What do you do with the number 1 pick?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Additionally, I think Malik Beasley is either re-signing here on a three or four-year deal, playing for the qualifying offer and revisiting free agency next year, or signing an offer sheet with another team that gets matched or turns into a sign-and-trade. Minnesota essentially gave up a first-round pick in the Robert Covington deal at the trade deadline to acquire Beasley. They need to show some savvy and retain value from him even if he's on his way out the door.

[kekgeek]

I'm firm in my belief that the Minnesota Timberwolves should just draft James Wiseman at No. 1 overall, but in the event that Gersson Rosas and company choose to go another route and trade down then I think they need to trade down twice.

For instance, if the Wolves decide that they're moving out of the top slot they should look to entertain a trade with the Hornets for the third-overall pick and a future first-round pick. Once that deal is done, they should be back on the phones looking to auction off the remaining prospect out of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, assuming Charlotte traded up for Wiseman.

Suitors could be the Atlanta Hawks (No. 6), Detroit Pistons (No. 7), and New York Knicks (No. 8 ). You trade down again and accumulate another future first-round pick or a set-and-forget young player like a Kevin Huerter or Luke Kennard.

Once you're in that 6-8 range you can take the prospect you feel the most comfortable with. Options would still include Devin Vassell, Onyeka Okongwu, Obi Toppin, Deni Avdija, Saddiq Bey, etc.

Basically, you're hedging your bets by getting a prospect you feel good about, but also gathering assets for an inevitable swing-for-the-fences trade for another star player in the future.

Much of this we have discussed already, but my main point here is that if you're Minnesota and you trade down once, then you should probably be doing so with another trade down in mind.

I agree with you on this! You know Im not the biggest Wiseman fan but I am sort of coming around on the idea of Wiseman even though I am super worried about selecting a Center but I just don't love any prospect at the top of the board.

What do you think of this. With the news today of Beasley coming out I think there is a pretty high probability that he will not be back with the Wolves. So after the Wolves renounce the cap holds of Beasley, Turner, Martin, Hernangomez and resign McClaughlin the Wolves will have about 8.5 million under the cap.

Would you be happy if the Wolves did something like this. Trade #1 for #3 and a 2022 Top 5 protected pick. Then Trade #3 and Layman for #7 and Luke Kennard. Then Trade James Johnson, Spellman, Evans and #17 for Hield (Spellman and Evans are both expiring contracts and they need to be traded to really open up cap space). Wolves then trade #7 to the Celtics who are rumored they want to trade up for #14, #26 and #30

Wolves then could select Terry at #14, Pokusevski at #26, Isaiah Joe at #30 and Killian Tillie at #32

Start the year with

PG: Russell/Terry/McClaughlin
SG: Hield/Culver/Nowell/Joe
SF: Kennard/Okogie
PF: MLE/Vanderbilt/Pokusevski
C: Towns/Naz/Tillie


That is a 15 man roster that is young, can shoot a ton of 3s, has a lot of X factors. Obviously im spit balling but I agree with your premise, keep trading down.

FWIW being under the cap is nice but 8.5 million is less than what the mid level is likely to be.

The Wolves are unlikely to pick 4 guys. 3 is probably the max plus they might sign an undraft guy or 2 that may have a Slight chance at sticking. Maybe they draft 4 guys if one of them is willing to sign a 2 way deal. I LOVE the idea of getting a bunch of rookies but I do think it's reasonable to have a bit of a cap there.

I'm loving Cam (And others) are in on the trade down idea. I'd be down with it too. Hopefully the Wolves can get stocked with a couple future picks while doing that and still draft some worthwhile players this year. I get the feeling the Wolves are going to get some offers or #1 but how good will they be?

Big difference though they can absorb a contract up to 26 million dollars using the game Johnson contact if they are under the cap. If they resign Beasley for instance they would need to 20 million out going salary to obtain hield.

Small difference but an important one

[kekgeek]

Trade #1 for #3 and a 2022 Top 5 protected pick.

Assuming the Wolves aren't interested in taking James Wiseman, then this is quite clearly the first domino that needs to fall. Again, I'd just take Wiseman, but if we trade down this needs to be the first occurrence.

Trade #3 and Layman for #7 and Luke Kennard.

Sign me up for this trade. This is again assuming that Wiseman is already off the board and nothing unexpected happens -- like Charlotte taking LaMelo Ball and then Golden State selecting Anthony Edwards.

Wolves then trade #7 to the Celtics who are rumored they want to trade up for #14, #26 and #30

This is where I'd probably pump the brakes, personally. The Wolves are going to run into the issue of having too many unavailable roster spots as it is and adding more draft picks doesn't help with that issue. Additionally, dropping from No. 1 to eventually 14 is a steep fall and one that likely puts us outside of my top two or three tiers of prospects. We'd likely miss out on all of Devin Vassell, Saddiq Bey, Obi Toppin, Onyeka Okongwu, and others. That's quite a gamble in what is already a risky strategy by passing on the consensus top three to start the round.

Trade James Johnson, Spellman, Evans and #17 for Hield (Spellman and Evans are both expiring contracts and they need to be traded to really open up cap space).

And just like that I'm with you again. Once the decision is made that Wiseman isn't the guy, and they've picked up Kennard along the way, we are basically moving all-in on the offensive side of the ball. We're going to try to outscore teams on a nightly basis and defensive focus will turn to situational stops versus giving a damn for 48 minutes. Buddy Hield gives you a quietly elite shooter and good secondary scorer to pair next to D'Angelo Russell in the backcourt. He's also locked up on a fair deal for four more years that decreases annually in salary. The cost makes sense as well given that it's a mid first-round pick and expiring contract. This is an easy decision for me.

Really, the only trade that you suggested that I wouldn't do is the Celtics deal because I think we'd position ourselves outside of some really worthwhile prospects for the sake of accumulating more -- but lesser -- quality selections. Again, I like this draft class more than most and don't see it like others do. I think there is a noticeable difference in talent in that 6-12 range compared to 14-20 and beyond.

I actually agree! When I was doing the trade backs I thought there was a talent drop off in the 15ish area

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I do agree that if Malik ends up not getting re-signed, we need to find a flamethrower on the perimeter, whether that's Hield or someone else. KAT and DLO aren't enough. We need another high-volume 3-point threat and then everyone else can be somewhere between adequate and not very good. But you gotta have at least three guys that can make them in volume these days...unless your defense is just super, super elite like the Lakers during their playoff run.

[Monster]

I'm firm in my belief that the Minnesota Timberwolves should just draft James Wiseman at No. 1 overall, but in the event that Gersson Rosas and company choose to go another route and trade down then I think they need to trade down twice.

I'm loving Cam (And others) are in on the trade down idea. I'd be down with it too. Hopefully the Wolves can get stocked with a couple future picks while doing that and still draft some worthwhile players this year. I get the feeling the Wolves are going to get some offers or #1 but how good will they be?

Lol Yes. Cam actually talking about a trade down scenario especially trading down even further like it's a worthwhile scenario is new and a little off brand for him (Not in a bad way) so I kept the highlight on him.

[Monster]

Per Sachin Gupta, they know who they'll pick at #1 if they don't trade out. No Earth shaker, but it's been a long offseason:
https://www.nba.com/timberwolves/were-ready-pick-gupta-details-wolves-draft-prep

I watched the video and nothing is particularly earth shattering here but it's nice to hear from Gupta. It's worthwhile to remember he wasn't with the Wolves for the last draft because the Pistons kept him around till after the draft. I liked just seeing him talk as I haven't really seen a whole lot from him.

Gupta really did make it sound like they would put anyone with Russell and Towns which doesn't just mean at the top but throughout the draft. Saying they have their guy at #1 is great...but it's could also be the start of the game of getting people to wonder who that is and drum up trade offers. Gupta did light up when someone asked about his expertise in trades and trade values. Jon K and Gupta had a fun time when Jon K said since they have the first pick why not just announce right now who you are going to take. :)

Oh and Gupta did say they planned to sign their own guys and utilize the mid level so yeah I doubt they are going to be going under the cap.

[Monster]

Additionally, I think Malik Beasley is either re-signing here on a three or four-year deal, playing for the qualifying offer and revisiting free agency next year, or signing an offer sheet with another team that gets matched or turns into a sign-and-trade. Minnesota essentially gave up a first-round pick in the Robert Covington deal at the trade deadline to acquire Beasley. They need to show some savvy and retain value from him even if he's on his way out the door.

Beasley put himself in a bad situation as a FA. I agree with what you wrote here. If the Wolves want Beasley (I'm sure they be to some extent) they are in the drivers seat. He isn't going anywhere for nothing.

[worldK]

Additionally, I think Malik Beasley is either re-signing here on a three or four-year deal, playing for the qualifying offer and revisiting free agency next year, or signing an offer sheet with another team that gets matched or turns into a sign-and-trade. Minnesota essentially gave up a first-round pick in the Robert Covington deal at the trade deadline to acquire Beasley. They need to show some savvy and retain value from him even if he's on his way out the door.

Beasley put himself in a bad situation as a FA. I agree with what you wrote here. If the Wolves want Beasley (I'm sure they be to some extent) they are in the drivers seat. He isn't going anywhere for nothing.

Agreed. I will assume the wolves still
want beasley back despite all these. But its going to be a lot cheaper and more favoreable to the wolves. Malik would be lucky if he can get a 3/30m deal on the market, the deal he turned down with denver. I think we could lock him up for that exact deal.

Also, this knock malik down a few notch in terms of status. He would have been a sure starter and getting at least 15m/year from us if he didnt get in trouble. I say we still keep him but depending on what happens in the offseason and the development of culver. He might be looking at a 6th man bench role with a 3/30 contract instead of a starting role witn a 4/60contract.

[Monster]

Additionally, I think Malik Beasley is either re-signing here on a three or four-year deal, playing for the qualifying offer and revisiting free agency next year, or signing an offer sheet with another team that gets matched or turns into a sign-and-trade. Minnesota essentially gave up a first-round pick in the Robert Covington deal at the trade deadline to acquire Beasley. They need to show some savvy and retain value from him even if he's on his way out the door.

Beasley put himself in a bad situation as a FA. I agree with what you wrote here. If the Wolves want Beasley (I'm sure they be to some extent) they are in the drivers seat. He isn't going anywhere for nothing.

Agreed. I will assume the wolves still
want beasley back despite all these. But its going to be a lot cheaper and more favoreable to the wolves. Malik would be lucky if he can get a 3/30m deal on the market, the deal he turned down with denver. I think we could lock him up for that exact deal.

Also, this knock malik down a few notch in terms of status. He would have been a sure starter and getting at least 15m/year from us if he didnt get in trouble. I say we still keep him but depending on what happens in the offseason and the development of culver. He might be looking at a 6th man bench role with a 3/30 contract instead of a starting role witn a 4/60contract.

I think those prices would have and will be even lower. One thing that could get Beasley locked in at a cheaper rate is if the Wolves still basically keep him as a starter depending on what happens with the draft. He he performs well even after 3 years he would be young enough to cash in on a nice deal if he really plays well. He could also be trade bait.

[worldK]

Additionally, I think Malik Beasley is either re-signing here on a three or four-year deal, playing for the qualifying offer and revisiting free agency next year, or signing an offer sheet with another team that gets matched or turns into a sign-and-trade. Minnesota essentially gave up a first-round pick in the Robert Covington deal at the trade deadline to acquire Beasley. They need to show some savvy and retain value from him even if he's on his way out the door.

Beasley put himself in a bad situation as a FA. I agree with what you wrote here. If the Wolves want Beasley (I'm sure they be to some extent) they are in the drivers seat. He isn't going anywhere for nothing.

Agreed. I will assume the wolves still
want beasley back despite all these. But its going to be a lot cheaper and more favoreable to the wolves. Malik would be lucky if he can get a 3/30m deal on the market, the deal he turned down with denver. I think we could lock him up for that exact deal.

Also, this knock malik down a few notch in terms of status. He would have been a sure starter and getting at least 15m/year from us if he didnt get in trouble. I say we still keep him but depending on what happens in the offseason and the development of culver. He might be looking at a 6th man bench role with a 3/30 contract instead of a starting role witn a 4/60contract.

I think those prices would have and will be even lower. One thing that could get Beasley locked in at a cheaper rate is if the Wolves still basically keep him as a starter depending on what happens with the draft. He he performs well even after 3 years he would be young enough to cash in on a nice deal if he really plays well. He could also be trade bait.

Yes. It could possibly be much lower. Malik will get hit both financially and career wise here. He would have been a guy we would have heavily invested in finacially and development wise. We would be have been devoting a lot of time in developing his game further and improving his weaknesses and building him up as one of the leaders on the team. Now, he is more of a reclamation project where he needs to prove himself over again as far as being a professional and trustworthiness. I see him having a bench role going forward instead of the team giving him a chance to be a full time starter. (Its actually the best role for him). I can see the wolves starting culver over him next season.