Trade Talk (Part 18): Early Season Panic Edition

[BlacJacMac]

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.

I think that's kind of a dangerous attitude if you're passing up trades that could make you better to keep your star happy.

As much as people love the idea of players playing with their friends, I'd wager that ultra competitive players would put winning above that.

I remember how much handwringing there was for years about what trading D'Lo would do to KAT...

[Klomp]

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.

I think that's kind of a dangerous attitude if you're passing up trades that could make you better to keep your star happy.

As much as people love the idea of players playing with their friends, I'd wager that ultra competitive players would put winning above that.

I remember how much handwringing there was for years about what trading D'Lo would do to KAT...

In general, I would agree with this.

I think the level of return is important when considering trades of the "superfriends".....Quickley is a hard no, definitely not enough. Morant I think would be worth it, though I think the value has to be right. We can't be reckless in these trade conversations.

[Danimals]

DDV+Conley+Dilly+ = What PG?
Derrick White would be amazing.

[Domejandro]

Still devastated about missing out on Josh Giddey, I was a HUGE proponent of trying to trade for him.

Regardless, I think that the next 15-20 games for Memphis will illuminate a lot about Ja's availability. If he continues to be checked out and Memphis goes on losing streaks, I think that Minnesota will look into it.

[Domejandro]

If Memphis is in full implosion mode by the new year, I think that Minnesota will inquire about the mediocre trade package of Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, and pick swap offer (maybe adding Terrence Shannon Jr.). I don't think that gets it done because Sacramento would offer more (and because it is not a good offer).

Apparently Houston is not interested in Ja Morant. Sacramento is interested, and I think New Orleans is ripe for a bad trade. That said, if things get uglier on and off of the court, Minnesota should stay prepared. I am a bit nervous about the prospect of trading for Morant, but the timeline makes too much sense if it is at a discount.

I will say, I cannot imagine Minnesota trading Rudy Gobert given their roster composition, though I understand the argument with him getting older. Additionally, Ja Morant loves having lob targets, so getting rid of Rudy would take away a huge strength of his (even with the spacing concerns). Similarly, I cannot imagine Julius Randle being traded for Ja Morant, given his level of play this season. I think if a trade happens, it will be to consolidate young pieces into Ja Morant. Personally, I do not think that Minnesota has enough in the war chest to make it happen, though.

[Neeva]

Time to move on from Naz before all GMS figure out he can’t defend a lick.

Connelly needs to make big moves, stayed stagnant too long.

[Neeva]

Morant’s been pretty awful this season I think his value is at all time low.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

Morant’s been pretty awful this season I think his value is at all time low.

+1 a guy with many issues, who shoot 30% at 3 for the last 4 seasons (14% this year) could be our savior? I have my doubt...

[minimus]

After Dec.15, Reid, DDV, Dillingham for Bitadze, Suggs, Penda

Gobert/Bitadze/Beringer + Zikarsky
Randle/McDaniels/Penda + Freeman
McDaniels/TJ+Juzang
Edwards/Clark/???
Suggs/Conley/Hyland

[m2002brian]

Time to move on from Naz before all GMS figure out he can’t defend a lick.

Connelly needs to make big moves, stayed stagnant too long.

Naz needs to go.

Connelly’s next big move is hiring a coach who isn’t a mule. Finch’s act is up and the players look like they know it.

[shrink]

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.

This veteran post puts the “real” in RealGM.

Keeping Ant happy is critical to the future of the team. We are one of he least attractive free agent destinations, so developing stars who want to be here, and stay here, is vital to the franchise.

From a sterile GM critique, Naz seems like the one to go. He can only play with Gobert, and Randle is too important as a second option and playmaker to lose. However, none of us know the personal impact this would have on Ant. I believe he is closest to Naz and Jaden, but on a lesser level, he was close to KAT and PatBev too. Would a Naz trade that helped us win be enough for him to not hate the franchise? We just don’t know, but it’s highly important to consider.

[jpatrick]

Still devastated about missing out on Josh Giddey, I was a HUGE proponent of trying to trade for him.

Regardless, I think that the next 15-20 games for Memphis will illuminate a lot about Ja's availability. If he continues to be checked out and Memphis goes on losing streaks, I think that Minnesota will look into it.

I was 100% wrong about Giddey. Loved him predraft. But with OKC, I was convinced he’d always be a good stats on a bad team kind of guy. Not good enough to be on-ball in a winning situation but too poor of a defender/shooter to play off ball.

I was wrong. He’s good.

[Neeva]

My worry with Giddey was that he flopped in the playoffs, wolves need to find the next Giddey/Haliburton type, a pg who’s young and his play just explodes starting on their second team, Scoot? Black? Ivey? McCain? Suggs?(maybe coming home will make him less mid) Keyonte George LOL? Kyshawn George? Nembhard?

Then there are those that have been meh (Like Rob) but might just need a new team and change of scenery, Reed Sheppard?, Devin Carter? Hawkins?( might be a sg) Maybe Rob and Reed need to play together again to both be effective .

[Slim Tubby]

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.

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.

Please join me on the Wall of Shame for our terrible takes on Giddey's potential. I'll bring the beer.

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[Slim Tubby]

If Memphis is in full implosion mode by the new year, I think that Minnesota will inquire about the mediocre trade package of Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, and pick swap offer (maybe adding Terrence Shannon Jr.). I don't think that gets it done because Sacramento would offer more (and because it is not a good offer).

Apparently Houston is not interested in Ja Morant. Sacramento is interested, and I think New Orleans is ripe for a bad trade. That said, if things get uglier on and off of the court, Minnesota should stay prepared. I am a bit nervous about the prospect of trading for Morant, but the timeline makes too much sense if it is at a discount.

I will say, I cannot imagine Minnesota trading Rudy Gobert given their roster composition, though I understand the argument with him getting older. Additionally, Ja Morant loves having lob targets, so getting rid of Rudy would take away a huge strength of his (even with the spacing concerns). Similarly, I cannot imagine Julius Randle being traded for Ja Morant, given his level of play this season. I think if a trade happens, it will be to consolidate young pieces into Ja Morant. Personally, I do not think that Minnesota has enough in the war chest to make it happen, though.

If SAC is interested in Ja, that should tell every other GM to run away from Morant as quickly as possible.

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[Klomp]

If SAC is interested in Ja, that should tell every other GM to run away from Morant as quickly as possible.

You might be right. But honestly, guys like Randle and Gobert were once perceived similarly before we traded for them. Durant wasn't exactly a hot commodity either. Connelly will do his due diligence.

[BlacJacMac]

After Dec.15, Reid, DDV, Dillingham for Bitadze, Suggs, Penda

Gobert/Bitadze/Beringer + Zikarsky
Randle/McDaniels/Penda + Freeman
McDaniels/TJ+Juzang
Edwards/Clark/???
Suggs/Conley/Hyland

I'd rather have Black than Suggs...

[shangrila]

If Memphis is in full implosion mode by the new year, I think that Minnesota will inquire about the mediocre trade package of Naz Reid, Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham, and pick swap offer (maybe adding Terrence Shannon Jr.). I don't think that gets it done because Sacramento would offer more (and because it is not a good offer).

Apparently Houston is not interested in Ja Morant. Sacramento is interested, and I think New Orleans is ripe for a bad trade. That said, if things get uglier on and off of the court, Minnesota should stay prepared. I am a bit nervous about the prospect of trading for Morant, but the timeline makes too much sense if it is at a discount.

I will say, I cannot imagine Minnesota trading Rudy Gobert given their roster composition, though I understand the argument with him getting older. Additionally, Ja Morant loves having lob targets, so getting rid of Rudy would take away a huge strength of his (even with the spacing concerns). Similarly, I cannot imagine Julius Randle being traded for Ja Morant, given his level of play this season. I think if a trade happens, it will be to consolidate young pieces into Ja Morant. Personally, I do not think that Minnesota has enough in the war chest to make it happen, though.

Doesn't work financially to my understanding. Since we're over the 1st apron we can't take back more salary than we're sending out, and Reid+Conley+Rob is about 500k short of Morant's salary. The deal would need to include Donte, unless it expanded out to a 3 team

[Burgs_Burgi]

Been sitting on this thought for a few days....

McDaniels, Conley, Dillingham for Ja and Landale. Who says no?

Wolves lineup
Ja
Clarke
Ant
Randle
Gobert
..............
Naz (becomes backup at the 3 & 4)
DDV
Landale
TSJ
Baby baguette

[BlacJacMac]

Been sitting on this thought for a few days....

McDaniels, Conley, Dillingham for Ja and Landale. Who says no?

Wolves lineup
Ja
Clarke
Ant
Randle
Gobert
..............
Naz (becomes backup at the 3 & 4)
DDV
Landale
TSJ
Baby baguette

I do.

I am not trading McD for Ja.