Free Agency Thread

[Klomp]

Working in Naz's favor, there won't be much in terms of 2022 free agents at the center position. You have a couple of vets (Valanciunas, Gasol, Baynes) likely ring-chasing, and Nurkic as far as guys in their primes. Naz will be the best of the rest.

[Krapinsky]

Read on Twitter

Mild interest if not too expensive.

I'd only be interested if we had Simmons on out team first.

[Dewey]

Markkanen and Gallinari could indicate we have lowered our off-season prospects a tier …

Realistically, from the outside looking in, FA’s don’t see KAT, DLo, or the mess in Mpls as a favorable destination. Maybe Ant can change that perception. These are still nice players but not the caliber but they do not fill critical need defensively.

[digitaldropoff]

Markkanen and Gallinari could indicate we have lowered our off-season prospects a tier …

Realistically, from the outside looking in, FA’s don’t see KAT, DLo, or the mess in Mpls as a favorable destination. Maybe Ant can change that perception. These are still nice players but not the caliber but they do not fill critical need defensively.

I don't think FA view has anything to do with KAT and Dlo, or even the city they play in....it's the fact that we have no money to spend. The MLE is not big time money, it's not even enough to pay Lauri and Gallo, let alone, a tier higher. And further, who exactly is available to fills in every hole we have on defense. I'd argue that player doesn't even exist. Simmons would be great, Turner would be cool....but no one out there, available or not, is fixing all of our issues on the perimeter and keeping KAT engaged. That's not to say we shouldn't hope for better defense and our FO should be looking for those upgrades, but in reality, they aren't actually out there. A combo of Vandy and more seasoned McDaniels is the most likely best defensive upgrade we can make without blowing everything up. I know we don't have a great reputation, but if we have no money to spend, then no agent of any FA is pushing their client to look at a Minnesota offer.

[wolves_89]

My list of guys the Wolves could look to sign as free agents using part of the MLE include:

JaMychal Green (player option, good chance he declines)
Dan Theis (FA)
Otto Porter (FA)
Gorgui Dieng (FA)
Jarred Vanderbilt (our own RFA)
Mo Harkless (FA)
Justise Winslow (team option)
Zach Collins (FA)
Frank Ntilikina (maybe RFA, but probably not)

[MN7725]

Stanley Johnson

Huge disappointment, hopefully has given up thinking he's a #8 pick Future Star, but physically everything you want in a combo forward and he can defend

If he can starting hitting just wide open shots because teams don't defend him, becomes a Jae Crowder, PJ Tucker type player

Same shooting hope as Okogie/Culver but SJ at least has the size/strength to matchup with the bigger star forwards, Wolves don't have anyone besides McDaniels (at least has length) who can do that

[NebWolvesFan]

Regarding Stanley Johnson coming here on a minimum deal. He has played a lot of basketball with a guy named Finch on the staff.

My minimum signing prediction is Juancho's brother Willy. He really came on late and I could see where he would like to play with his brother. Finding guys who would even consider Minnesota is tough. He might be one who would sign here without Minnesota having to overpay.

[Klomp]

My minimum signing prediction is Juancho's brother Willy. He really came on late and I could see where he would like to play with his brother. Finding guys who would even consider Minnesota is tough. He might be one who would sign here without Minnesota having to overpay.

This is one I've thought about in the third center role for cheap

[life_saver]

What do people think about Josh Hart? He seems like a decent role player to have on the team

[NebWolvesFan]

What do people think about Josh Hart? He seems like a decent role player to have on the team

Too expensive. The Wolves are unlikely to sign any free agents with roster and tax concerns. If they do it will be a minimum guy. If they are able to move Layman or Okogie into another team's space, they could potentially sign V8, Bolmaro and still have enough for a minimum signing. I can't see any situation where Minnesota has enough space under the tax to sign any free agents for more than a couple of million dollars

[Calinks]

Current rumors are that Ben Simmons is avoiding the Sixers, they can't reach him for off-season workouts. People are chalking it up to laziness but some of us are wondering if it's stress/mental health-related. He may not be in a good place or maybe he's just pissed at the organization. Either way, this looks bad if true.

[SO_MONEY]

Current rumors are that Ben Simmons is avoiding the Sixers, they can't reach him for off-season workouts. People are chalking it up to laziness but some of us are wondering if it's stress/mental health-related. He may not be in a good place or maybe he's just pissed at the organization. Either way, this looks bad if true.

Is there a link to this?

NM found it.

[Foye]

My minimum signing prediction is Juancho's brother Willy. He really came on late and I could see where he would like to play with his brother. Finding guys who would even consider Minnesota is tough. He might be one who would sign here without Minnesota having to overpay.

This is one I've thought about in the third center role for cheap

Seems highly unlikely given how they have treated Juancho.

[shangrila]

Current rumors are that Ben Simmons is avoiding the Sixers, they can't reach him for off-season workouts. People are chalking it up to laziness but some of us are wondering if it's stress/mental health-related. He may not be in a good place or maybe he's just pissed at the organization. Either way, this looks bad if true.

Apparently that's been debunked. They had contact as recently as the other week.

But I'd take everything with a grain of salt at this point. And if I had to bet on which of these is true, I'd unfortunately have to side with Simmons' being a spoilt man-child.

[Dewey]

Current rumors are that Ben Simmons is avoiding the Sixers, they can't reach him for off-season workouts. People are chalking it up to laziness but some of us are wondering if it's stress/mental health-related. He may not be in a good place or maybe he's just pissed at the organization. Either way, this looks bad if true.

Apparently that's been debunked. They had contact as recently as the other week.

But I'd take everything with a grain of salt at this point. And if I had to bet on which of these is true, I'd unfortunately have to side with Simmons' being a spoilt man-child.

It’s likely a little but of them all, but spoiled is not really one of them imo… he actually plays all star defense. One of the bigger issues I see is being called out by his teammate in public and no one backed him - not even a coach. No one took any accountability and pretty much put it all on Ben. People with character don’t do that.

[Klomp]

Current rumors are that Ben Simmons is avoiding the Sixers, they can't reach him for off-season workouts. People are chalking it up to laziness but some of us are wondering if it's stress/mental health-related. He may not be in a good place or maybe he's just pissed at the organization. Either way, this looks bad if true.

Apparently that's been debunked. They had contact as recently as the other week.

But I'd take everything with a grain of salt at this point. And if I had to bet on which of these is true, I'd unfortunately have to side with Simmons' being a spoilt man-child.

It’s likely a little but of them all, but spoiled is not really one of them imo… he actually plays all star defense. One of the bigger issues I see is being called out by his teammate in public and no one backed him - not even a coach. No one took any accountability and pretty much put it all on Ben. People with character don’t do that.

So you're saying Embiid and Doc don't have character? I'd agree.

[shangrila]

Current rumors are that Ben Simmons is avoiding the Sixers, they can't reach him for off-season workouts. People are chalking it up to laziness but some of us are wondering if it's stress/mental health-related. He may not be in a good place or maybe he's just pissed at the organization. Either way, this looks bad if true.

Apparently that's been debunked. They had contact as recently as the other week.

But I'd take everything with a grain of salt at this point. And if I had to bet on which of these is true, I'd unfortunately have to side with Simmons' being a spoilt man-child.

It’s likely a little but of them all, but spoiled is not really one of them imo… he actually plays all star defense. One of the bigger issues I see is being called out by his teammate in public and no one backed him - not even a coach. No one took any accountability and pretty much put it all on Ben. People with character don’t do that.

A few things.

Firstly, he deserved it. Passing up that layup went beyond sad and into the farcical.

Secondly, he's had the same criticisms leveled against him for almost his entire career to this point. And his response to that criticism? To do nothing. Seriously, he's the same exact player he was 4 years ago. Everything from his per game averages to his advanced stats are near identical year in, year out.

Thirdly, an adult doesn't cut off communication from their employer because it makes them uncomfortable. If an employer gives them resources to train with (a shooting coach his 2nd season) they don't decide, without informing their employer, that they're going to do something completely different. He shirks from responsibility and runs from criticism. He's a man-child, spoiled by those around him who seem more interested in blowing smoke up his arse than actually seeing him improve and grow.

And this is coming from someone who wants us to trade for him. But there's no denying he's got serious character flaws that are effecting his work.

[Dewey]

Apparently that's been debunked. They had contact as recently as the other week.

But I'd take everything with a grain of salt at this point. And if I had to bet on which of these is true, I'd unfortunately have to side with Simmons' being a spoilt man-child.

It’s likely a little but of them all, but spoiled is not really one of them imo… he actually plays all star defense. One of the bigger issues I see is being called out by his teammate in public and no one backed him - not even a coach. No one took any accountability and pretty much put it all on Ben. People with character don’t do that.

A few things.

Firstly, he deserved it. Passing up that layup went beyond sad and into the farcical.

Secondly, he's had the same criticisms leveled against him for almost his entire career to this point. And his response to that criticism? To do nothing. Seriously, he's the same exact player he was 4 years ago. Everything from his per game averages to his advanced stats are near identical year in, year out.

Thirdly, an adult doesn't cut off communication from their employer because it makes them uncomfortable. If an employer gives them resources to train with (a shooting coach his 2nd season) they don't decide, without informing their employer, that they're going to do something completely different. He shirks from responsibility and runs from criticism. He's a man-child, spoiled by those around him who seem more interested in blowing smoke up his arse than actually seeing him improve and grow.

And this is coming from someone who wants us to trade for him. But there's no denying he's got serious character flaws that are effecting his work.

No one yet has denied he has issues - but you argue like your making a new case as if it’s breaking news. One thing for sure, Ben is not the sharpest tac in the box.

Nonetheless, I have never seen a coach and the number one player publicly throw someone under the bus like they did … classless. They’ve known for 4 years what they got in Ben - maybe it’s them who failed to do their job.

[shangrila]

It’s likely a little but of them all, but spoiled is not really one of them imo… he actually plays all star defense. One of the bigger issues I see is being called out by his teammate in public and no one backed him - not even a coach. No one took any accountability and pretty much put it all on Ben. People with character don’t do that.

A few things.

Firstly, he deserved it. Passing up that layup went beyond sad and into the farcical.

Secondly, he's had the same criticisms leveled against him for almost his entire career to this point. And his response to that criticism? To do nothing. Seriously, he's the same exact player he was 4 years ago. Everything from his per game averages to his advanced stats are near identical year in, year out.

Thirdly, an adult doesn't cut off communication from their employer because it makes them uncomfortable. If an employer gives them resources to train with (a shooting coach his 2nd season) they don't decide, without informing their employer, that they're going to do something completely different. He shirks from responsibility and runs from criticism. He's a man-child, spoiled by those around him who seem more interested in blowing smoke up his arse than actually seeing him improve and grow.

And this is coming from someone who wants us to trade for him. But there's no denying he's got serious character flaws that are effecting his work.

No one yet has denied he has issues - but you argue like your making a new case as if it’s breaking news. One thing for sure, Ben is not the sharpest tac in the box.

No I'm not.

I called him a spoilt man-child, you pushed back, I explained. I didn't present it as new evidence, I'm just not glossing over his history.

Nonetheless, I have never seen a coach and the number one player publicly throw someone under the bus like they did … classless. They’ve known for 4 years what they got in Ben - maybe it’s them who failed to do their job.

This is my point - they tried.

I know Doc is new but Embiid, and the organisation, have been trying to get Simmons to improve since his rookie season. He's, in some cases literally, rebuffed all their attempts. And if anything he seems to be getting worse, especially when it comes to the playoffs. So they're calling him out publicly because it's the last practical option they have left, short of trading him. And I think how he reacted showed that this option was going to fail too so now it's off to the trading block.

I get that nobody is really blameless in all this but ultimately the buck stops with Simmons. He's the one that refuses to shoot, that refuses to work on his weaknesses, that at times openly mocks constructive criticism. I don't applaud Embiid and Doc for outing him publicly (and Embiid threw himself in front of that bus as well if we're being honest) but I don't blame them either.

[UnFadeable21]

John Hollinger The Athletics Top Center Free Agents

Tier 1: Max players

Nobody

Tier 2: More than midlevel, less than max

1. Richaun Holmes, Kings: $18,269,033 (10th overall)

2. Jarrett Allen, Cavs (restricted): $16,013,853 (12th overall)

3. Andre Drummond, Lakers: $15,099,657 (13th overall)

4. Kelly Olynyk, Rockets: $14,198,223 (15th overall)

5. Daniel Theis, Bulls: $12,462,489 (20th overall)


Tier 3: Midlevel guys

6. Montrezl Harrell, Lakers (player option) $11,536,230

7. Enes Kanter, Blazers: $11,485,358

8. Hassan Whiteside, Kings: $9,133,220

9. Serge Ibaka, Clippers (player option): $6,728,242

10. Cody Zeller, Hornets: $6,138,936

11. Bobby Portis, Bucks (player option): $6,014,907

12. Willie Cauley-Stein, Mavs: $5,575,719

13. Nerlens Noel, Knicks: $5,569,080

14. Alex Len, Wizards: $3,369,320

15. Willy Hernangomez, Pelicans: $3,287,589

16. Frank Kaminsky, Suns: $3,044,397




Tier 5: Minimum guys

17. Jock Landale, Melbourne United

18. Taj Gibson, Knicks

19. Khem Birch, Raptors

20. Robin Lopez, Wizards

21. Dwight Howard, 76ers

22. Tony Bradley, Thunder (restricted)

23. Gorgui Dieng, Spurs

24. Boban Marjanovic, Mavs

25. JaVale McGee, Nuggets

26. DeMarcus Cousins, Clippers

27. Dewayne Dedmon, Heat

28. Aron Baynes, Raptors (non-guaranteed)

29. Bismack Biyombo, Hornets

30. Isaiah Hartenstein, Cavs (player option)

31. Moritz Wagner, Magic

32. Luke Kornet, Celtics

33. Harry Giles, Blazers

34. Udonis Haslem, Heat

35. Ed Davis, Timberwolves

36. Cristiano Felicio, Bulls