

Besides Tyus there's a few decent guard options. Brogdon, Melton, Bruce Brown

We really don't have a choice if he opts out of his contract.

Jones is the best pure PG out of that group

If he opt out then who's going to pay him enough to leave us?

Jones is the best PG there, but the worst defender. I'm not sure we need a pure PG.

[BlacJacMac]

I must miss read some report that had them already opt out but maybe it's just likely but not officially.

I would say its more likely he opts in. And then either gets an extension, gets traded or waits it out for next offseason.

Its not in his best interests to opt out.

I would bet the only way Randle opts out is if he and the Wolves come to an agreement on a new contract before the opt out date.

Exactly.

Otherwise its way too big of a risk for him. I don't see him giving up his Bird Rights so he can sign for the MLE somewhere.

[Norseman79]

What are we getting for Randle? I doubt we just let him walk.

Besides Tyus there's a few decent guard options. Brogdon, Melton, Bruce Brown

We really don't have a choice if he opts out of his contract.

Jones is the best pure PG out of that group

If he opt out then who's going to pay him enough to leave us?

Jones is the best PG there, but the worst defender. I'm not sure we need a pure PG.

Never know. Agents could be in touch with other teams that can offer different things

[BlacJacMac]

We really don't have a choice if he opts out of his contract.

Jones is the best pure PG out of that group

If he opt out then who's going to pay him enough to leave us?

Jones is the best PG there, but the worst defender. I'm not sure we need a pure PG.

Never know. Agents could be in touch with other teams that can offer different things

Its possible some team is going to dump enough salary to be able to bring in Randle at a number bigger than his option. But that doesn't seem likely.

[Norseman79]

If he opt out then who's going to pay him enough to leave us?

Jones is the best PG there, but the worst defender. I'm not sure we need a pure PG.

Never know. Agents could be in touch with other teams that can offer different things

Its possible some team is going to dump enough salary to be able to bring in Randle at a number bigger than his option. But that doesn't seem likely.

There are also things like years, location, income tax, role, etc...

[BlacJacMac]

Never know. Agents could be in touch with other teams that can offer different things

Its possible some team is going to dump enough salary to be able to bring in Randle at a number bigger than his option. But that doesn't seem likely.

There are also things like years, location, income tax, role, etc...

For sure. If he’s not concerned about money, he has tons of options.

[jpatrick]

Yeah, I don’t see Randle opting out unless it’s to sign a new contract here. There is just no money out there for him. Nets are not going to sign him. Pistons could clear salary, but I don’t see him as their missing piece. And I don’t see us being an excited to sign/trade him. Not a lot of 30m trade exceptions out there, and we’re not taking on 30m in salary in the trade for a lesser player and a small asset, which is usually what you get in a s/t.

I think he either opts in, or he opts out and we sign him to a 3-4 year contract for an annual value of his player option. So 3yrs/95m or 4yrs/125. This would mean next year he’d probably be making about 26-27m, with annual raises. That starting salary would give us a little more room under the second apron to sign Naz and/or NAW compared to if he opted in.

[Norseman79]

Yeah, I don’t see Randle opting out unless it’s to sign a new contract here. There is just no money out there for him. Nets are not going to sign him. Pistons could clear salary, but I don’t see him as their missing piece. And I don’t see us being an excited to sign/trade him. Not a lot of 30m trade exceptions out there, and we’re not taking on 30m in salary in the trade for a lesser player and a small asset, which is usually what you get in a s/t.

I think he either opts in, or he opts out and we sign him to a 3-4 year contract for an annual value of his player option. So 3yrs/95m or 4yrs/125. This would mean next year he’d probably be making about 26-27m, with annual raises. That starting salary would give us a little more room under the second apron to sign Naz and/or NAW compared to if he opted in.

I would be very disappointed in this.

[Loaf_of_bread]

Yeah, I don’t see Randle opting out unless it’s to sign a new contract here. There is just no money out there for him. Nets are not going to sign him. Pistons could clear salary, but I don’t see him as their missing piece. And I don’t see us being an excited to sign/trade him. Not a lot of 30m trade exceptions out there, and we’re not taking on 30m in salary in the trade for a lesser player and a small asset, which is usually what you get in a s/t.

I think he either opts in, or he opts out and we sign him to a 3-4 year contract for an annual value of his player option. So 3yrs/95m or 4yrs/125. This would mean next year he’d probably be making about 26-27m, with annual raises. That starting salary would give us a little more room under the second apron to sign Naz and/or NAW compared to if he opted in.

I've previously stated KAT will never win a championship. I'm pretty sure I may have stated Randle never will either, but if not, Julius Randle will not be a key component of a championship team, unless it's towards the very end of his career as an old vet riding the backs of a complete team.

[Slim Tubby]

Yeah, I don’t see Randle opting out unless it’s to sign a new contract here. There is just no money out there for him. Nets are not going to sign him. Pistons could clear salary, but I don’t see him as their missing piece. And I don’t see us being an excited to sign/trade him. Not a lot of 30m trade exceptions out there, and we’re not taking on 30m in salary in the trade for a lesser player and a small asset, which is usually what you get in a s/t.

I think he either opts in, or he opts out and we sign him to a 3-4 year contract for an annual value of his player option. So 3yrs/95m or 4yrs/125. This would mean next year he’d probably be making about 26-27m, with annual raises. That starting salary would give us a little more room under the second apron to sign Naz and/or NAW compared to if he opted in.

I've previously stated KAT will never win a championship. I'm pretty sure I may have stated Randle never will either, but if not, Julius Randle will not be a key component of a championship team, unless it's towards the very end of his career as an old vet riding the backs of a complete team.

Agreed. Randle is a lot like Dlo in his prime. He will win you some games singlehandedly but isn't consistent enough to win a competitive series IMO, and I thought he was very good this season for us.

I fear this team is slowly headed down a path where Ant eventually asks out if we don't make some significant, successful personnel decisions in the next 1-2 years.

I hope I'm wrong but players grow mighty restless in this league without warning. Connelly has some huge choices to make that will define our immediate and long-term success as an organization.

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[shangrila]

So I was trying to spitball a trade that included us in the Durant trade but had him going elsewhere as he apparently prefers. Full disclaimer, I'm not sure I even like this trade but I thought it was interesting enough to post regardless.

PHO out; Kevin Durant
PHO in; Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, #26 (from BRK)

MIA out; Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, Kelel Ware, #20
MIA in; Kevin Durant

MIN out; Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, #17
MIN in; Andrew Wiggins, Nic Claxton, Duncan Robinson, Kelel Ware, #20

BRK out; Nic Claxton, #26
BRK in; Julius Randle, #17


MIA gets Durant without trading either of their 2 current "stars". Phoenix gets a win now package along with a pick. Brooklyn use some of their capspace and Claxton to move up in the draft (I'd expect a further follow up trade to move higher).

For us the idea would be to continue resetting around Ant. Ware offers a long term Rudy replacement along with Claxton. Robinson is expiring and Wiggins only has 1 more year on his deal (and could be swapped out for Rozier if we preferred an expiring), while still being productive. We also only move down 3 spots in the draft and its roughly salary neutral with Wiggins and saves about 1.5mil with Rozier instead.

The reason I'm not keen on it is that it's a significant talent drop and if the goal is to get back to the WCF and beyond then it's going to rely a LOT on the growth of guys like TSJ, Dillingham and Ware. But a rough lineup afterwards could be;

[With Wiggins]
Conley, Dillingham
Ant, NAW (? This would allow room to sign him) or Clarke
Wiggins, TSJ
McDaniels, Claxton
Reid, Ware

[With Rozier]
Conley, Dillingham
Ant, Clarke
McDaniels, TSJ
Reid
Claxton, Ware

[shrink]

I listened to Dane’s recent podcast, and Jace said Donte DiVincenzo was the #2 valuable trade asset on the team, and Dane said h was #3 (behind Ant and Jaden).

I understand his 2 years, $25 mil contract is valuable, and last off-season, it was making “Best Deals” lists. However, last year he significantly under-performed, so much so that his terrific end of his Knicks season might be a fluke. I polled him for value on the Trade Board a few weeks ago (a variation on using the non-tax MLE, so maybe less buyers), and neutral posters were not excited about DDV.

[Neeva]

Ddv was a total bum in playoffs and almost any other guard would have been an improvement . If he stays on the team, hope he gets off to a solid start to then flip him at deadline.

[Neeva]

What are all the teams interested in Durant offering? If suns want the Wolves package best but old ass Durant doesn’t want Minny which package from the third team that wants Durant is best for wolves? I am so ready to move on from Rudy or Randall.

I like Houston’s if they include Smith Jr, Shepard and 10 but don’t really want Jalen Green who they are probably gonna try to unload , although he might be a really good(but overpriced) sixth man.

What is San Antonio and Miami offering? what about Dallas and Orlando they are in same states also.

[lewdog]

I listened to Dane’s recent podcast, and Jace said Donte DiVincenzo was the #2 valuable trade asset on the team, and Dane said h was #3 (behind Ant and Jaden).

I understand his 2 years, $25 mil contract is valuable, and last off-season, it was making “Best Deals” lists. However, last year he significantly under-performed, so much so that his terrific end of his Knicks season might be a fluke. I polled him for value on the Trade Board a few weeks ago (a variation on using the non-tax MLE, so maybe less buyers), and neutral posters were not excited about DDV.

Yep, DDV had a rough series against OKC. But he’s in extremely good company with basically our entire roster against historically one of the best teams in NBA history. I know Connelly & Co. (as well as every NBA front office) are looking at OKC as the team that will be the favorite to win the championship for literally the next 3-5 seasons.
I certainly would not rush to get rid of DDV, in fact I definitely see DDV as an ancillary component that will be needed to beat OKC. His veteran leadership, athleticism, size, his 3-point skillset, his tenacious defense, and his championship pedigree are all extremely valuable traits. Losing NAW & DDV in the same off season, IMHO would spell disaster for our beloved Wolves.

[Slim Tubby]

So I was trying to spitball a trade that included us in the Durant trade but had him going elsewhere as he apparently prefers. Full disclaimer, I'm not sure I even like this trade but I thought it was interesting enough to post regardless.

PHO out; Kevin Durant
PHO in; Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, #26 (from BRK)

MIA out; Andrew Wiggins, Duncan Robinson, Kelel Ware, #20
MIA in; Kevin Durant

MIN out; Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, #17
MIN in; Andrew Wiggins, Nic Claxton, Duncan Robinson, Kelel Ware, #20

BRK out; Nic Claxton, #26
BRK in; Julius Randle, #17


MIA gets Durant without trading either of their 2 current "stars". Phoenix gets a win now package along with a pick. Brooklyn use some of their capspace and Claxton to move up in the draft (I'd expect a further follow up trade to move higher).

For us the idea would be to continue resetting around Ant. Ware offers a long term Rudy replacement along with Claxton. Robinson is expiring and Wiggins only has 1 more year on his deal (and could be swapped out for Rozier if we preferred an expiring), while still being productive. We also only move down 3 spots in the draft and its roughly salary neutral with Wiggins and saves about 1.5mil with Rozier instead.

The reason I'm not keen on it is that it's a significant talent drop and if the goal is to get back to the WCF and beyond then it's going to rely a LOT on the growth of guys like TSJ, Dillingham and Ware. But a rough lineup afterwards could be;

[With Wiggins]
Conley, Dillingham
Ant, NAW (? This would allow room to sign him) or Clarke
Wiggins, TSJ
McDaniels, Claxton
Reid, Ware

[With Rozier]
Conley, Dillingham
Ant, Clarke
McDaniels, TSJ
Reid
Claxton, Ware

Very creative but I don't think I could possibly endure another Andrew Wiggins era in MIN.

Claxton and Ware would be a very nice pair of younger C's to have on the roster, though.

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[Klomp]

I listened to Dane’s recent podcast, and Jace said Donte DiVincenzo was the #2 valuable trade asset on the team, and Dane said h was #3 (behind Ant and Jaden).

I understand his 2 years, $25 mil contract is valuable, and last off-season, it was making “Best Deals” lists. However, last year he significantly under-performed, so much so that his terrific end of his Knicks season might be a fluke. I polled him for value on the Trade Board a few weeks ago (a variation on using the non-tax MLE, so maybe less buyers), and neutral posters were not excited about DDV.

I would actually classify it as over-performing during the 2024 playoffs.

But why is he so valuable? I think just calling him a good contract is underselling it, because it fails to properly contextualize why it's so good. I think we just think about it like we thought about Robert Covington's contract. However, I'd argue it's even better than RoCo's was because of the cap spike. RoCo's contract was a couple million dollars over the MLE, while Donte's is actually a couple million dollars below the MLE. Most guys who get MLE contracts this year won't be that much better than Donte, if at all. If anything lowered his trade value this year, I'd actually narrow it down to the fact the deal has one less year on it. With only two years less, it's almost to the danger zone of losing it's maximum luster.

[Loaf_of_bread]

We need to take DDVs value, and transition it somewhere.