Stats Tracker 2026-27 Season

[Monster]

I was going to pipe in with the Kuminga take as well, but Q's focus was on comparing the bench units from this year to last year, so I left it alone.

But, since you bring it up. Kuminga has been leaps and bounds better than I expected. On both ends of the court. On defense he is working his butt off, and his ability to defend both bigs, wings and guards is a notable reason the starting unit is so solid on defense -- we don't seem to have a glaring weak link! (credit to LaMelo's size and effort, too).

And the offense has been terrific, too. Not a ball stopper, is racking up assists, and hits his 3s. Not much to complain about.

Hopefully, he's so happy with the fit (which he found out can be a huge obstacle on other teams) that he's willing to accept a full MLE next offseason...

I'm trying not to look ahead because it's still early but just for fun is there anything that would keep the Wolves from rolling with I would assume Bones low cap hold and then resigning him using bird rights after other transactions?

As I understand it, Bird rights don't apply. I heard he has to have two seasons with the wolves, and even then it's only partial Bird rights, it would be three for full. either that or I completely misunderstood what Dane Moore was saying... a distinct possibility! LOL

Bones has 3 season with the Wolves so they have full bird rights with the Wolves due to him signing the 2-way deal in the 2025 season.

[60WinTim]

In my mind, the only shot the Wolves have of retaining JK is by offering the full MLE next offseason (3-year deal with player option on the 3rd year). And even then, he may choose to move on for GREENer pastures.

Using the full MLE will hard cap the Wolves at the 1st apron, leaving only enough dollars for minimum contracts everywhere else, including Donte. Now, a decline and re-sign by Rudy would open some additional dollars, but likely not enough for Donte.

I see TC having to make a decision next offseason between Donte and JK. And that assumes either one would be willing to sign at around that 16 mil mark. (The Wolves could go higher on Donte since they would not be hardcapped at the 1st apron)

[TAFKASP]

I'm trying not to look ahead because it's still early but just for fun is there anything that would keep the Wolves from rolling with I would assume Bones low cap hold and then resigning him using bird rights after other transactions?

As I understand it, Bird rights don't apply. I heard he has to have two seasons with the wolves, and even then it's only partial Bird rights, it would be three for full. either that or I completely misunderstood what Dane Moore was saying... a distinct possibility! LOL

Bones has 3 season with the Wolves so they have full bird rights with the Wolves due to him signing the 2-way deal in the 2025 season.

My mistake, I was thinking of Kaminga.

[Monster]

In my mind, the only shot the Wolves have of retaining JK is by offering the full MLE next offseason (3-year deal with player option on the 3rd year). And even then, he may choose to move on for GREENer pastures.

Using the full MLE will hard cap the Wolves at the 1st apron, leaving only enough dollars for minimum contracts everywhere else, including Donte. Now, a decline and re-sign by Rudy would open some additional dollars, but likely not enough for Donte.

I see TC having to make a decision next offseason between Donte and JK. And that assumes either one would be willing to sign at around that 16 mil mark. (The Wolves could go higher on Donte since they would not be hardcapped at the 1st apron)

Thanks Tim you answered my question. The MLE has to be for at least 2 years right? So Kuminga could instead sign for another year with the Wolves with a small raise and then the following year sign for more money with the early bird rights? That's a few ifs but theoretically what would be the difference in money between those scenarios?

It's still early but this is a message board so...a couple things I wonder is what teams will have the money to offer Kuminga bigger money? How many of those teams will he actually want to go to? It seems like he isn't a guy just chasing the money. Next question what is the most any team is gonna offer him? He isn't a star player he seems like he is headed towards being an Aaron Gordon which is pretty valuable but are teams gonna pay him much over 25 million banking on this season being real? Idk fo now we can just sit back and enjoy his play especially if he keeps up what he has been doing so far.

[60WinTim]

In my mind, the only shot the Wolves have of retaining JK is by offering the full MLE next offseason (3-year deal with player option on the 3rd year). And even then, he may choose to move on for GREENer pastures.

Using the full MLE will hard cap the Wolves at the 1st apron, leaving only enough dollars for minimum contracts everywhere else, including Donte. Now, a decline and re-sign by Rudy would open some additional dollars, but likely not enough for Donte.

I see TC having to make a decision next offseason between Donte and JK. And that assumes either one would be willing to sign at around that 16 mil mark. (The Wolves could go higher on Donte since they would not be hardcapped at the 1st apron)

Thanks Tim you answered my question. The MLE has to be for at least 2 years right? So Kuminga could instead sign for another year with the Wolves with a small raise and then the following year sign for more money with the early bird rights? That's a few ifs but theoretically what would be the difference in money between those scenarios?

It's still early but this is a message board so...a couple things I wonder is what teams will have the money to offer Kuminga bigger money? How many of those teams will he actually want to go to? It seems like he isn't a guy just chasing the money. Next question what is the most any team is gonna offer him? He isn't a star player he seems like he is headed towards being an Aaron Gordon which is pretty valuable but are teams gonna pay him much over 25 million banking on this season being real? Idk fo now we can just sit back and enjoy his play especially if he keeps up what he has been doing so far.

Gemini tells me an MLE offer can be just 1 year...

That would be a real coo for TC if he convinced JK to only take a small raise next year. I think it will take a full MLE to get it done, then after the 2 years at the full MLE JK could re-sign for something bigger using Bird Rights, whether with Minnesota or in a sign-and-trade.

Of course, this all assume that his current level of play continues!