rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 3:16 pm
Not sure if this got talked about, but it sounds like Trey Lyles got the partially guaranteed contract like Bones got last year. Guaranteed for 1.5 million, and would be fully guaranteed if we don't waive him by January 10th.
From Spotrac.
"Trey Lyles signed a 1 year, $3,876,529 contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including $1,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,876,529. In 2026-27, Lyles will earn a base salary of $3,876,529, while carrying a cap hit of $2,449,421 and a dead cap value of $1,500,000."
I know Lyles played overseas last year, but I am sure he would have had other suitors out there. The attraction of opportunity on our roster had to be appealing, and a reason he chose the Wolves, even with a partial guarantee.
Like Bones last year, I would bet Lyles will be kept beyond January 10th.
rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 3:16 pm
Not sure if this got talked about, but it sounds like Trey Lyles got the partially guaranteed contract like Bones got last year. Guaranteed for 1.5 million, and would be fully guaranteed if we don't waive him by January 10th.
From Spotrac.
"Trey Lyles signed a 1 year, $3,876,529 contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves, including $1,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,876,529. In 2026-27, Lyles will earn a base salary of $3,876,529, while carrying a cap hit of $2,449,421 and a dead cap value of $1,500,000."
I know Lyles played overseas last year, but I am sure he would have had other suitors out there. The attraction of opportunity on our roster had to be appealing, and a reason he chose the Wolves, even with a partial guarantee.
Like Bones last year, I would bet Lyles will be kept beyond January 10th.
It's good protection if the Wolves end up going a different way. Lyles could sign with another NBA team or possibly even sign late with an international team. I'd guess he will stick around also maybe even moreso than Bones although I think Bones had more...upside. Lyles can play both PF and even some small ball C.
A guy I've thought is somewhat interesting as a cheap flyer for a couple years is Patrick Baldwin jr. Dude has the length of a center but is supposed to be a SF. I'm limited time at the NBA level he has done some things. His G-league stats are pretty good although it doesn't show him as a good 3 point shooter but we are talking about a guy with legit length and he rebounds pretty well. I don't think he is 2 way eligible and he is more of a non-guaranteed invite to camp guy and see if he can win a job but yeah I wonder if he just absolutely sucks on defense or what.
Tim Connelly acquired Ayo just last February. He then signed Ayo a couple weeks ago. Ayo was great in the playoffs. The wolves are built to depend on 3-point shooting, and versatility, both of which Ayo provides at a high level. His age matches up with our core of Ant, Jaden and Ball. TC isn’t going to trade him.
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 5:22 pm
Tim Connelly acquired Ayo just last February. He then signed Ayo a couple weeks ago. Ayo was great in the playoffs. The wolves are built to depend on 3-point shooting, and versatility, both of which Ayo provides at a high level. His age matches up with our core of Ant, Jaden and Ball. TC isn’t going to trade him.
Naz Reid literally signed his 5 year deal a year ago today.
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 5:22 pm
Tim Connelly acquired Ayo just last February. He then signed Ayo a couple weeks ago. Ayo was great in the playoffs. The wolves are built to depend on 3-point shooting, and versatility, both of which Ayo provides at a high level. His age matches up with our core of Ant, Jaden and Ball. TC isn’t going to trade him.
Naz Reid literally signed his 5 year deal a year ago today.
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 5:22 pm
Tim Connelly acquired Ayo just last February. He then signed Ayo a couple weeks ago. Ayo was great in the playoffs. The wolves are built to depend on 3-point shooting, and versatility, both of which Ayo provides at a high level. His age matches up with our core of Ant, Jaden and Ball. TC isn’t going to trade him.
Naz Reid literally signed his 5 year deal a year ago today.
Touché!!!
Ha, love this board because you guys don’t let us get away with anything!
The Wolves are built to depend on 3 point shooting at which Naz is elite for a big man. And they also require versatility, and Naz has played 3 positions with the Wolves. Plus he is a perennial SMOY candidate and fan favorite. And he is both on the same timeline and very close to Ant and Jaden. There is ZERO chance of TC ever moving him!
FNG wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 10:40 am
I know it's only summer league and it's only "back stiffness", but does Joan missing 2 consecutive games and Rocco's futility on defense (last night he made Garza look like Wemby!) increase the urgency for TC to bring in some size? I was hoping that Rocco might be the answer if either or both of Rudy and Joan were out, but his defensive struggles against summer league "talent" makes that unrealistic right now...goodness, if he can't stop a Chinese center who averaged a whopping 2.2 PPG last season, how is he going to look against true NBA centers? Does Lyles start in that scenario at center? Jaden???? With our current lack of depth at the "big" positions, we need both Rudy and Joan to stay healthy. Let's hope the back stiffness is nothing.
It's probably worth saying that the Chinese center you are referring to isn't some random 2nd round pick or summer league fodder. He was picked one selection before Beringer and him not doing well or not playing much last year probably doesn't mean a whole lot since the Blazers were also pretty stacked in the front court. He turned 21 last month.
Naz Reid literally signed his 5 year deal a year ago today.
Touché!!!
Ha, love this board because you guys don’t let us get away with anything!
The Wolves are built to depend on 3 point shooting at which Naz is elite for a big man. And they also require versatility, and Naz has played 3 positions with the Wolves. Plus he is a perennial SMOY candidate and fan favorite. And he is both on the same timeline and very close to Ant and Jaden. There is ZERO chance of TC ever moving him!
Is there a PF 25 years old or younger who has level talent and accomplishment equivalent to LaMello and who would be a potential get for the Wolves in exchange for Ayo before or during the upcoming season? If you had mentioned LaMello Ball as a trade target in exchange for Naz and our remaining draft capital I would have considered it plausible even though I didn’t see it coming. Give me a PF name you think would be a plausible acquisition in exchange for Ayo and result in net improvement to the team?
More importantly, the PF position isn’t nearly as important to this team as the PG position and the Wolves are not going to leave themselves with Bones Hyland as the only backup to their new starting PG who has played 70+ games in only 2 of his 6 seasons. Tim Connelly mentioned the importance of having size in the backcourt. Ayo fits that bill perfectly with his 6’10.25 wingspan. Is there anyone who doesn’t wish we had let Randle rather than NAW go last summer?
I guarantee the Wolves are not going to trade Ayo this summer or next season. You can take that to the bank and feel secure in your retirement.
FNG wrote: ↑Tue Jul 14, 2026 10:40 am
I know it's only summer league and it's only "back stiffness", but does Joan missing 2 consecutive games and Rocco's futility on defense (last night he made Garza look like Wemby!) increase the urgency for TC to bring in some size? I was hoping that Rocco might be the answer if either or both of Rudy and Joan were out, but his defensive struggles against summer league "talent" makes that unrealistic right now...goodness, if he can't stop a Chinese center who averaged a whopping 2.2 PPG last season, how is he going to look against true NBA centers? Does Lyles start in that scenario at center? Jaden???? With our current lack of depth at the "big" positions, we need both Rudy and Joan to stay healthy. Let's hope the back stiffness is nothing.
It's probably worth saying that the Chinese center you are referring to isn't some random 2nd round pick or summer league fodder. He was picked one selection before Beringer and him not doing well or not playing much last year probably doesn't mean a whole lot since the Blazers were also pretty stacked in the front court. He turned 21 last month.
Rocco's lack of progress (at least based on three SL games, which is pretty sparse) is a legit concern, as I thought watching him last year in the G-League he was on track to potentially be a viable 3rd string Center, meaning he'd be the "backup to the backup". Now I've gone wobbly on that assumption.
TKR may have to be the backup to the backup. He is simply not a modern day PF and looks way more natural at Center.
