Free Agents

[Lipoli390]

After signing Naz and our two draft picks, the Wolves will have about $7 million to spend under the luxury tax threshold. If the Wolves waive Prince, they’ll have around $14.5 million. They have the full MLE of a little over $12M to spend on free agents. They also have the BAE of around $4M and I believe they have a trade exception of around $3M. I’m convinced the Wolves will not spend about the luxury tax threshold this summer and I’m also convinced any player personnel decisions they make yet this summer will also factor in the need for flexibility to help avoid the second apron next summer. With all that in mind, here’s a list of free agents who might make sense for the Wolves. Some of them would probably require spending some or all of the Wolves various cap exceptions above the minimum vet salary. Other free agents could probably be signed for the vet minimum. Here’s the list:

NAW - SG/PG, age 25 (Defense and 3-point potential. Young and familiar. Have Bird rights)
Jae Crowder - SF, age 33 (toughness, pretty good 3-point shooting. Likely require more than vet minimum)
Seth Curry - PG/SG, age 33 (excellent 3-point shooting)
Bruce Brown Jr. SG, age 27 (toughness, pretty good 3-point shooting, championship experience)
Torrey Craig - SF, age 32.5 (toughness, defense. Good 3&D guy)
Thybulle - SG, age 26 (defense, defense, defense. Regarded as poor shooter, but numbers are OK)
Jevon Carter - PG, age 28 (defense, running offense, 3-point shooting)
Troy Brown Jr. - SG/PG, age 24 (potential successor to Conley long term)
Shake Milton - SG/PG, age 27 (defense, running the offense, 3-pt. Shooting)
Jalen McDaniels - SF/PF, age 25 (defense. Might be cool to have Jaden’s brother here)
Ayo Dosunmo - PG, age 23 (RFA so maybe not realistic. Talented/potential Conley successor)
Pat Bev - PG/SG, age 35 (toughness, IQ, winning mentality, well liked by teammates & fans)
Mac McClung - PG, age 24 (talented potential Conley successor. 2-way RFA)

If we waive Prince, then I’d re-sign NAW and zero in on signing either a young potential PG successor like Troy Brown Jr., Ayo Dosunmo, Mac McClung or maybe Shake Milton, or a tough veteran like Jae CrowderTorrey Craig, or Pat Bev. I’d also consider Thybulle.

[Lipoli390]

Michael Scotto: Milwaukee Bucks guard Jevon Carter will decline his $2.24 million player option for the 2023-24 season and become an unrestricted free agent, a league source told @hoopshype. Carter, a strong defender, shot 42.1 percent from 3-point range in 81 regular-season games played.
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto

Javon Carter should be considered a possible free agent target for the Wolves now that he’s declined his option. It shouldn’t take more than the BAE to sign him.

[KG4Ever]

Good list, Lip! I will note that Thybulle as well as McClung and Dosunmu (who you noted) are all RFAs. I would expect the teams would match any likely offer we make.

[kekgeek]

Per source, the #Timberwolves are "very interested" in Caris LeVert in free agency and are considered a front-runner to sign the talented wing. #NBA 

-Evan Massey

[60WinTim]

Are those Canadian wildfires still burning? I think I am seeing a lot of smoke...

[Q-is-here]

Michael Scotto: Milwaukee Bucks guard Jevon Carter will decline his $2.24 million player option for the 2023-24 season and become an unrestricted free agent, a league source told @hoopshype. Carter, a strong defender, shot 42.1 percent from 3-point range in 81 regular-season games played.
Source: Twitter @MikeAScotto

Javon Carter should be considered a possible free agent target for the Wolves now that he’s declined his option. It shouldn’t take more than the BAE to sign him.

I wouldn't mind Carter at all. Legit 3&D backup PG.

[Coolbreeze44]

Are those Canadian wildfires still burning? I think I am seeing a lot of smoke...

Yep, and I heard the Midwest was going to be affected today.

[Papalrep]

Devincenzo?

[kekgeek]

Devincenzo?

Rumors are the wolves or Knicks

[Lipoli390]

TC said he doesn’t see any positional needs but instead is looking for certain characteristics. As I recall, he mentioned high IQ and toughness as the characteristics he’s looking for. I think toughness should be #1 on the list. Interestingly, Price was both smart and tough. So I’m not sure I see a significant net gain replacing him with any of the free agents we have a reasonable chance of signing. In any event, if we’re looking for toughness as I think we should, they Bruce Brown, Torrey Craig or Jae Crowder would be my picks.

Caris LaVert? He’s never struck me as particularly tough. Moreover, he’s a career 34.4% three-point shooter who has averaged only 3.8 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes per game. In addition to toughness, this team needs 3-point shooting and rebounding. LeVert doesn’t provide either of those two. So I hope the LeVert think is just smoke from Canada.