Naz or Randle. Can't have both.

[Q-is-here]

Agreed.

My gut tells me the Wolves will work out a reasonable extension for Randle, but will have no room to sign NAZ or NAW. This opens the door for guys like Miller, Minott and/or Garza to find roles on next year's team to fill NAZ's minutes. And Dilly, Shannon and/or Clark will find roles to fill NAW's minutes, not to mention a potential increase in DDV's minutes.

I can only imagine the narratives if that comes to pass. Trade Karl for more financial flexibility but let Naz AND NAW walk.

Doogie had never really had a pulse on future contact numbers. Jaden averages just over 26 million per year. Is significantly more 30 million per? Is that realistic in the current FA climate where larger dollar deals are mostly reserved for players staying put?

Spotrac is projecting 2 true cap space teams, Brooklyn and Washington. Only Brooklyn could offer Naz a significant raise from what Jaden makes. I wouldn't start romanticizing your favorite Naz Reid memories quite yet.

The thing is... "Financial flexibility" for the Wolves simply means "shedding salary", since maintaining salaries over 200 mil is not possible. NAZ and NAW were goners if KAT was still here. But even with the KAT trade, NAZ and NAW are still likely goners, although the Wolves now have the financial ability to keep one of Randle, NAZ and NAW (plus they retain the services of DDV). Of course, Randle could force their hand by picking up his option. But I think it far more likely that they work out an extension.

NAW has got to be the #1 priority. 3&D wings that can switch and thrive playing in a spread offense and defending a spread offense are invaluable. 80% of OKC's roster is seemingly a bunch of NAWs - mid-sized wings that can guard and shoot.

Meanwhile, I think there are options at PF next to Rudy if Randle and Reid are gone next year.

[60WinTim]

I can only imagine the narratives if that comes to pass. Trade Karl for more financial flexibility but let Naz AND NAW walk.

Doogie had never really had a pulse on future contact numbers. Jaden averages just over 26 million per year. Is significantly more 30 million per? Is that realistic in the current FA climate where larger dollar deals are mostly reserved for players staying put?

Spotrac is projecting 2 true cap space teams, Brooklyn and Washington. Only Brooklyn could offer Naz a significant raise from what Jaden makes. I wouldn't start romanticizing your favorite Naz Reid memories quite yet.

The thing is... "Financial flexibility" for the Wolves simply means "shedding salary", since maintaining salaries over 200 mil is not possible. NAZ and NAW were goners if KAT was still here. But even with the KAT trade, NAZ and NAW are still likely goners, although the Wolves now have the financial ability to keep one of Randle, NAZ and NAW (plus they retain the services of DDV). Of course, Randle could force their hand by picking up his option. But I think it far more likely that they work out an extension.

NAW has got to be the #1 priority. 3&D wings that can switch and thrive playing in a spread offense and defending a spread offense are invaluable. 80% of OKC's roster is seemingly a bunch of NAWs - mid-sized wings that can guard and shoot.

Meanwhile, I think there are options at PF next to Rudy if Randle and Reid are gone next year.

I would not argue with that take. I guess that's why TC gets paid the big bucks!

[kekgeek]

I can only imagine the narratives if that comes to pass. Trade Karl for more financial flexibility but let Naz AND NAW walk.

Doogie had never really had a pulse on future contact numbers. Jaden averages just over 26 million per year. Is significantly more 30 million per? Is that realistic in the current FA climate where larger dollar deals are mostly reserved for players staying put?

Spotrac is projecting 2 true cap space teams, Brooklyn and Washington. Only Brooklyn could offer Naz a significant raise from what Jaden makes. I wouldn't start romanticizing your favorite Naz Reid memories quite yet.

The thing is... "Financial flexibility" for the Wolves simply means "shedding salary", since maintaining salaries over 200 mil is not possible. NAZ and NAW were goners if KAT was still here. But even with the KAT trade, NAZ and NAW are still likely goners, although the Wolves now have the financial ability to keep one of Randle, NAZ and NAW (plus they retain the services of DDV). Of course, Randle could force their hand by picking up his option. But I think it far more likely that they work out an extension.

NAW has got to be the #1 priority. 3&D wings that can switch and thrive playing in a spread offense and defending a spread offense are invaluable. 80% of OKC's roster is seemingly a bunch of NAWs - mid-sized wings that can guard and shoot.

Meanwhile, I think there are options at PF next to Rudy if Randle and Reid are gone next year.

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure the wolves can only offer NAW around 8 million a year due to the Wolves only signing him to a 2 year deal and didn’t get his bird rights so they can only sign him to 175% of his contract.

I’m not a cap expert but I’ve read that somewhere. Meaning Naw is gone next year even though I agree that Naw should be the priority

[rapsuperstar31]

Doogie said on skor north today that Naz is going to get “a significant amount more than Jaden got this summer”

if that is the case you let him walk

I feel like Naz is in that Malik Monk 6th man extension area which was 4 years 80 million with a player option on the 4th year.

[Q-is-here]

The thing is... "Financial flexibility" for the Wolves simply means "shedding salary", since maintaining salaries over 200 mil is not possible. NAZ and NAW were goners if KAT was still here. But even with the KAT trade, NAZ and NAW are still likely goners, although the Wolves now have the financial ability to keep one of Randle, NAZ and NAW (plus they retain the services of DDV). Of course, Randle could force their hand by picking up his option. But I think it far more likely that they work out an extension.

NAW has got to be the #1 priority. 3&D wings that can switch and thrive playing in a spread offense and defending a spread offense are invaluable. 80% of OKC's roster is seemingly a bunch of NAWs - mid-sized wings that can guard and shoot.

Meanwhile, I think there are options at PF next to Rudy if Randle and Reid are gone next year.

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure the wolves can only offer NAW around 8 million a year due to the Wolves only signing him to a 2 year deal and didn’t get his bird rights so they can only sign him to 175% of his contract.

I’m not a cap expert but I’ve read that somewhere. Meaning Naw is gone next year even though I agree that Naw should be the priority

I think you're right....Well, that really sucks then. He is 100% the player archetype you want surrounding Ant - decisive with the ball, can hit the open 3, defends and works his ass off, doesn't complain. That archetype also happens to fit well on, mmmm let's see, 100% of every NBA team ever in existence! He will absolutely be un-affordable.

Jaylen Clark is in the wings and can probably be every bit of the defender as NAW. But even though NAW is not a great shot creator or elite shooter, he probably has 2X the skill in this regard as compared to Clark. Jaylen is very limited on offense for now even though he has shown some signs of improvement in the G-League.

Dammit, dammit, dammit!!!!!

[rapsuperstar31]

NAW has got to be the #1 priority. 3&D wings that can switch and thrive playing in a spread offense and defending a spread offense are invaluable. 80% of OKC's roster is seemingly a bunch of NAWs - mid-sized wings that can guard and shoot.

Meanwhile, I think there are options at PF next to Rudy if Randle and Reid are gone next year.

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure the wolves can only offer NAW around 8 million a year due to the Wolves only signing him to a 2 year deal and didn’t get his bird rights so they can only sign him to 175% of his contract.

I’m not a cap expert but I’ve read that somewhere. Meaning Naw is gone next year even though I agree that Naw should be the priority

I think you're right....Well, that really sucks then. He is 100% the player archetype you want surrounding Ant - decisive with the ball, can hit the open 3, defends and works his ass off, doesn't complain. That archetype also happens to fit well on, mmmm let's see, 100% of every NBA team ever in existence! He will absolutely be un-affordable.

Jaylen Clark is in the wings and can probably be every bit of the defender as NAW. But even though NAW is not a great shot creator or elite shooter, he probably has 2X the skill in this regard as compared to Clark. Jaylen is very limited on offense for now even though he has shown some signs of improvement in the G-League.

Dammit, dammit, dammit!!!!!

If one of Randle or Naz do opt out, we would have the mle is that something we could use on NAW or are we only allowed that 175%?

[60WinTim]

I am pretty sure we are not limited for signing NAW. We acquired his Bird Rights when we traded for him from Utah. We used those Bird Rights to sign him to his current 2-year deal. So we will still have his Bird Rights for this coming offseason.

[kekgeek]

I am pretty sure we are not limited for signing NAW. We acquired his Bird Rights when we traded for him from Utah. We used those Bird Rights to sign him to his current 2-year deal. So we will still have his Bird Rights for this coming offseason.

This is why I said I’m not an expert on this. I’m pretty good with trade limitations but bird rights confused me to some degree. Second tier media outlets like Dunking on wolves and Canius Hoopus believe that we don’t have his rights but Reddit and me reading the rules I feel like we do but I’m not sure. Spotrac also has the wolves as having Naw early bird rights but not his full bird rights so I am not sure.

Back to the Naz contract. The main goal I would say is to stay out of the 2nd apron. Currently according to Spotrac the 2nd apron projection next year is 208 million. Wolves are projected to have 193 million in salary with Naz/Randle picking up their player options. If Naz and Randle both decline their options the wolves will be at 148 million in salary. Giving them 60 million to work with in resigning Naz and Naw in free agency (it will be a little less because of min contracts, etc.), the projected 1st apron is 196 million. So that is 48 million to work with. I also believe if Randle opts out and they renounce his rights the wolves could use the full MLE. So 48 million to bring back Naz, Naw and a MLE player (or Randle).


This is why they did the Kat trade also. The wolves would have been at 203 million in salary in salary. That’s before a Naz or Naw resigning. (That 203 number is with Naz picking his 15 million option what he is obviously going to decline for a pay raise).

This season has been super frustrating but the wolves decided the ability to sign Naz, Naw, add a player like Donte, a first and the ability to use the MLE and still keep out of the 2nd apron was a better option than Kat.


*things get a little more difficult if Randle opts in.

[60WinTim]

I am pretty sure we are not limited for signing NAW. We acquired his Bird Rights when we traded for him from Utah. We used those Bird Rights to sign him to his current 2-year deal. So we will still have his Bird Rights for this coming offseason.

This is why I said I’m not an expert on this. I’m pretty good with trade limitations but bird rights confused me to some degree. Second tier media outlets like Dunking on wolves and Canius Hoopus believe that we don’t have his rights but Reddit and me reading the rules I feel like we do but I’m not sure. Spotrac also has the wolves as having Naw early bird rights but not his full bird rights so I am not sure.

Back to the Naz contract. The main goal I would say is to stay out of the 2nd apron. Currently according to Spotrac the 2nd apron projection next year is 208 million. Wolves are projected to have 193 million in salary with Naz/Randle picking up their player options. If Naz and Randle both decline their options the wolves will be at 148 million in salary. Giving them 60 million to work with in resigning Naz and Naw in free agency (it will be a little less because of min contracts, etc.), the projected 1st apron is 196 million. So that is 48 million to work with. I also believe if Randle opts out and they renounce his rights the wolves could use the full MLE. So 48 million to bring back Naz, Naw and a MLE player (or Randle).


This is why they did the Kat trade also. The wolves would have been at 203 million in salary in salary. That’s before a Naz or Naw resigning. (That 203 number is with Naz picking his 15 million option what he is obviously going to decline for a pay raise).

This season has been super frustrating but the wolves decided the ability to sign Naz, Naw, add a player like Donte, a first and the ability to use the MLE and still keep out of the 2nd apron was a better option than Kat.


*things get a little more difficult if Randle opts in.

Hmm... I didn't see "Early Bird Rights" listed for NAW on spotrac. Did you have the page where that is listed? I see under his individual page that he was signed using "Bird Rights".

I think the confusion comes from the Wolves not offering the Qualifying Offer, making him an unrestricted FA. But they still had his Bird Rights...

[kekgeek]

I am pretty sure we are not limited for signing NAW. We acquired his Bird Rights when we traded for him from Utah. We used those Bird Rights to sign him to his current 2-year deal. So we will still have his Bird Rights for this coming offseason.

This is why I said I’m not an expert on this. I’m pretty good with trade limitations but bird rights confused me to some degree. Second tier media outlets like Dunking on wolves and Canius Hoopus believe that we don’t have his rights but Reddit and me reading the rules I feel like we do but I’m not sure. Spotrac also has the wolves as having Naw early bird rights but not his full bird rights so I am not sure.

Back to the Naz contract. The main goal I would say is to stay out of the 2nd apron. Currently according to Spotrac the 2nd apron projection next year is 208 million. Wolves are projected to have 193 million in salary with Naz/Randle picking up their player options. If Naz and Randle both decline their options the wolves will be at 148 million in salary. Giving them 60 million to work with in resigning Naz and Naw in free agency (it will be a little less because of min contracts, etc.), the projected 1st apron is 196 million. So that is 48 million to work with. I also believe if Randle opts out and they renounce his rights the wolves could use the full MLE. So 48 million to bring back Naz, Naw and a MLE player (or Randle).


This is why they did the Kat trade also. The wolves would have been at 203 million in salary in salary. That’s before a Naz or Naw resigning. (That 203 number is with Naz picking his 15 million option what he is obviously going to decline for a pay raise).

This season has been super frustrating but the wolves decided the ability to sign Naz, Naw, add a player like Donte, a first and the ability to use the MLE and still keep out of the 2nd apron was a better option than Kat.


*things get a little more difficult if Randle opts in.

Hmm... I didn't see "Early Bird Rights" listed for NAW on spotrac. Did you have the page where that is listed? I see under his individual page that he was signed using "Bird Rights".

I think the confusion comes from the Wolves not offering the Qualifying Offer, making him an unrestricted FA. But they still had his Bird Rights...

If you scroll down to cap hold. You will find Naw, scroll to the right and it says early bird rights.

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/minnesota-t ... /year/2025


I’m not saying you are wrong Tim. Just different info all over the place, what gets me confused. Haha