Next Years Bigs

[TheFuture]

There are always too many MN nice fans here.

Gobert is just there now, that is what it is. And it could be far worse. He can be plenty productive for this team. The $ hurts, but that cost has sunk. He proved he can help keep this team afloat at C for ANT without KAT.

KAT has had the keys to the castle since day one and has proven absolutely nothing. The team has pivoted around him multiple times for no reward. Get rid of him for whatever else fits around ANT and Jaden.

What has KAT ever done in any big moments other than shy away or sitting on the bench in stupid foul trouble?

All the offensive talent in the world, but the guy is dumb.

Keep Gobert, Naz, and whatever other 7 footer you need along the way.

Then when Gobert is expiring, hunt a big name.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Not really thrilled with any of the options...

... but I don't see a ton of value in having both Reid and Towns on the team. I think there's too much redundancy in their games.

And considering Towns probably has more trade value than Gobert... and Reid can replace some of what Towns does... and it's been 8 years with Towns already... and his new contract is HUGE...

Given what you said and what we know, how are you going to move that big contract?

No idea.

Then again, if I was being paid millions of dollars to have that responsibility and role... I'd probably spend more time thinking of solutions.

[60WinTim]

I've been a bit AWOL lately. Just got around to this thread. I voted before reading the comments, and I see I am in the damn minority once again -- keep Rudy and KAT, let Naz walk.

I'm really not averse to any of the choices. But I think we are probably stuck with Rudy and KAT, and I wouldn't mind seeing how the team develops with them together for an entire season. I don't mind if we bring back Naz, with the hope that his defense will improve -- rebounding better and committing less fouls -- and the hope that some of his strong offensive stretches are not just a mirage. But I also think he can be easily replaced, especially with someone who is stronger on the defensive end. Backup bigs are a dime a dozen, right?

[60WinTim]

The KAT and Rudy trade threads have really been cooking. Why, I don't know. Doesn't seem like either of them are going anywhere...

But Naz is an interesting story. I have no problem re-signing him to a reasonable contract if he wants to stay. But how long can the Wolves wait for him to make a decision? When the first day of FA rolls around, can the Wolves afford to wait for Naz to make his visits and come to a decision? Or will they be proactive and find an alternative on day one, like they did with SloMo?

I rather like the idea of bring Kevin Love back as a back up big!

[Monster]

The KAT and Rudy trade threads have really been cooking. Why, I don't know. Doesn't seem like either of them are going anywhere...

But Naz is an interesting story. I have no problem re-signing him to a reasonable contract if he wants to stay. But how long can the Wolves wait for him to make a decision? When the first day of FA rolls around, can the Wolves afford to wait for Naz to make his visits and come to a decision? Or will they be proactive and find an alternative on day one, like they did with SloMo?

I rather like the idea of bring Kevin Love back as a back up big!

IMO honesty they need guard or forward help more than a big. If they are gonna sign someone for any kind of somewhat legit money that seems like the route they should take. They can do an extension with Naz before FA like they did last year with Prince. July isn’t that far away but there is a lot to happen before then including the draft etc.

[60WinTim]

The KAT and Rudy trade threads have really been cooking. Why, I don't know. Doesn't seem like either of them are going anywhere...

But Naz is an interesting story. I have no problem re-signing him to a reasonable contract if he wants to stay. But how long can the Wolves wait for him to make a decision? When the first day of FA rolls around, can the Wolves afford to wait for Naz to make his visits and come to a decision? Or will they be proactive and find an alternative on day one, like they did with SloMo?

I rather like the idea of bring Kevin Love back as a back up big!

IMO honesty they need guard or forward help more than a big. If they are gonna sign someone for any kind of somewhat legit money that seems like the route they should take. They can do an extension with Naz before FA like they did last year with Prince. July isn’t that far away but there is a lot to happen before then including the draft etc.

I agree with the top priority being a guard. Corey Joseph heads my list, followed by one of PatBev, Reggie Jackson or Dennis Schroder.

But the forward spot is a close second. And if Naz is not an option, Love is at the top of my list (a short term filler, obviously). But we are trying to surround Edwards and McDaniels with mature, quality players. And Love can hit a 3 and still rebound. And maybe we'll see a few more outlet passes for transition buckets...

[Q-is-here]

The KAT and Rudy trade threads have really been cooking. Why, I don't know. Doesn't seem like either of them are going anywhere...

But Naz is an interesting story. I have no problem re-signing him to a reasonable contract if he wants to stay. But how long can the Wolves wait for him to make a decision? When the first day of FA rolls around, can the Wolves afford to wait for Naz to make his visits and come to a decision? Or will they be proactive and find an alternative on day one, like they did with SloMo?

I rather like the idea of bring Kevin Love back as a back up big!

IMO honesty they need guard or forward help more than a big. If they are gonna sign someone for any kind of somewhat legit money that seems like the route they should take. They can do an extension with Naz before FA like they did last year with Prince. July isn’t that far away but there is a lot to happen before then including the draft etc.

I agree with the top priority being a guard. Corey Joseph heads my list, followed by one of PatBev, Reggie Jackson or Dennis Schroder.

But the forward spot is a close second. And if Naz is not an option, Love is at the top of my list (a short term filler, obviously). But we are trying to surround Edwards and McDaniels with mature, quality players. And Love can hit a 3 and still rebound. And maybe we'll see a few more outlet passes for transition buckets...

I'm torn on Naz. He definitely evolved into becoming instant offense off the bench and he fits the Ant/Jaden timeline.

On the other hand, finding quality big men is easier than ever and we desperately need to upgrade our backup guards. And a number of these playoff teams don't even have more than one true Center in the rotation so it just sort of seems absurd on paper to have so much money invested in KAT, Gobert, and Naz.

Now if we trade Rudy or KAT, that's a different story....

[Lipoli390]

IMO honesty they need guard or forward help more than a big. If they are gonna sign someone for any kind of somewhat legit money that seems like the route they should take. They can do an extension with Naz before FA like they did last year with Prince. July isn’t that far away but there is a lot to happen before then including the draft etc.

I agree with the top priority being a guard. Corey Joseph heads my list, followed by one of PatBev, Reggie Jackson or Dennis Schroder.

But the forward spot is a close second. And if Naz is not an option, Love is at the top of my list (a short term filler, obviously). But we are trying to surround Edwards and McDaniels with mature, quality players. And Love can hit a 3 and still rebound. And maybe we'll see a few more outlet passes for transition buckets...

I'm torn on Naz. He definitely evolved into becoming instant offense off the bench and he fits the Ant/Jaden timeline.

On the other hand, finding quality big men is easier than ever and we desperately need to upgrade our backup guards. And a number of these playoff teams don't even have more than one true Center in the rotation so it just sort of seems absurd on paper to have so much money invested in KAT, Gobert, and Naz.

Now if we trade Rudy or KAT, that's a different story....

Yep. Watching the playoffs reinforces my view that we need to trade Rudy or KAT. Of course, I lean heavily towards trading Rudy. We don’t need a lot in return for him and we wouldn’t get a lot. I’d expect one rotation player, one future protected 1st and salary relief. But maybe there’s a home run KAT deal that would set this team up well for the future with Ant and Edwards.

[Q-is-here]

I agree with the top priority being a guard. Corey Joseph heads my list, followed by one of PatBev, Reggie Jackson or Dennis Schroder.

But the forward spot is a close second. And if Naz is not an option, Love is at the top of my list (a short term filler, obviously). But we are trying to surround Edwards and McDaniels with mature, quality players. And Love can hit a 3 and still rebound. And maybe we'll see a few more outlet passes for transition buckets...

I'm torn on Naz. He definitely evolved into becoming instant offense off the bench and he fits the Ant/Jaden timeline.

On the other hand, finding quality big men is easier than ever and we desperately need to upgrade our backup guards. And a number of these playoff teams don't even have more than one true Center in the rotation so it just sort of seems absurd on paper to have so much money invested in KAT, Gobert, and Naz.

Now if we trade Rudy or KAT, that's a different story....

Yep. Watching the playoffs reinforces my view that we need to trade Rudy or KAT. Of course, I lean heavily towards trading Rudy. We don’t need a lot in return for him and we wouldn’t get a lot. I’d expect one rotation player, one future protected 1st and salary relief. But maybe there’s a home run KAT deal that would set this team up well for the future with Ant and Edwards.

Well, I guess my point is if we don't trade Rudy or KAT, then I really don't think it's wise to sign Naz to a big-ish contract. I mean, the plodding Cody Zeller is the current backup Center for Miami making $1.6M per year! LeBron and Vando are basically AD's backup Center when he sits on the bench. They literally don't have another one. And just a few years ago AD himself wasn't even a Center!

If I thought Naz could forge himself into a better defensive presence in the middle like Looney has for Golden State, then I'd probably be fine keeping him and more proactively shopping KAT or Rudy. But he just gets dominated in the paint when someone his own size or bigger goes up against him.

[mjs34]

I'm torn on Naz. He definitely evolved into becoming instant offense off the bench and he fits the Ant/Jaden timeline.

On the other hand, finding quality big men is easier than ever and we desperately need to upgrade our backup guards. And a number of these playoff teams don't even have more than one true Center in the rotation so it just sort of seems absurd on paper to have so much money invested in KAT, Gobert, and Naz.

Now if we trade Rudy or KAT, that's a different story....

Yep. Watching the playoffs reinforces my view that we need to trade Rudy or KAT. Of course, I lean heavily towards trading Rudy. We don’t need a lot in return for him and we wouldn’t get a lot. I’d expect one rotation player, one future protected 1st and salary relief. But maybe there’s a home run KAT deal that would set this team up well for the future with Ant and Edwards.

Well, I guess my point is if we don't trade Rudy or KAT, then I really don't think it's wise to sign Naz to a big-ish contract. I mean, the plodding Cody Zeller is the current backup Center for Miami making $1.6M per year! LeBron and Vando are basically AD's backup Center when he sits on the bench. They literally don't have another one. And just a few years ago AD himself wasn't even a Center!

If I thought Naz could forge himself into a better defensive presence in the middle like Looney has for Golden State, then I'd probably be fine keeping him and more proactively shopping KAT or Rudy. But he just gets dominated in the paint when someone his own size or bigger goes up against him.

I agree that is makes sense to move on from Naz if we are keeping both Rudy and Kat. I think it might be productive to limit the overlap of Rudy and Kat as well. It doesn't make sense to have a bench player at center when we are paying out 80 mil a year already. Play them together for the first five or six minutes of each half and then alternate them out for each other (fouls permitting). We need to upgrade our backup PG spot before anything else.