Naz is back!

[WildWolf2813]

I'm a bit conflicted. Glad he's back, but they're paying Naz and JMac as if they're our JDub and Chet and I have major reservations about that.

It's a)more than I woulda paid and b) money we weren't seeing from others. We saw 4/$87 or 4/$100 (which is the same thing as this).


I don't know what this does for Randle and it shouldn't affect how we felt about a long term deal with him anyway. Our roster feels very locked up, so our hopes and dreams are really coming down to Shannon justifying NAW's departure and DiVincenzo's eventual departure and more importantly, Dillingham being the Robin to Ant's Batman.

Huh? Chet and J Dub will get maxxed out and don't they have next year to play still which means All NBA and big raises coming.

My point is that's clearly their big three long term.

I look at this team and still don't see a 2nd or 3rd guy here yet.

[Wolvesfan21]

I'm a bit conflicted. Glad he's back, but they're paying Naz and JMac as if they're our JDub and Chet and I have major reservations about that.

It's a)more than I woulda paid and b) money we weren't seeing from others. We saw 4/$87 or 4/$100 (which is the same thing as this).


I don't know what this does for Randle and it shouldn't affect how we felt about a long term deal with him anyway. Our roster feels very locked up, so our hopes and dreams are really coming down to Shannon justifying NAW's departure and DiVincenzo's eventual departure and more importantly, Dillingham being the Robin to Ant's Batman.

Huh? Chet and J Dub will get maxxed out and don't they have next year to play still which means All NBA and big raises coming.

My point is that's clearly their big three long term.

I look at this team and still don't see a 2nd or 3rd guy here yet.

OK sure, Naz isn't being paid like it though either. I heard today Booker is due to make 75 million per year next contract like 2 years 150 something. So a third of that is a fair deal really compared to the supermax guys.

25 per is kind of backup/6th man/low end starter money now believe it or not.

[Q-is-here]

I'm a bit conflicted. Glad he's back, but they're paying Naz and JMac as if they're our JDub and Chet and I have major reservations about that.

It's a)more than I woulda paid and b) money we weren't seeing from others. We saw 4/$87 or 4/$100 (which is the same thing as this).


I don't know what this does for Randle and it shouldn't affect how we felt about a long term deal with him anyway. Our roster feels very locked up, so our hopes and dreams are really coming down to Shannon justifying NAW's departure and DiVincenzo's eventual departure and more importantly, Dillingham being the Robin to Ant's Batman.

Huh? Chet and J Dub will get maxxed out and don't they have next year to play still which means All NBA and big raises coming.

My point is that's clearly their big three long term.

I look at this team and still don't see a 2nd or 3rd guy here yet.

You seriously don't think Jaden can be a legit 3rd guy? I mean, he's basically in that role now and has proven he can step up in the playoffs.

[D-Loser25]

Who were they bidding against? That’s great if another team is willing to pay him that much in a sign and trade, but the wolves don’t have to participate in a sign and trade. This is bad business and will limit us later when we need to sign others. I would have offered 4/80, with no player option. If you don’t like it, good luck to a guy who completely forgot how to dribble in the playoffs. The best he would have got from another team is mid level. Just ridiculous- it’s like they don’t even care about making a good deal… just giving it away like the government does

[D-Loser25]

Great news! Is this confirmed as a new deal or did opt in and sign an extension?

opt-in an extend. The extension is 4 for $109.

Reid declined a $15 million player option for next season and chose to stay with Minnesota despite a vibrant market developing of teams interested with similar money but with starting roles. The 2024 Sixth Man of the Year and Minnesota are locked in for the long term.

Explain to me who these multiple teams were that are also willing to give Naz 5/125 without a sign and trade? Someone please make it make sense! I get the Goodwill factor, but you’re totally and completely bidding against yourself when you give a fringe starter a contract like this. Just pathetic money management

[D-Loser25]

I think that of semi-importance is that he had other similar offers available to him. That means he is tradeable if the need arises and would probably be a key piece in a potential superstar trade down the line.

I'm glad he's staying but I get the feeling he is being paid off to be happy coming off the bench whereas I might rather trade Randle into a backup big and point guard.

Good point about keeping him as a tradable asset for a larger trade. Exactly my thoughts on Randle for a backup big and PG

[D-Loser25]

I'm a bit conflicted. Glad he's back, but they're paying Naz and JMac as if they're our JDub and Chet and I have major reservations about that.

It's a)more than I woulda paid and b) money we weren't seeing from others. We saw 4/$87 or 4/$100 (which is the same thing as this).


I don't know what this does for Randle and it shouldn't affect how we felt about a long term deal with him anyway. Our roster feels very locked up, so our hopes and dreams are really coming down to Shannon justifying NAW's departure and DiVincenzo's eventual departure and more importantly, Dillingham being the Robin to Ant's Batman.

Huh? Chet and J Dub will get maxxed out and don't they have next year to play still which means All NBA and big raises coming.

My point is that's clearly their big three long term.

I look at this team and still don't see a 2nd or 3rd guy here yet.

I think our best chance at finding a 2nd guy is Shannon, because I agree that neither of these two are a 2nd guy and probably not even a good 3rd.

[Phenom]

I think that of semi-importance is that he had other similar offers available to him. That means he is tradeable if the need arises and would probably be a key piece in a potential superstar trade down the line.

I'm glad he's staying but I get the feeling he is being paid off to be happy coming off the bench whereas I might rather trade Randle into a backup big and point guard.

We're running into the same issue: who wants Randle THAT badly?

It would be like Utah trying to gauge John Collins' market. You don't think he sucks, but you don't wanna pay him what he wants to not be one of your main guys all while wanting to play younger guys behind him.

Boys, I think its time to go back to the Utah/Lakers well.

Minnesota trades Julius and Donte for Rui & Sexton
LA trades Rui, Vando, Kleber for Kessler, John Collins and Love
Utah trades Collins, Sexton, Kessler for Duncan Robinson, DDV, Kleber, and a Miami first
Miami trades Duncan Robinson, Love and a first for Julius and Vando

Vando would go into a Heat trade exception to make the numbers work.

This should allow the Wolves to keep NAW.
Miami gets a big talent upgrade.
Lakers get their center and have been rumored to like Collins.
Jazz get rid of guys they've been rumored to be shopping and dont take on big salary.

[Lipoli390]

I think that of semi-importance is that he had other similar offers available to him. That means he is tradeable if the need arises and would probably be a key piece in a potential superstar trade down the line.

I'm glad he's staying but I get the feeling he is being paid off to be happy coming off the bench whereas I might rather trade Randle into a backup big and point guard.

I don’t think so, Phenom. I don’t think the Wolves are paying a premium; in fact based on reports its appears we’re paying him the market rate and perhaps even a little less.

Honestly, this isn’t an “overpay.” When I see “overpay” my reaction is - compared to what or who? The market determines a player’s monetary value and it’s been reported that Naz had similar offers from other teams, which means this contract reflects Naz’s market rate. I’m not surprised at all by $25M per year, which is about what I thought he’d end up getting. I actually thought he might get more.

This amount makes even more sense when put in perspective relative to other contracts around the League. Here are some salaries for the upcoming season: Aaron Gordon ($22.8M), RJ Barrett ($27.7), De’Andre Hunter ($23.3M), Nic Claxton ($25.3M), Miles Bridges ($25M), Jerami Grant ($32M), Kuzma ($23M), Vucevic ($21.5M), Hartenstein ($28.5M), Jordan Poole ($31.8M), Quickley ($32.5M), Anfernee Simons ($27.7M), Andrew Wiggins ($28.2M), Lauri Markkanen ($46.2M), Zach LaVine ($47.5M), OG Anunoby ($39.6M), Zion Williamson ($39.4M), Jalen Suggs ($35M), Khris Middleton ($33.9M), and Jrue Holiday at age 36 ($32.4M with 3 years left on his deal). When you look at these salaries and consider Naz’s skills, durability, close relationship with key Wolves players (Jaden & Ant), age and remaining upside, this contract makes a lot of sense. If we’re looking for overpays, we can find them in Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton (deciding skills and can’t stay healthy), Zach LaVine ($47.5M is a lot for an empty stat guys who doesn’t defend or contribute to winning). I like Lauri Markkanen, but $46 million?? If Jerami Grant is worth $32M then Naz is certainly worth $25M.

I’m super happy the Wolves got this done and I’m content with what appears to be a reasonable, market-based contract. The interesting question now is what happens with Randle. Did Naz sign this deal without regard to what Randle does or did he get word that Randle won’t be getting a multi-year offer from the Wolves? We were never going to be in a position to keep Naz, Randle and NAW because of the second apron and TC made it clear again that they’re committed to staying under that threshold. I’m still thinking the most likely outcome is Randle exercising his option and NAW signing elsewhere as a free agent.

[Phenom]

I think that of semi-importance is that he had other similar offers available to him. That means he is tradeable if the need arises and would probably be a key piece in a potential superstar trade down the line.

I'm glad he's staying but I get the feeling he is being paid off to be happy coming off the bench whereas I might rather trade Randle into a backup big and point guard.

I don’t think so, Phenom. I don’t think the Wolves are paying a premium; in fact based on reports its appears we’re paying him the market rate and perhaps even a little less.

Honestly, this isn’t an “overpay.” When I see “overpay” my reaction is - compared to what or who? The market determines a player’s monetary value and it’s been reported that Naz had similar offers from other teams, which means this contract reflects Naz’s market rate. I’m not surprised at all by $25M per year, which is about what I thought he’d end up getting. I actually thought he might get more.

This amount makes even more sense when put in perspective relative to other contracts around the League. Here are some salaries for the upcoming season: Aaron Gordon ($22.8M), RJ Barrett ($27.7), De’Andre Hunter ($23.3M), Nic Claxton ($25.3M), Miles Bridges ($25M), Jerami Grant ($32M), Kuzma ($23M), Vucevic ($21.5M), Hartenstein ($28.5M), Jordan Poole ($31.8M), Quickley ($32.5M), Anfernee Simons ($27.7M), Andrew Wiggins ($28.2M), Lauri Markkanen ($46.2M), Zach LaVine ($47.5M), OG Anunoby ($39.6M), Zion Williamson ($39.4M), Jalen Suggs ($35M), Khris Middleton ($33.9M), and Jrue Holiday at age 36 ($32.4M with 3 years left on his deal). When you look at these salaries and consider Naz’s skills, durability, close relationship with key Wolves players (Jaden & Ant), age and remaining upside, this contract makes a lot of sense. If we’re looking for overpays, we can find them in Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton (deciding skills and can’t stay healthy), Zach LaVine ($47.5M is a lot for an empty stat guys who doesn’t defend or contribute to winning). I like Lauri Markkanen, but $46 million?? If Jerami Grant is worth $32M then Naz is certainly worth $25M.

I’m super happy the Wolves got this done and I’m content with what appears to be a reasonable, market-based contract. The interesting question now is what happens with Randle. Did Naz sign this deal without regard to what Randle does or did he get word that Randle won’t be getting a multi-year offer from the Wolves? We were never going to be in a position to keep Naz, Randle and NAW because of the second apron and TC made it clear again that they’re committed to staying under that threshold. I’m still thinking the most likely outcome is Randle exercising his option and NAW signing elsewhere as a free agent.

I actually believe this is fair value for his talent and production. The difference, and what I am referring to, is he is projected as a bench player so he is getting a higher salary to placate him for being a bench player, at least for the time being. His salary range is made up of starters around the league. It may be a signal of the Wolves long term plan for him.