Camden wrote:I wouldn't consider some of these "dream" off-seasons, respectfully. I believe D'Angelo Russell would indeed be easy to move if the Timberwolves chose to do so, especially as an expiring contract. However, what would the return for him be that objectively makes them a better team? Personally, I don't see it, and I think he is far more valuable to this team than any other. In general, I have little interest in breaking up the nucleus of this team after their 46-win season. We're heading in the right direction as is.
I also don't see how giving mid-level money (or more) to a below average starting point guard option in Tyus Jones actually boosts this team in any aspect. That would be a mistake. And while I think the Wolves have to make at least one addition to the frontcourt, I think they need to be very precise in who that player is with regards to age, contract, and team fit. For instance, I think Myles Turner is a quality big in this league, but I no longer think he'd be a great fit in Minnesota for a handful of reasons.
I think my "dream" scenario would unfold as follows:
- Minnesota trades G Malik Beasley and the No. 19 overall pick to Orlando for F Jonathan Isaac and the No. 35 overall pick.
- Minnesota trades the No. 35 (via Orlando via Indiana) and No. 40 overall picks to Milwaukee for the No. 24 overall pick -- 1030/930 value, respectively, according to Kevin Pelton's draft pick trade value chart.
- Minnesota selects one of the following with the No. 24 overall pick (via Milwaukee): Duke G/F Wendell Moore Jr., Ohio State F E.J. Liddell, or Marquette F Justin Lewis.
- Minnesota selects Fortitudo Bologna G/F Gabriele Procida with the No. 50 overall pick (via Denver) with the intent to let him continue developing in Italy.
- Minnesota signs free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $21-million deal (UFA in 2025).
- Minnesota signs free agent G/F Danuel House to a one-year, $1.5-million deal (UFA in 2023).
- Minnesota re-signs F Taurean Prince to a two-year, $18-million deal (UFA in 2024).
- Minnesota re-signs G McKinley Wright on a two-way deal.
- Minnesota exercises team options on G Jaylen Nowell and C Naz Reid for the 2022-23 season. Both players would be unrestricted free agents in 2023.
- Minnesota signs C Karl-Anthony Towns to a four-year, $210.9-million super-max extension (UFA in 2028).
- Jonathan Isaac's contract has $52.2-million remaining over the next three seasons. He has $16-million guaranteed in 2022-23, $7.6-million guaranteed in 2023-24, and zero guaranteed money in 2024-25.
Proposed Depth Chart:
1: Patrick Beverley / Jordan McLaughlin / McKinley Wright
2: D'Angelo Russell / Jaylen Nowell / Wendell Moore Jr. / Leandro Bolmaro
3: Anthony Edwards / Jaden McDaniels / Taurean Prince / Danuel House
4: Jonathan Isaac / Jarred Vanderbilt
5: Karl-Anthony Towns / Isaiah Hartenstein / Naz Reid
In my off-season, the Timberwolves would have kept the nucleus of the team together, bolstered their frontcourt, and improved their second unit across the board. They'd remain approximately $10-million below the luxury tax threshold and would once again be positioned to challenge for a top-six seed in the Western Conference next season.
It might not be fair but I don't know if Johnathan Isaacs off the court beliefs would fit in with this specific locker room
kekgeek1 wrote:It might not be fair but I don't know if Johnathan Isaacs off the court beliefs would fit in with this specific locker room
Obviously, I can't say definitively one way or the other, but I do think we have a group of accepting individuals and overall free-thinkers. I don't think there would be any locker room issues there.
Camden wrote:I wouldn't consider some of these "dream" off-seasons, respectfully. I believe D'Angelo Russell would indeed be easy to move if the Timberwolves chose to do so, especially as an expiring contract. However, what would the return for him be that objectively makes them a better team? Personally, I don't see it, and I think he is far more valuable to this team than any other. In general, I have little interest in breaking up the nucleus of this team after their 46-win season. We're heading in the right direction as is.
I also don't see how giving mid-level money (or more) to a below average starting point guard option in Tyus Jones actually boosts this team in any aspect. That would be a mistake. And while I think the Wolves have to make at least one addition to the frontcourt, I think they need to be very precise in who that player is with regards to age, contract, and team fit. For instance, I think Myles Turner is a quality big in this league, but I no longer think he'd be a great fit in Minnesota for a handful of reasons.
I think my "dream" scenario would unfold as follows:
- Minnesota trades G Malik Beasley and the No. 19 overall pick to Orlando for F Jonathan Isaac and the No. 35 overall pick.
- Minnesota trades the No. 35 (via Orlando via Indiana) and No. 40 overall picks to Milwaukee for the No. 24 overall pick -- 1030/930 value, respectively, according to Kevin Pelton's draft pick trade value chart.
- Minnesota selects one of the following with the No. 24 overall pick (via Milwaukee): Duke G/F Wendell Moore Jr., Ohio State F E.J. Liddell, or Marquette F Justin Lewis.
- Minnesota selects Fortitudo Bologna G/F Gabriele Procida with the No. 50 overall pick (via Denver) with the intent to let him continue developing in Italy.
- Minnesota signs free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $21-million deal (UFA in 2025).
- Minnesota signs free agent G/F Danuel House to a one-year, $1.5-million deal (UFA in 2023).
- Minnesota re-signs F Taurean Prince to a two-year, $18-million deal (UFA in 2024).
- Minnesota re-signs G McKinley Wright on a two-way deal.
- Minnesota exercises team options on G Jaylen Nowell and C Naz Reid for the 2022-23 season. Both players would be unrestricted free agents in 2023.
- Minnesota signs C Karl-Anthony Towns to a four-year, $210.9-million super-max extension (UFA in 2028).
- Jonathan Isaac's contract has $52.2-million remaining over the next three seasons. He has $16-million guaranteed in 2022-23, $7.6-million guaranteed in 2023-24, and zero guaranteed money in 2024-25.
Proposed Depth Chart:
1: Patrick Beverley / Jordan McLaughlin / McKinley Wright
2: D'Angelo Russell / Jaylen Nowell / Wendell Moore Jr. / Leandro Bolmaro
3: Anthony Edwards / Jaden McDaniels / Taurean Prince / Danuel House
4: Jonathan Isaac / Jarred Vanderbilt
5: Karl-Anthony Towns / Isaiah Hartenstein / Naz Reid
In my off-season, the Timberwolves would have kept the nucleus of the team together, bolstered their frontcourt, and improved their second unit across the board. They'd remain approximately $10-million below the luxury tax threshold and would once again be positioned to challenge for a top-six seed in the Western Conference next season.
Cam - I'm not keen on acquiring Isaac because of his injury issues. However, I still really like your off-season scenario. If healthy, Isaac has the potential to develop into a star. If Isaac were to stay healthy and fit with his teammates in spite of his beliefs, your scenario would be the best Wolves off-season since the year the Wolves drafted KG.
kekgeek1 wrote:It might not be fair but I don't know if Johnathan Isaacs off the court beliefs would fit in with this specific locker room
Obviously, I can't say definitively one way or the other, but I do think we have a group of accepting individuals and overall free-thinkers. I don't think there would be any locker room issues there.
Nevermind his off court beliefs. I'm more concerned about his lack of being ON the court. Has he played at all in two years!? I just can't see either Gupta or a newly hired GM making that kind of move.
Camden wrote:I wouldn't consider some of these "dream" off-seasons, respectfully. I believe D'Angelo Russell would indeed be easy to move if the Timberwolves chose to do so, especially as an expiring contract. However, what would the return for him be that objectively makes them a better team? Personally, I don't see it, and I think he is far more valuable to this team than any other. In general, I have little interest in breaking up the nucleus of this team after their 46-win season. We're heading in the right direction as is.
I also don't see how giving mid-level money (or more) to a below average starting point guard option in Tyus Jones actually boosts this team in any aspect. That would be a mistake. And while I think the Wolves have to make at least one addition to the frontcourt, I think they need to be very precise in who that player is with regards to age, contract, and team fit. For instance, I think Myles Turner is a quality big in this league, but I no longer think he'd be a great fit in Minnesota for a handful of reasons.
I think my "dream" scenario would unfold as follows:
- Minnesota trades G Malik Beasley and the No. 19 overall pick to Orlando for F Jonathan Isaac and the No. 35 overall pick.
- Minnesota trades the No. 35 (via Orlando via Indiana) and No. 40 overall picks to Milwaukee for the No. 24 overall pick -- 1030/930 value, respectively, according to Kevin Pelton's draft pick trade value chart.
- Minnesota selects one of the following with the No. 24 overall pick (via Milwaukee): Duke G/F Wendell Moore Jr., Ohio State F E.J. Liddell, or Marquette F Justin Lewis.
- Minnesota selects Fortitudo Bologna G/F Gabriele Procida with the No. 50 overall pick (via Denver) with the intent to let him continue developing in Italy.
- Minnesota signs free agent C Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $21-million deal (UFA in 2025).
- Minnesota signs free agent G/F Danuel House to a one-year, $1.5-million deal (UFA in 2023).
- Minnesota re-signs F Taurean Prince to a two-year, $18-million deal (UFA in 2024).
- Minnesota re-signs G McKinley Wright on a two-way deal.
- Minnesota exercises team options on G Jaylen Nowell and C Naz Reid for the 2022-23 season. Both players would be unrestricted free agents in 2023.
- Minnesota signs C Karl-Anthony Towns to a four-year, $210.9-million super-max extension (UFA in 2028).
- Jonathan Isaac's contract has $52.2-million remaining over the next three seasons. He has $16-million guaranteed in 2022-23, $7.6-million guaranteed in 2023-24, and zero guaranteed money in 2024-25.
Proposed Depth Chart:
1: Patrick Beverley / Jordan McLaughlin / McKinley Wright
2: D'Angelo Russell / Jaylen Nowell / Wendell Moore Jr. / Leandro Bolmaro
3: Anthony Edwards / Jaden McDaniels / Taurean Prince / Danuel House
4: Jonathan Isaac / Jarred Vanderbilt
5: Karl-Anthony Towns / Isaiah Hartenstein / Naz Reid
In my off-season, the Timberwolves would have kept the nucleus of the team together, bolstered their frontcourt, and improved their second unit across the board. They'd remain approximately $10-million below the luxury tax threshold and would once again be positioned to challenge for a top-six seed in the Western Conference next season.
It might not be fair but I don't know if Johnathan Isaacs off the court beliefs would fit in with this specific locker room
We are pretty much on the same page here Cam. Although I would start Russell / Edwards / McDaniels / Isaac / Towns with Pat Bev playing 6th man.
kekgeek1 wrote:It might not be fair but I don't know if Johnathan Isaacs off the court beliefs would fit in with this specific locker room
Obviously, I can't say definitively one way or the other, but I do think we have a group of accepting individuals and overall free-thinkers. I don't think there would be any locker room issues there.
Nevermind his off court beliefs. I'm more concerned about his lack of being ON the court. Has he played at all in two years!? I just can't see either Gupta or a newly hired GM making that kind of move.
I like most everything else Cam proposed.
If somehow Isaac ever was able to stay healthy he is the guy a bunch of teams would want which is why I think it would actually take more than what Cam suggested. Basically all it is is Beasley and trading down from 19 to 35 and a decent but not outrageous amount of salary for 2 more years beyond next season. I'd take that risk. I think Orlando would rather take a chance on him staying healthy than do that deal but if they would take it (heck I might be willing to throw in Naz too) it would be willing to chance it. Can you imagine having Isaac end McDainels playing next to Towns in the frontcourt?!? It won't happen but it's plenty intriguing. I don't think Myles Turner will stay healthy but I'd possibly do the same deal for him (not with Naz included) but I don't expect that deal to happen either. I don't think the Wolves are in a place they have to take on a risky player but if it's the right price then I think they should be open to it.
I love Isaac and wanted the Wolves to trade up for him as I thought he was the second best player in the draft behind Jayson Tatum. That said, Isaac's injury history cannot be ignored. He has played a total of 136 games in 5 years, which is 27.2 games per year. He has had some serious knee injuries and had a set back in his recovery. The only way I am interested in Jonathan Isaac is if he is signed as a free agent on a near minimum salary in order to try to resurrect his career. I'd have to see him play a season relatively healthy, to even give up any kind of draft capital or pay him over $8 million. If Orlando were to give up on Isaac, they would have to believe his career is likely over. However, if they believe he can fully recover, they will keep him as Orlando doesn't have a salary cap issue. Orlando has the information advantage and so I wouldn't even entertain any trade with them.
My dream scenario is Rosas gets the job at Charlotte and wants DLO so bad that he offers LaMelo Ball with Oubre as trade filler and Gupta hangs up on him and Rosas calls back and says what if I throw in a top three protected first and a second rounder. Gupta, says "Done!" Drummond decides to come here on a minimum deal and we are able to use our remaining cap space/MLE to sign both Hartenstein and Jalen Smith. Naz Reid, Bolmaro and pick 48 is shipped out so the Wolves can move up to take Dyson Daniels. Leonard Miller is taken at pick 40. Pick 52 is swapped for Sacramento's 2nd round pick in 2023.
PG Lamelo Ball/Beverley/Jmac/Daniels
SG Anthony Edwards/Beasley/Nowell
SF Jaden McDaniels/Oubre/Miller
PF KAT/Jalen Smith
C Hartenstein/Drummond/Vando
