Possible Sign-and-Trades for Markkanen

[Monster]

Latest report:


Shams Charania: The Charlotte Hornets have emerged with strong interest in a potential offer sheet for Chicago restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen...

Time to move on from Markkanen. Focus on Hartenstein, WCS or even Kaminsky. Or focus on getting a defensive wing like Winslow or Oubre. The Wolves simply don't have the assets to be a major player in the free agent or trade market this summer. That shouldn't be a surprise. The time to strike is next summer when we'll have far more financial flexibility and a number of draft picks. We ought to keep the little powder we have dry and light the fuse when we have more ammo next year.

Not sure Oubre recognizes defense any better than DLO does....

Interesting. I've always assumed he's a good defensive player. But I confess I haven't watching him play much and I've never looked at his defensive stats. Is he really that bad, Q?

A couple things to consider.

1. When the Suns went on their undefeated run in the bubble Oubre was injured and didn't play. They traded him and other guys for Chris Paul and the Suns certainly didn't miss him.

2. Maybe he has improved since then but I used to follow a former assistant coach for the Wizards and he likes Oubre but basically said Oubre isn't a guy that gets it or plays hard all the time etc. I got the sense that he has improved after leaving Washington but I still don't know who he is as a player. I certainly wouldn't call him a defensive wing.

3. Offensively he was bad last year with the Warriors. Wiggins turned in his more efficient season and Oubre went backwards.

4. Back to defense...and advanced stats. RAPTOR says he was a positive defender but was horrendous on offense making him a -2.7 player. Compare that to his teammate 31 year old Bazemore all the stats I looked at Bazemore was simply better sometimes much better. Keep in mind the cost the Warriors paid both in dollars and in terms of some decent draft capital to get Oubre. Having said all that the Warriors might be willing to keep him at the right contract.

5. I don't see the reason to sign Oubre when we have such a significant need at PF. To sign him we might have to give up an asset. I just don't want to do that for something that's really not a need and quite frankly might not be worth worrying about. There is potential there but...like I said is he a starter or the next nifty 7th man or something or is he a Michael Beasley? If the Wolves actually had a need for a wing like they did a couple years ago then sure but right now...I don't feel like it's worth it.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

David Aldridge: Veteran free agent forward Kelly Oubre is in discussions with the Charlotte Hornets, per sources. There's no agreement tonight, but talks are ongoing. Could be a good fit with a young, athletic Hornets team. Averaged 15.4 ppg for the Warriors last season.

Charlotte can sign Kelly Oubre or Lauri Markkanen via their cap space, but not both. They'd need to pull off a sign-and-trade to land whichever player they don't sign outright.

[Lipoli390]

David Aldridge: Veteran free agent forward Kelly Oubre is in discussions with the Charlotte Hornets, per sources. There's no agreement tonight, but talks are ongoing. Could be a good fit with a young, athletic Hornets team. Averaged 15.4 ppg for the Warriors last season.

Charlotte can sign Kelly Oubre or Lauri Markkanen via their cap space, but not both. They'd need to pull off a sign-and-trade to land whichever player they don't sign outright.

That's certainly a positive development for those who want the Wolves to get Lauri. I continue to believe we're better off taking a pass on Lauri. However, I'm continuing to predict that the Wolves will acquire him.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Lauri Markkanen told Finnish media today he wants out of Chicago.

"We have offers from several different teams. I want a fresh start to my NBA career somewhere else. Hopefully things will be sorted out quickly with the Bulls and a new direction for my career."

[Lipoli390]

Lauri Markkanen told Finnish media today he wants out of Chicago.

"We have offers from several different teams. I want a fresh start to my NBA career somewhere else. Hopefully things will be sorted out quickly with the Bulls."

I hadn't read that report, but I had seen others that made it clear Lauri doesn't want to be there and that Chicago doesn't want him there. That's why I've continued to maintain that the Wolves shouldn't have to give up much to get him. The Bulls have no interest in having a really unhappy Lauri Markkanen seething on the bench. The Bulls plan to make a big leap this next season. Lauri doesn't have a role in that plan. Moreover, chemistry matters and his unhappy presence on the bench can't help their chemistry. In addition, Front office execs really do care about what agents think and often try hard to accommodate them.

Where Lauri ends up will have nothing to do with what Chicago wants in return. It will turn solely on where Lauri wants to go. And Lauri's decision will certainly be driven a lot by money, but also by opportunity and fit. The Wolves can promise him first crack as their starter at PF next to KAT on a team loaded with other young talent. Given where he's from, our weather shouldn't be a problem for him. In fact, it might be an attraction to him.

Price + 2 future 2nd-round picks. Markkanen on a 3-year $42M deal.

[Monster]

Kelly Oubre got 2 years 25 million. I predict Markkanen will get more per year than Oubre and it will cost a team (except OKC) some sort of asset to get him. Let's just say I won't be disappointed if some other team gets him. I think Chicago can likely still extract something pretty nice for facilitating a sign and trade even if Markkanen decides where he wants to land. I've seen too many guys say where they want to go and the team giving them up still gets a pretty nice return. I will not be shocked if the Bulls end up with a protected first for Lauri.

The deal for Oubre is probably a worthwhile gamble for the Hornets. I believe they have a need for a bigger wing and Oubre is still young and talented. It's only a 2 year commitment and they had space to get something done.