Wolves Free Agent & Trade Thread

[Monster]

What do we know now that the draft is over about the Wolves offseason direction?

I think it seems unlikely that the Wolves trade for a guy like Mo Bamba. I don't know if that was even a thing before but it seems pretty unlikely now with a young guy like Kessler on the roster. It seems like if the Wolves add a player it would be someone as a PF/C it would be someone either cheaper or more experienced or more of a guy that can play both PF and center rather than just a big C. I think someone like Hartenstein is still in play.

IF...the Wolves traded Russell and got no PG back (not sure how likely that would be since there would be salary matching) then they didn't add anyone in the draft to fill that role this season even if that was unlikely anyway. Let's say a Russell trade happens the Wolves may need to find some way to add some sort of reasonably legit playmaker via trade or FA. It's not going to be filled by a rookie.

The Wolves at minimum used 2 regular roster spots on draft picks and we will see what happens with Minott. That leaves 1-2 spots open (unless there is a trade) for FAs which could include Prince.

If the Wolves made zero trades I would say their needs would be a depth SF (could resign Prince) and another PF/C.

We have already seen a fair amount of players traded at this point and I think that's a sign of things to come. I'll be surprised if the Wolves don't trade at least one player from their roster.

Overall the Wolves I think still need to address Areas of their roster but not too much changed after the draft except I think Kessler is clearly a guy they consider to be a part of the frontcourt in the future. I also don't think they are gonna plan for him to be the answer this season and may sign or and someone in a trade to help there.

What did some other teams do in the draft that could effect the Wolves or the league in general?

The Pacers selected 3 perimeter players. They have a glut of guards. It would only make sense for them to target some size in a deal. They may also have more interest in bringing back Jalen Smith or maybe even signing a young FA.

The Wizards and Knicks didn't attempt to address their lack of PG via a draft pick.

Maybe there are some other things but that's the main ones I can think of without getting too far in the weeds.

[Lipoli390]

Good thoughts, Monster. I think the Kessler pick makes signing Hartenstein far less likely. I say that because I think Hartenstein's value to the Wolves was a long-term guy who can grow with the young team and still be NBA-ready to contribute next season. I also think that would be the main pitch to get him here - signing him to a multi-year deal with the idea that he's first in line to be our starting center next to KAT. But I still think the Wolves will look to add a starting big, but it will likely be an older vet on a 1-year deal. Here are the most likely possibilities in my view:

JaVale McGee
Andre Drummond
Biyombo

I agree it's likely the Wovles will make a trade of some kind. I don't expect Naz Reid to be on the roster next season. I see him being dealt.

[Monster]

Good thoughts, Monster. I think the Kessler pick makes signing Hartenstein far less likely. I say that because I think Hartenstein's value to the Wolves was a long-term guy who can grow with the young team and still be NBA-ready to contribute next season. I also think that would be the main pitch to get him here - signing him to a multi-year deal with the idea that he's first in line to be our starting center next to KAT. But I still think the Wolves will look to add a starting big, but it will likely be an older vet on a 1-year deal. Here are the most likely possibilities in my view:

JaVale McGee
Andre Drummond
Biyombo

I agree it's likely the Wovles will make a trade of some kind. I don't expect Naz Reid to be on the roster next season. I see him being dealt.

I agree the likeliness is lower to sign Hartenstein. It depends on what the market actually is for him. Maybe he will be a relatively hot free agent. I could also see him not getting as many offers as even I think he might.

As I said in another thread as much as I like various guys the Wolves can or could have signed with the mid-level I really didn't feel very confident that any of them were going to be the answer next to Towns. I thought it was highly likely that whoever they signed would improve the roster at an area they needed to fill and improve (which is significant) but I thought the chance of a guy they sign with the mid-level being a starter on a contender type team was certainly much less than 50%.

One reason why I could see the Wolves still having a chance at specifically signing Hartenstein is that Connelly knows him and it seems like to some extent he might fit here if teams aren't wildly chasing him. If Naz got moved I think Hartenstein could see a solid opportunity here. Again...depending on the market for him. Mostly my point mentioning Hartenstein was that I think the Wolves still will be in the market for a PF/C type in FA. I'm not sure it's going to be a typical center though although McGee would be nice. I think he will will have a solid market because he plays well in his role and now has a reputation of being a good teammate. Keep in mind that the Wolves really only have 1 PF type player on their roster and that's Vanderbilt. Maybe you could include Minott although he is young and inexperienced so ideally we wouldn't be counting on him whatsoever and if he ends up as a 2-way guy then that only kinda counts.

[Lipoli390]

Good thoughts, Monster. I think the Kessler pick makes signing Hartenstein far less likely. I say that because I think Hartenstein's value to the Wolves was a long-term guy who can grow with the young team and still be NBA-ready to contribute next season. I also think that would be the main pitch to get him here - signing him to a multi-year deal with the idea that he's first in line to be our starting center next to KAT. But I still think the Wolves will look to add a starting big, but it will likely be an older vet on a 1-year deal. Here are the most likely possibilities in my view:

JaVale McGee
Andre Drummond
Biyombo

I agree it's likely the Wovles will make a trade of some kind. I don't expect Naz Reid to be on the roster next season. I see him being dealt.

I agree the likeliness is lower to sign Hartenstein. It depends on what the market actually is for him. Maybe he will be a relatively hot free agent. I could also see him not getting as many offers as even I think he might.

As I said in another thread as much as I like various guys the Wolves can or could have signed with the mid-level I really didn't feel very confident that any of them were going to be the answer next to Towns. I thought it was highly likely that whoever they signed would improve the roster at an area they needed to fill and improve (which is significant) but I thought the chance of a guy they sign with the mid-level being a starter on a contender type team was certainly much less than 50%.

One reason why I could see the Wolves still having a chance at specifically signing Hartenstein is that Connelly knows him and it seems like to some extent he might fit here if teams aren't wildly chasing him. If Naz got moved I think Hartenstein could see a solid opportunity here. Again...depending on the market for him. Mostly my point mentioning Hartenstein was that I think the Wolves still will be in the market for a PF/C type in FA. I'm not sure it's going to be a typical center though although McGee would be nice. I think he will will have a solid market because he plays well in his role and now has a reputation of being a good teammate. Keep in mind that the Wolves really only have 1 PF type player on their roster and that's Vanderbilt. Maybe you could include Minott although he is young and inexperienced so ideally we wouldn't be counting on him whatsoever and if he ends up as a 2-way guy then that only kinda counts.

I'm totally with you, Monster, on the likelihood that the Wolves sign a free agent big this summer. I think we both agree that the chances of signing Hartenstein, whatever they were before, are probably less now. But I wouldn't say categorically that it won't happen. I think the Wolves can probably sign McGee or Drummond by overpaying them on a 1-year deal at the full MLE amount. I don't see any other team offering that much to either one. They'd be a good fit as Kessler continues to develop. You're right about our lack of power forwards. I think of McDaniels and Prince as SFs. The idea of adding depth to our PF position brings Jalen Smith to mind. He has true PF size and two-way skills. I have no idea what his market value is or whether the Pacers will want to keep him. But I still consider him an intriguing prospect.

[Monster]

Good thoughts, Monster. I think the Kessler pick makes signing Hartenstein far less likely. I say that because I think Hartenstein's value to the Wolves was a long-term guy who can grow with the young team and still be NBA-ready to contribute next season. I also think that would be the main pitch to get him here - signing him to a multi-year deal with the idea that he's first in line to be our starting center next to KAT. But I still think the Wolves will look to add a starting big, but it will likely be an older vet on a 1-year deal. Here are the most likely possibilities in my view:

JaVale McGee
Andre Drummond
Biyombo

I agree it's likely the Wovles will make a trade of some kind. I don't expect Naz Reid to be on the roster next season. I see him being dealt.

I agree the likeliness is lower to sign Hartenstein. It depends on what the market actually is for him. Maybe he will be a relatively hot free agent. I could also see him not getting as many offers as even I think he might.

As I said in another thread as much as I like various guys the Wolves can or could have signed with the mid-level I really didn't feel very confident that any of them were going to be the answer next to Towns. I thought it was highly likely that whoever they signed would improve the roster at an area they needed to fill and improve (which is significant) but I thought the chance of a guy they sign with the mid-level being a starter on a contender type team was certainly much less than 50%.

One reason why I could see the Wolves still having a chance at specifically signing Hartenstein is that Connelly knows him and it seems like to some extent he might fit here if teams aren't wildly chasing him. If Naz got moved I think Hartenstein could see a solid opportunity here. Again...depending on the market for him. Mostly my point mentioning Hartenstein was that I think the Wolves still will be in the market for a PF/C type in FA. I'm not sure it's going to be a typical center though although McGee would be nice. I think he will will have a solid market because he plays well in his role and now has a reputation of being a good teammate. Keep in mind that the Wolves really only have 1 PF type player on their roster and that's Vanderbilt. Maybe you could include Minott although he is young and inexperienced so ideally we wouldn't be counting on him whatsoever and if he ends up as a 2-way guy then that only kinda counts.

I'm totally with you, Monster, on the likelihood that the Wolves sign a free agent big this summer. I think we both agree that the chances of signing Hartenstein, whatever they were before, are probably less now. But I wouldn't say categorically that it won't happen. I think the Wolves can probably sign McGee or Drummond by overpaying them on a 1-year deal at the full MLE amount. I don't see any other team offering that much to either one. They'd be a good fit as Kessler continues to develop. You're right about our lack of power forwards. I think of McDaniels and Prince as SFs. The idea of adding depth to our PF position brings Jalen Smith to mind. He has true PF size and two-way skills. I have no idea what his market value is or whether the Pacers will want to keep him. But I still consider him an intriguing prospect.

Overspending for a 1 year deal keeps that magical cap space option open. I think it's possible the Wolves sign guys to 1 year deals partly for that reason and that might include Price. I think they may try and sign a guy for less than the midlevel while still overpaying to some extent just to keep themselves a decent chunk Under the Lux tax in case there is a deal to be made. There are some other interesting vet options if we are just looking at one year. Boucher would be interesting Harrell would be a productive player. I think brining in a guy that might come cheap in like Bjelica could have value.

I actually thought/think of the FA options Smith had the best chance of being the guy next to Towns. Of course of the options he is the least proven and maybe least likely to be worthwhile at all.

Looking at some younger options Tony Bradley could opt out and the Wolves could give him a raise using the BAE. What if they throw a decent chunk of money at Thomas Bryant for a 1 year deal if he doesn't have many offers which I could see happening. Still if Kessler develops at all these guys don't have much of a path to play so maybe a vet guy or Jalen Smith is the way to go. :)

[Q-is-here]

My thought is that we try to trade Beasley straight-up for a big on a similar deal (one that either expires after next season or no worse than a team option the following year). Steven Adams, Brook Lopez, and Dwight Powell are all bigs with one year left on their contract and may be gettable for a shooter like Beasley.

This does two things. First, it gives us a bridge to when Kessler may be more ready for regular minutes. That takes a ton of pressure off his rookie year. Second, it frees up the logjam at SG and allows Nowell to step up as our 6th man, a role I'm confident he can ultimately equal or exceed what Beasley has done in it.

[thedoper]

I think Kessler was a good pick, I like having some size on the roster. I still think we need a 4 and that most of KAT's minutes should come at the 5. I dont like going the center route in free agency.

[Lipoli390]

My thought is that we try to trade Beasley straight-up for a big on a similar deal (one that either expires after next season or no worse than a team option the following year). Steven Adams, Brook Lopez, and Dwight Powell are all bigs with one year left on their contract and may be gettable for a shooter like Beasley.

This does two things. First, it gives us a bridge to when Kessler may be more ready for regular minutes. That takes a ton of pressure off his rookie year. Second, it frees up the logjam at SG and allows Nowell to step up as our 6th man, a role I'm confident he can ultimately equal or exceed what Beasley has done in it.

Interesting idea. I wouldn't be interested in Lopez or Powell. The Wolves really need rebounding more than anything else to help them next season. If we're going to give up the high value of Beasley's 3-point shooting, we had better get something close to elite rebounding. Adams is the only one of the three I'd consider an elite rebounder. Beasley straight up for Adams seems like a reasonable deal, although Beasley can help a lot in the playoffs while I'm not sure Adams can.

[Q-is-here]

I think Kessler was a good pick, I like having some size on the roster. I still think we need a 4 and that most of KAT's minutes should come at the 5. I dont like going the center route in free agency.

The problem is that I think it is going to be very difficult to find a legit 4 via free agency that the front office is willing to commit multiple years to. The most likely candidate is probably......Taurean Prince, who doesn't solve our size problems but has proven that he can play small-ball 4 and really help spread the floor.

Finding a stop-gap Center - either via trade or free agency - on a 1-year deal is a lot more doable.

[Q-is-here]

My thought is that we try to trade Beasley straight-up for a big on a similar deal (one that either expires after next season or no worse than a team option the following year). Steven Adams, Brook Lopez, and Dwight Powell are all bigs with one year left on their contract and may be gettable for a shooter like Beasley.

This does two things. First, it gives us a bridge to when Kessler may be more ready for regular minutes. That takes a ton of pressure off his rookie year. Second, it frees up the logjam at SG and allows Nowell to step up as our 6th man, a role I'm confident he can ultimately equal or exceed what Beasley has done in it.

Interesting idea. I wouldn't be interested in Lopez or Powell. The Wolves really need rebounding more than anything else to help them next season. If we're going to give up the high value of Beasley's 3-point shooting, we had better get something close to elite rebounding. Adams is the only one of the three I'd consider an elite rebounder. Beasley straight up for Adams seems like a reasonable deal, although Beasley can help a lot in the playoffs while I'm not sure Adams can.

I think in one or two of those scenarios we should ask for something back in addition to the Center I named. No doubt Beasley has a really valuable skill-set.