PF/big front court targets

[Lipoli390]

Just to throw out another name how much would someone be willing to offer Nicolas Claxton in RFA?

I'm a big Claxton fan. But I don't think the Nets will let him go for what we could pay him.

[Monster]

Just to throw out another name how much would someone be willing to offer Nicolas Claxton in RFA?

I'm a big Claxton fan. But I don't think the Nets will let him go for what we could pay him.

Ok Lip I'll put you down for a full mid-level offer on Claxton. :) I assume the Nets don't let him leave either but I'm curious what people think he is worth.

[Tactical unit]

Just to throw out another name how much would someone be willing to offer Nicolas Claxton in RFA?

I'm a big Claxton fan. But I don't think the Nets will let him go for what we could pay him.

Ok Lip I'll put you down for a full mid-level offer on Claxton. :) I assume the Nets don't let him leave either but I'm curious what people think he is worth.

He's young and has a developing body and game, he won't get burned every time when switching onto a guard. BKN has tons of money locked up in Durant, Simmons, Kyrie, Harris, & Curry. Might be able to offer him more than they would want to pay and or trade for him if they sign him. Naz would actually fit really well with there core if you wanted to make a letteral move like that and they preferred Naz shooting and floor spacing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM8j5jzZFiA

Good name to toss out there Monster.

[Lipoli390]

Here's a list of largely unrestricted free-agent power forwards and centers this summer. The only restricted free agents I've included are those, based on reports, whose teams are apparently not inclined to retain them. I've also excluded all the unrestricted free agents who are 35 years of age or order. Yet, even with those exclusions, there's clearly a surplus of supply relative to demand - hence a buyer's market. Moreover, many are young and likely have untapped upside.

The bottom line take-away from this list is that the Wolves, as buyers, don't need to trade for a quality big to significantly upgrade the team's front court and shouldn't have to pay a lot to sign the big they want as a free agent. Further, this should dampen any notion of using the draft to satisfy the team's need for a better big to pair with KAT.

POWER FORWARDS
Jalen Smith (22.2)
Montrezl Harrell (28.3)
Chris Boucher (29.4)
Marvin Bagley (RFA) (24)

CENTERS
Nurkic (28)
Serge Ibaka (32.7)
Thomas Bryant (25)
Mo Bamba (RFA) (24.1)
JaVale McGee (34.3)
Robin Lopez (34.2)
Gorgui Dieng (32.3)
Hassan Whiteside (33)
Andre Drummond (29)
DeWayne Dedmon (33)
Tony Bradley (PO) (24.4)
Hartenstein (24.1)
Mitchell Robinson (RFA) (24.2)
Biyombo (30)
Damian Jones (27)
Tristan Thompson (31.2)
Cousins (32)
DeAndre Jordan (34)
Greg Monroe (32)
Moses Brown (RFA) (23)

[KG4Ever]

Here's a list of largely unrestricted free-agent power forwards and centers this summer. The only restricted free agents I've included are those, based on reports, whose teams are apparently not inclined to retain them. I've also excluded all the unrestricted free agents who are 35 years of age or order. Yet, even with those exclusions, there's clearly a surplus of supply relative to demand - hence a buyer's market. Moreover, many are young and likely have untapped upside.

The bottom line take-away from this list is that the Wolves, as buyers, don't need to trade for a quality big to significantly upgrade team's front court and shouldn't have to pay a lot to sign the big they want as a free agent. Further, this should dampen any notion of using the draft to satisfy the team's need for a better big to pair with KAT.

POWER FORWARDS
Jalen Smith (22.2)
Montrezl Harrell (28.3)
Chris Boucher (29.4)
Marvin Bagley (RFA) (24)

CENTERS
Nurkic (28)
Serge Ibaka (32.7)
Thomas Bryant (24.8)
Mo Bamba (RFA) (24.1)
JaVale McGee (34.3)
Robin Lopez (34.2)
Gorgui Dieng (32.3)
Hassan Whiteside (33)
Andre Drummond (29)
DeWayne Dedmon (33)
Tony Bradley (PO) (24.4)
Hartenstein (24.1)
Mitchell Robinson (RFA) (24.2)
Biyombo (30)
Damian Jones (27)
Tristan Thompson (31.2)
Cousins (32)
DeAndre Jordan (34)
Greg Monroe (32)
Moses Brown (RFA) (23)

Good list, Lip. My preferences are Nurkic, Hartenstein, Jalen Smith, Mo Bamba and Drummond. Given the depth here, I would prefer the Wolves address their center needs in free agency as opposed to with pick 19, though if Koloko fell to pick 40 or one of the stash centers, Kamagate or Nzosa were on the board at pick 50, I wouldn't mind taking them. I also would not be afraid to trade Naz Reid if another team values him enough to allow us to move up a bit in the draft (e.g. pick 40 to early 30s).

[Lipoli390]

KG -

I have the same preferences as you for bigs. Nurkic and Bamba are probably my top two picks if we can sign them as free agents. But I don't think I want either one if the MLE isn't enough - i.e., if we have to trade for them in a sign-and-trade. I'm still thinking Nurkic can be signed to a 4-year deal that starts at the top of the MLE and has max escalation over the contract's term. I have no sense of Bamba's value. Otherwise, I'm not sure who I'd prefer among Hartenstein, Smith and Drummond. Part of deciding among those three is how much it would cost. But another part of it is the remaining upside of Hartenstein and Smith. And I like that Hartenstein and Smith provide more versatility than Drummond. On the other hand, Drummond is an elite rebounder with terrific size, which means he provides precisely what the Wolves need most in their big next to KAT.