Around the League - Draft and Trade News

[Lipoli390]

In the post draft podcast Dane Moore and Britt Robison were talking about possible landing spots for Naz and they brought up Utah as a possible spot. They were just coming up with teams there wasn’t any reporting but it is interesting that hours after Naz gets his extension this deal happens. Does it mean anything? Probably not but just something to consider.

I think Lip is right there is absolutely something up with Collins. Part of it is at this point he simply isn’t worth his salary. Last year his stats per 36 were under 16 points and 8 rebounds. That’s pretty underwhelming I think Naz has been better per 36 every season of his career. A PF that doesn’t rebound…yikes. Collins has missed some games too. Now if Collins bounces back and plays well the Jazz just got a nice player for basically nothing but taking on salary. Maybe he needs a change of scenery. Maybe he is going down and the Hawks were like let’s move on save money and prioritize other young players.

Did the Lux tax have something to do with it? Yeah absolutely I’m sure it did but the Hawks also have had something up with them a few different seasons now. Maybe Collins was part of the problem…or maybe not. He is another team’s problem and at this point the guy I wish the Wolves would have taken in that draft is Jarrett Allen.

The interesting thing about Collins mediocre rebounding last season is that rebounding is definitely his forte. That’s what got me excited about him in the draft. The fact that his rebounding numbers have fallen off significantly since his first two seasons is another yellow flag. Something’s up, but I don’t know exactly what it is.

I’m with you on Jarrett Allen. I liked three players for the Wolves in that draft after the Butler deal. Collins was my #1, Anunoby #2 and Jarrett Allen #3. In retrospect, Jarrett Allen would clearly be my #1 even though I still like Anunoby.

[kekgeek]

Chris Duerte to the Kings

[kekgeek]

Joe Harris and 2 2nds to the pistons for nothing but a trade exception

[Lipoli390]

Marc Stein: “I’m putting it on record right now: Austin Reaves will be an All-Star at some point soon.” — Lakers coach Darvin Ham to @ChrisBHaynes and me on Part II of his #thisleague UNCUT visit. The rest of the pod from @CaesarsPalace just dropped … listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thi… – via Twitter TheSteinLine

This is the sort of undrafted free agent signing we should expect from TC at some point. I like most of what TC has done since the Gobert trade and in my view he hasn't made any blunders since then. But that trade for Rudy has TC so deep in my doghouse that he remains on double-secret probation until he pulls off an Austin Reaves caliber signing.

At this moment, our reason for optimism as Wolves fans relates entirely to moves made by Rosas and Flip Saunders. Rosas brought us Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid. Flip drafted Towns. Those are the only four players on our roster that teams around the NBA would give up anything significant to get.

[FNG]

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/bd88bc59-2 ... 5efaadd416

[Lipoli390]

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/bd88bc59-2 ... 5efaadd416

One of the best movies of all time. The following clip is from a Kurt Rambis halftime locker room speech:
https://youtu.be/q7vtWB4owdE

[Lipoli390]

Hoopshype lists Jaden McDaniels as the 8th best free agent at the SF position next summer behind Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Anunoby, DeMar DeRozan, and Josh Hart. Of course, if the Wolves extend Jaden before he hits free agency he won't be on the list. And if he becomes a free agent he'll be restricted, giving the Wolves the chance to match any offers. Would you rank Jaden ahead of any of the seven listed above him? I'd rank him above Anunoby. Factoring in upside, I'd rank him ahead of DeRozan. But I can't yet rank him above Josh Hart or any of the others listed.

Buddy Hield, Caleb Martin and Saddiq Bey are listed 9, 10 and 11. Then Vando appears as the 8th ranked SF free agent next year ahead of players that include KJ Martin, Kelly Oubre, Royce O'Neale, Joe Harris, Reggie Bullock, Otto Porter, and Joe Ingles

[KG4Ever]

Hoopshype lists Jaden McDaniels as the 8th best free agent at the SF position next summer behind Jaylen Brown, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Anunoby, DeMar DeRozan, and Josh Hart. Of course, if the Wolves extend Jaden before he hits free agency he won't be on the list. And if he becomes a free agent he'll be restricted, giving the Wolves the chance to match any offers. Would you rank Jaden ahead of any of the seven listed above him? I'd rank him above Anunoby. Factoring in upside, I'd rank him ahead of DeRozan. But I can't yet rank him above Josh Hart or any of the others listed.

Buddy Hield, Caleb Martin and Saddiq Bey are listed 9, 10 and 11. Then Vando appears as the 8th ranked SF free agent next year ahead of players that include KJ Martin, Kelly Oubre, Royce O'Neale, Joe Harris, Reggie Bullock, Otto Porter, and Joe Ingles

Given his age and health, he'd be among the hottest commodities on that list along with Jaylen Brown and Anunoby. Kawhi, George and Lebron are of course, better now, but they are all old and/or injury riddled and Jaden would attract more interest than them because rebuilding teams (who have $$$ to spend) would covet Jaden.

[FNG]

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/bd88bc59-2 ... 5efaadd416

One of the best movies of all time. The following clip is from a Kurt Rambis halftime locker room speech:
https://youtu.be/q7vtWB4owdE

Ha, Kurt "Bluto" Rambis!

About a decade ago I was living in LA, and I was introduced at a party to the guy who played Boon. I couldn't help myself, and yelled out "Otis, My Man!". He reacted the way you would expect a guy to act who had heard that 5000 times...rolled his eyes and walked away!

[Monster]

Marc Stein: “I’m putting it on record right now: Austin Reaves will be an All-Star at some point soon.” — Lakers coach Darvin Ham to @ChrisBHaynes and me on Part II of his #thisleague UNCUT visit. The rest of the pod from @CaesarsPalace just dropped … listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thi… – via Twitter TheSteinLine

This is the sort of undrafted free agent signing we should expect from TC at some point. I like most of what TC has done since the Gobert trade and in my view he hasn't made any blunders since then. But that trade for Rudy has TC so deep in my doghouse that he remains on double-secret probation until he pulls off an Austin Reaves caliber signing.

At this moment, our reason for optimism as Wolves fans relates entirely to moves made by Rosas and Flip Saunders. Rosas brought us Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid. Flip drafted Towns. Those are the only four players on our roster that teams around the NBA would give up anything significant to get.

People hate the Lakers but that franchise has found some good players well outside of the lottery. Alex Caruso is a really good complimentary player that I bet some teams are kicking themselves for not signing a couple off seasons ago. Reaves might be one of the undrafted finds of his era although I expect even more undrafted guys to have lots of success over he next few years.

Meanwhile Connelly last trade deadline turned D’Angelo Russell into Mike Connelly NAW who he resigned for a reasonable amount and the 2nd round draft pick capitol to move up and draft Miller and they still have a 2nd left. He also didn’t pull the trigger on trading Naz and was able to resign him. The Wolves needed to add to their roster and the worry was if they resigned Naz they wouldn’t be able to. Connelly added a young promising player in the draft in Miller kept, NAW in FA and then let Prince go and signed 2 useful players in Brown and Shake with that money. This is why ownership went out and got this guy. He knows what he is doing.