Future Draft Assets Around the NBA

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Minnesota and Oklahoma City are on two very different trajectories as franchises.

The Wolves have their core -- for the present and future -- and should be looking to build upon that with supporting pieces. They need to see where Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards can lead them with the help of an improved supporting cast. There are going to be annual playoff expectations from this point forward.

The Thunder have torn it down and then some. They're in asset accumulation mode with little desire to win. The league knows it. Their fans know it. They don't have their core currently in place despite having a singular star player-- one without a superstar ceiling-- and a top draft pick in this year's class. They've made deals prioritizing three, four, and five years out from now. The Thunder know their window to compete isn't in the present.

Minnesota shouldn't be prioritizing deals that lead to more draft picks. They should be hunting win-now talent that improves the current roster while also keeping an eye on the future. They can't afford to sell talent for future-only pieces like Oklahoma City has been the last couple of years. Different situations, different trajectories, different windows to compete.

[Monster]

I was just glancing at future draft asset rights around the NBA. The Wolves are at sort of an equilibrium point with no outgoing or incoming first-round picks this year or for the remainder of this decade, although the Wolves will lose their 2024 and 2026 2nd-round picks.

The OKC Thunder have incredible portfolio of current and future draft pick assets. This year they have picks 2, 12, 30 and 34. After this year, for the rest of the decade, they have all their own 1st and 2nd-round picks plus the following:

1. Clippers 2022 first unprotected)
2. 2023 Nuggets first (lottery protected)
3. 2023 Detroit fist (1-18, 1-13, 1-11 1-9 protected over 4 years)
4. 2023 Wizards 1st (1-14, 1-12, 1-10, 1-8 protected over 4 years)
5. 2023 1st-round pick swap right with Clippers
6. 2024 Houston first (1-4 protected)
7. 2024 Jazz first (1-10, 1-10, 1-6 protected over 3 years)
8. 2024 Clippers first (unprotected)
9. 2025 Miami first (1-14, unprotected)
10. 2026 Houston first (1-4)
11. 2026 Clippers first (unprotected)
12. A bunch of future incoming second-round picks

They already have a couple talented young players in SGA and Giddey. And they have an excellent head of basketball operations in Sam Presti. Just one more team that will soon be on the rise in the West. The Rockets have picks 3 and 17 this year along with three talented young players in Green, Wood and Sengun. The Pelicans are loaded with young talent and are already on the rise. The Lakers won't stay down forever. Bottom line is that the West will only get stronger.

As a Wolves fan, I always have a Wolves angle in most of my NBA takes. In this instance, the point is that the Wolves have to continue to add talent. That means making the most out of the NBA draft this summer and keeping a pipeline of incoming picks going forward.

#12 the number of 2nds they have is almost funny
My want to be like OKC is the reason I want to do a trade with the Lakers, they should be desperate to compete for a championship in what could be Lebron's last year in LA. I don't care how far out we need go to get the 1st cause eventually you reap the rewards like OKC will.

DLO, Beasley, two future 2nds
For
Westbrook, 3 future firsts

Due to depth and Westbrook's defense compared to DLO I don't even think MN would be worse and could possibly improve with the growth of young players, improved team defense and ANT taking over with the ball in his hands more often.

I see no reason the Lakers would even consider that trade. They are reluctant to trade any more future firsts and if they did, they'd go after much better players than DLO and Beasley. Nice thought, but won't happen.

Like who are the Lakers getting and at what price? They just gonna sign a bunch of min players and hope the current version gets better health?

They simply aren't going to give up 3 future first round picks for a deal you suggest especially since Westbrook is only signed for 1 more season. I get the idea that Beasley and Russell represent actual value in the deal but I don't think the Lakers are this desperate or stupid.

We can make fun of the Lakers for their failings of last year and the Westbrook situation or whatever but the reality is this. They are still the Lakers and if Lebron and AD are healthy they are still contenders. There will be worthwhile players who sign there for cheap because they want to to win. Another possible upside for the Lakers is that there will be opportunities as they have a bunch of roster spots open and possibly a starting position or 2 up for grabs. They also have Kendrick Nunn hopefully coming back from injury and he played in zero games last year. Having him healthy would likely be a boast.

Whether or not Darwin Ham and his coaching staff was the right hire is going to be a big factor in the success of the Lakers this coming season. Not as much as the healthy of AD and Lebron but it's gonna be big.

What FA's went there last year?

Why are people so confident that players prefer Lebron's Lakers over other contending teams? Last year they didn't land to many FA's, not sure what makes this year different.

Maybe 3 firsts is too much but I do think Beasley and DLO's shooting would fit really well in LA.

What FAs signed there? Malik Monk and Kent Bazemore turned down more money to go there. I believe Kendrick Nunn and Rondo did as well. Monk worked out well and is in line for a relatively nice payday if he wants it. The other guys were coming off productive seasons. Other older players like Ariza, Dwight Howard, Wayne Ellington and Avery Bradley signed too. Melo stayed on and likely will this season and for a bench player earning the vet min that's not too shabby.

I'm not saying that the Lakers being able to sign cheap players is gonna be enough but the idea that they aren't going to be able to add some worthwhile players isn't accurate either especially if they just need some guys that can play passable defense and hit some open 3's. Again my point here is that it's still the Lakers with Lebron (who a lot of people around the league like and respect) and they aren't going to be anywhere near as desperate as you think. There might be the next Malik Monk who will sign cheap that might be in the neighborhood of what Malik Beasley brings to the floor and they don't have to give up anything to get them.

[Tactical unit]

I was just glancing at future draft asset rights around the NBA. The Wolves are at sort of an equilibrium point with no outgoing or incoming first-round picks this year or for the remainder of this decade, although the Wolves will lose their 2024 and 2026 2nd-round picks.

The OKC Thunder have incredible portfolio of current and future draft pick assets. This year they have picks 2, 12, 30 and 34. After this year, for the rest of the decade, they have all their own 1st and 2nd-round picks plus the following:

1. Clippers 2022 first unprotected)
2. 2023 Nuggets first (lottery protected)
3. 2023 Detroit fist (1-18, 1-13, 1-11 1-9 protected over 4 years)
4. 2023 Wizards 1st (1-14, 1-12, 1-10, 1-8 protected over 4 years)
5. 2023 1st-round pick swap right with Clippers
6. 2024 Houston first (1-4 protected)
7. 2024 Jazz first (1-10, 1-10, 1-6 protected over 3 years)
8. 2024 Clippers first (unprotected)
9. 2025 Miami first (1-14, unprotected)
10. 2026 Houston first (1-4)
11. 2026 Clippers first (unprotected)
12. A bunch of future incoming second-round picks

They already have a couple talented young players in SGA and Giddey. And they have an excellent head of basketball operations in Sam Presti. Just one more team that will soon be on the rise in the West. The Rockets have picks 3 and 17 this year along with three talented young players in Green, Wood and Sengun. The Pelicans are loaded with young talent and are already on the rise. The Lakers won't stay down forever. Bottom line is that the West will only get stronger.

As a Wolves fan, I always have a Wolves angle in most of my NBA takes. In this instance, the point is that the Wolves have to continue to add talent. That means making the most out of the NBA draft this summer and keeping a pipeline of incoming picks going forward.

#12 the number of 2nds they have is almost funny
My want to be like OKC is the reason I want to do a trade with the Lakers, they should be desperate to compete for a championship in what could be Lebron's last year in LA. I don't care how far out we need go to get the 1st cause eventually you reap the rewards like OKC will.

DLO, Beasley, two future 2nds
For
Westbrook, 3 future firsts

Due to depth and Westbrook's defense compared to DLO I don't even think MN would be worse and could possibly improve with the growth of young players, improved team defense and ANT taking over with the ball in his hands more often.

I see no reason the Lakers would even consider that trade. They are reluctant to trade any more future firsts and if they did, they'd go after much better players than DLO and Beasley. Nice thought, but won't happen.

Like who are the Lakers getting and at what price? They just gonna sign a bunch of min players and hope the current version gets better health?

They simply aren't going to give up 3 future first round picks for a deal you suggest especially since Westbrook is only signed for 1 more season. I get the idea that Beasley and Russell represent actual value in the deal but I don't think the Lakers are this desperate or stupid.

We can make fun of the Lakers for their failings of last year and the Westbrook situation or whatever but the reality is this. They are still the Lakers and if Lebron and AD are healthy they are still contenders. There will be worthwhile players who sign there for cheap because they want to to win. Another possible upside for the Lakers is that there will be opportunities as they have a bunch of roster spots open and possibly a starting position or 2 up for grabs. They also have Kendrick Nunn hopefully coming back from injury and he played in zero games last year. Having him healthy would likely be a boast.

Whether or not Darwin Ham and his coaching staff was the right hire is going to be a big factor in the success of the Lakers this coming season. Not as much as the healthy of AD and Lebron but it's gonna be big.

What FA's went there last year?

Why are people so confident that players prefer Lebron's Lakers over other contending teams? Last year they didn't land to many FA's, not sure what makes this year different.

Maybe 3 firsts is too much but I do think Beasley and DLO's shooting would fit really well in LA.

What FAs signed there? Malik Monk and Kent Bazemore turned down more money to go there. I believe Kendrick Nunn and Rondo did as well. Monk worked out well and is in line for a relatively nice payday if he wants it. The other guys were coming off productive seasons. Other older players like Ariza, Dwight Howard, Wayne Ellington and Avery Bradley signed too. Melo stayed on and likely will this season and for a bench player earning the vet min that's not too shabby.

I'm not saying that the Lakers being able to sign cheap players is gonna be enough but the idea that they aren't going to be able to add some worthwhile players isn't accurate either especially if they just need some guys that can play passable defense and hit some open 3's. Again my point here is that it's still the Lakers with Lebron (who a lot of people around the league like and respect) and they aren't going to be anywhere near as desperate as you think. There might be the next Malik Monk who will sign cheap that might be in the neighborhood of what Malik Beasley brings to the floor and they don't have to give up anything to get them.

I don't doubt they will attract some FA's but if it's similar to last year I don't think it will cut it. Westbrook's fit on that team is not what fits next to James & Davis, they need shooting and defense. Last year of James deal, they should be desperate IMO. Lebron has moved around the league and if it makes sense somewhere else, he would leave because he cares about legacy.

I think your right though if they trade picks its probably before the deadline to add players that they feel put them over the top.

[Tactical unit]

Minnesota and Oklahoma City are on two very different trajectories as franchises.

The Wolves have their core -- for the present and future -- and should be looking to build upon that with supporting pieces. They need to see where Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards can lead them with the help of an improved supporting cast. There are going to be annual playoff expectations from this point forward.

The Thunder have torn it down and then some. They're in asset accumulation mode with little desire to win. The league knows it. Their fans know it. They don't have their core currently in place despite having a singular star player-- one without a superstar ceiling-- and a top draft pick in this year's class. They've made deals prioritizing three, four, and five years out from now. The Thunder know their window to compete isn't in the present.

Minnesota shouldn't be prioritizing deals that lead to more draft picks. They should be hunting win-now talent that improves the current roster while also keeping an eye on the future. They can't afford to sell talent for future-only pieces like Oklahoma City has been the last couple of years. Different situations, different trajectories, different windows to compete.

Interesting take, I don't think improving supporting cast is the way to winning a championship with the current MN roster. I guess maybe your right just fixing PF or really good role players would put them into contention. Maybe my take is the interesting side as many people may agree with you. I think MN needs to focus on player development, there are 3 players ANT, KAT, McDaniels they should be focused on and if it all breaks right with those three you have a nice core.

How do you complement the core best? IMO with young players that are cheap and can outproduce there contracts, best way to get those players is with draft picks. If MN can move players that may or may not move the needle all that much to obtain (as the thread title says FUTURE DRAFT ASSETS) then I think that is your best path to winning a title. When a big fish aka star player becomes available what do teams want in return? Usually future draft picks, so it's two fold as it's your ammo to be the highest bidder and best trade partner and the second part is the draft is the best way to add contract friendly players that can develop and out produce what you pay them. It's also how you find stars and or specialist.

Also there isn't one way to build a contender, so your supporting cast method can definitely work. You could easily argue that the main pieces in place are the important ones and we just need to add the right guys next to them.

[Monster]

I was just glancing at future draft asset rights around the NBA. The Wolves are at sort of an equilibrium point with no outgoing or incoming first-round picks this year or for the remainder of this decade, although the Wolves will lose their 2024 and 2026 2nd-round picks.

The OKC Thunder have incredible portfolio of current and future draft pick assets. This year they have picks 2, 12, 30 and 34. After this year, for the rest of the decade, they have all their own 1st and 2nd-round picks plus the following:

1. Clippers 2022 first unprotected)
2. 2023 Nuggets first (lottery protected)
3. 2023 Detroit fist (1-18, 1-13, 1-11 1-9 protected over 4 years)
4. 2023 Wizards 1st (1-14, 1-12, 1-10, 1-8 protected over 4 years)
5. 2023 1st-round pick swap right with Clippers
6. 2024 Houston first (1-4 protected)
7. 2024 Jazz first (1-10, 1-10, 1-6 protected over 3 years)
8. 2024 Clippers first (unprotected)
9. 2025 Miami first (1-14, unprotected)
10. 2026 Houston first (1-4)
11. 2026 Clippers first (unprotected)
12. A bunch of future incoming second-round picks

They already have a couple talented young players in SGA and Giddey. And they have an excellent head of basketball operations in Sam Presti. Just one more team that will soon be on the rise in the West. The Rockets have picks 3 and 17 this year along with three talented young players in Green, Wood and Sengun. The Pelicans are loaded with young talent and are already on the rise. The Lakers won't stay down forever. Bottom line is that the West will only get stronger.

As a Wolves fan, I always have a Wolves angle in most of my NBA takes. In this instance, the point is that the Wolves have to continue to add talent. That means making the most out of the NBA draft this summer and keeping a pipeline of incoming picks going forward.

#12 the number of 2nds they have is almost funny
My want to be like OKC is the reason I want to do a trade with the Lakers, they should be desperate to compete for a championship in what could be Lebron's last year in LA. I don't care how far out we need go to get the 1st cause eventually you reap the rewards like OKC will.

DLO, Beasley, two future 2nds
For
Westbrook, 3 future firsts

Due to depth and Westbrook's defense compared to DLO I don't even think MN would be worse and could possibly improve with the growth of young players, improved team defense and ANT taking over with the ball in his hands more often.

I see no reason the Lakers would even consider that trade. They are reluctant to trade any more future firsts and if they did, they'd go after much better players than DLO and Beasley. Nice thought, but won't happen.

Like who are the Lakers getting and at what price? They just gonna sign a bunch of min players and hope the current version gets better health?

They simply aren't going to give up 3 future first round picks for a deal you suggest especially since Westbrook is only signed for 1 more season. I get the idea that Beasley and Russell represent actual value in the deal but I don't think the Lakers are this desperate or stupid.

We can make fun of the Lakers for their failings of last year and the Westbrook situation or whatever but the reality is this. They are still the Lakers and if Lebron and AD are healthy they are still contenders. There will be worthwhile players who sign there for cheap because they want to to win. Another possible upside for the Lakers is that there will be opportunities as they have a bunch of roster spots open and possibly a starting position or 2 up for grabs. They also have Kendrick Nunn hopefully coming back from injury and he played in zero games last year. Having him healthy would likely be a boast.

Whether or not Darwin Ham and his coaching staff was the right hire is going to be a big factor in the success of the Lakers this coming season. Not as much as the healthy of AD and Lebron but it's gonna be big.

What FA's went there last year?

Why are people so confident that players prefer Lebron's Lakers over other contending teams? Last year they didn't land to many FA's, not sure what makes this year different.

Maybe 3 firsts is too much but I do think Beasley and DLO's shooting would fit really well in LA.

What FAs signed there? Malik Monk and Kent Bazemore turned down more money to go there. I believe Kendrick Nunn and Rondo did as well. Monk worked out well and is in line for a relatively nice payday if he wants it. The other guys were coming off productive seasons. Other older players like Ariza, Dwight Howard, Wayne Ellington and Avery Bradley signed too. Melo stayed on and likely will this season and for a bench player earning the vet min that's not too shabby.

I'm not saying that the Lakers being able to sign cheap players is gonna be enough but the idea that they aren't going to be able to add some worthwhile players isn't accurate either especially if they just need some guys that can play passable defense and hit some open 3's. Again my point here is that it's still the Lakers with Lebron (who a lot of people around the league like and respect) and they aren't going to be anywhere near as desperate as you think. There might be the next Malik Monk who will sign cheap that might be in the neighborhood of what Malik Beasley brings to the floor and they don't have to give up anything to get them.

I don't doubt they will attract some FA's but if it's similar to last year I don't think it will cut it. Westbrook's fit on that team is not what fits next to James & Davis, they need shooting and defense. Last year of James deal, they should be desperate IMO. Lebron has moved around the league and if it makes sense somewhere else, he would leave because he cares about legacy.

I think your right though if they trade picks its probably before the deadline to add players that they feel put them over the top.

The Lakers are also a year away from having just AD and Horton Tucker on their roster so they would have room to add FAs. Sure the FA class isn't great but the reality is the Lakers are set up to be another destination for FAs and again it's the Lakers. Lebron didn't go there because it was some fantastic run organization or whatever (the Lakers have drafted well though).

Meanwhile your plan for the Lakers is trading for Russell and Beasley is going to bring them a Championship? If the Lakers are gonna make a move like you suggest it would be for something better than 2 guys that are basically a solid starter and a nice bench player.

Westbrook and the Lakers didn't work last year but what that ALL Westbrook's fault? You say he just doesn't fit. What if I told you that Lebron won championships with another high usage guard that was a worse 3 point shooter than Westbrook? It happened and that guy's name is Dwayne Wade. Wade at the time was a better defender but Westbrook is better at playmaking. Sure I think Wade at that time was a better player than Westbrook but I also think Westbrook has more in the tank he isn't completely done. Wade and Lebron also had more buy in with each other though for sure. They also had a HOF coach and GM. Do I think Westbrook and the Lakers will work? Probably not and I think it's still very possible he gets moved this offseason. I do also think that adding some of the right FAs and coaching could get a lot more out of the group. Are the Lakers desperate to improve their roster with Lebron possibly leaving? Sure but not as desperate as you want them to be especially as I said they are 1 season away from being able to kinda start over and trading away 3 more first round picks for basically just 1 year of a couple worthwhile players ain't gonna be the path they are gonna get excited about.

[KG4Ever]

Minnesota and Oklahoma City are on two very different trajectories as franchises.

The Wolves have their core -- for the present and future -- and should be looking to build upon that with supporting pieces. They need to see where Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards can lead them with the help of an improved supporting cast. There are going to be annual playoff expectations from this point forward.

The Thunder have torn it down and then some. They're in asset accumulation mode with little desire to win. The league knows it. Their fans know it. They don't have their core currently in place despite having a singular star player-- one without a superstar ceiling-- and a top draft pick in this year's class. They've made deals prioritizing three, four, and five years out from now. The Thunder know their window to compete isn't in the present.

Minnesota shouldn't be prioritizing deals that lead to more draft picks. They should be hunting win-now talent that improves the current roster while also keeping an eye on the future. They can't afford to sell talent for future-only pieces like Oklahoma City has been the last couple of years. Different situations, different trajectories, different windows to compete.

Interesting take, I don't think improving supporting cast is the way to winning a championship with the current MN roster. I guess maybe your right just fixing PF or really good role players would put them into contention. Maybe my take is the interesting side as many people may agree with you. I think MN needs to focus on player development, there are 3 players ANT, KAT, McDaniels they should be focused on and if it all breaks right with those three you have a nice core.

How do you complement the core best? IMO with young players that are cheap and can outproduce there contracts, best way to get those players is with draft picks. If MN can move players that may or may not move the needle all that much to obtain (as the thread title says FUTURE DRAFT ASSETS) then I think that is your best path to winning a title. When a big fish aka star player becomes available what do teams want in return? Usually future draft picks, so it's two fold as it's your ammo to be the highest bidder and best trade partner and the second part is the draft is the best way to add contract friendly players that can develop and out produce what you pay them. It's also how you find stars and or specialist.

Also there isn't one way to build a contender, so your supporting cast method can definitely work. You could easily argue that the main pieces in place are the important ones and we just need to add the right guys next to them.

Hopefully, the Wolves become a good drafting team and development team like Toronto, Miami, Golden State and San Antonio have been for years. Hopefully, the Connelly led team is up to the task, but if not, I have confidence that Lore and A-Rod are driven to find the guy that is up to the task.

[Lipoli390]

As Cam mentioned, I the Wolves are beyond the point in their development where they should focus on acquiring and stockpiling future picks. I would add that the Wolves aren't at the point yet where they should look to trade draft picks for win-now players. Instead, I think the Wolves are in that stage of development where they need to acquire the best talent they can get with the draft picks they have, and develop those players while simultaneously looking to acquire win-now players who fill certain needs via free agency or trades.

The Wolves have KAT and Ant as the team's foundation, but the team is not yet at the stage where they can just fill a few holes or add crown molding and call it a day. The team's basic underlying structure is still being built and the foundation itself may need more as well. That's where the draft comes in. The name of the game is talent. Except for those few "destination franchises" like the Lakers, the best NBA organizations continue to add young talent through the draft as they seek to build themselves into championship contenders. The Nuggets initially built their foundation by drafting Jokic and Murray. But they have continued to add key building blocks through the draft since then with Porter Jr., Hyland and Morris. The Grizzlies built their foundation through the draft with Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke. Since then, they've continued adding key building blocks through the draft with Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams.

When we talk about the need for depth, it can't just be depth of players; it's depth of talent. Free agency is one way to add talent, but for a team like the Wolves that's over the salary cap, the opportunity to add talent through free agency is limited. Trades are an option, but they tend to re-balance talent rather than increase it since you have to give up talent to get talent - unless yo trade picks. My view is that the Wolves aren't yet in a position to take the next step by trading picks any more than they're in a position to start acquiring more picks. These next couple off-seasons will be critical in my view for adding high-level talent though the draft to complete the team's foundation and frame. That's why I like the idea of trading DLO and/or Beasley (maybe other assets) to move up in the draft for a guy like Dyson Daniels. Recognizing that sort of move is unlikely, the Wolves will instead need to make the best use of their 4 picks to acquire draft one or two high-upside players who can become key parts of the Wolves rotation and potentially develop into all-star caliber players. That could mean packaging 48, 40 and 19 to move up a few slots. Or it might mean selecting the right guy at #19 and then packaging 40, 48 and 50 to move higher in the 2nd round or into bottom of the 1st round.

The Wolves ownership has assembled an all-star cast of front office executives who have built their reputations on spotting talent in the draft. So we appear to have the right front office team in place to do exactly what this team needs to do to develop into a true contender over the next few years.

[Monster]

As Cam mentioned, I the Wolves are beyond the point in their development where they should focus on acquiring and stockpiling future picks. I would add that the Wolves aren't at the point yet where they should look to trade draft picks for win-now players. Instead, I think the Wolves are in that stage of development where they need to acquire the best talent they can get with the draft picks they have, and develop those players while simultaneously looking to acquire win-now players who fill certain needs via free agency or trades.

The Wolves have KAT and Ant as the team's foundation, but the team is not yet at the stage where they can just fill a few holes or add crown molding and call it a day. The team's basic underlying structure is still being built and the foundation itself may need more as well. That's where the draft comes in. The name of the game is talent. Except for those few "destination franchises" like the Lakers, the best NBA organizations continue to add young talent through the draft as they seek to build themselves into championship contenders. The Nuggets initially built their foundation by drafting Jokic and Murray. But they have continued to add key building blocks through the draft since then with Porter Jr., Hyland and Morris. The Grizzlies built their foundation through the draft with Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke. Since then, they've continued adding key building blocks through the draft with Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams.

When we talk about the need for depth, it can't just be depth of players; it's depth of talent. Free agency is one way to add talent, but for a team like the Wolves that's over the salary cap, the opportunity to add talent through free agency is limited. Trades are an option, but they tend to re-balance talent rather than increase it since you have to give up talent to get talent - unless yo trade picks. My view is that the Wolves aren't yet in a position to take the next step by trading picks any more than they're in a position to start acquiring more picks. These next couple off-seasons will be critical in my view for adding high-level talent though the draft to complete the team's foundation and frame. That's why I like the idea of trading DLO and/or Beasley (maybe other assets) to move up in the draft for a guy like Dyson Daniels. Recognizing that sort of move is unlikely, the Wolves will instead need to make the best use of their 4 picks to acquire draft one or two high-upside players who can become key parts of the Wolves rotation and potentially develop into all-star caliber players. That could mean packaging 48, 40 and 19 to move up a few slots. Or it might mean selecting the right guy at #19 and then packaging 40, 48 and 50 to move higher in the 2nd round or into bottom of the 1st round.

The Wolves ownership has assembled an all-star cast of front office executives who have built their reputations on spotting talent in the draft. So we appear to have the right front office team in place to do exactly what this team needs to do to develop into a true contender over the next few years.

I agree with what you have laid out here but I would add that I would be willing to trade Beasley for a draft pick and possibly Naz Reid as well. I mean if someone called me and said they would give me a lottery protected first for Nowell...I LOVE Nowell but with him being a FA in a year and while I think he can be a good player I still don't know what we have in him I might do that deal. I don't think an offer like that would come but just saying. Beasley is a guy I for sure would deal for a draft pick and basically nothing worthwhile coming back because we have Nowell and maybe another young player in the draft. Denver cashed in on Beasley a couple years ago because they didn't really need him anymore and they weren't going to be able to pay him. I think Beasley could be more valuable this coming season than he was last season but a 1st round pick would be nice.

I also think if the right player was available for the Wolves current draft picks or some combination of those picks I wouldn't say no. I don't expect their to be such a deal but I wouldn't dismiss that idea. To give up 19 for me player would need to be still relatively young at least a legit pretty good starter and likely signed to a good contract for at least 2 years. Again I don't expect that to happen but maybe there is an opportunity that I don't expect.

We also don't know what possible offers the Wolves or other teams have kicked around with each other. The Wolves now have people in the front office from Orlando Memphis and Denver. Orlando is the most interesting of that group. Maybe the Wolves already have had some dialog with Orlando on a possible deal for sign and trade for Mo Bamba or something. Maybe they have a few possible deals for Beasley lined up including Orlando. It's easy to forget that sometimes deals have been discussed for a quite a while. An example of a smaller deal it seemed pretty likely that Rosas knew last offseason there were some trades involving Juancho that could play out.

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

I was just glancing at future draft asset rights around the NBA. The Wolves are at sort of an equilibrium point with no outgoing or incoming first-round picks this year or for the remainder of this decade, although the Wolves will lose their 2024 and 2026 2nd-round picks.

The OKC Thunder have incredible portfolio of current and future draft pick assets. This year they have picks 2, 12, 30 and 34. After this year, for the rest of the decade, they have all their own 1st and 2nd-round picks plus the following:

1. Clippers 2022 first unprotected)
2. 2023 Nuggets first (lottery protected)
3. 2023 Detroit fist (1-18, 1-13, 1-11 1-9 protected over 4 years)
4. 2023 Wizards 1st (1-14, 1-12, 1-10, 1-8 protected over 4 years)
5. 2023 1st-round pick swap right with Clippers
6. 2024 Houston first (1-4 protected)
7. 2024 Jazz first (1-10, 1-10, 1-6 protected over 3 years)
8. 2024 Clippers first (unprotected)
9. 2025 Miami first (1-14, unprotected)
10. 2026 Houston first (1-4)
11. 2026 Clippers first (unprotected)
12. A bunch of future incoming second-round picks

They already have a couple talented young players in SGA and Giddey. And they have an excellent head of basketball operations in Sam Presti. Just one more team that will soon be on the rise in the West. The Rockets have picks 3 and 17 this year along with three talented young players in Green, Wood and Sengun. The Pelicans are loaded with young talent and are already on the rise. The Lakers won't stay down forever. Bottom line is that the West will only get stronger.

As a Wolves fan, I always have a Wolves angle in most of my NBA takes. In this instance, the point is that the Wolves have to continue to add talent. That means making the most out of the NBA draft this summer and keeping a pipeline of incoming picks going forward.

My want to be like OKC is the reason I want to do a trade with the Lakers, they should be desperate to compete for a championship in what could be Lebron's last year in LA. I don't care how far out we need go to get the 1st cause eventually you reap the rewards like OKC will.

DLO, Beasley, two future 2nds
For
Westbrook, 3 future firsts

Due to depth and Westbrook's defense compared to DLO I don't even think MN would be worse and could possibly improve with the growth of young players, improved team defense and ANT taking over with the ball in his hands more often.

I see no reason the Lakers would even consider that trade. They are reluctant to trade any more future firsts and if they did, they'd go after much better players than DLO and Beasley. Nice thought, but won't happen.

Like who are the Lakers getting and at what price? They just gonna sign a bunch of min players and hope the current version gets better health?

They simply aren't going to give up 3 future first round picks for a deal you suggest especially since Westbrook is only signed for 1 more season. I get the idea that Beasley and Russell represent actual value in the deal but I don't think the Lakers are this desperate or stupid.

We can make fun of the Lakers for their failings of last year and the Westbrook situation or whatever but the reality is this. They are still the Lakers and if Lebron and AD are healthy they are still contenders. There will be worthwhile players who sign there for cheap because they want to to win. Another possible upside for the Lakers is that there will be opportunities as they have a bunch of roster spots open and possibly a starting position or 2 up for grabs. They also have Kendrick Nunn hopefully coming back from injury and he played in zero games last year. Having him healthy would likely be a boast.

Whether or not Darwin Ham and his coaching staff was the right hire is going to be a big factor in the success of the Lakers this coming season. Not as much as the healthy of AD and Lebron but it's gonna be big.

What FA's went there last year?

Why are people so confident that players prefer Lebron's Lakers over other contending teams? Last year they didn't land to many FA's, not sure what makes this year different.

Maybe 3 firsts is too much but I do think Beasley and DLO's shooting would fit really well in LA.

I really like this idea. I don't think the lakers do 3 firsts, but I think they do 2. This would be exactly what the lakers need this year to contend.

[Lipoli390]

As Cam mentioned, I the Wolves are beyond the point in their development where they should focus on acquiring and stockpiling future picks. I would add that the Wolves aren't at the point yet where they should look to trade draft picks for win-now players. Instead, I think the Wolves are in that stage of development where they need to acquire the best talent they can get with the draft picks they have, and develop those players while simultaneously looking to acquire win-now players who fill certain needs via free agency or trades.

The Wolves have KAT and Ant as the team's foundation, but the team is not yet at the stage where they can just fill a few holes or add crown molding and call it a day. The team's basic underlying structure is still being built and the foundation itself may need more as well. That's where the draft comes in. The name of the game is talent. Except for those few "destination franchises" like the Lakers, the best NBA organizations continue to add young talent through the draft as they seek to build themselves into championship contenders. The Nuggets initially built their foundation by drafting Jokic and Murray. But they have continued to add key building blocks through the draft since then with Porter Jr., Hyland and Morris. The Grizzlies built their foundation through the draft with Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks and Brandon Clarke. Since then, they've continued adding key building blocks through the draft with Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams.

When we talk about the need for depth, it can't just be depth of players; it's depth of talent. Free agency is one way to add talent, but for a team like the Wolves that's over the salary cap, the opportunity to add talent through free agency is limited. Trades are an option, but they tend to re-balance talent rather than increase it since you have to give up talent to get talent - unless yo trade picks. My view is that the Wolves aren't yet in a position to take the next step by trading picks any more than they're in a position to start acquiring more picks. These next couple off-seasons will be critical in my view for adding high-level talent though the draft to complete the team's foundation and frame. That's why I like the idea of trading DLO and/or Beasley (maybe other assets) to move up in the draft for a guy like Dyson Daniels. Recognizing that sort of move is unlikely, the Wolves will instead need to make the best use of their 4 picks to acquire draft one or two high-upside players who can become key parts of the Wolves rotation and potentially develop into all-star caliber players. That could mean packaging 48, 40 and 19 to move up a few slots. Or it might mean selecting the right guy at #19 and then packaging 40, 48 and 50 to move higher in the 2nd round or into bottom of the 1st round.

The Wolves ownership has assembled an all-star cast of front office executives who have built their reputations on spotting talent in the draft. So we appear to have the right front office team in place to do exactly what this team needs to do to develop into a true contender over the next few years.

I agree with what you have laid out here but I would add that I would be willing to trade Beasley for a draft pick and possibly Naz Reid as well. I mean if someone called me and said they would give me a lottery protected first for Nowell...I LOVE Nowell but with him being a FA in a year and while I think he can be a good player I still don't know what we have in him I might do that deal. I don't think an offer like that would come but just saying. Beasley is a guy I for sure would deal for a draft pick and basically nothing worthwhile coming back because we have Nowell and maybe another young player in the draft. Denver cashed in on Beasley a couple years ago because they didn't really need him anymore and they weren't going to be able to pay him. I think Beasley could be more valuable this coming season than he was last season but a 1st round pick would be nice.

I also think if the right player was available for the Wolves current draft picks or some combination of those picks I wouldn't say no. I don't expect their to be such a deal but I wouldn't dismiss that idea. To give up 19 for me player would need to be still relatively young at least a legit pretty good starter and likely signed to a good contract for at least 2 years. Again I don't expect that to happen but maybe there is an opportunity that I don't expect.

We also don't know what possible offers the Wolves or other teams have kicked around with each other. The Wolves now have people in the front office from Orlando Memphis and Denver. Orlando is the most interesting of that group. Maybe the Wolves already have had some dialog with Orlando on a possible deal for sign and trade for Mo Bamba or something. Maybe they have a few possible deals for Beasley lined up including Orlando. It's easy to forget that sometimes deals have been discussed for a quite a while. An example of a smaller deal it seemed pretty likely that Rosas knew last offseason there were some trades involving Juancho that could play out.

All good points, Monster. There are definitely be some deals to get future picks or give picks for players that would be good for the Wolves long term.