Trade season

[Lipoli390]

I agree Aussie that assuming the Wolves maintain a solid winning rate and remain in the top six in the West, I have a really hard time seeing them take a big swing by trading any of their top guys. Lip pretty much had this confirmed at the stakeholders meeting.

The main bench guys are Naz, Conley, Clark, and Bones. I agree - that seems shaky to me.

Yes, TC was really clear that they’re not looking for impact players, shooters or scorers. They’re looking for what TC referred to as “connective tissue, glue guys who make others better.” That’s not Malik Monk. it’s not Ja Morant. Think players like Kyle Anderson, Tyus Jones and Tre Jones. I noted that TC and Finch were so emphatic in their praise of Rudy and Randle that it was crystal clear the Wolves won’t trade either one. But I don’t see the Wolves trading Naz either. If our bench is “shaky” it’s in spite of Naz, not because of him. He’s our one guy off the bench who can carry the team for stretches. He’s immensely talented and he’s both a team and crowd favorite. He’s a perennial 6th man of the year contender. He’s not going anywhere.

If I had to guess, I’d say the most likely deal would involve swapping Rob or Conley and maybe Miller for Tyus or Tre Jones. If I’d still rather go with the guys we have. Naz is a perennial 6th man of the year contender. His presence alone makes our bench one of the better ones in the League. I like the way Bones has been playing. Clark has been pretty darn good and he’ll only get better. In fact, when you consider the fact that our non-Rudy defense is probably our biggest weakness, I don’t see us getting a better fit than Clark to address that weakness. We really miss NAW but I don’t see a NAW out there as a realistic trade target. We saw last season what Shannon can do if healthy. I think his struggles this season were due to his foot, which has probably been a problem this season even when he was playing. I still think Dilly can help if given the chance. Finch said last night that he expects the Dilly will eventually be back in the rotation. I was surprised to hear him say that. He didn’t have to say it, but he did.

Grass is greener syndrome is rampant among local sports fans in every market. But if we look at other rosters honestly, their bench players look no better overall than ours. That said, I can certainly see the value in adding a Tre Jones, Tyus Jones or Kyle Anderson to our bench. If up to me, I’d trade Conley rather than Rob for one of those three (maybe throw in Miller). Orlando might like to add a veteran PG like Mike Conley and their GM loves long players like Miller.

Unfortunately I don't agree that this bench is good enough as is.

I agree that Naz is carrying the bench and I really really like the year he is having- might be a bit against the grain on that, but I think he's playing great. However there just isn't anyone else who is bankable. Bones is playing great right now and I'm starting to buy into him being a plus player but they will still need more than he can provide at even bid highest ceiling in my opinion.

Again I'll say, I am coming around to the idea that they need to go get an impact player. I still want to see how things look around the deadline, but I think this team actually has a chance to make a playoff push

This organization is not going to pursue an impact player by the trade deadline. TC made it clear that’s not what they need. I’m sure they’re make an effort to acquire a glue guy for the bench via trade or free agency as certain players are released over the next month.

It seems obvious that this Wolves team is poised for a playoff push. We’re tied for 3rd in the Western Conference with the best record in the League post Thanksgiving. This team has shown resiliency — winning games without Ant, winning on the road, etc. One thing I forgot to mention that TC said at the stakeholder meeting is that he believes we match up really well against OKC and I think the results so far this season bear that out. Sometimes you read accounts of local Wolves fans on this board and elsewhere, and you’d think this team is struggling in 8th or 9th place.

Regarding the bench, Finch noted at the stakeholder meeting that the minutes allocated to our starters is middle of the pack, which means we’re winning without over-relying on our starters relative to the rest of the League. In other words, our bench has been good enough to put us in 3rd and just barely beyond 2nd place in the Western Conference in spite of a bad early start to the season. I do think we should improve our bench if we can do so prudently in light of Shannon’s struggles and where Dilly appears to be in his development. However, as Finch pointed out at the stakeholder meeting, rotations get tighter/smaller in the playoffs, not bigger. So if we’re thinking playoff push, we shouldn’t overemphasize the bench. And again, just about every team in the League would kill to have a 6th man like Naz Reid on their bench. Meanwhile, I see Clark continuing to improve as he gets more playing time. Bones looks solid and will only get better. Again, if up to me, I’d swap Conley and Miller for Tyus Jones - something I think Orlando might be interested in. But we’ll see. Things are going well. Let’s get a win against the Cavs today.

[AussieWolf3]

Yes, TC was really clear that they’re not looking for impact players, shooters or scorers. They’re looking for what TC referred to as “connective tissue, glue guys who make others better.” That’s not Malik Monk. it’s not Ja Morant. Think players like Kyle Anderson, Tyus Jones and Tre Jones. I noted that TC and Finch were so emphatic in their praise of Rudy and Randle that it was crystal clear the Wolves won’t trade either one. But I don’t see the Wolves trading Naz either. If our bench is “shaky” it’s in spite of Naz, not because of him. He’s our one guy off the bench who can carry the team for stretches. He’s immensely talented and he’s both a team and crowd favorite. He’s a perennial 6th man of the year contender. He’s not going anywhere.

If I had to guess, I’d say the most likely deal would involve swapping Rob or Conley and maybe Miller for Tyus or Tre Jones. If I’d still rather go with the guys we have. Naz is a perennial 6th man of the year contender. His presence alone makes our bench one of the better ones in the League. I like the way Bones has been playing. Clark has been pretty darn good and he’ll only get better. In fact, when you consider the fact that our non-Rudy defense is probably our biggest weakness, I don’t see us getting a better fit than Clark to address that weakness. We really miss NAW but I don’t see a NAW out there as a realistic trade target. We saw last season what Shannon can do if healthy. I think his struggles this season were due to his foot, which has probably been a problem this season even when he was playing. I still think Dilly can help if given the chance. Finch said last night that he expects the Dilly will eventually be back in the rotation. I was surprised to hear him say that. He didn’t have to say it, but he did.

Grass is greener syndrome is rampant among local sports fans in every market. But if we look at other rosters honestly, their bench players look no better overall than ours. That said, I can certainly see the value in adding a Tre Jones, Tyus Jones or Kyle Anderson to our bench. If up to me, I’d trade Conley rather than Rob for one of those three (maybe throw in Miller). Orlando might like to add a veteran PG like Mike Conley and their GM loves long players like Miller.

Unfortunately I don't agree that this bench is good enough as is.

I agree that Naz is carrying the bench and I really really like the year he is having- might be a bit against the grain on that, but I think he's playing great. However there just isn't anyone else who is bankable. Bones is playing great right now and I'm starting to buy into him being a plus player but they will still need more than he can provide at even bid highest ceiling in my opinion.

Again I'll say, I am coming around to the idea that they need to go get an impact player. I still want to see how things look around the deadline, but I think this team actually has a chance to make a playoff push

This organization is not going to pursue an impact player by the trade deadline. TC made it clear that’s not what they need. I’m sure they’re make an effort to acquire a glue guy for the bench via trade or free agency as certain players are released over the next month.

It seems obvious that this Wolves team is poised for a playoff push. We’re tied for 3rd in the Western Conference with the best record in the League post Thanksgiving. This team has shown resiliency — winning games without Ant, winning on the road, etc. One thing I forgot to mention that TC said at the stakeholder meeting is that he believes we match up really well against OKC and I think the results so far this season bear that out. Sometimes you read accounts of local Wolves fans on this board and elsewhere, and you’d think this team is struggling in 8th or 9th place.

Regarding the bench, Finch noted at the stakeholder meeting that the minutes allocated to our starters is middle of the pack, which means we’re winning without over-relying on our starters relative to the rest of the League. In other words, our bench has been good enough to put us in 3rd and just barely beyond 2nd place in the Western Conference in spite of a bad early start to the season. I do think we should improve our bench if we can do so prudently in light of Shannon’s struggles and where Dilly appears to be in his development. However, as Finch pointed out at the stakeholder meeting, rotations get tighter/smaller in the playoffs, not bigger. So if we’re thinking playoff push, we shouldn’t overemphasize the bench. And again, just about every team in the League would kill to have a 6th man like Naz Reid on their bench. Meanwhile, I see Clark continuing to improve as he gets more playing time. Bones looks solid and will only get better. Again, if up to me, I’d swap Conley and Miller for Tyus Jones - something I think Orlando might be interested in. But we’ll see. Things are going well. Let’s get a win against the Cavs today.

I really appreciate your perspective here and your points are well made! To be honest I think you are correct about what they WILL do, I'm just speaking to what I think is needed. Which is an impact bench player - a new NAW or a backup center or backup point guard who can be a stabilizer- and as NAW was that person is ideally a glue guy, a hustler who contributes to a winning culture.

It's just funny cause when I hear "connective tissue" I think that player still needs to be someone who makes an impact- who connects disparate aspects of the current roster by filling need and being a respected voice. They don't need another leader from the bench like Conely or Joe, they need a guy who can lead on the floor without displacing anybody in the top 6 of the rotation.

And I think all of this exactly because I don't think this team is bad, in fact I think it's really really good, but it doesn't have the depth to sustain a deep playoff run. I really believe that

[BloopOracle]

Is Coby white considered connective tissue?

[AussieWolf3]

Is Coby white considered connective tissue?

Nyet

[60WinTim]

Coby White pops up in rumors a lot, as does the notion that the Wolves are in the market for a "mid level" guard. Coby White is sorta at the bottom of the mid level salary-wise at 12+ mil. Collin Sexton is 18+ mil. And the Wolves are said to be dangling Dillingham as the base of a trade, who makes 6+ mil. If you do the math, going after someone as low as Coby White, you would need to add 3 of TJ, Bones, Clark or Miller just to get to the 12+ mil mark. That does not seem very realistic.

So! Who's bigger salary does TC view as available for trade?!? Mike at 10+ mil? Donte at 12 mil? NAZ at 21+ mil?

We've heard "we love Donte" so often. Plus he and ANT have been working very well together in the starting lineup. I have a hard time believing Donte is available, unless it is for a much bigger fish that would displace Donte in the starting lineup. Let's assume that is not the case.

That leaves Mike and/or NAZ. How devastated would the team be if either of those guys were moved in a trade? Thoughts?

[AussieWolf3]

Coby White pops up in rumors a lot, as does the notion that the Wolves are in the market for a "mid level" guard. Coby White is sorta at the bottom of the mid level salary-wise at 12+ mil. Collin Sexton is 18+ mil. And the Wolves are said to be dangling Dillingham as the base of a trade, who makes 6+ mil. If you do the math, going after someone as low as Coby White, you would need to add 3 of TJ, Bones, Clark or Miller just to get to the 12+ mil mark. That does not seem very realistic.

So! Who's bigger salary does TC view as available for trade?!? Mike at 10+ mil? Donte at 12 mil? NAZ at 21+ mil?

We've heard "we love Donte" so often. Plus he and ANT have been working very well together in the starting lineup. I have a hard time believing Donte is available, unless it is for a much bigger fish that would displace Donte in the starting lineup. Let's assume that is not the case.

That leaves Mike and/or NAZ. How devastated would the team be if either of those guys were moved in a trade? Thoughts?

I simply cannot understand moving any rotational piece for Coby White.

Adding him as a 7th man in a rotation would be nice imo, but nearly impossible and he's pretty over qualified for that.

I'm on board the, "bring in SloMo" train of thought as he pretty much perfectly checks all the boxes for what they need

[Q-is-here]

Coby White pops up in rumors a lot, as does the notion that the Wolves are in the market for a "mid level" guard. Coby White is sorta at the bottom of the mid level salary-wise at 12+ mil. Collin Sexton is 18+ mil. And the Wolves are said to be dangling Dillingham as the base of a trade, who makes 6+ mil. If you do the math, going after someone as low as Coby White, you would need to add 3 of TJ, Bones, Clark or Miller just to get to the 12+ mil mark. That does not seem very realistic.

So! Who's bigger salary does TC view as available for trade?!? Mike at 10+ mil? Donte at 12 mil? NAZ at 21+ mil?

We've heard "we love Donte" so often. Plus he and ANT have been working very well together in the starting lineup. I have a hard time believing Donte is available, unless it is for a much bigger fish that would displace Donte in the starting lineup. Let's assume that is not the case.

That leaves Mike and/or NAZ. How devastated would the team be if either of those guys were moved in a trade? Thoughts?

I've pooh-poohed the idea of Coby, but perhaps Finch has seen the success of Bones (+10 Net Rating) and is convinced that having a shot creator and playmaker off the bench is a huge help when Ant is sitting, even more than a game manager like Conley (or a similar archetype like Tre Jones, Tyus Jones, etc.). And obvioulsy if you go out and get Coby, he has to play at least 20-25MPG, which means you don't really need Mike or Bones in the rotation anymore. That means Conley is probably the guy offered up.

[Coolbreeze44]

I continue to see Coby White rumors pop up on X. I've come around on the idea. I expect Ant and Jaden to rise in the playoffs, NAZ to play well at home, same with DDV, Randle to slip a little as he's been better than I expected this season. But we could definitely use another bucket getter and White fills that bill.

[60WinTim]

Jrue Holiday getting his first action tonight in almost two months. He would be on the very high end of "mid level salaries"...

[kekgeek]

I think adding a backup center is a must (or Beringer gets to opportunity to win the minutes) because Rudy is suspended 2 games every flagrant going forward including playoffs