Minnesota Sports Forum

What the Wolves do this offseason will likely turn on what the team does the rest of this season and in the playoffs. And that's as it should be. Let's remember that this is still a young team that can potentially improved a lot from within. We'll know significantly more about that potential and how far along they are after this group is tested down the stretch as they compete for playoff position and again in the play-in tournament and/or playoffs. That's why I get Gupta's decision to pass on any trade deadline deals.

Although there's still a lot we don't know about what this team will do this offseason, there are some things we know or can probably count on. Here they are:

1. The Wolves won't re-sign Layman whose contract expires the end of this season and that means the Wolves will have at least two open roster spots

2. The Wolves could have up to around $40 in room under the luxury tax, depending on what they do with three other expiring contracts: Okogie, Prince and Beverley. I think it's highly unlikely the Wolves re-sign all three. If they let two those three go, the Wolves will have 4 open roster spots with substantial room under the luxury tax to spend in the free agent market. The Wolves can easily renounce the rights to one or more of these three to create luxury tax room to sign some of the free agents I listed using the full MLE, full BAE and/or vet minimum. For example, they could use the full MLE to sign Nurkic and use the BAE or vet minimum to sign a couple others like Oladipo or Mills. Or the Wolves could use the full MLE to sign an Otto Porter Jr. and use the BAE or vet minimum to sign Hartenstein, Tony Bradley, Thomas Bryant, Gorgui Dieng, Robin Lopez or Jalen Smith (Smith might require some portion of the MLE).

3. The Wolves will NOT trade KAT or Ant under any circumstances and they'll be reluctant to move McDaniels or Vanderbilt. I think they'll be open to trading DLO, but they probably won't be able to get enough of a return to deal him.

4. The Wolves will likely continue to shop Beasley - something we should assume based on the fact they were actively shopping him up to the trade deadline. They obviously value Beasley as evidenced by the fact they turned down offers for him, but it's equally clear they're very open to moving him. His skill set, age and relatively team-friendly contract make him a valuable trade asset for the Wolves

5. The Wolves have three 2nd-round picks this year and will likely shop all of them. I think they'll also be open to trading one or more future 1st-round pick for the right deal.

I really want to see how this team looks in the playoffs also (not just in terms for W/L), Kat had a historically bad 1st career playoff series against the Rockets for a star player. Dlo was bad in his only career playoff series and I want to continue to see if the Wolves are able to hide him on defense in the playoffs. I want to see what Ant looks like in the playoffs and how does he adjust to the opposing team making constant adjustments to Ant. Then the thing I was to see the most is what does Vando look like in the playoffs. As we would all agree Vando has been amazing this year, he will probably make an All Defensive team, he has been great but I am worried how Vando style works in the playoffs. He is a complete no shooter and there has been so many really good defensive players been played off the floor in the playoffs because they can't shoot. (To be fair to Vando he is a better perimeter defensive player). I am worried though that in the playoffs the Wolves are going to be defended like the Jazz defend the Wolves. Jazz put their Center on Vando and let them play center field near the rim because of Vando lack of shooting. Then center is a lot better at boxing out Vando. So Im curious how Vando abilities look in a playoff series. Vando has been fantastic but that is my biggest playoff question.

Now when it comes to the offseason, to go along with everything that Lip has said the Wolves can also decline the team option of Naz and Nowell making them a RFA and the wolves can sign them long term if they want. Or they can accept both of their cheap team options but they will then become an unrestricted FA in 2023.

Rumors out there were teams offered a 1st round pick for Beasley at the deadline. Now I am happy the Wolves didn't do that because I think Beasley helps us this year but the Wolves this offseason could probably create more cap space by trading Beasley for a 1st if they want.

Yesterdays rotation consisted of 8 young guys and 1 old vet in Beverley. The Wolves still have a lot of room to grow together. But in general every decision should be how can they be a consistent winner around Kat and Ant. I think the other huge question with the Wolves offseason is should the Wolves give Dlo an extension.

Should be an interesting offseason.

kekgeek1 wrote:Rumors out there were teams offered a 1st round pick for Beasley at the deadline. Now I am happy the Wolves didn't do that because I think Beasley helps us this year but the Wolves this offseason could probably create more cap space by trading Beasley for a 1st if they want.

Rumors were that Malik Beasley could be had for a first-round pick, but I haven't seen any rumors or reports that indicated any team actually offered one. If that were the case, then Beasley should have been dealt before the deadline because I don't think he's more valuable than a first at this point.