Wolves Offseason Forward Options

[Q-is-here]

There goes the Grayson Allen/Royce O'Neal dream...

Hornets trade Miles Bridges for the Suns' tandem.

On another, looking for Wolves Clues: The Wolves extended qualifying offers for both Enrique Freeman (TW) and Jaylen Clark. Clark has already agreed to a contract extension.

But Freeman hangs onto that 3rd two-spot. What does this mean for Trey Kaufmann-Renn? Or does it mean Rocco will be converted to a standard contract? Of course, they could simply have Freeman and TKR battle it out in Summer League to see who will win that 3rd two-way spot. Or is Zyon in danger because of the glut of guards now on the roster?!?

I still can’t understand the persistent attachment of our front office to Freeman. I get re-signing Clarke for his defense as a known quantity who the team will need for depth once the other shoe drops with a Josh Green trade. But I have to believe there are better two-way options than Freeman. I’d be happy to see Rocco put on our regular roster but I’d still keep him on his two-way to economize.

They offered Freeman a 2-way deal. It's no big thing he could accept it and they could cut him 3 seconds later. Meanwhile the Wolves have zero PFs on the roster other than McDaniels and he probably has the most typical PF profile of anyone on the roster.

Meanwhile TKR can't sign with any other team until we let him go so they can wait and see what they have in Summer league etc. I think there is a high likelihood that neither guy ends up as 2-way deal this year. They have no reason to just give him a 2 way deal unless they are super enamoured with him especially as end of the 2nd round pick.

I'll add that Freeman did only play in junk time this year but the stats per 36 do pop in some ways. Almost 2 steals and 3 blocks which is kinda insane. His Iowa stats were not wildly impressive but my take about him from what I saw before this year in Iowa is he is more of a smart solid basketball player than one that's gonna wow anyone. He isn't a 3 point sniper but he has shot it decently in 2 years in the G-league and this year shot a grand total of 4 from 8 from 3 with the NBA team. Again I'd bet he won't be around but I also wouldn't had having to see him here in Vegas.

Freeman is right out of central casting when it comes to your typical modern-day NBA PF physical profile. He's 6'8" with shoes and 220 lbs. with a long wingspan and decent athleticism. He was one of the workhorses for the Iowa Wolves last year, playing in quite a lot of their games and minutes, but rarely their best player. He's effective but sort of "blah"....doesn't do anything particularly great.

I could see him being plugged in at the 4 for limited minutes for the big league squad and not actively hurting us, as he does hustle and do a lot of things "good enough" and there is no reason to think he would be overwhelmed by other bench PFs given his physical profile.

Still...probably not THE answer, but more of a backup to the backup type plan.

[Monster]

Version 3.0

POA Wing Defenders
Dorian Finney-Smith - $13.4M, $13.4M, $13.4M (Player Option)
Isaac Okoro - $11.8M
Matisse Thybulle - Unrestricted Free Agent (Last year's salary = $11.5M)
Derrick Jones Jr. - $10.5M
Caleb Martin - $10M, $9.4M (Player Option)
Jaylen Wells - $2.3M, $2.5M, (Team Option)

Positionless Swiss Army Knife
*NEW* Harrison Barnes - Unrestricted Free Agent ($19M) - starting to age out
Rui Hachimura - Unrestricted Free Agent ($18.3M)
Naji Marshall - $9.4M
Kyle Anderson - Unrestricted Free Agent ($9.2M)
Jeremy Sochan - Unrestricted Free Agent ($7.7M)
Kenrich Williams - Unrestricted Free Agent ($7.1M) - Team Option declined by OKC
Dean Wade - Unrestricted Free Agent ($6.6M)

Stretch Power Forward/Centers
Kelly Olynyk - Unrestricted Free Agent ($13.4M)
Guerschon Yabusele - Unrestricted Free Agent ($5.5M)
Kevin Love - Unrestricted Free Agent ($4.2M)
Sandro Mamukelashvili ($2.3M) Will likely exercise his Player Option and opt for FA
Jock Landale - Unrestricted Free Agent ($2.3M)

Traditional Power Forward
*NEW* P.J. Washington - $19.8M, $21.4M, $22.9M, $24.6M - Dallas may want to get off this contract and take two expirings??
*NEW* Jonathan Isaac - Unrestricted Free Agent ($15M) - Waived by Orlando
Marvin Bagley III - Unrestricted Free Agent ($2.6M)
Precious Achiuwa - Unrestricted Free Agent ($2.1M)

Wing Shooter/Scorer
Khris Middleton - Unrestricted Free Agent ($33.3M)
Kevin Huerter - Unrestricted Free Agent ($17.9M)
Kelly Oubre Jr. - Unrestricted Free Agent ($8.4M)

Thanks for the update, Q. I think you’re right about Barnes aging out. At this point I don’t think he really helps us much if at all. Obviously, PJ Washington is intriguing as a possible sign-and-trade for the Wolves. But Josh and Mo only add up to about $17M, which means we’d have to add TSJ for matching purposes alone. I wouldn’t give up TSJ for PJ. We can construct a sign-and-trade for Wade entirely with Josh’s contract. I’m not sure why Dallas would do that unless they value Green as an addition to their roster next season. And since he’s an expiring, Josh wouldn’t impact the Mavs’ financial flexibility after next season. He’d also be an expiring trade chip for Dallas at the trade deadline. And I think Wade’s might agent push Dallas to make a deal for his client that would get him paid and give him a major role on a possible championship contender. It’s worth a try.

Here is a couple things about PJ Washington.

1. Yes now things have changes with a possible replacement being drafted.

2. Dallas has Kyrie Irving on the roster. Until he is there or has another long term injury they are trying to win games. If I'm Dallas I'm not moving Washington unless I get something pretty good back. Washington is the perfect complimentary forward. He can play either PF of SF can hit 3 has a little ability to score but will stay out of the way of other scorers. Quite frankly I think if Dallas wanted to deal him there would be teams interested...including possibly the Wolves but while he is probably worth his contract for the Wolves he might simply be too expensive long term.
3. The Mavs are very Familiar with Josh Green as he started his career there. They have plenty of guard forward guys already I don't see a spot for him especially if Middleton resigned although he might factor into the PF spot...the Mavs could be a fairly deep team if they can stay healthy.

Remember when PJ Washington wasn't considered a winning player and overpaid? Credit to him I believe he decided to change his game to be more of a complimentary player. I'd really like to add him but I think he will be difficult to fit in financially and we may have to give up something besides just Josh Green to get him.

[Monster]

I still can’t understand the persistent attachment of our front office to Freeman. I get re-signing Clarke for his defense as a known quantity who the team will need for depth once the other shoe drops with a Josh Green trade. But I have to believe there are better two-way options than Freeman. I’d be happy to see Rocco put on our regular roster but I’d still keep him on his two-way to economize.

They offered Freeman a 2-way deal. It's no big thing he could accept it and they could cut him 3 seconds later. Meanwhile the Wolves have zero PFs on the roster other than McDaniels and he probably has the most typical PF profile of anyone on the roster.

Meanwhile TKR can't sign with any other team until we let him go so they can wait and see what they have in Summer league etc. I think there is a high likelihood that neither guy ends up as 2-way deal this year. They have no reason to just give him a 2 way deal unless they are super enamoured with him especially as end of the 2nd round pick.

I'll add that Freeman did only play in junk time this year but the stats per 36 do pop in some ways. Almost 2 steals and 3 blocks which is kinda insane. His Iowa stats were not wildly impressive but my take about him from what I saw before this year in Iowa is he is more of a smart solid basketball player than one that's gonna wow anyone. He isn't a 3 point sniper but he has shot it decently in 2 years in the G-league and this year shot a grand total of 4 from 8 from 3 with the NBA team. Again I'd bet he won't be around but I also wouldn't had having to see him here in Vegas.

Freeman is right out of central casting when it comes to your typical modern-day NBA PF physical profile. He's 6'8" with shoes and 220 lbs. with a long wingspan and decent athleticism. He was one of the workhorses for the Iowa Wolves last year, playing in quite a lot of their games and minutes, but rarely their best player. He's effective but sort of "blah"....doesn't do anything particularly great.

I could see him being plugged in at the 4 for limited minutes for the big league squad and not actively hurting us, as he does hustle and do a lot of things "good enough" and there is no reason to think he would be overwhelmed by other bench PFs given his physical profile.

Still...probably not THE answer, but more of a backup to the backup type plan.

So...he could be worth having as a 2-way player that can possibly soak up some moderately competent NBA minutes if needed?

[Monster]

I'll be interested to see if the Nets let go of Josh Minott. He actually got to play last year for Boston and the Nets and did some good things. I watched some highlights and it's on makes but the 3 pointer looks quicker and smoother although it will probably always look a little awkward. Idk if he would want to come back here or not but there might be an actual path to playing time and with Ball here a passing PG would be good for him. I would expect the team to play faster which would play into his athletic traits. I'm not pounding the table for him or anything but he turns 24 in November I'm just saying why no Minott.

[FNG]

A lot of good ideas in this thread. One that comes up frequently is trying to package end of (or out of) rotation players in exchange for a PF that could be a capable starter for us, and I'm not sure that's realistic. One name that Dane brought up on a pod this weekend was PJ Washington, bui I'm quite certain Dallas would want some quality in return for him. So what about Ayo? I'm guessing almost nobody here thought Naz would be included in a deal, so I don't think TC regards Ayo as untouchable if he can bring back a player that fills a need...and PF is certainly a need. Don't get me wrong...I like Ayo a lot. But I don't see him as a PG, and we seem to be quite long at SG right now. Dallas on the other hand is quite week at the 2, and after drafting Morez Johnson in the lottery, they may be looking at developing him as a guy more on Flagg's timeline. I would love a starting lineup of Rudy, PJ, Jaden, Ant and Ball.

It doesn't matter how many nominal shooting guards you have. How many ball handlers are there after Melo, Ant and Ayo? Current roster has just TJ

Donte seems to be on the Tatum 10 month program and will likely be back before the end of the regular season, and Conley is a very good ball handler also. Bones Hyland may be back, and that's another ball handler. It sounds like Evans is strictly a catch and shoot wing and not a ball handler. I see a reliable PF a much greater need than another ball handler. The PJ dream is likely dead though, as reports have him going to the Clips as part of a package to bring back Kawhi.

[Q-is-here]

They offered Freeman a 2-way deal. It's no big thing he could accept it and they could cut him 3 seconds later. Meanwhile the Wolves have zero PFs on the roster other than McDaniels and he probably has the most typical PF profile of anyone on the roster.

Meanwhile TKR can't sign with any other team until we let him go so they can wait and see what they have in Summer league etc. I think there is a high likelihood that neither guy ends up as 2-way deal this year. They have no reason to just give him a 2 way deal unless they are super enamoured with him especially as end of the 2nd round pick.

I'll add that Freeman did only play in junk time this year but the stats per 36 do pop in some ways. Almost 2 steals and 3 blocks which is kinda insane. His Iowa stats were not wildly impressive but my take about him from what I saw before this year in Iowa is he is more of a smart solid basketball player than one that's gonna wow anyone. He isn't a 3 point sniper but he has shot it decently in 2 years in the G-league and this year shot a grand total of 4 from 8 from 3 with the NBA team. Again I'd bet he won't be around but I also wouldn't had having to see him here in Vegas.

Freeman is right out of central casting when it comes to your typical modern-day NBA PF physical profile. He's 6'8" with shoes and 220 lbs. with a long wingspan and decent athleticism. He was one of the workhorses for the Iowa Wolves last year, playing in quite a lot of their games and minutes, but rarely their best player. He's effective but sort of "blah"....doesn't do anything particularly great.

I could see him being plugged in at the 4 for limited minutes for the big league squad and not actively hurting us, as he does hustle and do a lot of things "good enough" and there is no reason to think he would be overwhelmed by other bench PFs given his physical profile.

Still...probably not THE answer, but more of a backup to the backup type plan.

So...he could be worth having as a 2-way player that can possibly soak up some moderately competent NBA minutes if needed?

Yes, I think so. It's so hard without seeing him previously in any real NBA action, but he has the physical profile to compete in the NBA. The question is whether he suddenly speeds up, rushes shots, makes bad decisions, etc. He was a solid decision maker in the G-League with a positive Assist:Turnover rate. It just seems like he wouldn't have that low of a floor if you plug him into the right lineups for a 5-minute stint or two. He's sort of a classic "activity big" - hustles, rebounds, makes solid reads, etc.

[AussieWolf3]

A lot of good ideas in this thread. One that comes up frequently is trying to package end of (or out of) rotation players in exchange for a PF that could be a capable starter for us, and I'm not sure that's realistic. One name that Dane brought up on a pod this weekend was PJ Washington, bui I'm quite certain Dallas would want some quality in return for him. So what about Ayo? I'm guessing almost nobody here thought Naz would be included in a deal, so I don't think TC regards Ayo as untouchable if he can bring back a player that fills a need...and PF is certainly a need. Don't get me wrong...I like Ayo a lot. But I don't see him as a PG, and we seem to be quite long at SG right now. Dallas on the other hand is quite week at the 2, and after drafting Morez Johnson in the lottery, they may be looking at developing him as a guy more on Flagg's timeline. I would love a starting lineup of Rudy, PJ, Jaden, Ant and Ball.

It doesn't matter how many nominal shooting guards you have. How many ball handlers are there after Melo, Ant and Ayo? Current roster has just TJ

Donte seems to be on the Tatum 10 month program and will likely be back before the end of the regular season, and Conley is a very good ball handler also. Bones Hyland may be back, and that's another ball handler. It sounds like Evans is strictly a catch and shoot wing and not a ball handler. I see a reliable PF a much greater need than another ball handler. The PJ dream is likely dead though, as reports have him going to the Clips as part of a package to bring back Kawhi.

Respectfully... This is insane

I would love to have Conley back...as the wave the towel guy. If he's playing real minutes in April we have a problem. It's all love for me to Mike but how can we have watched the last 3 seasons of Wolves basketball and say, "it's ok if we don't have enough ball handling"

I put words in your mouth there, but it's what I take from your post.

Now let me reiterate, I'm not saying they need to add more ball handling, what I'm saying is that if you trade Ayo, or TJ for that matter, you are now down to just 3 real, reliable and playable ball handlers. That's also assuming May TJ is the real one you're getting and not the one you got all the other months, who was unplayable.

I'm in full agreement with everyone that PF depth is needed, as in an actual rotation player who can defend or space the floor. I'm also in agreement that running Ayo as the POA defender is risk, and not everyone agrees with my risk assessment of that. However, I simply don't understand how we've all watched the likes of OKC, SA and even NY for that matter, play into June and not realize that having a bevy of guards and wings is a worthwhile luxury; even if it cost you some size.
There are ways to deal with the likes of Nicola Jokic without throwing your heftiest player at him, just ask the Thunder.

[BeenLurkin]

You’re an anti-Minnesota Mike Extremist!

But seriously, he looked like a different guy after his mid season sabbatical and his steady hand was useful….sure his defense was not.

He for sure deserves the last spot at a vet minimum to run the second unit or garbage time or practice squad. There’s value in making sure the rookies and guys striving to make a squad have a competent PG just like the starters get.

If not him then you have no one on the team at the moment to land the plane gracefully in a blow out loss or let ball catch a breath when things go sideways

[Q-is-here]

Version 3.0

POA Wing Defenders
Dorian Finney-Smith - $13.4M, $13.4M, $13.4M (Player Option)
Isaac Okoro - $11.8M
Matisse Thybulle - Unrestricted Free Agent (Last year's salary = $11.5M)
Derrick Jones Jr. - $10.5M
Caleb Martin - $10M, $9.4M (Player Option)
Jaylen Wells - $2.3M, $2.5M, (Team Option)

Positionless Swiss Army Knife
*NEW* Harrison Barnes - Unrestricted Free Agent ($19M) - starting to age out
Rui Hachimura - Unrestricted Free Agent ($18.3M)
Naji Marshall - $9.4M
Kyle Anderson - Unrestricted Free Agent ($9.2M)
Jeremy Sochan - Unrestricted Free Agent ($7.7M)
Kenrich Williams - Unrestricted Free Agent ($7.1M) - Team Option declined by OKC
Dean Wade - Unrestricted Free Agent ($6.6M)

Stretch Power Forward/Centers
Kelly Olynyk - Unrestricted Free Agent ($13.4M)
Guerschon Yabusele - Unrestricted Free Agent ($5.5M)
Kevin Love - Unrestricted Free Agent ($4.2M)
Sandro Mamukelashvili ($2.3M) Will likely exercise his Player Option and opt for FA
Jock Landale - Unrestricted Free Agent ($2.3M)

Traditional Power Forward
*NEW* P.J. Washington - $19.8M, $21.4M, $22.9M, $24.6M - Dallas may want to get off this contract and take two expirings??
*NEW* Jonathan Isaac - Unrestricted Free Agent ($15M) - Waived by Orlando
Marvin Bagley III - Unrestricted Free Agent ($2.6M)
Precious Achiuwa - Unrestricted Free Agent ($2.1M)

Wing Shooter/Scorer
Khris Middleton - Unrestricted Free Agent ($33.3M)
Kevin Huerter - Unrestricted Free Agent ($17.9M)
Kelly Oubre Jr. - Unrestricted Free Agent ($8.4M)

Kenrich Williams looks gettable to me. He languished on OKC's bench for most of the season and there is no reason to think that would change if he were to re-sign with them on a team-friendly vet minimum contract (which there has been some hopeful chatter about).

We could pay him more than the minimum AND immediately guarantee a spot in the rotation, whether he starts or not.

[AussieWolf3]

You’re an anti-Minnesota Mike Extremist!

But seriously, he looked like a different guy after his mid season sabbatical and his steady hand was useful….sure his defense was not.

He for sure deserves the last spot at a vet minimum to run the second unit or garbage time or practice squad. There’s value in making sure the rookies and guys striving to make a squad have a competent PG just like the starters get.

If not him then you have no one on the team at the moment to land the plane gracefully in a blow out loss or let ball catch a breath when things go sideways

I want him back on the team, but he's not bringing the ball 94 feet against pressure in April. If he than this team isn't serious