Leonard Miller to Jazz, for Skyhook

[shrink]

UTA GETS: Leonard Miller

MIN GETS: 2028 2nd (worst of Detroit, Charlotte, L.A. Clippers, Miami or New York)

Plus .. wink wink .. UTA creates the roster spot by buying out Kyle Anderson

Why for MIN? MIN needs help with playmaking and with a defensive big. SloMo isnt perfect, but he can help with both issues. He is already familiar with Finch’s systems and many of the Wolves’ players. And a late 2nd for Tim Connelly can’t hurt.

Why for UTA? Leonard Miller is a promising young big who will never get any run on win now MIN. They get a look, and they’d get his team option for next year. Miller is a better prospect than they would likely get for that late 2nd, three years from now. The Jazz aren’t playing Anderson, and while he could be matching salary at the trade deadline, letting a vet go to a better situation is good for your front office’s reputation with the players.


Is this legal, or cap circumvention? UTA has to cut “somebody” to have the roster space - can the NBA say it can’t be SloMo?

[winforlose]

Shrink what happens if Kyle is cut and doesn’t want to come to Minnesota? The wink, wink only works if the back end is successful. Worse, his coming to Minnesota if any other team shows interest could prove the collusion and result in discipline. I think the better way to handle it would be for the Jazz to buy him out, he sign a minimum with the Wolves, then the Wolves trade Miller for a real second.

[shrink]

For any other player, I would not count on them wanting to come to Minnesota, but Kyle Anderson is the exception. He is (sadly), the best free agent from another team that ever chose the Wolves. I also watched how happily he interacted with the Wolves players and coaching staff in the first two meetings between the Jazz and Wolves.

I agree with you, from an optics view, it would be better for the Jazz to buy him out first. But ..why would they? Anderson represents matching salary in a future trade, and he is probably a good veteran leader to have around their young players. Doing the trade first gives them a reason to buy out “somebody” to stay at a 15-man roster limit. But you’re right, there would have to be a lot of winking between MIN, UTA and Anderson to make this trade work for all three parties.

[winforlose]

For any other player, I would not count on them wanting to come to Minnesota, but Kyle Anderson is the exception. He is (sadly), the best free agent from another team that ever chose the Wolves. I also watched how happily he interacted with the Wolves players and coaching staff in the first two meetings between the Jazz and Wolves.

I agree with you, from an optics view, it would be better for the Jazz to buy him out first. But ..why would they? Anderson represents matching salary in a future trade, and he is probably a good veteran leader to have around their young players. Doing the trade first gives them a reason to buy out “so,embody” to stay at a 15-man roster limit. But you’re right, there would have to be a lot of winking between MIN, UTA and Anderson to make this trade work for all three parties.

Just because Kyle was happy in Minnesota doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be happier elsewhere. What if his wife prefers another state and that team has interest? What if Kyle could make more money post buyout elsewhere? You have no basis for the belief that we are his preferred destination. Likewise, there is no basis to assume that bringing Kyle back is a priority for the Wolves. Next year Joan might well be in the rotation, and Kyle would become a poor fit. Kyle probably would want to go somewhere with a better long term outlook for his career. After all he is only 32, and probably wants at least one more long term contract with MLE money or better.

[jscott]

For any other player, I would not count on them wanting to come to Minnesota, but Kyle Anderson is the exception. He is (sadly), the best free agent from another team that ever chose the Wolves. I also watched how happily he interacted with the Wolves players and coaching staff in the first two meetings between the Jazz and Wolves.

I agree with you, from an optics view, it would be better for the Jazz to buy him out first. But ..why would they? Anderson represents matching salary in a future trade, and he is probably a good veteran leader to have around their young players. Doing the trade first gives them a reason to buy out “so,embody” to stay at a 15-man roster limit. But you’re right, there would have to be a lot of winking between MIN, UTA and Anderson to make this trade work for all three parties.

Just because Kyle was happy in Minnesota doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be happier elsewhere. What if his wife prefers another state and that team has interest? What if Kyle could make more money post buyout elsewhere? You have no basis for the belief that we are his preferred destination. Likewise, there is no basis to assume that bringing Kyle back is a priority for the Wolves. Next year Joan might well be in the rotation, and Kyle would become a poor fit. Kyle probably would want to go somewhere with a better long term outlook for his career. After all he is only 32, and probably wants at least one more long term contract with MLE money or better.

But who could/would offer MLE money mid-season? At best he’d be able to sign a min level deal to finish the year in MN and be a FA again in the offseason.

FWIW - his family was very happy in MN. His son (who has some developmental issues) found a good school/teacher/doctor/someone who helped him make strides.

I do think if he were able to leave the Jazz - he’d end up a Wolf. They just can’t match his current salary but he’d get as much leeway/playtime in Minnesota as he would anywhere in the league. Finch loves the dude.

[SkyHook]

UTA GETS: Leonard Miller

MIN GETS: 2028 2nd (worst of Detroit, Charlotte, L.A. Clippers, Miami or New York)

Plus .. wink wink .. UTA creates the roster spot by buying out Kyle Anderson

Why for MIN? MIN needs help with playmaking and with a defensive big. SloMo isnt perfect, but he can help with both issues. He is already familiar with Finch’s systems and many of the Wolves’ players. And a late 2nd for Tim Connelly can’t hurt.

Why for UTA? Leonard Miller is a promising young big who will never get any run on win now MIN. They get a look, and they’d get his team option for next year. Miller is a better prospect than they would likely get for that late 2nd, three years from now. The Jazz aren’t playing Anderson, and while he could be matching salary at the trade deadline, letting a vet go to a better situation is good for your front office’s reputation with the players.

Is this legal, or cap circumvention? UTA has to cut “somebody” to have the roster space - can the NBA say it can’t be SloMo?

A. I don't see why it wouldn't be legal. Utah is prioritizing a youth movement and Miller fits, it needs an open spot in this trade scenario, Slomo has no future money and is a fringe rotation player (at best) for the Jazz.
B. How quickly can I say yes?
C. I'm feeling the love.

[schaffy]

Given the current climate of the NBA already investigating another team for cap circumvention, and the league with egg on their face from betting scandals that they partially investigated -- id stay as far away as possible from anything that looks like a "gray area". They are going to, more thoroughly than ever before, turn over every single stone and make sure everything is above board and looks clean.

The juice isn't worth the squeeze right now on this typeof thing.

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[Slim Tubby]

As a Wolves fan, there's no way I'm trading for Skyhook. His infatuation with perpetually rebuilding teams and a rumored hatred of ice fishing make him a poor fit up here in MIN.

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[Domejandro]

For any other player, I would not count on them wanting to come to Minnesota, but Kyle Anderson is the exception. He is (sadly), the best free agent from another team that ever chose the Wolves. I also watched how happily he interacted with the Wolves players and coaching staff in the first two meetings between the Jazz and Wolves.

I agree with you, from an optics view, it would be better for the Jazz to buy him out first. But ..why would they? Anderson represents matching salary in a future trade, and he is probably a good veteran leader to have around their young players. Doing the trade first gives them a reason to buy out “so,embody” to stay at a 15-man roster limit. But you’re right, there would have to be a lot of winking between MIN, UTA and Anderson to make this trade work for all three parties.

Just because Kyle was happy in Minnesota doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be happier elsewhere. What if his wife prefers another state and that team has interest? What if Kyle could make more money post buyout elsewhere? You have no basis for the belief that we are his preferred destination. Likewise, there is no basis to assume that bringing Kyle back is a priority for the Wolves. Next year Joan might well be in the rotation, and Kyle would become a poor fit. Kyle probably would want to go somewhere with a better long term outlook for his career. After all he is only 32, and probably wants at least one more long term contract with MLE money or better.

Kyle Anderson notably wanted to stay in Minnesota during free-agency because Minnesota schools have excellent resources for autistic students.

Read on Twitter

The truth is that Minnesota just couldn't afford him at nine million dollars a season.

[babyjax13]

Would love to get Anderson off the team.

[SkyHook]

As a Wolves fan, there's no way I'm trading for Skyhook. His infatuation with perpetually rebuilding teams and a rumored hatred of ice fishing make him a poor fit up here in MIN.

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HOW. DARE. YOU.


I'm from Big 10 country. I love ice fishing.

[jazzfan1971]

Seems like a very good move for both sides.

I feel like the winking portion is reasonably likely as well.

[Slim Tubby]

As a Wolves fan, there's no way I'm trading for Skyhook. His infatuation with perpetually rebuilding teams and a rumored hatred of ice fishing make him a poor fit up here in MIN.

Sent from my G54 using RealGM mobile app

HOW. DARE. YOU.


I'm from Big 10 country. I love ice fishing.

Is that so? Well...pack up your Ace Frehley inspired moon boots and get yourself to Brainerd. Early ice is always the best time for walleyes and I've got all the hot spots on GPS!

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[shangrila]

If any team in the league should be hesitant about doing wink-wink deals, it should be the Wolves