Dangling #1

[Lipoli390]

I don't have Booker on my list because I don't think he's a realistic target and also because he would be a third max contract who doesn't defend well. That makes no sense. I think any list has to be limited to players who are (1) clearly all-star caliber players, preferably bona fide stars or budding stars; (2) about the same age as or younger than our current core (age 20-27); and (3) good to great defenders. Also, to be realistic, any trade target would have to be a player on a team that's ready to give blow things up and re-build or a player who has certain flaws or issues that would incline his current team to move him for a top pick and other assets. So here's my list, which probably includes unrealistic targets:

1. Ben Simmons: all-star talent; 76ers seem stuck in their progression; reports they want to move him
2. Myles Turner: He might not fit with Pacers given development of Sabonis
3. Victor Oladipo: Pacers now used to playing w/out him; injury issue might incline them to move him
4. Brad Beal: Not the defensive player I like, but elite offensively and Wiz might be ready to blow it up

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I don't have Booker on my list because I don't think he's a realistic target and also because he would be a third max contract who doesn't defend well. That makes no sense. I think any list has to be limited to players who are (1) clearly all-star caliber players, preferably bona fide stars or budding stars; (2) about the same age as or younger than our current core (age 20-27); and (3) good to great defenders. Also, to be realistic, any trade target would have to be a player on a team that's ready to give blow things up and re-build or a player who has certain flaws or issues that would incline his current team to move him for a top pick and other assets. So here's my list, which probably includes unrealistic targets:

1. Ben Simmons: all-star talent; 76ers seem stuck in their progression; reports they want to move him
2. Myles Turner: He might not fit with Pacers given development of Sabonis
3. Victor Oladipo: Pacers now used to playing w/out him; injury issue might incline them to move him
4. Brad Beal: Not the defensive player I like, but elite offensively and Wiz might be ready to blow it up

I too wouldn't mind the acquisition of Myles Turner, Lip, but I wouldn't give up the first overall pick to do so. I especially wouldn't want to pay him 18-million a year when I could just select James Wiseman and pay him eight-million a year to perhaps be a much better player. I agree or understand on your other listed names and reasons they could be available, though.

[WildWolf2813]

I don't have Booker on my list because I don't think he's a realistic target and also because he would be a third max contract who doesn't defend well. That makes no sense. I think any list has to be limited to players who are (1) clearly all-star caliber players, preferably bona fide stars or budding stars; (2) about the same age as or younger than our current core (age 20-27); and (3) good to great defenders. Also, to be realistic, any trade target would have to be a player on a team that's ready to give blow things up and re-build or a player who has certain flaws or issues that would incline his current team to move him for a top pick and other assets. So here's my list, which probably includes unrealistic targets:

1. Ben Simmons: all-star talent; 76ers seem stuck in their progression; reports they want to move him
2. Myles Turner: He might not fit with Pacers given development of Sabonis
3. Victor Oladipo: Pacers now used to playing w/out him; injury issue might incline them to move him
4. Brad Beal: Not the defensive player I like, but elite offensively and Wiz might be ready to blow it up

I too wouldn't mind the acquisition of Myles Turner, Lip, but I wouldn't give up the first overall pick to do so. I especially wouldn't want to pay him 18-million a year when I could just select James Wiseman and pay him eight-million a year to perhaps be a much better player. I agree or understand on your other listed names and reasons they could be available, though.

I'm not sure whether Wiseman will be better than Turner. Turner possesses 2 things this franchise really wants: three point shooting and shot blocking. Wiseman will block shots. That three pointer is TBD.

[Lipoli390]

I don't have Booker on my list because I don't think he's a realistic target and also because he would be a third max contract who doesn't defend well. That makes no sense. I think any list has to be limited to players who are (1) clearly all-star caliber players, preferably bona fide stars or budding stars; (2) about the same age as or younger than our current core (age 20-27); and (3) good to great defenders. Also, to be realistic, any trade target would have to be a player on a team that's ready to give blow things up and re-build or a player who has certain flaws or issues that would incline his current team to move him for a top pick and other assets. So here's my list, which probably includes unrealistic targets:

1. Ben Simmons: all-star talent; 76ers seem stuck in their progression; reports they want to move him
2. Myles Turner: He might not fit with Pacers given development of Sabonis
3. Victor Oladipo: Pacers now used to playing w/out him; injury issue might incline them to move him
4. Brad Beal: Not the defensive player I like, but elite offensively and Wiz might be ready to blow it up

I too wouldn't mind the acquisition of Myles Turner, Lip, but I wouldn't give up the first overall pick to do so. I especially wouldn't want to pay him 18-million a year when I could just select James Wiseman and pay him eight-million a year to perhaps be a much better player. I agree or understand on your other listed names and reasons they could be available, though.

Good points, Cam.

I like the way you're analyzing the situation. This isn't about trading or not trading the pick. It's about what we'd be getting compared to the potential we'd be giving up and it requires consideration of other factors like salary. Turner has 3 years left on his $18 million per year deal. That's a potential problem for the Wolves if they intend to re-sign Beasley. I'm not saying that means we shouldn't trade the pick for Turner (including Johnson in the deal to match salaries). But it's definitely an important factor to consider. I see Turner as a guy who gives the Wolves something the team really needs. I think he's an all-star caliber player whose age matches well with our current core and the team's trajectory.

What sort of realistic package do you think the Wolves could offer the Pacers for Turner? Would our #17 and 33 picks along with Johnson be enough? If so would you do that deal given the salary cap concerns that would come with Turner?

[WildWolf2813]

Here's an interesting proposal:

Wolves trade #1, Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans to the Knicks for #8, 2021 unprotected first, Dallas 2021 first rounder, and Kevin Knox.


the logic behind this for the Knicks is that they'd get their guy, but for us, the logic would be this: if the team can't get their hands on Booker/Simmons/Beal/whoever, so be it. If things change in a year, the Wolves won't have the same ammo to make a run for them. If Anthony Edwards or whoever at 1 is amazing, you're not gonna wanna move him. If he's anything short of that, nobody will value him as much as they do now. However, if things change, now you've reset your assets to potentially have the ammo you have now as well as adding #8 and Knox. Now, the Wolves have probably been scouting as if they were gonna drop anyway, so they probably have a good idea of guys like Hayes, Haliburton, Nesmith, Vassell, Okoro. The expectation level won't be there, so good rookie seasons by them can enhance their stock.

You can free up a roster spot (if the Wolves bring Beasley back they'll have 13 guaranteed deals not including 1, 17, and 33 and they might still want Juancho or someone else with the MLE), bring in a depressed asset in Knox who just turned 21 yesterday and is younger than Culver who can back up at SF/PF, and still have the ability to monitor the trade market knowing you have more assets to go get them. Keeps one eye on today and one eye on tomorrow.

For argument's sake we'll say Vassell falls to them at 8.

C Towns/Reid/Vanderbilt
PF Johnson /Layman/Knox
SF Culver /Okogie
SG Beasley /Vassell (8) /Nowell
PG Russell /(back-up PG at 17 or 33)

#17 or 33 you can draft & stash. More importantly, you still have the MLE, you still have flexibility to trade James Johnson in a trade package and now you have a 2021 Knicks first rounder and Dallas' first.

[Monster]

Here's an interesting proposal:

Wolves trade #1, Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans to the Knicks for #8, 2021 unprotected first, Dallas 2021 first rounder, and Kevin Knox.


the logic behind this for the Knicks is that they'd get their guy, but for us, the logic would be this: if the team can't get their hands on Booker/Simmons/Beal/whoever, so be it. If things change in a year, the Wolves won't have the same ammo to make a run for them. If Anthony Edwards or whoever at 1 is amazing, you're not gonna wanna move him. If he's anything short of that, nobody will value him as much as they do now. However, if things change, now you've reset your assets to potentially have the ammo you have now as well as adding #8 and Knox. Now, the Wolves have probably been scouting as if they were gonna drop anyway, so they probably have a good idea of guys like Hayes, Haliburton, Nesmith, Vassell, Okoro. The expectation level won't be there, so good rookie seasons by them can enhance their stock.

You can free up a roster spot (if the Wolves bring Beasley back they'll have 13 guaranteed deals not including 1, 17, and 33 and they might still want Juancho or someone else with the MLE), bring in a depressed asset in Knox who just turned 21 yesterday and is younger than Culver who can back up at SF/PF, and still have the ability to monitor the trade market knowing you have more assets to go get them. Keeps one eye on today and one eye on tomorrow.

For argument's sake we'll say Vassell falls to them at 8.

C Towns/Reid/Vanderbilt
PF Johnson /Layman/Knox
SF Culver /Okogie
SG Beasley /Vassell (8) /Nowell
PG Russell /(back-up PG at 17 or 33)

#17 or 33 you can draft & stash. More importantly, you still have the MLE, you still have flexibility to trade James Johnson in a trade package and now you have a 2021 Knicks first rounder and Dallas' first.

I was a fan of Knox's potential in that draft but at this point what is the realistic hope for the guy? He looks like he got worse this year. He is shooting under 40% from 2 this year. Spellman might be the better player not that I am saying we need to keep him but really Knox...can we just do that deal and leave him out of it and use that roster spot on someone else that's cheaper?

Does anyone know what the Hornets want to do? Could we sucker them somehow?

[Lipoli390]

Wild - I think that would be a great deal for the Wolves. don't think the Knicks would do that exact deal you suggested, but I think they'd agree to something close. Specifically, I don't think they'd give us both their own unprotected 2021 first rounder and the Mavs' first rounder as part of that package. I think the best we could expect in return would be their own first rounder top 3 protected and eventually becoming unprotected in a couple years. And I think we might need to settle for their Dallas pick, in which case I'd insist on also getting their 2021 2nd rounder from Charlotte and their #27 pick this year. I'm not high on Knox. His shooting is worse that Culver's and Okogie's. One the other hand, he's a good defender with upside and I can see taking a one-year flier on him as part as part of the deal. But I wouldn't make him a key to the deal.

The key to any deal with the Knicks would be the picks and getting the Wolves back into next year's draft, which is expected to be a good one. Your suggested deal does that. And I like your idea of including Spellman and Evans to free up a roster space. The question is whether the 2021 Dallas 1st rounder along with the 2021 Charlotte 2nd rounder and this year's #27 pick would be enough return.

Another variation for a Knicks deal would involve Bobby Portis. He's the only Knicks' player other than Robinson I'd have any interest in acquiring. We'd have to include James Johnson to match salaries and we'd have no chance of also getting their own minimally protected 2021 1st rounder. So this variation would probably be something like this: Wolves trade #1 pick, Spellman, Evans and Johnson to the Knicks in exchange for their 2021 1st round pick from the Mavs, their 2021 2nd round pick from Charlotte, their #27 pick this year and Bobby Portis. Would the Knicks give up that much? Probably not, but you never know until you ask and the Wolves should probably ask. I do think the Knicks are drooling over LaMello Ball so I think we can command a high price.

I'm sure at least one of several player I like a lot for the Wolves would be available at #8, including:

1. Vassell;
2. Haliburton; and/or
3. Patrick Williams

It's also possible that Okongwu or Avdija would slide down to #8.

[Lipoli390]

Here's an interesting proposal:

Wolves trade #1, Omari Spellman and Jacob Evans to the Knicks for #8, 2021 unprotected first, Dallas 2021 first rounder, and Kevin Knox.


the logic behind this for the Knicks is that they'd get their guy, but for us, the logic would be this: if the team can't get their hands on Booker/Simmons/Beal/whoever, so be it. If things change in a year, the Wolves won't have the same ammo to make a run for them. If Anthony Edwards or whoever at 1 is amazing, you're not gonna wanna move him. If he's anything short of that, nobody will value him as much as they do now. However, if things change, now you've reset your assets to potentially have the ammo you have now as well as adding #8 and Knox. Now, the Wolves have probably been scouting as if they were gonna drop anyway, so they probably have a good idea of guys like Hayes, Haliburton, Nesmith, Vassell, Okoro. The expectation level won't be there, so good rookie seasons by them can enhance their stock.

You can free up a roster spot (if the Wolves bring Beasley back they'll have 13 guaranteed deals not including 1, 17, and 33 and they might still want Juancho or someone else with the MLE), bring in a depressed asset in Knox who just turned 21 yesterday and is younger than Culver who can back up at SF/PF, and still have the ability to monitor the trade market knowing you have more assets to go get them. Keeps one eye on today and one eye on tomorrow.

For argument's sake we'll say Vassell falls to them at 8.

C Towns/Reid/Vanderbilt
PF Johnson /Layman/Knox
SF Culver /Okogie
SG Beasley /Vassell (8) /Nowell
PG Russell /(back-up PG at 17 or 33)

#17 or 33 you can draft & stash. More importantly, you still have the MLE, you still have flexibility to trade James Johnson in a trade package and now you have a 2021 Knicks first rounder and Dallas' first.

I was a fan of Knox's potential in that draft but at this point what is the realistic hope for the guy? He looks like he got worse this year. He is shooting under 40% from 2 this year. Spellman might be the better player not that I am saying we need to keep him but really Knox...can we just do that deal and leave him out of it and use that roster spot on someone else that's cheaper?

Does anyone know what the Hornets want to do? Could we sucker them somehow?

Monster - I agree with you on Knox.

I think any deal with the Knicks should focus on acquiring draft picks, unless there's a chance of getting Bobby Portis. But Portis is problematic since the Knicks have a one-year team option on him at $15 million.

The Hornets should definitely be on the Wolves call list to explore possible deals. But I'm not sure why they'd be interested in moving up from #3 to 1 unless they're dead set on one of the top three (Ball, Edwards or Wiseman) and are convinced that one will be gone by #3.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I don't have Booker on my list because I don't think he's a realistic target and also because he would be a third max contract who doesn't defend well. That makes no sense. I think any list has to be limited to players who are (1) clearly all-star caliber players, preferably bona fide stars or budding stars; (2) about the same age as or younger than our current core (age 20-27); and (3) good to great defenders. Also, to be realistic, any trade target would have to be a player on a team that's ready to give blow things up and re-build or a player who has certain flaws or issues that would incline his current team to move him for a top pick and other assets. So here's my list, which probably includes unrealistic targets:

1. Ben Simmons: all-star talent; 76ers seem stuck in their progression; reports they want to move him
2. Myles Turner: He might not fit with Pacers given development of Sabonis
3. Victor Oladipo: Pacers now used to playing w/out him; injury issue might incline them to move him
4. Brad Beal: Not the defensive player I like, but elite offensively and Wiz might be ready to blow it up

I too wouldn't mind the acquisition of Myles Turner, Lip, but I wouldn't give up the first overall pick to do so. I especially wouldn't want to pay him 18-million a year when I could just select James Wiseman and pay him eight-million a year to perhaps be a much better player. I agree or understand on your other listed names and reasons they could be available, though.

I'm not sure whether Wiseman will be better than Turner. Turner possesses 2 things this franchise really wants: three point shooting and shot blocking. Wiseman will block shots. That three pointer is TBD.

Fair, and while I think Turner is a super solid big in this league that does exactly what you said -- block shots and make threes (at a league average rate) -- I don't think he's set the bar too high. Wiseman can sleepwalk his way to a double-double most nights just on physical ability and size alone. Luckily, for the team that nabs him, he has adequate skill to go with those tools. I couldn't prove this with numbers either, but I'd bet he's going to be a comparable shooter to Turner.

[Lipoli390]

OK, I'm continuing with my preference for trading down from #1 for some combination of picks and players rather than trading completely out for a star. I like Wild's idea of swapping with the Knicks and getting picks for next year's draft. Here are some other potential swap deals to think about:

1. WOLVES/CAVS: Wolves #1 (& maybe #33) + Evans & Spellman to Cavs for their #5 + Garland. Not sure the Cavs would go for this. It depends on how much they covet any of the guys likely to be gone by #5. Sexton is their star to build around. He's a scoring PG. Perhaps the Cavs covet Ball and see him as a potential superstar playmaker to pair with the star scoring guard Sexton. Or perhaps they covet Edwards who they see as another dynamic scoring guard to pair with Sexton, in which case Sexton would function more as a PG. Or perhaps they covet Wiseman as a Joel Embiid-caliber big who would be the perfect complement to their backcourt star Sexton. Garland did not have a very impressive season this past year, so perhaps the Cavs consider him readily expendable. Why should the Wolves be interested in Garland? Although he had an underwhelming rookie season, it's important to remember that he only played a handful of college games before he was drafted. Moreover, he was coming off an injury that kept him off the practice floor for an extended time before his rookie season. And note that he still hit 35.5% of his threes last season on a fairly robust volume of 5 attempts per game. I still see him becoming an terrific 3-point shooter in the NBA. He also has that ball-on-a-string handle that will eventually make him a very good NBA PG.

2. WOLVES/PISTONS: Wolves #1 (& maybe #33) + Evans & Spellman to Pistons for their #7 + Kennard. Hard to see the Pistons giving up Kennard in this deal, but again, it depends on how much they covet any particular prospects who are likely to be gone by #7 versus how much they like the guys likely to still be available at that point in the draft. Even in this draft, moving up from #7 to #1 is a big deal and should command a pretty hefty return. Another variation would be Doumbouya instead of Kennard, in which case I'd insist on also getting Detroit's 2021 first round pick with lottery protection for two seasons before becoming unprotected. I'm still intrigued by Doumbouya, although he had a terrible rookie season.

3. WOLVES/HAWKS: Wolves #1 & #33 + Evans, Johnson & Spellman to Hawks for their #6 + Clint Capella.

4. WOLVES/HAWKS: Wolves #1 & #33 + Evans and Spellman to Hawks for their #6 and Kevin Huerter.

All of these suggested deals really hinge on the other team's level of desire for particularl players likely to be gone by their respective picks compared to how much they like the guys likely to still be available. The Wolves could potentially substitute #17 for #33 if it would get any of these deals across the threshold.

The deal involving Capella is the only one that I see clearly moving the needle positively for the Wolves. But I see all of them as significantly positive for the Wolves mainly because I think the Wolves can do just as well picking at 5, 6, 7, or 8 as they could at #1. That just reflects my doubts about Ball, Edwards and Wiseman. I'm very high on Okongwu and fairly high on Avdija, Vassell, Haliburton and Patrick Williams. At least one of those 5 will be available at ## 5, 6, 7 and 8.