Asset Inventory

[Lipoli390]

I'm giving this thread another thought because it's a fun brainstorming exercise, especially late in the evening. I know it seems difficult to believe right now, but I do still think the current roster can and will figure it out to some degree. I'm a little more unsure whether Chris Finch will get this team to their theoretical peak, but a playoff team nonetheless.

The issue when searching for trades to improve this team is pretty straightforward. What the Wolves need is difficult to acquire and limited in supply, and they have few tradable mid-level salaries to get it. The Timberwolves basically have max contract slots and near minimum salaries in abundance. That reality restricts much of their flexibility in deal-making -- along with their tradable draft capital being owned by Utah.

I've long been a believer that no player is truly untouchable, but for Minnesota's sake we'll assume that the 21-year old Anthony Edwards isn't going anywhere. Karl-Anthony Towns literally can't be traded for one full-year since he signed his Designated Veteran extension -- or until July 7th, 2023. I also tend to think that ownership and the front office would rather not trade Towns considering his stature and loyalty in Minnesota. It's probably not a good look to give him the supermax and then deal him soon after, but that's just speculation on my part.

Jaden McDaniels is another player that probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Minnesota gambled on his potential and development by withholding him from any trades this past summer. After a cold start to the season shooting the ball from the perimeter, he's been awesome the past couple of weeks and is looking like a very valuable piece to any team serious about winning. Far from a perfect player or even an All-Star, but what he provides is difficult to find and even harder to acquire.

Moving on to Rudy Gobert, this is where things could get interesting. I actually do think he could be traded sometime this season if Minnesota continues to flounder and Towns returns healthy. As others have articulated, it's highly unlikely they could get back exactly what was given up for Gobert this past summer, however, the potential equalizer is that they would likely get back much better win-now players than they sent out -- as well as some draft capital to restock the war chest. To reiterate, they will not find a team that is willing to give up four future first-round picks and additional young talent for Gobert, but they could get back proven, win-now players that fit the roster better along with multiple picks, albeit not four. Several examples of trades that could make sense to me in the event the Wolves pull the plug on Gobert are:

- Minnesota trades Rudy Gobert and Bryn Forbes to Toronto for O.G. Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., 2023 first-round pick (unprotected via TOR) and 2025 first-round pick (unprotected via TOR)

- Minnesota trades Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson to Brooklyn for Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, and 2023 first-round pick (unprotected via PHI)

- Minnesota trades Rudy Gobert to Charlotte for Gordon Hayward, Mason Plumlee, 2023 first-round pick (top-14 protected via DEN), 2025 first-round pick (unprotected via CHA), and 2027 first-round pick (unprotected via CHA)

D'Angelo Russell is sure to be a hot name in trade discussions as well, but I'm not sure what Minnesota could expect to get back in return that's actually better than him -- either an individual player or multiple players that combine to be better. And any argument that suggests the Wolves would simply be better by subtraction is foolishness. At risk of causing more uproar, my suggestion would be to ride it out with Russell and re-evaluate him after the season as he may end up taking a team-friendly deal. However, if Minnesota was to find a trade for him I tend to think it would look pretty similar to the deal Dallas made last year involving Kristaps Porzingis where they took back future salary spread amongst multiple players. The number of suitors are sure to be limited, but the following could work, in theory.

- Minnesota trades D'Angelo Russell and Jaylen Nowell to Washington for Monte Morris, Will Barton, and Delon Wright

- Minnesota trades D'Angelo Russell to San Antonio for Doug McDermott and Josh Richardson

- Minnesota trades D'Angelo Russell and Bryn Forbes to Dallas for Tim Hardaway Jr. and Davis Bertans

The remainder of the Wolves' roster is either more valuable to them than another team, or has minimal to no trade value on their own. This grouping is made up of: Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, Jordan McLaughlin, Naz Reid, Jaylen Nowell, Wendell Moore Jr., Josh Minott, Luka Garza, Nathan Knight, A.J. Lawson, Austin Rivers, and Bryn Forbes.

Great post, Cam. I enjoyed reading it. I think your analysis is spot on and your hypothetical trades are reasonable. Of the three Gobert deals you suggested, my favorite is the Toronto deal. Of the three DLO deals you suggested, my favorites are the San Antonio and Dallas deals. I wouldn't do the Washington deal because I wouldn't want to give up Nowell.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Great post, Cam. I enjoyed reading it. I think your analysis is spot on and your hypothetical trades are reasonable. Of the three Gobert deals you suggested, my favorite is the Toronto deal. Of the three DLO deals you suggested, my favorites are the San Antonio and Dallas deals. I wouldn't do the Washington deal because I wouldn't want to give up Nowell.

Much-appreciated, Lip! I'd like to think that Rudy Gobert's resume and market value hasn't changed much, if at all, since being traded, which likely leaves the Timberwolves with several quality trade routes should they need to pivot anytime soon. The Toronto package would probably be the safest of the three given that O.G. Anunoby is a known, two-way hybrid forward with a reliable perimeter shot. That player type fits on any team with any scheme no matter the roster situation.

Like I alluded to earlier, I'm still in the "Keep D'Angelo Russell" camp until I see a valid reason for him to be moved or an available upgrade to be had. Either of those possibilities could present themselves this season, in theory, but I lean towards this team figuring it out, winning a lot, and Russell being a productive cog in that.

However, out of the three Russell trades I suggested, I actually like the Washington deal the most because it brings back multiple shot creators. I don't think it's smart or responsible for this franchise to consistently rely on Anthony Edwards to create offense like he's a James Harden or Luka Doncic -- at least not yet. They'd need to add there in my view. The San Antonio deal essentially adds a knockdown shooter to the mix, which as we're learning could be a serious need at some point if Minnesota's percentages don't regress back to their norms. Lastly, the deal with Dallas, to me, seems like a trade that's made as a stepping stone in order to make another separate trade(s) using one or both of those mid-level salaries either before the deadline or during the off-season. That's essentially kicking the can down the road without any real solution in place.

[JasonIsDaMan [enjin:7981157]]

Gobert to DEN for Wilson
Or
Gobert/Fleury to GB for Rodgers
Or
Gobert/DLO to LAA for Rendon/Shohei
OR
Gobert to BRK for Kyrie, a globe, two COVID vaccines, two COVID boosters, and a Menorah

I read somewhere that there's a rookie who is shooting 71% from the floor and allowing .9 PPP on pick-and-rolls. Maybe the Wolves can get that guy.

True Story: DAL has a guy who is 34/9/9/2 and they're .500, so getting their two worst contracts is definitely a steal.

In all seriousness, watching you guys turn on a deal you were orgasming over 5 months ago would be a lot more fun if it didn't involve a Minnesota team. Maybe you can do a 50-page thread on the John Collins extension or the Russell Westbrook trade or something.

[WildWolf2813]

I'm giving this thread another thought because it's a fun brainstorming exercise, especially late in the evening. I know it seems difficult to believe right now, but I do still think the current roster can and will figure it out to some degree. I'm a little more unsure whether Chris Finch will get this team to their theoretical peak, but a playoff team nonetheless.

The issue when searching for trades to improve this team is pretty straightforward. What the Wolves need is difficult to acquire and limited in supply, and they have few tradable mid-level salaries to get it. The Timberwolves basically have max contract slots and near minimum salaries in abundance. That reality restricts much of their flexibility in deal-making -- along with their tradable draft capital being owned by Utah.

I've long been a believer that no player is truly untouchable, but for Minnesota's sake we'll assume that the 21-year old Anthony Edwards isn't going anywhere. Karl-Anthony Towns literally can't be traded for one full-year since he signed his Designated Veteran extension -- or until July 7th, 2023. I also tend to think that ownership and the front office would rather not trade Towns considering his stature and loyalty in Minnesota. It's probably not a good look to give him the supermax and then deal him soon after, but that's just speculation on my part.

Jaden McDaniels is another player that probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Minnesota gambled on his potential and development by withholding him from any trades this past summer. After a cold start to the season shooting the ball from the perimeter, he's been awesome the past couple of weeks and is looking like a very valuable piece to any team serious about winning. Far from a perfect player or even an All-Star, but what he provides is difficult to find and even harder to acquire.

Moving on to Rudy Gobert, this is where things could get interesting. I actually do think he could be traded sometime this season if Minnesota continues to flounder and Towns returns healthy. As others have articulated, it's highly unlikely they could get back exactly what was given up for Gobert this past summer, however, the potential equalizer is that they would likely get back much better win-now players than they sent out -- as well as some draft capital to restock the war chest. To reiterate, they will not find a team that is willing to give up four future first-round picks and additional young talent for Gobert, but they could get back proven, win-now players that fit the roster better along with multiple picks, albeit not four.

Several examples of trades that could make sense to me in the event the Wolves pull the plug on Gobert are:

- Minnesota trades Rudy Gobert and Bryn Forbes to Toronto for O.G. Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., 2023 first-round pick (unprotected via TOR) and 2025 first-round pick (unprotected via TOR)

- Minnesota trades Rudy Gobert and Kyle Anderson to Brooklyn for Ben Simmons, Nic Claxton, and 2023 first-round pick (unprotected via PHI)

- Minnesota trades Rudy Gobert to Charlotte for Gordon Hayward, Mason Plumlee, 2023 first-round pick (top-14 protected via DEN), 2025 first-round pick (unprotected via CHA), and 2027 first-round pick (unprotected via CHA)

D'Angelo Russell is sure to be a hot name in trade discussions as well, but I'm not sure what Minnesota could expect to get back in return that's actually better than him -- either an individual player or multiple players that combine to be better. And any argument that suggests the Wolves would simply be better by subtraction is foolishness. At risk of causing more uproar, my suggestion would be to ride it out with Russell and re-evaluate him after the season as he may end up taking a team-friendly deal. However, if Minnesota was to find a trade for him I tend to think it would look pretty similar to the deal Dallas made last year involving Kristaps Porzingis where they took back future salary spread amongst multiple players. The number of suitors are sure to be limited, but the following could work, in theory.

- Minnesota trades D'Angelo Russell and Jaylen Nowell to Washington for Monte Morris, Will Barton, and Delon Wright

- Minnesota trades D'Angelo Russell to San Antonio for Doug McDermott and Josh Richardson

- Minnesota trades D'Angelo Russell and Bryn Forbes to Dallas for Tim Hardaway Jr. and Davis Bertans

The remainder of the Wolves' roster is either more valuable to them than another team, or has minimal to no trade value on their own. This grouping is made up of: Kyle Anderson, Taurean Prince, Jordan McLaughlin, Naz Reid, Jaylen Nowell, Wendell Moore Jr., Josh Minott, Luka Garza, Nathan Knight, A.J. Lawson, Austin Rivers, and Bryn Forbes.

I'll just comment on the offers.

I just can't see Toronto wanting to trade all that for Gobert. They've invested plenty of developmental time for bigs like Boucher and Koloko (who I wanted this team to draft) to eventually assume that role.

The worst part of the Gobert trade is that it guaranteed that they'd have to deal with Russell since they did an awful job of even trying to find someone who could replace him down the line. That's where all their focus needs to go towards this summer. Unfortunately, I could see a scenario where KAT gets moved to NY and we decide to just let someone like Immanuel Quickley just be the PG even though he's more or less a backup combo guard.

The Brooklyn trade couldn't happen because Brooklyn traded that '23 first to Utah for Royce O'Neale. The idea of Ben Simmons sounds awesome, but Ben's issues are physical as well as mental. That's the type of reclamation project you take on when you're at the bottom, not when you're trying to do everything to avoid winding up there. The Nets have concluded that they can't even have Claxton and Simmons on the court together since it leads to awful results offensively. That's a no-go.

Rudy to Charlotte in theory sounds like a plan only if they don't get Wembanyama, but even if they didn't, they might as well use Mark Williams more than they do. I'd insist on him being a part of any trade package.

[Monster]

Mark Williams has had some injuries but has played 8 games in the G-league where he has been really productive. That Charolette roster has a lot of depth at C.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I was brainstorming some additional possibilities or pivots for Minnesota should they feel it's necessary to make big changes this season. I'm adding to this thread because I've shared some others already here.

I think the following trade is not only realistic for all involved, but I could actually see some version of it happening near the deadline whether the Timberwolves are involved or not.

Chicago Bulls:
- Deandre Ayton

Phoenix Suns:
- Rudy Gobert

Minnesota Timberwolves:
- Nikola Vucevic
- Jae Crowder
- Alex Caruso
- 2023 1st (via PHO)
- 2025 1st (via PHO)
- 2027 1st (via CHI)


Chicago Bulls--

Trade:
- Nikola Vucevic
- Alex Caruso
- 2027 1st

Receive:
- Deandre Ayton

Vooch is an expiring contract. Ayton is a 24-year old, highly-productive [offensive] big signed for multiple years.

If Chicago doesn't completely rebuild, then this is pretty good value, in my opinion.

Phoenix Suns--

Trade:
- Deandre Ayton
- Jae Crowder
- 2023 1st
- 2025 1st

Receive:
- Rudy Gobert

Phoenix matched the offer sheet on Ayton, but couldn't resolve their issues. Crowder won't even suit up. They move both and two firsts for a former All-NBA, DPOY in Gobert? What a coup.

Minnesota Timberwolves--

Trade:
- Rudy Gobert

Receive:
- Nikola Vucevic
- Jae Crowder
- Alex Caruso
- 2023 1st
- 2025 1st
- 2027 1st

Minnesota pivots by adding much-needed complimentary players and restocking draft capital. They lose value overall, but potentially end up better moving forward. They could potentially flip Vooch to a fourth team and expand the trade to bring back another useful player that fits. If not, and Vooch expires, then they've cleared future salary that could then be used to re-sign several current Wolves (D'Angelo Russell, Naz Reid) as well as an impending free agent in Crowder, if that made sense.

Or... and this just occurred to me after I had initially posted this... Minnesota would have roughly $71-million in expiring contracts, and $78-million coming off the books if they declined Taurean Prince's option.

If they picked up everyone else's options and/or guaranteed their contracts (Edwards, McDaniels, McLaughlin, Moore Jr., Knight, Minott), and retained Towns, Anderson, and Caruso, they'd have nine players signed for $80-million next year -- $54-million in cap space under the $134-million cap. Too bad it's a mild crop of free agents, but that's quite a bit of money to play around with if you really wanted to pivot.

[WildWolf2813]

I'm at the point where letting D'Lo walk is like ripping a band-aid off. It might need to be done. Yeah, we'd have no starting caliber PG's, but I don't think we have any now. Connelly should have addressed that and now we're stuck praying for Spagnolo. Then D'Lo can find out what teams really think of him. Connelly better pray he drafts the next Brogdon in 2023.

[Lipoli390]

I'm at the point where letting D'Lo walk is like ripping a band-aid off. It might need to be done. Yeah, we'd have no starting caliber PG's, but I don't think we have any now. Connelly should have addressed that and now we're stuck praying for Spagnolo. Then D'Lo can find out what teams really think of him. Connelly better pray he drafts the next Brogdon in 2023.

My thoughts on DLO are as follows:

First, I don't think it's worth trading him because I don't see us getting adequate value in return. His trade value is primarily his expiring contract, which means we'd have to take a roughly the same salary back but on a longer-term deal. That would make a bad cap situation for the Wolves even worse.

Second, I think the Wolves can probably re-sign DLO after this season at a salary around the MLE level. Honestly, I just don't see a team offering him more than around $10-12 million per year. Therefore, I'm not sure I'd just let him walk. I've never been a DLO fan, but I've been fine with his play this season. He's tried to do for Gobert what he did for Jarrett Allen, but the problem is that Allen had very good hands good footwork while Gobert does not. DLO continues to give great effort on the defensive end. Yes, his shooting remains wildly in consistently and I think that will always be an issue with him. But he's smart and talented and we could do a lot worse. The problem this year is that putting DLO on the court with both Gobert and KAT means three-fifths of our starting lineup is relatively slow and unathletic. That just doesn't cut it in the NBA.

[FNG]

I'm at the point where letting D'Lo walk is like ripping a band-aid off. It might need to be done. Yeah, we'd have no starting caliber PG's, but I don't think we have any now. Connelly should have addressed that and now we're stuck praying for Spagnolo. Then D'Lo can find out what teams really think of him. Connelly better pray he drafts the next Brogdon in 2023.

My thoughts on DLO are as follows:

First, I don't think it's worth trading him because I don't see us getting adequate value in return. His trade value is primarily his expiring contract, which means we'd have to take a roughly the same salary back but on a longer-term deal. That would make a bad cap situation for the Wolves even worse.

Second, I think the Wolves can probably re-sign DLO after this season at a salary around the MLE level. Honestly, I just don't see a team offering him more than around $10-12 million per year. Therefore, I'm not sure I'd just let him walk. I've never been a DLO fan, but I've been fine with his play this season. He's tried to do for Gobert what he did for Jarrett Allen, but the problem is that Allen had very good hands good footwork while Gobert does not. DLO continues to give great effort on the defensive end Yes, his shooting remains wildly in consistently and I think that will always be an issue with him. But he's smart and talented and we could do a lot worse. The problem this year is that putting DLO on the court with both Gobert and KAT means three-fifths of our starting lineup is relatively slow and unathletic. That just doesn't cut it in the NBA.

Lip, have you gotten into the NYE champagne a little early ;-) ? I don't know if you're going to the game tonight or not (I'm not...gonna watch the replay in the morning), but I challenge you to focus much of your time on DLo's defense. There are too many times where it honestly looks like we're playing man defense but DLo is playing zone...he's not close to anybody! So many times I see him drifting into the paint, often pointing to his teammates to pick up their man, while he completely loses track of the guy he is supposed to be guarding! What makes it even more maddening is that, even though he is in the paint, he more often than not offers little or no resistance to an opponent driving to the hoop. Finchie does his best to hide him on defense (like last night where he was asked to guard the offensively-challenged Jevon Carter), but teams still regularly target him by forcing switches onto bigger offensive threats. I saw some flashes of defensive hustle and effectiveness last season, but I think his defense this season has been a disaster. I actually am not as troubled as others by his shooting inconsistency, and have praised his offensive game in several posts (although I'd like to see him work more pick and rolls with Rudy). But I've found his defense this season to be consistently and alarmingly bad, and a major reason for our struggles to date. You simply aren't going to win many games playing 4 on 5 on defense.

Focus on him tonight, and tell me what you really think about his defense.

[Monster]

I'm at the point where letting D'Lo walk is like ripping a band-aid off. It might need to be done. Yeah, we'd have no starting caliber PG's, but I don't think we have any now. Connelly should have addressed that and now we're stuck praying for Spagnolo. Then D'Lo can find out what teams really think of him. Connelly better pray he drafts the next Brogdon in 2023.

My thoughts on DLO are as follows:

First, I don't think it's worth trading him because I don't see us getting adequate value in return. His trade value is primarily his expiring contract, which means we'd have to take a roughly the same salary back but on a longer-term deal. That would make a bad cap situation for the Wolves even worse.

Second, I think the Wolves can probably re-sign DLO after this season at a salary around the MLE level. Honestly, I just don't see a team offering him more than around $10-12 million per year. Therefore, I'm not sure I'd just let him walk. I've never been a DLO fan, but I've been fine with his play this season. He's tried to do for Gobert what he did for Jarrett Allen, but the problem is that Allen had very good hands good footwork while Gobert does not. DLO continues to give great effort on the defensive end. Yes, his shooting remains wildly in consistently and I think that will always be an issue with him. But he's smart and talented and we could do a lot worse. The problem this year is that putting DLO on the court with both Gobert and KAT means three-fifths of our starting lineup is relatively slow and unathletic. That just doesn't cut it in the NBA.

I haven't looked at what teams might need a starting level PG that have money however my guess is that Russell is gonna get more than $10-$12 million because Russell as a 6th man type I think would have a greater market than that.

Having said that I think Lip your point still stands that the Wolves could end up still resigning Russell for something that is more palatable and maybe moveable if it doesn't work out. In addition Russell may want to come back if there are no better landing spots.

I could also be fine letting him walk and going another direction. Fortunately that decision doesn't need to be made now as Lip points out trading Russell is unlikely to help moving forward. It will be interesting to see how Russell finishes up the season and the team as well. Let's revisit this a few months from now.