Trade Talk (Part 18): Early Season Panic Edition

[minimus]

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Before Ja Morant I'd try to get this guy. But unfortunately there is no chance.

[minimus]

MEM IN: Markannen
MEM OUT: Ja Morant, Vince Williams, Koncar, Aldama

Why for MEM: get starting PF, trade Ja

JJJ/Edey
Markannen/Clark
Coward/Aldama/Wells
Wells/KCP/Jerome
Jerome/Pippen/Small

UTA IN: Gobert, Morant, Aldama
UTA OUT: Nurkic, Markannen, Kessler, Anderson

Why for UTA: get starting С and PG. Speed up rebuild.

Gobert/Filipowski
Filipowski/Aldama
Bailey/Sensabaugh
George/Clayton
Morant/Collier/Clayton

MIN IN: Kessler, Anderson, Nurkic (exp), Williams
MIN OUT: Gobert, Miller

Why for MIN: go under luxury tax(???), create some room to re-sign Clark next summer. Get rights to re-sign Kessler next season, get future starting PG Williams.

This season:

Nurkic/Anderson/Beringer + Zikarsky (Kessler out for season)
Randle/Reid/McDaniels
McDaniels/TJ/Clark + Juzang
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Williams/Dillingham/Conley + Hyland

+ 2026 MIN FRP

Next season. Re-sign Kessler, Anderson and Clark:

Kessler/Anderson/Beringer
Randle/Reid/McDaniels
McDaniels/TJ/Clark
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Williams/Dillingham/FRP

[Note30]

MEM IN: Markannen
MEM OUT: Ja Morant, Vince Williams, Koncar, Aldama

Why for MEM: get starting PF, trade Ja

JJJ/Edey
Markannen/Clark
Coward/Aldama/Wells
Wells/KCP/Jerome
Jerome/Pippen/Small

UTA IN: Gobert, Morant, Aldama
UTA OUT: Nurkic, Markannen, Kessler, Anderson

Why for UTA: get starting С and PG. Speed up rebuild.

Gobert/Filipowski
Filipowski/Aldama
Bailey/Sensabaugh
George/Clayton
Morant/Collier/Clayton

MIN IN: Kessler, Anderson, Nurkic (exp), Williams
MIN OUT: Gobert, Miller

Why for MIN: go under luxury tax(???), create some room to re-sign Clark next summer. Get rights to re-sign Kessler next season, get future starting PG Williams.

This season:

Nurkic/Anderson/Beringer + Zikarsky (Kessler out for season)
Randle/Reid/McDaniels
McDaniels/TJ/Clark + Juzang
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Williams/Dillingham/Conley + Hyland

+ 2026 MIN FRP

Next season. Re-sign Kessler, Anderson and Clark:

Kessler/Anderson/Beringer
Randle/Reid/McDaniels
McDaniels/TJ/Clark
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Williams/Dillingham/FRP

Delete this. Jesus. Are you even a Wolves fan?

[Godaddycurse]

How do we pry Jamal Shead away from Toronto?

He's Dilly's height/length, but he's a solid 200 pounds and a very pesky, high motor, physical defender:

Jamal Shead won the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year award for the 2023-2024 season. He also received other Defensive Player of the Year honors, including from the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Big 12 Conference.

Shooting 44/42/78 with 5.7 Assists and 1.2 Turnovers in only 19 MPG.

Makes 2M this year and 2.3M next.

Nah Shead is a keeper for Toronto.

[shrink]

This one is especially clever. Also, even if you don’t think it’s feasible, it again points out the flexibility of components to balance value in trades between Utah and Minnesota. Another UTA fan preferred keeping George and using Isaiah Collier, fwiw.

Springboarding off something that's been in the backyard of my mind. Not sure if it's legal because of the Jazz trade of their worst-of picks in 2027 & 2029; does that encumber any of their picks in those years?

Keyonte George + 2027 MIN FRP (unprotected) + 2029 MIN FRP (top-5 protected)
for
Rob Dillingham + 2026 MIN FRP (unprotected) + 2028 MIN FRP (unprotected) + 2026 SRP IND

No one is going to mistake George for a good defender, but the Wolves have plenty of players to provide cover. His scoring efficiency is way up (59.0 TS%) and he's 9th in the league in APG (7.2). He's become an excellent lob passer. The Wolves may prefer to extinguish their draft obligations a year sooner (some teams do, not sure if Minny is one of them).

Jazz have more picks in 27 & 29 than they do in 26 & 28; this better balances their draft assets. Other than exchanging years, the Jazz get one (really good) SRP and the removal of top-5 protections on an FRP to downgrade from George to Dilly, who has looked like a bust so far and makes it harder for Utah to win this season. (I'd also do Miller + one of their other minimum contracts instead of Dilly. Or Conley if he would be open to returning; his family loved it in Utah.)

[Neeva]

Naz, Rob, Conley? for Lamelo seems inevitable tbh

I also feel like Randle will end up being a Piston and head to the east finals this time.. probably for Stewart, Ivey and Reed(filler), 2027 frp and a swap. Wolves cash in on Randle’s peak value for two younger pieces that will be useful during Ant’s prime and a 2027 pick and possible future swap.

[winforlose]

Naz, Rob, Conley? for Lamelo seems inevitable tbh

I also feel like Randle will end up being a Piston and head to the east finals this time.. probably for Stewart, Ivey and Reed(filler), 2027 frp and a swap. Wolves cash in on Randle’s peak value for two younger pieces that will be useful during Ant’s prime and a 2027 pick and possible future swap.

Why would the Hornets make that trade? Why would we trade away both Naz and Randle leaving us no PF for a backup center in beef stew and another guard in Ivey when we already have Lamelo, Ant, and DDV?

Randle is a 3rd best player on a deep playoff run trying to play #2 but struggling. If we want to bring in a number 2 we have to use the salary going to our 2nd highest paid player. Some deal that exchanges Rudy for a cheaper starting C and a legit starting PG. If we then want to move Naz or DDV we can.

[KGdaBom]

Naz, Rob, Conley? for Lamelo seems inevitable tbh

I also feel like Randle will end up being a Piston and head to the east finals this time.. probably for Stewart, Ivey and Reed(filler), 2027 frp and a swap. Wolves cash in on Randle’s peak value for two younger pieces that will be useful during Ant’s prime and a 2027 pick and possible future swap.

Why would the Hornets make that trade? Why would we trade away both Naz and Randle leaving us no PF for a backup center in beef stew and another guard in Ivey when we already have Lamelo, Ant, and DDV?

Randle is a 3rd best player on a deep playoff run trying to play #2 but struggling. If we want to bring in a number 2 we have to use the salary going to our 2nd highest paid player. Some deal that exchanges Rudy for a cheaper starting C and a legit starting PG. If we then want to move Naz or DDV we can.

Randle was playing out of his mind. He was always going to regress, but these last two games were outliers unlikely to be repeated the rest of the season. He will rebound, literally and figuratively.

[winforlose]

Naz, Rob, Conley? for Lamelo seems inevitable tbh

I also feel like Randle will end up being a Piston and head to the east finals this time.. probably for Stewart, Ivey and Reed(filler), 2027 frp and a swap. Wolves cash in on Randle’s peak value for two younger pieces that will be useful during Ant’s prime and a 2027 pick and possible future swap.

Why would the Hornets make that trade? Why would we trade away both Naz and Randle leaving us no PF for a backup center in beef stew and another guard in Ivey when we already have Lamelo, Ant, and DDV?

Randle is a 3rd best player on a deep playoff run trying to play #2 but struggling. If we want to bring in a number 2 we have to use the salary going to our 2nd highest paid player. Some deal that exchanges Rudy for a cheaper starting C and a legit starting PG. If we then want to move Naz or DDV we can.

Randle was playing out of his mind. He was always going to regress, but these last two games were outliers unlikely to be repeated the rest of the season. He will rebound, literally and figurantively.

This is the Randle we saw against OKC. When a tough defender like Caruso guards him he can be defended one on one.

[KGdaBom]

Why would the Hornets make that trade? Why would we trade away both Naz and Randle leaving us no PF for a backup center in beef stew and another guard in Ivey when we already have Lamelo, Ant, and DDV?

Randle is a 3rd best player on a deep playoff run trying to play #2 but struggling. If we want to bring in a number 2 we have to use the salary going to our 2nd highest paid player. Some deal that exchanges Rudy for a cheaper starting C and a legit starting PG. If we then want to move Naz or DDV we can.

Randle was playing out of his mind. He was always going to regress, but these last two games were outliers unlikely to be repeated the rest of the season. He will rebound, literally and figuratively.

This is the Randle we saw against OKC. When a tough defender like Caruso guards him he can be defended one on one.

I know you despise Randle (comparatively speaking), But this was one bad game. He's allowed for that to happen a few times a season.

[Norseman79]

I think it's gotta be DDV and Naz, or Randle, or Gobert. Too bad we didn't go after Jabari Smith Jr.

Problem is, the players most of us want other teams aren't going to give up for what we have to offer. Here's what I mean, a team like Indiana would not give up Andrew Nembhard without getting prospects or draft picks back, unless we overpay, which we shouldn't do.

The other thing to remember is most of our tradable assets aren't able to be traded until January. Depending on the purpose of your trade, that may or may not be too late.

PG....a need. No matter what.

SG Edwards is set, DDV or Clark should go.. depending on what other team values more and what the return is. I'd rather keep Clark.

SF McDaniels would take a blockbuster to move, Shannon Jr should only be part of a big return as well.

PF Randle or Naz should be traded, possibly both in separate trades if a young 3 and D power forward can be found.

C any and all are fair game.

Coach - Finch needs to go and a young mind like Sam Cassell should come in, or bring in a hard ass like Jenkins or Malone or guy like Crean offensive mind

Trades I would do

Here is a massive reset with possiblity to compete still...

1. Indiana out: Nembhard and Huff
In: McDaniels

2. Hornets out: Sexton and Salaun
In: Randle

3. Pelicans out: Murphy
In: Reid, Moody, Miller, Dillingham

4. Warriors out: Kuminga, Moody, Post
In: Gobert

MN

PG Nembhard, Sexton (6th man instant offense)
SG Edwards, Clark (DDV trade pending)
SF Murphy, Shannon Jr
PF Kuminga, (convert Alize Johnson), Salaun
C. Huff, Post, Beringer, Rocco

Hire new coach, let it rip

(Trades did not include any draft compensation as that's a mess)

And yes, everything works financially. It results in Minnesota having approximately 56 million in cap space

[KGdaBom]

I think it's gotta be DDV and Naz, or Randle, or Gobert. Too bad we didn't go after Jabari Smith Jr.

Problem is, the players most of us want other teams aren't going to give up for what we have to offer. Here's what I mean, a team like Indiana would not give up Andrew Nembhard without getting prospects or draft picks back, unless we overpay, which we shouldn't do.

The other thing to remember is most of our tradable assets aren't able to be traded until January. Depending on the purpose of your trade, that may or may not be too late.

PG....a need. No matter what.

SG Edwards is set, DDV or Clark should go.. depending on what other team values more and what the return is. I'd rather keep Clark.

SF McDaniels would take a blockbuster to move, Shannon Jr should only be part of a big return as well.

PF Randle or Naz should be traded, possibly both in separate trades if a young 3 and D power forward can be found.

C any and all are fair game.

Coach - Finch needs to go and a young mind like Sam Cassell should come in, or bring in a hard ass like Jenkins or Malone or guy like Crean offensive mind

Trades I would do

Here is a massive reset with possiblity to compete still...

1. Indiana out: Nembhard and Huff
In: McDaniels

2. Hornets out: Sexton and Salaun
In: Randle

3. Pelicans out: Murphy
In: Reid, Moody, Miller, Dillingham

4. Warriors out: Kuminga, Moody, Post
In: Gobert

MN

PG Nembhard, Sexton (6th man instant offense)
SG Edwards, Clark (DDV trade pending)
SF Murphy, Shannon Jr
PF Kuminga, (convert Alize Johnson), Salaun
C. Huff, Post, Beringer, Rocco

Hire new coach, let it rip

(Trades did not include any draft compensation as that's a mess)

And yes, everything works financially. It results in Minnesota having approximately 56 million in cap space

1: Yuck
2: Uncontrollable vomit
3: I could approve of that.
4: Barf

[shrink]

I chuckled that our centers would be Huff Post.

Of course, I laugh at Randle McDaniels pairings as well, so I’m pretty easy to amuse.

[KGdaBom]

I chuckled that our centers would be Huff Post.

Of course, I laugh at Randle McDaniels pairings as well, so I’m pretty easy to amuse.

The Huffington Post and Vikings all time great Randall McDaniel.

[shrink]

I chuckled that our centers would be Huff Post.

Of course, I laugh at Randle McDaniels pairings as well, so I’m pretty easy to amuse.

The Huffington Post and Vikings all time great Randall McDaniel.

I mean, it’s no Gay Love Sessions, but it’s still pretty good.

[Norseman79]

I chuckled that our centers would be Huff Post.

Of course, I laugh at Randle McDaniels pairings as well, so I’m pretty easy to amuse.

That would be likely who I would trade DDV for.... starting quality center. Gafford, Claxton, etc...

[winforlose]

Randle was playing out of his mind. He was always going to regress, but these last two games were outliers unlikely to be repeated the rest of the season. He will rebound, literally and figuratively.

This is the Randle we saw against OKC. When a tough defender like Caruso guards him he can be defended one on one.

I know you despise Randle (comparatively speaking), But this was one bad game. He's allowed for that to happen a few times a season.

You said comparatively speaking, compared to what? This was a trend carried over from the playoffs last season. Randle is a guy who commands doubles unless you put an elite defender on him. If you do, you can defend him one on one. I don’t know if you noticed, but last night 3 times Jaden sat down, and 3 times OKC went on an 8-10 point run. As I stated already Jaden melted down in the fourth, but honestly last night Jaden was the #2, which is why he is untouchable in trade discussions, and Randle and Rudy are not. Randle is giving great production relative to his contract, but he has clear limitations that we ignore at our own peril.

[KGdaBom]

I chuckled that our centers would be Huff Post.

Of course, I laugh at Randle McDaniels pairings as well, so I’m pretty easy to amuse.

The Huffington Post and Vikings all time great Randall McDaniel.

I mean, it’s no Gay Love Sessions, but it’s still pretty good.

It's a shame that Rudy and Kevin were never teammates IIRC. However, I can give you a real name that's right up there with that pairing. NFL star Harry Colon. Auto Racer Dick Trickle.

[KGdaBom]

This is the Randle we saw against OKC. When a tough defender like Caruso guards him he can be defended one on one.

I know you despise Randle (comparatively speaking), But this was one bad game. He's allowed for that to happen a few times a season.

You said comparatively speaking, compared to what? This was a trend carried over from the playoffs last season. Randle is a guy who commands doubles unless you put an elite defender on him. If you do, you can defend him one on one. I don’t know if you noticed, but last night 3 times Jaden sat down, and 3 times OKC went on an 8-10 point run. As I stated already Jaden melted down in the fourth, but honestly last night Jaden was the #2, which is why he is untouchable in trade discussions, and Randle and Rudy are not. Randle is giving great production relative to his contract, but he has clear limitations that we ignore at our own peril.

Compared to how much he is outplaying his contract. Bolded That you overreact to at your own peril.

[Norseman79]

I think it's gotta be DDV and Naz, or Randle, or Gobert. Too bad we didn't go after Jabari Smith Jr.

Problem is, the players most of us want other teams aren't going to give up for what we have to offer. Here's what I mean, a team like Indiana would not give up Andrew Nembhard without getting prospects or draft picks back, unless we overpay, which we shouldn't do.

The other thing to remember is most of our tradable assets aren't able to be traded until January. Depending on the purpose of your trade, that may or may not be too late.

PG....a need. No matter what.

SG Edwards is set, DDV or Clark should go.. depending on what other team values more and what the return is. I'd rather keep Clark.

SF McDaniels would take a blockbuster to move, Shannon Jr should only be part of a big return as well.

PF Randle or Naz should be traded, possibly both in separate trades if a young 3 and D power forward can be found.

C any and all are fair game.

Coach - Finch needs to go and a young mind like Sam Cassell should come in, or bring in a hard ass like Jenkins or Malone or guy like Crean offensive mind

Trades I would do

Here is a massive reset with possiblity to compete still...

1. Indiana out: Nembhard and Huff
In: McDaniels

2. Hornets out: Sexton and Salaun
In: Randle

3. Pelicans out: Murphy
In: Reid, Moody, Miller, Dillingham

4. Warriors out: Kuminga, Moody, Post
In: Gobert

MN

PG Nembhard, Sexton (6th man instant offense)
SG Edwards, Clark (DDV trade pending)
SF Murphy, Shannon Jr
PF Kuminga, (convert Alize Johnson), Salaun
C. Huff, Post, Beringer, Rocco

Hire new coach, let it rip

(Trades did not include any draft compensation as that's a mess)

And yes, everything works financially. It results in Minnesota having approximately 56 million in cap space

1: Yuck
2: Uncontrollable vomit
3: I could approve of that.
4: Barf

1. Nembhard and McDaniels are not that far apart and Nembhard also plays a more impactful position. I love Jaden, but the mental and maturity issues aren't going away and it's the best path to a young starting PG. Huff is placed holding stretch 5.

2. There would be draft picks involved, but this team desperately needs a ball handling scorer and some intensity. Sexton brings both and next to Clark his defense ability can be covered a little. Plus, contract expires if he does suck.

3. No brainer, if not enough to Pelicans.

4. Gobert is a salary dump on our end for a starting pf. Post is salary purpose only, 6 fouls and can play stretch.

56 million in cap space if you didn't catch that part. Plus starting PG, SG, and SF locked in for foreseeable future.