Trade season

[Lipoli390]

You know you has what it takes to get Giannis? OKC. They got all the draft capital and they’re not their own. So they wouldn’t all be late firsts.

It might sound crazy but if you're OKC, why do this? They're on a historic pace and at this point Gannis isn't without question marks.

I agree, they are historically great and I wouldn't do anything to mess with that if I was Presti.

That being said, they are going to have a dilemma (a good problem so to speak) with all the incoming draft picks, including lottery picks. Then you have Sorber and Topic, two guys that are basically the equivalent of lottery picks that will probably be healthy and ready to play next season as well. Where will the minutes come from!?

OKC is so good they could literally spin off another franchise with a small portion of their current roster and additional draft capital while still being the best team in the NBA and their spinoff probably would be on a better trajectory than nearly 50% of the NBA. It's absolutely nuts.

And where the hell did Ajay Mitchell come from!?! How does Presti keep finding these gems?

I’ve said for years that Presti is the best NBA top executive in the League, but that just makes me a master of the obvious. You can go all the way back to OKC drafting Durant, Harden and Westbrook. He’s great because he and his team have a great eye for draft talent. But he’s also great because he and his organization develop that talent (or allow the talent to develop) by getting them on the court and having patience with them through their mistakes and some resulting losses along the way. You never see Presti in the side of a deal that is trading young players and picks for older vets on the back half of their careers; rather you seen him on the other side of those deals - e.g., SGA. We know what makes a successful NBA basketball executive for teams outside a few in special markets. What boggles my mind is how few top executives follow that model.

[60WinTim]

I watched some LaMelo Ball and James Harden last night. It convinced me the Wolves should not pursue those guys, along with not pursing Morant. We will keep hearing TC's interest in those players, but that's because he expresses interest in anyone who is seemingly available -- he is staying connected.

The Wolves actually have a pretty balanced roster at this point. I would be inclined to stand pat, see who develops in the current rotation, and wait for the babies to grow (Joan and Rocco).

There is one trade I find intriguing. The Bulls are fading a bit after their strong start. Randle is having a career year for the Wolves and would seem to be a great fit on the Bulls roster. If TC were inclined to sell high on Randle, I wonder if the Bulls would bite on a Randle for Vucevic, Tre Jones and 2027 protected 1st round pick? It would moved NAZ into the starting lineup and keep him at PF. Tre Jones would be a legit replacement for Mike. And it would improve our draft capital.

I, personally, would do that trade. But I also have no problem standing pat if the Bulls didn't want to play ball.

[rapsuperstar31]

I watched some LaMelo Ball and James Harden last night. It convinced me the Wolves should not pursue those guys, along with not pursing Morant. We will keep hearing TC's interest in those players, but that's because he expresses interest in anyone who is seemingly available -- he is staying connected.

The Wolves actually have a pretty balanced roster at this point. I would be inclined to stand pat, see who develops in the current rotation, and wait for the babies to grow (Joan and Rocco).

There is one trade I find intriguing. The Bulls are fading a bit after their strong start. Randle is having a career year for the Wolves and would seem to be a great fit on the Bulls roster. If TC were inclined to sell high on Randle, I wonder if the Bulls would bite on a Randle for Vucevic, Tre Jones and 2027 protected 1st round pick? It would moved NAZ into the starting lineup and keep him at PF. Tre Jones would be a legit replacement for Mike. And it would improve our draft capital.

I, personally, would do that trade. But I also have no problem standing pat if the Bulls didn't want to play ball.

Agreed on both Ball and Harden. Ball just doesn't seem to care about winning, or keeping his body healthy. Harden I would trade for if he was 30 but not at 36.

[rapsuperstar31]

If we are going to do a trade, we have to find that distressed asset, or that player that isn't being used properly on their team. The next NAW, the next Avdija, the next Dyson Daniels, or Davion Mitchell. that can really take off when given the chance. I don't watch enough of other teams outside of when they play us to know who that is, but someone like Keon Ellis seems like a good choice to take a chance on.

[AussieWolf3]

If we are going to do a trade, we have to find that distressed asset, or that player that isn't being used properly on their team. The next NAW, the next Avdija, the next Dyson Daniels, or Davion Mitchell. that can really take off when given the chance. I don't watch enough of other teams outside of when they play us to know who that is, but someone like Keon Ellis seems like a good choice to take a chance on.

Not exactly what you're suggesting, but it might behoove the Wolves to get in on the Gannis actions - not for Gannis but get one of the multiple moving parts that will inevitably be involved. Maybe Kevin Porter Jr?

He hasn't been healthy this season, but personally I think the team needs to think more in terms of adding depth and balancing out the roster more, if you can recalibrate the draft stock that would be helpful too. In any regard the time to sell Randle is likely now and I don't personally see a way to move him for a transformative player that actually changes the teams trajectory.

Idk just my sense of it

[rapsuperstar31]

If we are going to do a trade, we have to find that distressed asset, or that player that isn't being used properly on their team. The next NAW, the next Avdija, the next Dyson Daniels, or Davion Mitchell. that can really take off when given the chance. I don't watch enough of other teams outside of when they play us to know who that is, but someone like Keon Ellis seems like a good choice to take a chance on.

Not exactly what you're suggesting, but it might behoove the Wolves to get in on the Gannis actions - not for Gannis but get one of the multiple moving parts that will inevitably be involved. Maybe Kevin Porter Jr?

He hasn't been healthy this season, but personally I think the team needs to think more in terms of adding depth and balancing out the roster more, if you can recalibrate the draft stock that would be helpful too. In any regard the time to sell Randle is likely now and I don't personally see a way to move him for a transformative player that actually changes the teams trajectory.

Idk just my sense of it

I'm neither in favor or necessarily against trading Randle. I have no idea what his value is around the league. He can be viewed as a top 30ish player this season, and his contract is pretty solid as well. Can you call up San Antonio and say hey Fox is playing fantastic and Castle is a potential all star, you need a power forward not Harper. Can you get Harper, matching salary and the Phoenix Suns 2027 first round pick. I'm guessing not, but Harper would be a fantastic option next to Ant for the next decade. Can you call up Indiana and sell them that Randle is the perfect replacement to losing Turner and that Indiana will easily win the East next year with Randle, Siakam and a healthy Hali? Randle for Nembhard and Indiana's 2026 first round pick, plus whatever else you need to add to both sides. Nembhard is your starting point guard, and you hope Indiana misses the playoffs and jumps up in the lottery where you grab Cam Boozer to replace Randle. I just have no idea, what exactly Randles value is.

[kekgeek]

It might sound crazy but if you're OKC, why do this? They're on a historic pace and at this point Gannis isn't without question marks.

I agree, they are historically great and I wouldn't do anything to mess with that if I was Presti.

That being said, they are going to have a dilemma (a good problem so to speak) with all the incoming draft picks, including lottery picks. Then you have Sorber and Topic, two guys that are basically the equivalent of lottery picks that will probably be healthy and ready to play next season as well. Where will the minutes come from!?

OKC is so good they could literally spin off another franchise with a small portion of their current roster and additional draft capital while still being the best team in the NBA and their spinoff probably would be on a better trajectory than nearly 50% of the NBA. It's absolutely nuts.

And where the hell did Ajay Mitchell come from!?! How does Presti keep finding these gems?

I’ve said for years that Presti is the best NBA top executive in the League, but that just makes me a master of the obvious. You can go all the way back to OKC drafting Durant, Harden and Westbrook. He’s great because he and his team have a great eye for draft talent. But he’s also great because he and his organization develop that talent (or allow the talent to develop) by getting them on the court and having patience with them through their mistakes and some resulting losses along the way. You never see Presti in the side of a deal that is trading young players and picks for older vets on the back half of their careers; rather you seen him on the other side of those deals - e.g., SGA. We know what makes a successful NBA basketball executive for teams outside a few in special markets. What boggles my mind is how few top executives follow that model.

I also think Presti is the best GM in the league but it’s so hard to replicate what they have done. They trade young all star caliber assets to acquire Paul George (something you against), they then traded Paul George for SGA and picks, SGA was a just in the lottery first round pick that was only 2nd team all rookie and became a MVP, they got the 1 and a million result for SGA. They then missed on multiple 1sts in Bazley, Tre Mann, traded Senguen, Poku, Dieng, etc where they finally got it right in 2022 getting Chet and Jwill.


You need a ton of patience from the ownership, fans and coaching. Then also need to get lucky in the lotto and then draft the right star.

Teams like the Jazz, Pelicans, Blazers, Wizards, hornets have tried to replicate what the Thunder have done by trading their stars and no team has made the playoffs in the last 4 years.

Obviously the Thunder are the gold standard right now, I’m really curious what they look like in 2 years when 3 players are on a potential super max. (But who cares they might be 3 times champs by now).


I just think there is a ton of ways to win a championship. Obviously the way the Thunder did it is the preferred way but you need a ton of patience and a ton of luck and it still might not work like the 5 teams I listed above.

[kekgeek]

If we are going to do a trade, we have to find that distressed asset, or that player that isn't being used properly on their team. The next NAW, the next Avdija, the next Dyson Daniels, or Davion Mitchell. that can really take off when given the chance. I don't watch enough of other teams outside of when they play us to know who that is, but someone like Keon Ellis seems like a good choice to take a chance on.

Not exactly what you're suggesting, but it might behoove the Wolves to get in on the Gannis actions - not for Gannis but get one of the multiple moving parts that will inevitably be involved. Maybe Kevin Porter Jr?

He hasn't been healthy this season, but personally I think the team needs to think more in terms of adding depth and balancing out the roster more, if you can recalibrate the draft stock that would be helpful too. In any regard the time to sell Randle is likely now and I don't personally see a way to move him for a transformative player that actually changes the teams trajectory.

Idk just my sense of it

I'm neither in favor or necessarily against trading Randle. I have no idea what his value is around the league. He can be viewed as a top 30ish player this season, and his contract is pretty solid as well. Can you call up San Antonio and say hey Fox is playing fantastic and Castle is a potential all star, you need a power forward not Harper. Can you get Harper, matching salary and the Phoenix Suns 2027 first round pick. I'm guessing not, but Harper would be a fantastic option next to Ant for the next decade. Can you call up Indiana and sell them that Randle is the perfect replacement to losing Turner and that Indiana will easily win the East next year with Randle, Siakam and a healthy Hali? Randle for Nembhard and Indiana's 2026 first round pick, plus whatever else you need to add to both sides. Nembhard is your starting point guard, and you hope Indiana misses the playoffs and jumps up in the lottery where you grab Cam Boozer to replace Randle. I just have no idea, what exactly Randles value is.

I don’t think Randle is worth an unprotected first for teams that are expected to be bad

[AussieWolf3]

Aren't the Thunder pretty lucky with timing of their contacts, when certain players bloomed and the new 2nd apron rules?

I might be wrong on some of this, but you look at something like Gobert trade, the apron constraints weren't a fully known factor at that time right?

So, from my understanding the Thunder have lucked out a bit in having stockpiled a bunch of young talent and having that talent blossomed at the right time relative to the right of the league having to off load unexpectedly over expensive contracts.

Am I right in this? I didn't really follow things that closely at the time

[rapsuperstar31]

Not exactly what you're suggesting, but it might behoove the Wolves to get in on the Gannis actions - not for Gannis but get one of the multiple moving parts that will inevitably be involved. Maybe Kevin Porter Jr?

He hasn't been healthy this season, but personally I think the team needs to think more in terms of adding depth and balancing out the roster more, if you can recalibrate the draft stock that would be helpful too. In any regard the time to sell Randle is likely now and I don't personally see a way to move him for a transformative player that actually changes the teams trajectory.

Idk just my sense of it

I'm neither in favor or necessarily against trading Randle. I have no idea what his value is around the league. He can be viewed as a top 30ish player this season, and his contract is pretty solid as well. Can you call up San Antonio and say hey Fox is playing fantastic and Castle is a potential all star, you need a power forward not Harper. Can you get Harper, matching salary and the Phoenix Suns 2027 first round pick. I'm guessing not, but Harper would be a fantastic option next to Ant for the next decade. Can you call up Indiana and sell them that Randle is the perfect replacement to losing Turner and that Indiana will easily win the East next year with Randle, Siakam and a healthy Hali? Randle for Nembhard and Indiana's 2026 first round pick, plus whatever else you need to add to both sides. Nembhard is your starting point guard, and you hope Indiana misses the playoffs and jumps up in the lottery where you grab Cam Boozer to replace Randle. I just have no idea, what exactly Randles value is.

I don’t think Randle is worth an unprotected first for teams that are expected to be bad

Yeah that's what I think as well, but you never know how the league values players. This is considered a stacked draft, and Indiana has started winning a few games with guys coming back, they might think the may make the playoffs by the end of the year and really like Randle. We got that 5th pick in a great draft for Randy Foye and Mike Miller back in the day. Just a matter of what another team values him at.