Trade Talk (Part 17): Early Offseason Planning

[Klomp]

I think we could see a lot more lineup flexibility, in order to get some tempo into the game. PF will certainly be a lot of Randle and Reid, but I believe we could see at least a solid 5-10 minutes a night of Jaden there with the young guys. No it's not a great combo against bruising bigs at PF, but really how many of them are there in the league anymore? I honestly think the two teams we saw in the first game are about 1/3rd of the bruising PFs around.

[minimus]

We'd be destroying teams 12-8 for the quarter...

(Provided they didn't counter with size and beat the crap out of us)

I don’t care, I want to see it!

P.S. Is Black a PG? Can he be a new Lonzo Ball in terms of 3&D development and passing?

I think Black he has a chance defensively to be near Lonzo. But he hasn't shown any real ability to shoot and he's not anywhere near Lonzo as a passer.
He's interesting, but he's a well below average player to this point.

Well, I'd take a flyer if price is right. I mean I remember Lonzo's shot being completely broken, before he re-invented himself as spotup 3PT shooter. MIN need another NAW story

[KGdaBom]

Not true. Reid can play PF and McDaniels SF. No reason why not.

Not true that one trade has to solve all problems. It can be a multiple step process.

Correct, but when Naz sits who plays PF? Also what happens if Naz or Rudy miss any length of time? You fail to address the depth question. Others have suggested Jaden play backup PF, and that is what I was talking about. Jaden is needed elsewhere, and we have no next man up.

Jaden is a very good rim protector. Would like to see him at pf more personally. Jaylen might even be better than jaden defensively against guards and most sf..

Jaden, jaylen, Rudy is a problem offensively.. and we have no backup c. at the end of the day though, our roster construction sucks. So much incohesive talent when it comes to playoff basketball. Possible we do well in the RS, but time to hunt for a championship.

We make a trade to make a more balanced lineup, and Finch has no clue what he's doing..

Fanbase thinks he needs a full year to figure out how to play bb with a one to 1.5 player roster change.

Le Berricade is going to prove to be a solid backup Center who will also do well at PF and can defend the SF.

[winforlose]

Correct, but when Naz sits who plays PF? Also what happens if Naz or Rudy miss any length of time? You fail to address the depth question. Others have suggested Jaden play backup PF, and that is what I was talking about. Jaden is needed elsewhere, and we have no next man up.

Jaden is a very good rim protector. Would like to see him at pf more personally. Jaylen might even be better than jaden defensively against guards and most sf..

Jaden, jaylen, Rudy is a problem offensively.. and we have no backup c. at the end of the day though, our roster construction sucks. So much incohesive talent when it comes to playoff basketball. Possible we do well in the RS, but time to hunt for a championship.

We make a trade to make a more balanced lineup, and Finch has no clue what he's doing..

Fanbase thinks he needs a full year to figure out how to play bb with a one to 1.5 player roster change.

Le Berricade is going to prove to be a solid backup Center who will also do well at PF and can defend the SF.

I like JB as much as the next guy, but this take feels delusional. JB has handle issues, jump shot issues, fouling tendencies, and no obvious passing/playmaking. Put him next to a Rocco or Rudy and the offense will die. Put him next to a Myles Turner type big and he defaults to the C anyway. There is no basis for the statement that he can play PF.

[Wolveswin]

This got a little bigger than expected, but try it on, walk around a bit with entire roster outcome…

To Pacers: McDaniels/Conley

To Heat: Gobert/Randle

To Wolves: Nembhard/Bam/Wiggins/Toppin/Pacers 1st

Bam/Reid/Beringer
Reid/Toppin
Wiggins/Edwards/TSJ
Edwards/DDV/Nembhard
Nembhard/Dilly

Bam is a nice upgrade over Gobert - tater’s choice upgrade - but at least younger and little more offense come playoffs.

Nembhard is upgrade at starting PG. Near as perfect fit with Edwards as Wolves can get in their price point - but cost them McDaniels.

Wiggins has a reunion tour in MN - backfilling McDaniels - but on a clock. Offseason 2026 Wiggins’ expiring plus 3x 1sts available (26 rights, own 33, Pacers owed) will look real juicy to TC for an upgrade (adding Dilly as needed if any value left).

Reid/Toppin need to replace Randle/Reid best they can.

[frankenwolf]

This got a little bigger than expected, but try it on, walk around a bit with entire roster outcome…

To Pacers: McDaniels/Conley

To Heat: Gobert/Randle

To Wolves: Nembhard/Bam/Wiggins/Toppin/Pacers 1st

Bam/Reid/Beringer
Reid/Toppin
Wiggins/Edwards/TSJ
Edwards/DDV/Nembhard
Nembhard/Dilly

Bam is a nice upgrade over Gobert - tater’s choice upgrade - but at least younger and little more offense come playoffs.

Nembhard is upgrade at starting PG. Near as perfect fit with Edwards as Wolves can get in their price point - but cost them McDaniels.

Wiggins has a reunion tour in MN - backfilling McDaniels - but on a clock. Offseason 2026 Wiggins’ expiring plus 3x 1sts available (26 rights, own 33, Pacers owed) will look real juicy to TC for an upgrade (adding Dilly as needed if any value left).

Reid/Toppin need to replace Randle/Reid best they can.

Interesting. I don't know that I would do it right now, but if the Wolves flounder, that may be the quick re-boot they would need. It wouldn't make the WCF this year, but future??

[Wolveswin]

This got a little bigger than expected, but try it on, walk around a bit with entire roster outcome…

To Pacers: McDaniels/Conley

To Heat: Gobert/Randle

To Wolves: Nembhard/Bam/Wiggins/Toppin/Pacers 1st

Bam/Reid/Beringer
Reid/Toppin
Wiggins/Edwards/TSJ
Edwards/DDV/Nembhard
Nembhard/Dilly

Bam is a nice upgrade over Gobert - tater’s choice upgrade - but at least younger and little more offense come playoffs.

Nembhard is upgrade at starting PG. Near as perfect fit with Edwards as Wolves can get in their price point - but cost them McDaniels.

Wiggins has a reunion tour in MN - backfilling McDaniels - but on a clock. Offseason 2026 Wiggins’ expiring plus 3x 1sts available (26 rights, own 33, Pacers owed) will look real juicy to TC for an upgrade (adding Dilly as needed if any value left).

Reid/Toppin need to replace Randle/Reid best they can.

Interesting. I don't know that I would do it right now, but if the Wolves flounder, that may be the quick re-boot they would need. It wouldn't make the WCF this year, but future??

For 3x seasons (at least) core of Edwards/Bam/Reid/Nembhard is locked in - with Bam being oldest at just turned 28 in July. What TC could do with the rest would be interesting. But I like that core more than Edwards/McDaniels/Gobert/Randle.

[BlacJacMac]

I don’t care, I want to see it!

P.S. Is Black a PG? Can he be a new Lonzo Ball in terms of 3&D development and passing?

I think Black he has a chance defensively to be near Lonzo. But he hasn't shown any real ability to shoot and he's not anywhere near Lonzo as a passer.
He's interesting, but he's a well below average player to this point.

Well, I'd take a flyer if price is right. I mean I remember Lonzo's shot being completely broken, before he re-invented himself as spotup 3PT shooter. MIN need another NAW story

I would too. I'm just not sure Orlando is looking to cheaply dump the #6 pick after 2 years.

Lonzo was a 41% 3pt shooter on good volume in college, so the skill was there. It just took him about a season's worth of NBA games to lock in and become a near 40% shooter.

Black was a 30% 3pt shooter in college.

[KGdaBom]

Jaden is a very good rim protector. Would like to see him at pf more personally. Jaylen might even be better than jaden defensively against guards and most sf..

Jaden, jaylen, Rudy is a problem offensively.. and we have no backup c. at the end of the day though, our roster construction sucks. So much incohesive talent when it comes to playoff basketball. Possible we do well in the RS, but time to hunt for a championship.

We make a trade to make a more balanced lineup, and Finch has no clue what he's doing..

Fanbase thinks he needs a full year to figure out how to play bb with a one to 1.5 player roster change.

Le Berricade is going to prove to be a solid backup Center who will also do well at PF and can defend the SF.

I like JB as much as the next guy, but this take feels delusional. JB has handle issues, jump shot issues, fouling tendencies, and no obvious passing/playmaking. Put him next to a Rocco or Rudy and the offense will die. Put him next to a Myles Turner type big and he defaults to the C anyway. There is no basis for the statement that he can play PF.

We disagree.

[Klomp]

I think there's a chance Beringer could get to that point of positional flexibility, but that's not until 2026-27 at the absolute earliest. Possibly even 2027-28. He can fill minutes there out of necessity perhaps, but as a last resort.

[KGdaBom]

I think there's a chance Beringer could get to that point of positional flexibility, but that's not until 2026-27 at the absolute earliest. Possibly even 2027-28. He can fill minutes there out of necessity perhaps, but as a last resort.

He's a center for now, but he moves very well and he will certainly be able to play PF as well. Probably next year or the year after as you say. He can defend C/PF/SF right now.

[BlacJacMac]

I think there's a chance Beringer could get to that point of positional flexibility, but that's not until 2026-27 at the absolute earliest. Possibly even 2027-28. He can fill minutes there out of necessity perhaps, but as a last resort.

He's a center for now, but he moves very well and he will certainly be able to play PF as well. Probably next year or the year after as you say. He can defend C/PF/SF right now.

You have to be able to play your position on both sides of the ball.

Right now his offensive game is that of a rim-running center. He'll score on putbacks, lobs, in transition. He has not proven he can hit any kind of jumpshot with any regularity.

So if you play him at PF, its going to have to be with a scoring Center. Which, again, basically makes Joan the Center.

He can not play any minutes with Rudy. And if he plays next to Randle or Naz, Beringer is clearly the Center.

As far as defense, he can definitely switch onto almost anyone. But I don't want him chasing SFs as his regular assignment.

[KGdaBom]

I think there's a chance Beringer could get to that point of positional flexibility, but that's not until 2026-27 at the absolute earliest. Possibly even 2027-28. He can fill minutes there out of necessity perhaps, but as a last resort.

He's a center for now, but he moves very well and he will certainly be able to play PF as well. Probably next year or the year after as you say. He can defend C/PF/SF right now.

You have to be able to play your position on both sides of the ball.

Right now his offensive game is that of a rim-running center. He'll score on putbacks, lobs, in transition. He has not proven he can hit any kind of jumpshot with any regularity.

So if you play him at PF, its going to have to be with a scoring Center. Which, again, basically makes Joan the Center.

He can not play any minutes with Rudy. And if he plays next to Randle or Naz, Beringer is clearly the Center.

As far as defense, he can definitely switch onto almost anyone. But I don't want him chasing SFs as his regular assignment.

The shot will come. He's only been playing 4 years. Basketball is his full time job now. With his coordination and getting the coaching he needs the shot will come.

[winforlose]

He's a center for now, but he moves very well and he will certainly be able to play PF as well. Probably next year or the year after as you say. He can defend C/PF/SF right now.

You have to be able to play your position on both sides of the ball.

Right now his offensive game is that of a rim-running center. He'll score on putbacks, lobs, in transition. He has not proven he can hit any kind of jumpshot with any regularity.

So if you play him at PF, its going to have to be with a scoring Center. Which, again, basically makes Joan the Center.

He can not play any minutes with Rudy. And if he plays next to Randle or Naz, Beringer is clearly the Center.

As far as defense, he can definitely switch onto almost anyone. But I don't want him chasing SFs as his regular assignment.

The shot will come. He's only been playing 4 years. Basketball is his full time job now. With his coordination and getting the coaching he needs the shot will come.

I hope so. There are guys who develop it. V8 and Gorgui to name a few. That said, Rudy, Ben Simmons, Josh Okogie are all guys who never quite managed it. Flip a coin there is your answer.

[cmoss84]

I never thought I would say this. But Ja might be the answer. And Mike gets to finish his career in Memphis. Deadline trade.

Randle, Mike, and Rob
for
Ja and Scottie Pippen Jr.

Ja/Ant/Jaden/Naz/Rudy
Trade DDV for a big
Trade Miller for cheap vet PG
vet PG/Clark/TSJ/DDV TRADE/JB

[Neeva]

Hmm Cavaliers are starved for a decent starting PF, meanwhile wolves have Naz and Randal. I don’t want Garland though.

[Klomp]

I never thought I would say this. But Ja might be the answer. And Mike gets to finish his career in Memphis.

And Scottie Pippen gets to see both of his kids play on the same team

[Klomp]

Hmm Cavaliers are starved for a decent starting PF, meanwhile wolves have Naz and Randal. I don’t want Garland though.

I have honestly wondered if Evan Mobley could be a blockbuster target.

[Wolveswin]

Hmm Cavaliers are starved for a decent starting PF, meanwhile wolves have Naz and Randal. I don’t want Garland though.

I have honestly wondered if Evan Mobley could be a blockbuster target.

For who?

Wolves don’t have the resources. Not close really.

[Wolveswin]

I never thought I would say this. But Ja might be the answer. And Mike gets to finish his career in Memphis. Deadline trade.

Randle, Mike, and Rob
for
Ja and Scottie Pippen Jr.

Ja/Ant/Jaden/Naz/Rudy
Trade DDV for a big
Trade Miller for cheap vet PG
vet PG/Clark/TSJ/DDV TRADE/JB

Unless Morant has another gun issue - that offer doesn’t get Ja’s cousin.

I mean, can we try and be realistic with what Wolves have to offer.