Wolves Free Agent Targets

[Monster]

Keita Bates Diop was released by the nuggets. May be a target.

There might be some gobbledy-goop that allows this to happen, but in general, a team cannot re-sign a player they traded until the one year anniversary of the trade...

Otherwise, I would agree that he would be a good target.

Good point Tim. I wonder if we can claim him on waivers though. Not sure if we have the ability to do that since I think he technically is just over the Vet min and we don't have cap space. None of the trade exceptions we have are that big either.

Oh well let's get RHJ if the price is right. He would be a nice guy to have to combo with Juancho and he is still 25 and could also play some SF.

[Volans19]

Keita Bates Diop was released by the nuggets. May be a target.

There might be some gobbledy-goop that allows this to happen, but in general, a team cannot re-sign a player they traded until the one year anniversary of the trade...

Otherwise, I would agree that he would be a good target.

Good point Tim. I wonder if we can claim him on waivers though. Not sure if we have the ability to do that since I think he technically is just over the Vet min and we don't have cap space. None of the trade exceptions we have are that big either.

Oh well let's get RHJ if the price is right. He would be a nice guy to have to combo with Juancho and he is still 25 and could also play some SF.

KBD is such a solid role player, I would love it if the Wolves brought him back

[Volans19]

Juancho is back 3/21

[Lipoli390]

I just saw the details on the Bobby Portis contract with Milwaukee. It's a 2-year deal worth $7.4M, which is about $3.7M per years. I'm trying to feel good about Rosas, but after seeing this I'm at a loss. Rosas agreed to pay Juancho twice the amount that Portis is getting. That tells me Portis was gettable, but that Rosas preferred Juancho. Bobby Portis provides the size (6'10, 250) and rebounding this team needs inside and he's also a floor-stretcher with a 36% career 3-point average. He's a guy I could have confidence in as the Wolves starting PF next to KAT. Maybe it would have cost a bit more to get Portis to choose the Wolves over the Bucks - a team with a chance to win a championship. But I can't imagine it would have cost more than Rosas agreed to pay Juancho. Rosas has demonstrated that he knows how to roll out the red carpet and recruit the players he wants. It couldn't have been hard to recruit Portis with the idea that he'd be the Wolves starting PF next to KAT and that he'd be free (actually encouraged) to take threes. That pitch, plus Juancho's money had to be more than enough to sign him here.

[Monster]

I just saw the details on the Bobby Portis contract with Milwaukee. It's a 2-year deal worth $7.4M, which is about $3.7M per years. I'm trying to feel good about Rosas, but after seeing this I'm at a loss. Rosas agreed to pay Juancho twice the amount that Portis is getting. That tells me Portis was gettable, but that Rosas preferred Juancho. Bobby Portis provides the size (6'10, 250) and rebounding this team needs inside and he's also a floor-stretcher with a 36% career 3-point average. He's a guy I could have confidence in as the Wolves starting PF next to KAT. Maybe it would have cost a bit more to get Portis to choose the Wolves over the Bucks - a team with a chance to win a championship. But I can't imagine it would have cost more than Rosas agreed to pay Juancho. Rosas has demonstrated that he knows how to roll out the red carpet and recruit the players he wants. It couldn't have been hard to recruit Portis with the idea that he'd be the Wolves starting PF next to KAT and that he'd be free (actually encouraged) to take threes. That pitch, plus Juancho's money had to be more than enough to sign him here.

Lip did you see my post about Portis from a few days ago?

[Lipoli390]

I just saw the details on the Bobby Portis contract with Milwaukee. It's a 2-year deal worth $7.4M, which is about $3.7M per years. I'm trying to feel good about Rosas, but after seeing this I'm at a loss. Rosas agreed to pay Juancho twice the amount that Portis is getting. That tells me Portis was gettable, but that Rosas preferred Juancho. Bobby Portis provides the size (6'10, 250) and rebounding this team needs inside and he's also a floor-stretcher with a 36% career 3-point average. He's a guy I could have confidence in as the Wolves starting PF next to KAT. Maybe it would have cost a bit more to get Portis to choose the Wolves over the Bucks - a team with a chance to win a championship. But I can't imagine it would have cost more than Rosas agreed to pay Juancho. Rosas has demonstrated that he knows how to roll out the red carpet and recruit the players he wants. It couldn't have been hard to recruit Portis with the idea that he'd be the Wolves starting PF next to KAT and that he'd be free (actually encouraged) to take threes. That pitch, plus Juancho's money had to be more than enough to sign him here.

Lip did you see my post about Portis from a few days ago?

Not sure. I remember you posting that Milwaukee signed Bobby Portis for cheap, but I don't remember any details.

[60WinTim]

I just saw the details on the Bobby Portis contract with Milwaukee. It's a 2-year deal worth $7.4M, which is about $3.7M per years. I'm trying to feel good about Rosas, but after seeing this I'm at a loss. Rosas agreed to pay Juancho twice the amount that Portis is getting. That tells me Portis was gettable, but that Rosas preferred Juancho. Bobby Portis provides the size (6'10, 250) and rebounding this team needs inside and he's also a floor-stretcher with a 36% career 3-point average. He's a guy I could have confidence in as the Wolves starting PF next to KAT. Maybe it would have cost a bit more to get Portis to choose the Wolves over the Bucks - a team with a chance to win a championship. But I can't imagine it would have cost more than Rosas agreed to pay Juancho. Rosas has demonstrated that he knows how to roll out the red carpet and recruit the players he wants. It couldn't have been hard to recruit Portis with the idea that he'd be the Wolves starting PF next to KAT and that he'd be free (actually encouraged) to take threes. That pitch, plus Juancho's money had to be more than enough to sign him here.

Lip did you see my post about Portis from a few days ago?

Not sure. I remember you posting that Milwaukee signed Bobby Portis for cheap, but I don't remember any details.

I remember it -- a pretty detailed analysis on just how poorly Portis has played in the NBA. I am sure monster will dig up the link to it...

[Monster]

I just saw the details on the Bobby Portis contract with Milwaukee. It's a 2-year deal worth $7.4M, which is about $3.7M per years. I'm trying to feel good about Rosas, but after seeing this I'm at a loss. Rosas agreed to pay Juancho twice the amount that Portis is getting. That tells me Portis was gettable, but that Rosas preferred Juancho. Bobby Portis provides the size (6'10, 250) and rebounding this team needs inside and he's also a floor-stretcher with a 36% career 3-point average. He's a guy I could have confidence in as the Wolves starting PF next to KAT. Maybe it would have cost a bit more to get Portis to choose the Wolves over the Bucks - a team with a chance to win a championship. But I can't imagine it would have cost more than Rosas agreed to pay Juancho. Rosas has demonstrated that he knows how to roll out the red carpet and recruit the players he wants. It couldn't have been hard to recruit Portis with the idea that he'd be the Wolves starting PF next to KAT and that he'd be free (actually encouraged) to take threes. That pitch, plus Juancho's money had to be more than enough to sign him here.

Lip did you see my post about Portis from a few days ago?

Not sure. I remember you posting that Milwaukee signed Bobby Portis for cheap, but I don't remember any details.

I remember it -- a pretty detailed analysis on just how poorly Portis has played in the NBA. I am sure monster will dig up the link to it...

Lip I'm just going to go from memory if you want me to look up more details I'm willing to do so.

First of all I think you know I'm a fan of Portis and have been since he was a draft prospect. I would have been interested in signing him to a deal instead of Juancho when FA started depending on price of each guy. Honestly I thought Portis would get more but...

Like you I was under the impression that Portis had become a better defender. I was actually looking it up because I was going to suggest after having a rep of being bad on that end Portis evolved so maybe Juancho could do the same. Lol All I found was stats, legit articles and fans saying Portis is still a horrific defender. Advanced stats are not kind to him in that regard.

On offense the advanced stats are pretty bad too. He isn't a particularly good finisher at the rim and doesn't take many shots there either. Meanwhile fans complain about him getting the ball and never passing. I remember 1 tweet right after he signed with The Bucks someone said "Cant wait to see Portis post up get the ball and never pass it to Giannis." He takes a pretty healthy chunk of his shots that aren't at the rim or 3's which is part of his lower FG percentage for his career. His career TS% is 52.8% yikes.

Rebounding...yes he has been a pretty good career rebounder and I would imagine he would be better than he was with the Knicks year but less than 9 rebounds per 36 was Juancho territory. I'm guessing he would have helped the Wolves there.

I honestly thought the Bucks got a steal for that contract but the more I looked into Portis the more I think he will probably help them but it wasn't anywhere near the bargain I thought he was and quite frankly may even be paid only what he is actually worth. Advanced stats are actually more favorable to Juancho. I'm not suggesting Juancho is 2x the money better (or better at all) but as I believe you were suggesting for the same price Or a full mid level deal...idk it's sort of a coin flip for me. Juancho fits what the Wolves more and I'd rather have a guy in Juancho that has a prayer of guarding more mobile players than Portis who might be more is a C/PF like Saric who was resigned for 3 years 27 million with the Suns. I'd easily rather have Saric for that contract than Portis. I'm ok rolling the dice on Juancho for his deal compared to Saric but it's another coin flip. Saric is a solid player so I realize I'm going out on a limb with this take. The hope is Juancho has a little sliver of potential to be more than we have seen. Ultimately though I think all these guys are bench players.

Oh and don't forget Portis punched Mirotic was suspended himself and Of course Mirotic was out for an absence because of it and I don't get the sense Portis is some beloved teammate in general.

Overall Lip we likely don't need to be disappointed we didn't land Portis especially for a full mid level deal as it would have been an overpay.

[Lipoli390]

I just saw the details on the Bobby Portis contract with Milwaukee. It's a 2-year deal worth $7.4M, which is about $3.7M per years. I'm trying to feel good about Rosas, but after seeing this I'm at a loss. Rosas agreed to pay Juancho twice the amount that Portis is getting. That tells me Portis was gettable, but that Rosas preferred Juancho. Bobby Portis provides the size (6'10, 250) and rebounding this team needs inside and he's also a floor-stretcher with a 36% career 3-point average. He's a guy I could have confidence in as the Wolves starting PF next to KAT. Maybe it would have cost a bit more to get Portis to choose the Wolves over the Bucks - a team with a chance to win a championship. But I can't imagine it would have cost more than Rosas agreed to pay Juancho. Rosas has demonstrated that he knows how to roll out the red carpet and recruit the players he wants. It couldn't have been hard to recruit Portis with the idea that he'd be the Wolves starting PF next to KAT and that he'd be free (actually encouraged) to take threes. That pitch, plus Juancho's money had to be more than enough to sign him here.

Lip did you see my post about Portis from a few days ago?

Not sure. I remember you posting that Milwaukee signed Bobby Portis for cheap, but I don't remember any details.

I remember it -- a pretty detailed analysis on just how poorly Portis has played in the NBA. I am sure monster will dig up the link to it...

Lip I'm just going to go from memory if you want me to look up more details I'm willing to do so.

First of all I think you know I'm a fan of Portis and have been since he was a draft prospect. I would have been interested in signing him to a deal instead of Juancho when FA started depending on price of each guy. Honestly I thought Portis would get more but...

Like you I was under the impression that Portis had become a better defender. I was actually looking it up because I was going to suggest after having a rep of being bad on that end Portis evolved so maybe Juancho could do the same. Lol All I found was stats, legit articles and fans saying Portis is still a horrific defender. Advanced stats are not kind to him in that regard.

On offense the advanced stats are pretty bad too. He isn't a particularly good finisher at the rim and doesn't take many shots there either. Meanwhile fans complain about him getting the ball and never passing. I remember 1 tweet right after he signed with The Bucks someone said "Cant wait to see Portis post up get the ball and never pass it to Giannis." He takes a pretty healthy chunk of his shots that aren't at the rim or 3's which is part of his lower FG percentage for his career. His career TS% is 52.8% yikes.

Rebounding...yes he has been a pretty good career rebounder and I would imagine he would be better than he was with the Knicks year but less than 9 rebounds per 36 was Juancho territory. I'm guessing he would have helped the Wolves there.

I honestly thought the Bucks got a steal for that contract but the more I looked into Portis the more I think he will probably help them but it wasn't anywhere near the bargain I thought he was and quite frankly may even be paid only what he is actually worth. Advanced stats are actually more favorable to Juancho. I'm not suggesting Juancho is 2x the money better (or better at all) but as I believe you were suggesting for the same price Or a full mid level deal...idk it's sort of a coin flip for me. Juancho fits what the Wolves more and I'd rather have a guy in Juancho that has a prayer of guarding more mobile players than Portis who might be more is a C/PF like Saric who was resigned for 3 years 27 million with the Suns. I'd easily rather have Saric for that contract than Portis. I'm ok rolling the dice on Juancho for his deal compared to Saric but it's another coin flip. Saric is a solid player so I realize I'm going out on a limb with this take. The hope is Juancho has a little sliver of potential to be more than we have seen. Ultimately though I think all these guys are bench players.

Oh and don't forget Portis punched Mirotic was suspended himself and Of course Mirotic was out for an absence because of it and I don't get the sense Portis is some beloved teammate in general.

Overall Lip we likely don't need to be disappointed we didn't land Portis especially for a full mid level deal as it would have been an overpay.

Thanks, Monster. Very interesting. I had never taken a deep dive into Bobby's stats. I think his rebounding stats were much better before last season with the Knicks. So I don't put much stock on that number. But I'm really surprised by those poor defensive stats as well as some of the other stuff you mentioned. All of that helps explain why he ended up signing for so little. I might dig into the stats at some point, but you provided enough to make me feel better about passing on Portis in favor of Juancho.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Speaking of Portis... I recently heard Zach Lowe talk about him. Well sort of...

He was almost entirely dismissive about Portis iso-oriented, ball-pounding post play and questionable at best defensive chops.