Monte Morris

[Lipoli390]

I’m fascinated by the fact that the Wizards traded Monte Morris to Detroit for one future 2nd-round pick, but apparently rejected a Wolves offer that included Prince. I have to believe the Wolves were also offering a future 2nd round pick and/or Wendell Moore. If so, then I don’t understand why Monte Morris isn’t a Timberwolf.

I know that the Wizards ended up with a $9.4M trade exception as a result of the deal. But I don’t see that trade exception having more value than Prince and a future second or Moore. Prince would have given the Wizards multi-layered value as (1) a solid veteran mentor/leader for a young rebuilding team; (2) an expiring contract that would come off the books after the season; or (3) a trade asset by the Feb deadline based on his ability as a player and the value of his expiring contract. Getting all of that PLUS a future second round pick or Moore strikes me as a MUCH better deal for the Wizards.

The only rational conclusion is that the Wolves didn’t offer a future pick or Moore along with Prince. I know our draft stock is seriously depleted, which means we have to be far more conservative than nearly every other team in offering future picks. It also means young recent draft picks like Moore are more valuable to the Wolves than recent picks are to nearly every other NBA team. However, I think our front office screwed up if they failed to get Morris by refusing to include one future 2nd-round pick or Moore. We don’t know what actually transpired, but it’s hard to make sense of the Wolves not getting Morris when he ended up getting dealt for only one future 2nd-round pick.

[kekgeek]

I’m fascinated by the fact that the Wizards traded Monte Morris to Detroit for one future 2nd-round pick, but apparently rejected a Wolves offer that included Prince. I have to believe the Wolves were also offering a future 2nd round pick and/or Wendell Moore. If so, then I don’t understand why Monte Morris isn’t a Timberwolf.

I know that the Wizards ended up with a $9.4M trade exception as a result of the deal. But I don’t see that trade exception having more value than Prince and a future second or Moore. Prince would have given the Wizards multi-layered value as (1) a solid veteran mentor/leader for a young rebuilding team; (2) an expiring contract that would come off the books after the season; or (3) a trade asset by the Feb deadline based on his ability as a player and the value of his expiring contract. Getting all of that PLUS a future second round pick or Moore strikes me as a MUCH better deal for the Wizards.

The only rational conclusion is that the Wolves didn’t offer a future pick or Moore along with Prince. I know our draft stock is seriously depleted, which means we have to be far more conservative than nearly every other team in offering future picks. It also means young recent draft picks like Moore are more valuable to the Wolves than recent picks are to nearly every other NBA team. However, I think our front office screwed up if they failed to get Morris by refusing to include one future 2nd-round pick or Moore. We don’t know what actually transpired, but it’s hard to make sense of the Wolves not getting Morris when he ended up getting dealt for only one future 2nd-round pick.

Jon K reported that the wolves offered a better deal than the Pistons did but the wizards wanted the trade exception instead of the Prince contract. I’m assuming the wolves offered 2 2nds and Prince but the wizards went in another direction

[Lipoli390]

I’m fascinated by the fact that the Wizards traded Monte Morris to Detroit for one future 2nd-round pick, but apparently rejected a Wolves offer that included Prince. I have to believe the Wolves were also offering a future 2nd round pick and/or Wendell Moore. If so, then I don’t understand why Monte Morris isn’t a Timberwolf.

I know that the Wizards ended up with a $9.4M trade exception as a result of the deal. But I don’t see that trade exception having more value than Prince and a future second or Moore. Prince would have given the Wizards multi-layered value as (1) a solid veteran mentor/leader for a young rebuilding team; (2) an expiring contract that would come off the books after the season; or (3) a trade asset by the Feb deadline based on his ability as a player and the value of his expiring contract. Getting all of that PLUS a future second round pick or Moore strikes me as a MUCH better deal for the Wizards.

The only rational conclusion is that the Wolves didn’t offer a future pick or Moore along with Prince. I know our draft stock is seriously depleted, which means we have to be far more conservative than nearly every other team in offering future picks. It also means young recent draft picks like Moore are more valuable to the Wolves than recent picks are to nearly every other NBA team. However, I think our front office screwed up if they failed to get Morris by refusing to include one future 2nd-round pick or Moore. We don’t know what actually transpired, but it’s hard to make sense of the Wolves not getting Morris when he ended up getting dealt for only one future 2nd-round pick.

Jon K reported that the wolves offered a better deal than the Pistons did but the wizards wanted the trade exception instead of the Prince contract. I’m assuming the wolves offered 2 2nds and Prince but the wizards went in another direction

Thanks, Kek. Very interesting. A dumb move by the Wizards in my view. But if TC was offering two future 2nd rounders then may be were lucky the Wizards chose another path. I like what TC did with two future 2nds in this year’s draft. We had extra 2nds then, but don’t now. So maybe we got lucky. But I think the Wizards made a mistake.

[Monster]

I’m fascinated by the fact that the Wizards traded Monte Morris to Detroit for one future 2nd-round pick, but apparently rejected a Wolves offer that included Prince. I have to believe the Wolves were also offering a future 2nd round pick and/or Wendell Moore. If so, then I don’t understand why Monte Morris isn’t a Timberwolf.

I know that the Wizards ended up with a $9.4M trade exception as a result of the deal. But I don’t see that trade exception having more value than Prince and a future second or Moore. Prince would have given the Wizards multi-layered value as (1) a solid veteran mentor/leader for a young rebuilding team; (2) an expiring contract that would come off the books after the season; or (3) a trade asset by the Feb deadline based on his ability as a player and the value of his expiring contract. Getting all of that PLUS a future second round pick or Moore strikes me as a MUCH better deal for the Wizards.

The only rational conclusion is that the Wolves didn’t offer a future pick or Moore along with Prince. I know our draft stock is seriously depleted, which means we have to be far more conservative than nearly every other team in offering future picks. It also means young recent draft picks like Moore are more valuable to the Wolves than recent picks are to nearly every other NBA team. However, I think our front office screwed up if they failed to get Morris by refusing to include one future 2nd-round pick or Moore. We don’t know what actually transpired, but it’s hard to make sense of the Wolves not getting Morris when he ended up getting dealt for only one future 2nd-round pick.

Jon K reported that the wolves offered a better deal than the Pistons did but the wizards wanted the trade exception instead of the Prince contract. I’m assuming the wolves offered 2 2nds and Prince but the wizards went in another direction

Thanks, Kek. Very interesting. A dumb move by the Wizards in my view. But if TC was offering two future 2nd rounders then may be were lucky the Wizards chose another path. I like what TC did with two future 2nds in this year’s draft. We had extra 2nds then, but don’t now. So maybe we got lucky. But I think the Wizards made a mistake.

It’s not puzzling at all to me the way everything played out. For the Wizards it depends on what the Wizards do with over 9 million in salary flexibility. They may also value Detroit’s future 2nd rounder more than one from MN. Wizards might get multiple 2nds for taking on a player from a team that wants to duck the luxury tax. This trade also opens up a roster spot which as we have learned more and more can be incredibly valuable especially for a team that’s now younger.

I think it’s absolutely clear the Morris trade like a bunch of trades didn’t happen because of salary/cap considerations etc. Let’s say the Wizards did accept the deal. Well the Wolves would have just Morris and probably just NAW and likely less financial flexibility than they do now and probably one less player on their roster due to that. Morris would have been a nice get but would you rather have Brown and Shake on 2 year deals with team options or 1 year of Monte Morris (bird rights) and two less 2nd rounders? I’m not sad about where the Wolves ended up and I’ve been a Morris fan since college.

Meanwhile if the Wolves really want Morris they might be able to get him in a few months for a similar package. I’m quite frankly more interested in seeing what Shake can do because I’m not sure Morris is a guy that can play next to Edwards long term. Morris doesn’t seem like much of an asset at this point based on what the Wizards got for him.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Just curious Monster... why do you think Morris and Edwards might not work?

Morris is a low-usage, solid shooting caretaker type. Seems like a good match in my book, but to be fair I only thought about it for like 4 seconds.

[Lipoli390]

Just curious Monster... why do you think Morris and Edwards might not work?

Morris is a low-usage, solid shooting caretaker type. Seems like a good match in my book, but to be fair I only thought about it for like 4 seconds.

I was wondering the same thing. I think of Edwards in the mold of MJ, Kobe and Dwayne Wade - i.e. as our ball dominant guard. Morris seems like the perfect fit next to him - a low-volume high caliber perimeter shooter like Kerr, Paxon but better ball-handling and passing skills.

P.S. Sorry to mention Kobe again, Abe.

[Q-is-here]

Do we know if Detroit is hell-bent on keeping Morris??

[Lipoli390]

Do we know if Detroit is hell-bent on keeping Morris??

Good question, Q. I don’t think Morris makes sense for the Pistons.

[KG4Ever]

Do we know if Detroit is hell-bent on keeping Morris??

Probably not since they have Cunningham, Ivey and Hayes who are all much younger and besides they only control his rights for this season, so his main value is probably to fill the Corey Joseph role and provide some veteran leadership and mentorship to the young guys. I don't know why the Wolves would even want him now since the Shake, NAW and JMac signings pretty much address our needs. Now if there was a season ending injury to Conley or Shake, maybe...but I don't know who we'd send back to match salaries. So my guess is no for this season, but definitely a possibility next offseason as a potential Conley replacement, if Conley is unwilling to resign cheaply, as Morris will be an unrestricted free agent.

[Q-is-here]

Do we know if Detroit is hell-bent on keeping Morris??

Probably not since they have Cunningham, Ivey and Hayes who are all much younger and besides they only control his rights for this season, so his main value is probably to fill the Corey Joseph role and provide some veteran leadership and mentorship to the young guys. I don't know why the Wolves would even want him now since the Shake, NAW and JMac signings pretty much address our needs. Now if there was a season ending injury to Conley or Shake, maybe...but I don't know who we'd send back to match salaries. So my guess is no for this season, but definitely a possibility next offseason as a potential Conley replacement, if Conley is unwilling to resign cheaply, as Morris will be an unrestricted free agent.

Not sure I wouldn't want Monte now vs. later. I know you love Shake, but Morris is a more proven PG. Either way, you are probably right - the Monte Morris ship has sailed for now.