Wall Street Journal Article on Covington

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

...basically says he's the most coveted player on the market right now and a number of contending teams are vying for him.

Excerpt #1:

"A rapidly escalating arms race for this star role player is pitting the league's elite against each other. As much as the Minnesota Timberwolves want to keep him, they're a longshot to make the playoffs, and this might be the time to maximize their return on Covington. He has no shortage of suitors. The Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks, Rockets and 76ers are among the teams that have expressed some Covington interest, according to people familiar with the matter. Before they can battle for a championship, they have to bid against each other."

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Excerpt #2:

"To understand why they're clamoring for him, it helps to understand that Covington is a basketball power adapter: He can plug into any system and his game will translate. He's a perfect complementary piece on any team built around starpower--which happens to be every team built to win a title. He's big enough at 6-foot-7, and shoots 3-pointers well enough at 36%, that he doesn't need the ball to be effective. He was also named to the NBA's all-defense team. He spaces the floor (useful if you're teammates with LeBron James) and guards almost everybody (useful if you're playing against LeBron James). He's one of the only players in the league who can defend point guard James Harden one night and center Brook Lopez the next.

But what makes him especially useful is his contract. At a time when roughly 75% of the league earns more than $20 million or less than $6 million, Covington personifies the NBA's shrinking middle class. With more than two years left on a contract that pays him $12 million per year, he's a highly useful player on an affordable deal, which makes him an outlier. It also makes him tradeable.

The Wolves are negotiating from a position of strength, though, and there's likely to be sticker shock over how much it will cost if Covington does get moved. But league insiders aren't surprised that he's in such demand. They understand why good teams that feel they're one trade from a championship would be willing to give up a lot to get him. If they're already good, there are only so many ways to be great. The moves that make a difference are marginal."
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This is why he's our 2nd best player from a value perspective. I realize it doesn't make a huge difference if all the people surrounding him are inefficient offensively (Culver, Okogie, Wiggins, Napier) or can't play defense (KAT), but put him on a team that already has a lot of that covered and he makes them great.

[thedoper]

Yes which is why we need to capitalize on his value. From my perspective he's been off this season, and I suspect that his health moving forward isn't going to do him any favors either. This is the one move the wolves could make where a player's perceived value might be beyond their actual play. We are usually forced to sell at rock bottom, here's a chance to increase assets.

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

Yes which is why we need to capitalize on his value. From my perspective he's been off this season, and I suspect that his health moving forward isn't going to do him any favors either. This is the one move the wolves could make where a player's perceived value might be beyond their actual play. We are usually forced to sell at rock bottom, here's a chance to increase assets.

Yes, Assuming that we don't make any other trades (like Wiggins and something for Russell), and this team looks the same after the deadline, I would say shame on rosas for not capitalizing on Roco's value right now.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Nice find Q. We should definitely send Houston and LA into a bidding war. But for 12 million we won't get much on a salary match. Draft pick?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Nice find Q. We should definitely send Houston and LA into a bidding war. But for 12 million we won't get much on a salary match. Draft pick?

I'm of the belief we won't find equal value for him. Having said that, he isn't much use to a team that is tanking and will probably be tanking again next season, so I could see us trading him anyway. Rosas will ask for a lot more than one late first rounder from the teams interested in him.