monsterpile wrote:lipoli390 wrote:OK, here are a few of what I'd consider realistic deals the Wolves should pursue:
1. SIXERS DEAL
Sixers Get: Butler
Wolves Get: (a) Covington, (b) Muscala, (c) Bulls or Kings 2019 2nd rd pk, (c) Heat 2021 1st
Why Wolves would do this? Covington steps in right away as a very solid SF to replace Butler. He's still reasonably young at 27 years old without a lot of mileage on him so he'll still be in his prime a couple seasons from now when KAT, Wiggins and Tyus begin to enter their peak years. He also has a reasonable $10.5M per year contract and has 4 years left, so the Wolves can get full value for him as a player since he can't bolt any time soon. The Kings or Bulls 2nd round pick next years will likely be pretty high - in the 31-38 range and the Miami pick in two years will be unprotected at a time when the Heat could be pretty bad. Muscala would be salary filler and his $5 million would come off the books after this season, so it's also a good deal financially for the Wolves from a salary cap standpoint. I'd definitely try to work a deal to get Saric, but I don't consider it realistic so I'm not going to attempt to put one together in this post. I'll save it for my "moon shot" proposal post.
Why would the Sixers do this? Unlike the Wolves, who were a 30-win team when we traded for Butler, the Sixers were a top 3 seed in the East and advanced a playoff round with their young core. That puts them in a position where it actually makes sense for them to consider bringing in a top veteran who's still in his prime even as he approaches 30 years of age. In fact, their pursuit of K. Leonard shows they already have that in mind. This deal would allow them to keep their two core young stars, Simmons and Embiid, as well as their other highly talented young players, Saric and Fultz, and their 2018 first round pick, Zhaire Smith. They'd also be keeping all their own draft picks. So it would seem like a no-brained for the Sixers.
2. NETS DEAL
Nets Get: Butler
Wolves Get: (a) Carroll, (b) LeVert, (c) Musa, (d) Nuggets 2019 1st, (e) Knicks 2019 2nd rd pk
Why would the Wolves do this? The key benefits of this deal would be two solid draft picks and LeVert, a talented young wing who can handle the ball like a PG, which is a skill the Wolves need at the wing position given Andrew's weakness in that area. Getting Musa might be asking for too much, but another young wing with length would be nice renew the rebuilding process. The Knicks 2nd round pick should be a high one in the 31-38 range. The Nuggets pick is top 12 protected for 5 years before it converts to two second rounders, so the Wolves should get a 13-20 pick at some point. Carroll's value is mainly for salary match, but he could step right in and replace Butler in the starting lineup and help the Wolves stay reasonably competitive this season.
Why would the Nets to this? They get an allstar wing who has listed them as a team he'd resign with. He'd arrive wanting to be there. It would give their franchise instant credibility as they compete with the Knicks for the attention of NBA fans in that City. It could also help them attract a top free agent next summer when they can have a lot of cap space to sign another max player in addition to extending Butler. They'd still keep their most talented young player, Russell, as well. They'd also still have their own 2019 1st and 2nd round picks, so losing the Denver and Knick picks shouldn't be too big of a give for them.
3. CLIPPERS DEAL
Clippers get Butler & Patton
Wolves Get: (a) T. Harris, (b) Gilegeous-Alexander, (c) Clips 2021 1st rd pk-lottery protected
Why would the Wolves do this? Harris is a very good wing who can step in as the Wolves starting SF in place of Butler. Having just turned 26, he fits much better than Butler with our young core. Unlike Wiggins, he's an excellent rebounder and pretty good 3-point shooter, so he does some things Wiggins doesn't, although he's not nearly as talented as Wiggins overall. The downside is that he only has 1 yr. left on his contract, so the Wolves could lose him to free-agency next summer or be faced with a contract demand too steep for the Wolves given their other financial commitments and desire to avoid the luxury tax. For me the key would be Gilegeous-Alexander. He's a PG with unusual length and lots of skills - very intriguing. I'm not sure the Clippers would also give up their 2021 pick, but it would be nice icing for the Wolves.
Why would the Clippers do this? They know plugging Butler in with Lou Williams, Beverley makes them a competitive team that could possibly challenge for the 8th seed. Since they've traded their 2019 1st round pick, they get nothing from tanking this season. Moreover, they're one of the three teams Butler said he'd re-sign with and the Clippers are actually his first choice. Butler's presence would likely help them land a top free agent next summer when they should have cap room to sign another max player.
Good work here Lip. I'm glad you got Musa in there on a deal. :) I also like how you targeted those valueable 2nd round picks.
One thing I think is worth considering is whether the Sixers value Covington or Saric higher. Saric is a good young player but Covington is locked in for 4 seasons starting this year and is a perfect compliment to...well pretty much any team. Saric is cheap this year but could get some kind of decent payday...but probably nothing too crazy as a RFA. I'd be happy getting either one.
Wolfson is reporting that the Wolves are claiming they have an offer for a good player. Obviously that definition is up for debate but I'm feeling encouraged. Last year was a little different but let's be honest even a guy like Butler if healthy at the trade deadline could fetch a decent return. Teams have given up random 1st round picks for rentals and Butler is a top 20 player not some fringe starter type.
Monster -- Intersting thought about the Sixers possibly preferring to trade Saric over Covington. If that's the case, then there are at least a coupl plausible scenarios that would work under the cap and make sense for both teams:
1. Chandler, Muscala and Saric
2. Chandler, Saric and one or more of the following: Shamet/Zhaire Smith/McConnel
I'd want to get a future pick or two with option #1 or option #2 with McConnel. The ideal wold be Zhaire Smith with Chandler and Saric.
