Trade Talk (Part 18): Early Season Panic Edition

[KGdaBom]

I just don't see it.

I'm not a Ja fan anyways, but I can't see how you can do anything but play him on the ball. He just doesn't have off the ball skills.

Like when Atlanta tried to play Trae and Murray together and it was a disaster because neither was effective without dominating the ball.

You'd need to look beyond the traditional off ball shooter/spacer role and get creative. For an example, think of the difference between early and late season Jaden last year. From him just sitting in the corner to him cutting into gaps. It's the same overall concept of being off ball but a different application.

Ja on this team could work. It would involve a fundamental change in the team's identity, as they'd need to become even faster and more transition oriented, but it could work. And if it requires buy in then I have faith in Finch for that; for whatever complaints people might have about him as a coach, no one can deny that he's excellent at working with players and particularly star players.

I know it's not apples to apples, but I couldn't resist.

If she's willing to explore so am I.

[Klomp]

Conley's highest usage in his time in MN is 16.8% with Ant being in the 31-32 ish range since Mike has been here. Ja is over 30 for his career. Ant has never played with someone that has the ball that much. Even with Julius playing at an all-star level this year, Randle is only at 28 usage. Mike may have started more possessions initially when he was first here, but Ant has always been the guy making the plays.

The team will adjust. Going from Towns to Randle also meant moving to a guy who had a higher usage number. Only slightly, but it went from Towns who was 25-27 usage with Finch to Randle who was normally 28-29 usage in New York. Julius was a 25 usage last year.

It would be a shift from the secondary ballhandler being a PF to being a PG. But in terms of second options, it's not much of a difference. The PF would probably have a lower usage as a result.

[BlacJacMac]

Conley's highest usage in his time in MN is 16.8% with Ant being in the 31-32 ish range since Mike has been here. Ja is over 30 for his career. Ant has never played with someone that has the ball that much. Even with Julius playing at an all-star level this year, Randle is only at 28 usage. Mike may have started more possessions initially when he was first here, but Ant has always been the guy making the plays.

The team will adjust. Going from Towns to Randle also meant moving to a guy who had a higher usage number. Only slightly, but it went from Towns who was 25-27 usage with Finch to Randle who was normally 28-29 usage in New York. Julius was a 25 usage last year.

It would be a shift from the secondary ballhandler being a PF to being a PG. But in terms of second options, it's not much of a difference. The PF would probably have a lower usage as a result.

So taking the ball out of the hands of the guy who has been our best player this year in favor of...Ja Morant?

[Klomp]

So taking the ball out of the hands of the guy who has been our best player this year in favor of...Ja Morant?

Well, there's a chance that he would be outgoing in the deal regardless. So yes. That would be the result.

[shrink]

Some of you saw this on the Trade Board, but I’ll bring it over here for discussion

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2482872#p120156648

UTA GETS: Leonard Miller

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

Plus .. UTA creates the roster spot by buying out Kyle Anderson, who signs with us for the vet min.

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 cheap 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.

Why for SloMo? He gets to play on a contender, rather than get DNP-CD’s in UTA. He loves Finch and his Wolves teammates (it was great seeing him interact with everyone at the MIN/UTA games. He knows the system. He stated Minnesota was great for his family and his autistic son.

[dschroeder01]

Conley's highest usage in his time in MN is 16.8% with Ant being in the 31-32 ish range since Mike has been here. Ja is over 30 for his career. Ant has never played with someone that has the ball that much. Even with Julius playing at an all-star level this year, Randle is only at 28 usage. Mike may have started more possessions initially when he was first here, but Ant has always been the guy making the plays.

The team will adjust. Going from Towns to Randle also meant moving to a guy who had a higher usage number. Only slightly, but it went from Towns who was 25-27 usage with Finch to Randle who was normally 28-29 usage in New York. Julius was a 25 usage last year.

It would be a shift from the secondary ballhandler being a PF to being a PG. But in terms of second options, it's not much of a difference. The PF would probably have a lower usage as a result.

Julius is back to 28 this year. Regardless, you're talking about very minor changes. Trading for Ja and starting him over DDV swaps a guy at 17 for a guy over 30. That's a HUGE difference.

Of course they would eventually adjust. There's only 1 ball so they would have to. Ant, Jaden, and Julius would likely have fewer touches. The question is why you want to adjust things so much to give the ball to a player like Ja?

I have a hard time understanding why people would think Ja is a good idea here.

Ja would have to adapt his game. Currently he's process of nuking a 2nd coach for being asked to adapt his game in the last couple of seasons.

Ja would need to stay healthy. He hasn't played in 7 consecutive games since March of 2023.

Ja would need to develop skills to play more off the ball. He hasn't done that at all in his career despite already desperately needing more skill to offset his physical decline.

Ja would be here to help get us over the hump in the playoffs. Ja has won 1 playoff series in his career.

Ja would need to defend better. He's a small guard and we've been seeing how defending with a small guard is hard in the NBA especially with teams like OKC, Denver, Houston, LAL, and San Antonio lurking in the playoffs.

Ja would need to adapt to our culture. Ja has been repeatedly suspended for his antics and is currently nuking the team that he's supposed to be leading.

[dschroeder01]

Some of you saw this on the Trade Board, but I’ll bring it over here for discussion

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2482872#p120156648

UTA GETS: Leonard Miller

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

Plus .. UTA creates the roster spot by buying out Kyle Anderson, who signs with us for the vet min.

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.

Why for SloMo? He gets to play on a contender, rather than get DNP-CD’s in UTA. He loves Finch and his Wolves teammates (it was great seeing him interact with everyone at the MIN/UTA games. He knows the system. He stated Minnesota was great for his family and his autistic son.

Miller isn't ever going to fit here so I guess it makes sense to get something for him (the worst of those 2nds is pretty bad though).

Anderson would be great for the bench if we knew Finch could control himself and be ok not playing him a lot of nights. If people are worried about Finch not playing young guys then adding Anderson would likely be even worse when he starting playing the few minutes that Shannon or Dillingham would get. Anderson would be really nice to have though for if there's an injury.

[BlacJacMac]

So taking the ball out of the hands of the guy who has been our best player this year in favor of...Ja Morant?

Well, there's a chance that he would be outgoing in the deal regardless. So yes. That would be the result.

That brings the trade from bad to way, way worse.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Wolveswin]

Can’t beat’em, trade with’em…

Highly unlikely, Buuuuut:

McDaniels
Dilly
Clark

FOR

Dort
Wallace
Dieng

McDaniels on his value contract has more trade value than Dort…not sure Wallace more value (hence Dilly). Presti would love being able to start McDaniels at SF but slide him up to PF next to Chet.

Hartenstein/Chet
Chet/McDaniels
McDaniels/Wiggins
Jalen/Mitchell/Joe
SGA/Caruso/Dilly

^Damn that team is deep!

Gobert/Dieng/Joan
Randle/Reid
Dort/Edwards/Miller
Edwards/DDV/TSJ
Wallace/Conley/Bones

^That is a very solid and complete lineup. Assuming Dort can be re-signed to (ironically) McDaniels value contract, this roster is locked in for a long time.

[dschroeder01]

Read on Twitter

Not saying Ball is a great option, but it's easier for me to see a way it could work for Ball here compared to Ja.

Lamelo's game isn't based on athleticism so you're less concerned about that dropping off. While both players have had plenty of injuries, I think the chances are higher that Lamelo could be a better player than he is now in 3-4 years whereas I think Ja will likely be worse.

Lamelo doesn't seem like a culture guy, but it seems more about focus and less of being a malcontent.

Neither player is known as a good defender, but at least Lamelo has size and is a good rebounder. He would need to step it up on that end just like Ja would, but Lamelo's size makes it easier for him to actually improve.

Lamelo has shown that he can space the floor. His shot selection would need to change dramatically, but earlier in his career he shot the 3 decently on good volume.

Both players are high usage guys, but Lamelo has shown to be a much more willing (and better) passer. I could actually see a path to him having the ball and actually setting the table for others effectively.

[BlacJacMac]

I think this is vastly more likely than either player landing here:

Read on Twitter

[KGdaBom]

I think this is vastly more likely than either player landing here:

Read on Twitter

If Melo is traded for Ja The Charlotte GM should be tarred and feathered. If it includes 5 unprotected FRPs going to Charlotte than it's OK.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

I would like to see Slomo back. We are clearly missing of IQ when things are tough and Slomo is a smart player.

[Neeva]

I would like to see Slomo back. We are clearly missing of IQ when things are tough and Slomo is a smart player.

As long as he doesn’t shoot ever just rebounds and plays defense lol

[cmoss84]

Would you trade Julius and Rob for LaMelo?

[TimberKat]

Would you trade Julius and Rob for LaMelo?

e
I love that trade last year. Now I am not so sure. It depends on how Naz develop and if he could take Randle's spot. Maybe package Conley too and see what we get. I think I will still do the Randle for LaMelo.

[Neeva]

Would you trade Julius and Rob for LaMelo?

That’s too much Julius is an all star this year. Naz, filler and Rob, Charlotte probably prefers younger player in Naz anyway.

[KGdaBom]

Would you trade Julius and Rob for LaMelo?

That’s too much Julius is an all star this year. Naz, filler and Rob, Charlotte probably prefers younger player in Naz anyway.

I'm good with that one.

[shrink]

I think people got used to the idea of trading Julius as a salary-matching piece right after we made the KAT trade, and haven’t readjusted their opinions to reflect his production or value to the team over the last eight months.

Julius is vastly out-producing all these guys people conceptualize as stars, and he wants to be in MIN!