Trade Talk (Part 18): Early Season Panic Edition

[KGdaBom]

Mark Daigneault should be fired for the criminal mismanagement of such a talented point guard!

Lots of people here wanted the wolves ro get Giddey to take over PG after Conley. Some wanted Davion Mitchell or Payton Pritchard all three are starting now and doing pretty well. Mitchell less than the other two though.

I will openly admit that I was against pursuing Giddey. A majority of my concerns were tied to the off court allegations.

I was wrong. He's on pace to be an All Star this year and proving a lot of doubters like myself wrong.

C Gobert
PF Randle
SF McDaniels
SG Edwards
PG Giddey

That sure looks good on paper and we'd be set at PG for the next ten (10) years. Oh well.

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That lineup would be a lot better than what we got.

[Mattya]

Well we can't afford to trade Gobert for him because our defense collapses and there isn't a real replacement available in FA or trades that wouldn't be expensive. You probably need Mike Conley on the roster just to attempt to offset the off court issues. So some combination of Randle 30.8 +, Naz 21.5 & Divo 11.99 as the centerpiece of any deal. I can't imagine they want to gut their entire bench and young assets(not including Joan) for Morant. So I would guess it would be something like Randle 30.8, Rob 6.5 and filler. I don't think we can trade any picks either.

[younggunsmn]

Mark Daigneault should be fired for the criminal mismanagement of such a talented point guard!

Lots of people here wanted the wolves ro get Giddey to take over PG after Conley. Some wanted Davion Mitchell or Payton Pritchard all three are starting now and doing pretty well. Mitchell less than the other two though.

No no, you're missing the point! Josh Giddey was benched as a developing prospect behind less talented players, his coach's ego driving down his value to a point where the GM had to sell low on him! The coach should be fired, the GM should be fired, and the franchise should be forced to fold....what a waste of such a shifty prospect!

Yes we all get the heavy sarcasm.

Lets look at what really happened.
Giddey got benched in a playoff series because he had lost the confidence and ability to shoot 3 pointers.

But he was never going to develop into anything but a role player playing next to/behind SGA and J-Dub.
And he was going to get too expensive for that role.

So Presti went out and got EXACTLY the player he wanted for Giddey in Caruso.
A player who turned their defense from very good to historically dominant and not only fit their culture but embodied it.

The results: they won a title rather easily and are 8-0 and set up for a dynasty.

So in hindsight, that trade looks a lot more like buying Caruso than selling Giddey.
I guarantee you we weren't getting Giddey from OKC for anyone on our roster but Ant, for any other combo of players and draft picks.
Could we have got him from Chicago pre trade deadline last year?
I honestly don't think so.

And I was one of the people here who would have been really really thrilled if we had been able to trade for Giddey.

[minimus]

Reid, Conley, Dillingham for Quickley and CMB

Gobert/CMB/Beringer + Rocco
Randle/McDaniels/CMB
McDaniels/TJ + Juzang
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Quickley/Hyland/DDV

[Klomp]

Rudy and Mike for Ja and Londale
Rob for Kessler

[KGdaBom]

Rudy and Mike for Ja and Londale
Rob for Kessler

Out for the year Kessler? It would end any hopes for this year, but the future would be intriguing. I just read that Ja is declining.

[Klomp]

Rudy and Mike for Ja and Londale
Rob for Kessler

Out for the year Kessler? It would end any hopes for this year, but the future would be intriguing. I just read that Ja is declining.

Londale would be the this-year center insurance.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Klomp]

I think it's important to take a big-picture approach in general for the franchise, but especially when it comes to big potential moves such as the Ja Morant discussion.

This franchise needs to look at more than just 2025-26. A lot of opinions seem to be formed around how does this affect the team's championship chances this season. I think that view is too limited though. I still contend that we need to look at the franchise through a lens of the next 3 years, which puts us heading into the last year of the current contract for Anthony Edwards. A lot of people are talking about how it is unwise to invest in a small point guard reliant on athleticism. And while there is truth to that, it is something that usually doesn't come up until a player is in his 30s. Ja Morant is 26. Right in the sweet spot with the current roster's core, and at a point where he shouldn't fall off a cliff in the next 3 years.

A 3-year contract for Morant is the same contract length as both Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. Morant is 5 years younger than Randle and 7 years younger than Gobert. Who is more likely to be worth their $35-45 million contract as a top-two option in 3 years? A 29-year old point guard, a 34-year old forward, or a 36-year old center?

Then you need to look at the surrounding pieces. Yes, trading for Morant means we take a defensive hit this season, especially if Gobert is involved. But it also means this team can push it in transition much easier. It gives the team another ballhandler in critical late-game situations. The team had two focuses this year entering training camp: defense and transition. Everyone likes to dwell on the first one and how every rotation affects the team's defense, but transition was also a focus and bringing in Morant would be a big boost in that area. Eventually, the center minutes will go to the young Frenchman, so the defensive interior will not be ignored forever.

[KGdaBom]

Rudy and Mike for Ja and Londale
Rob for Kessler

Out for the year Kessler? It would end any hopes for this year, but the future would be intriguing. I just read that Ja is declining.

Londale would be the this-year center insurance.

Hopefully backing up Le Berricade.

[winforlose]

I think it's important to take a big-picture approach in general for the franchise, but especially when it comes to big potential moves such as the Ja Morant discussion.

This franchise needs to look at more than just 2025-26. A lot of opinions seem to be formed around how does this affect the team's championship chances this season. I think that view is too limited though. I still contend that we need to look at the franchise through a lens of the next 3 years, which puts us heading into the last year of the current contract for Anthony Edwards. A lot of people are talking about how it is unwise to invest in a small point guard reliant on athleticism. And while there is truth to that, it is something that usually doesn't come up until a player is in his 30s. Ja Morant is 26. Right in the sweet spot with the current roster's core, and at a point where he shouldn't fall off a cliff in the next 3 years.

A 3-year contract for Morant is the same contract length as both Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. Morant is 5 years younger than Randle and 7 years younger than Gobert. Who is more likely to be worth their $35-45 million contract as a top-two option in 3 years? A 29-year old point guard, a 34-year old forward, or a 36-year old center?

Then you need to look at the surrounding pieces. Yes, trading for Morant means we take a defensive hit this season, especially if Gobert is involved. But it also means this team can push it in transition much easier. It gives the team another ballhandler in critical late-game situations. The team had two focuses this year entering training camp: defense and transition. Everyone likes to dwell on the first one and how every rotation affects the team's defense, but transition was also a focus and bringing in Morant would be a big boost in that area. Eventually, the center minutes will go to the young Frenchman, so the defensive interior will not be ignored forever.

What do you think of Zach Edey? If I am Memphis and rebuilding, I might prefer an 18 year old Joan with a ton of upside and an extra year of control, to a 23 year old Edey who is more win now.

[BlacJacMac]

I think it's important to take a big-picture approach in general for the franchise, but especially when it comes to big potential moves such as the Ja Morant discussion.

This franchise needs to look at more than just 2025-26. A lot of opinions seem to be formed around how does this affect the team's championship chances this season. I think that view is too limited though. I still contend that we need to look at the franchise through a lens of the next 3 years, which puts us heading into the last year of the current contract for Anthony Edwards. A lot of people are talking about how it is unwise to invest in a small point guard reliant on athleticism. And while there is truth to that, it is something that usually doesn't come up until a player is in his 30s. Ja Morant is 26. Right in the sweet spot with the current roster's core, and at a point where he shouldn't fall off a cliff in the next 3 years.

A 3-year contract for Morant is the same contract length as both Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. Morant is 5 years younger than Randle and 7 years younger than Gobert. Who is more likely to be worth their $35-45 million contract as a top-two option in 3 years? A 29-year old point guard, a 34-year old forward, or a 36-year old center?

Then you need to look at the surrounding pieces. Yes, trading for Morant means we take a defensive hit this season, especially if Gobert is involved. But it also means this team can push it in transition much easier. It gives the team another ballhandler in critical late-game situations. The team had two focuses this year entering training camp: defense and transition. Everyone likes to dwell on the first one and how every rotation affects the team's defense, but transition was also a focus and bringing in Morant would be a big boost in that area. Eventually, the center minutes will go to the young Frenchman, so the defensive interior will not be ignored forever.

What do you think of Zach Edey? If I am Memphis and rebuilding, I might prefer an 18 year old Joan with a ton of upside and an extra year of control, to a 23 year old Edey who is more win now.

I wouldn't trade Joan for him.

[winforlose]

I think it's important to take a big-picture approach in general for the franchise, but especially when it comes to big potential moves such as the Ja Morant discussion.

This franchise needs to look at more than just 2025-26. A lot of opinions seem to be formed around how does this affect the team's championship chances this season. I think that view is too limited though. I still contend that we need to look at the franchise through a lens of the next 3 years, which puts us heading into the last year of the current contract for Anthony Edwards. A lot of people are talking about how it is unwise to invest in a small point guard reliant on athleticism. And while there is truth to that, it is something that usually doesn't come up until a player is in his 30s. Ja Morant is 26. Right in the sweet spot with the current roster's core, and at a point where he shouldn't fall off a cliff in the next 3 years.

A 3-year contract for Morant is the same contract length as both Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert. Morant is 5 years younger than Randle and 7 years younger than Gobert. Who is more likely to be worth their $35-45 million contract as a top-two option in 3 years? A 29-year old point guard, a 34-year old forward, or a 36-year old center?

Then you need to look at the surrounding pieces. Yes, trading for Morant means we take a defensive hit this season, especially if Gobert is involved. But it also means this team can push it in transition much easier. It gives the team another ballhandler in critical late-game situations. The team had two focuses this year entering training camp: defense and transition. Everyone likes to dwell on the first one and how every rotation affects the team's defense, but transition was also a focus and bringing in Morant would be a big boost in that area. Eventually, the center minutes will go to the young Frenchman, so the defensive interior will not be ignored forever.

What do you think of Zach Edey? If I am Memphis and rebuilding, I might prefer an 18 year old Joan with a ton of upside and an extra year of control, to a 23 year old Edey who is more win now.

I wouldn't trade Joan for him.

Not even as part of the Ja deal? I figure it is the only way to be competitive this year.

[BlacJacMac]

Out for the year Kessler? It would end any hopes for this year, but the future would be intriguing. I just read that Ja is declining.

Londale would be the this-year center insurance.

Hopefully backing up Le Berricade.

Maybe late this year if Joan really progresses.

Londale is a very good player - and much more ready to contribute right now.

[BlacJacMac]

What do you think of Zach Edey? If I am Memphis and rebuilding, I might prefer an 18 year old Joan with a ton of upside and an extra year of control, to a 23 year old Edey who is more win now.

I wouldn't trade Joan for him.

Not even as part of the Ja deal? I figure it is the only way to be competitive this year.

I'd rather have Londale. I'm just not an Edey fan and I think he's a guy that can get played off the floor.

[Klomp]

What do you think of Zach Edey? If I am Memphis and rebuilding, I might prefer an 18 year old Joan with a ton of upside and an extra year of control, to a 23 year old Edey who is more win now.

I wouldn't trade Joan for him.

Not even as part of the Ja deal? I figure it is the only way to be competitive this year.

He's fine, but I'm not adding that swap to a deal. I'd rather find a this-year center elsewhere.

[winforlose]

I wouldn't trade Joan for him.

Not even as part of the Ja deal? I figure it is the only way to be competitive this year.

He's fine, but I'm not adding that swap to a deal. I'd rather find a this-year center elsewhere.

Any ideas? I cannot come up with a good one that keeps us playoff relevant.

[Neeva]

Reid, Conley, Dillingham for Quickley and CMB

Gobert/CMB/Beringer + Rocco
Randle/McDaniels/CMB
McDaniels/TJ + Juzang
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Quickley/Hyland/DDV

This is probably a safer move than going for Morant but the Wolves would need a 2026 first round pick AND some future swaps added, Quickley’s contract is THAT bloated and bad. make the 2026 unprotected and they can keep Murray Boyles. I don’t think Connelly cares for undersized big men at all.
Make the salary filler Dick or Agbaji, they can have a NAW like resurgence on the wolves.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Reid, Conley, Dillingham for Quickley and CMB

Gobert/CMB/Beringer + Rocco
Randle/McDaniels/CMB
McDaniels/TJ + Juzang
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Quickley/Hyland/DDV

This is probably a safer move than going for Morant but the Wolves would need a 2026 first round pick AND some future swaps added, Quickle’s contract is THAT bloated and bad. make the 2026 unprotected and they can keep Murray Boyles. I don’t think Connelly cares for undesized big men.
Make the salary filler Dick or Agbaji, they can have a NAW like resurgence on the wolves.

It would be dangerous because Naz and Conley are cornerstone chemistry guys, and Ant has really warmed up to Rob. Imagine Quickley gets injured and CMB isn't doing much to start with - Ant could mentally check out in a hurry. I like having core guys like Naz and Jaden that we never trade because it gives us an extra edge in keeping Ant happy in Minnesota.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Lots of people here wanted the wolves ro get Giddey to take over PG after Conley. Some wanted Davion Mitchell or Payton Pritchard all three are starting now and doing pretty well. Mitchell less than the other two though.

I will openly admit that I was against pursuing Giddey. A majority of my concerns were tied to the off court allegations.

I was wrong. He's on pace to be an All Star this year and proving a lot of doubters like myself wrong.

C Gobert
PF Randle
SF McDaniels
SG Edwards
PG Giddey

That sure looks good on paper and we'd be set at PG for the next ten (10) years. Oh well.

Sent from my G54 using RealGM mobile app

That lineup would be a lot better than what we got.

I was way down on Giddey and thought the Caruso trade was bad for Chi. Turns out I don't know what I'm talking about again and severely underestimated GIddey's upside. He's like the perfect 2025 point guard. With his age, performance, and salary, he has to be virtually untouchable for Chicago.