Occam's Razor

[AbeVigodaLive]

I've heard this Dame for Towns thing picking up steam.

And in a way... sure. Imagine the spacing for Edwards with lillard as a sidekick. McDaniels and Gobert can help cover for Lillard on defense. And the Wolves get out from this silly Gobert-Reid-Towns big man trifecta.

I'm 100% confident they are a much better team with a healthy Lillard/Towns swap. Perhaps a very good team.

But Lillard is older. And he's paid very well, so the Wolves are still staring down luxury tax problems soon... only they're losing their one trade chip to get younger, cheaper talent.

[Lipoli390]

Great post, Tim.

I tend to agree with Sundog that the Wolves will run it back with both KAT and Rudy next season. I think your analysis is sound, but I take TC at his word that he’s focused on winning next season and wants to give the two-big combo one more chance. The moves TC has made to date tell me he’s creating optionality for next summer to make any number of different moves depending on how well the Wolves do next season. Having Naz will make it easier to move KAT or Rudy next summer. Or they could choose to move Naz next summer in an effort to somehow stay below the second apron without giving up KAT or Rudy.

On the other hand, you’ve make a strong case for predicting that the Wolves will move KAT yet this summer. Reading Cool’s post confirms your hypothesis that Portland would be interested in swapping Scoot for KAT. Portland seems more motivated perhaps than the Wolves and that bodes well for any deal between Portland and the Wolves. To add another layer of intrigue, it’s interesting that TC traded up to get Leonard Miller - Scoot’s teammate on the Ignite last season. Did you see the video of Scott and Miller embracing after Scoot’s name was called on draft night? Hmm.

One thing we know for sure is that TC isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on deals, including really big ones. We also know that you almost never see his moves coming. TC’s front office seems to be especially adept at keeping a lid on things. So it will be interesting to see how things play out the rest of this summer after July 1. I don’t think the Wolves will trade KAT this summer, but I won’t be surprised if they end up trading him to Portland for a Scoot package. Based on what we’ve seen so far from TC, he’ll probably make a deal involving KAT that none of saw coming.

[Lipoli390]

Tim started this thread with a take on predicting what the Wolves will likely do and why they’ll likely trade KAT this summer. My last post responded directly to the issue of what will likely happen. Now I’ll offer a thought on what I’d like to see happen.

As everyone on this board knows, I’ve been advocating for the Wolves to trade one of our two max-salary bigs this summer - preferably Rudy, but if not Rudy then KAT. I still think that’s the right thing to do long term, but I’m also at peace running it back with both bigs. I’m excited about what this team can potentially do if our key players, especially Ant and KAT, stay healthy and if Rudy steps up his game back to where it was before last season.

We started last season with Ant coming to camp out of shape because of poor diet and conditioning, KAT coming to camp weak and underweight because of illness and Rudy coming to camp worn down by competing in Europe over the summer. So far this summer, Ant is apparently in superb physical condition, KAT is healthy, and Gobert is committed to being better next season. Unfortunately, Rudy decided to play for France again, but maybe he’ll play fewer games/minutes. Naz is back and looked late last season like he was about to take it to another level. We’ll probably have NAW back and we all saw what he can do defensively last last season and in the playoffs. Ant and Jaden will likely take another step forward. Most important of all is that all these guys have experience playing together. And who knows, maybe Minott and Moore be able to contribute as well. So, to borrow TC’s phrase, I’m pretty fired up about next season and I don’t see a compelling need to make any significant trades this summer. At the same time, it’s hard not to get excited long term about getting Scoot Henderson and going all in for the future with Ant, Jaden, Scoot and Naz.

[Jester1534]

Tim started this thread with a take on predicting what the Wolves will likely do and why they’ll likely trade KAT this summer. My last post responded directly to the issue of what will likely happen. Now I’ll offer a thought on what I’d like to see happen.

As everyone on this board knows, I’ve been advocating for the Wolves to trade one of our two max-salary bigs this summer - preferably Rudy, but if not Rudy then KAT. I still think that’s the right thing to do long term, but I’m also at peace running it back with both bigs. I’m excited about what this team can potentially do if our key players, especially Ant and KAT, stay healthy and if Rudy steps up his game back to where it was before last season.

We started last season with Ant coming to camp out of shape because of poor diet and conditioning, KAT coming to camp weak and underweight because of illness and Rudy coming to camp worn down by competing in Europe over the summer. So far this summer, Ant is apparently in superb physical condition, KAT is healthy, and Gobert is committed to being better next season. Unfortunately, Rudy decided to play for France again, but maybe he’ll play fewer games/minutes. Naz is back and looked late last season like he was about to take it to another level. We’ll probably have NAW back and we all saw what he can do defensively last last season and in the playoffs. Ant and Jaden will likely take another step forward. Most important of all is that all these guys have experience playing together. And who knows, maybe Minott and Moore be able to contribute as well. So, to borrow TC’s phrase, I’m pretty fired up about next season and I don’t see a compelling need to make any significant trades this summer. At the same time, it’s hard not to get excited long term about getting Scoot Henderson and going all in for the future with Ant, Jaden, Scoot and Naz.

I would say we’ve seen what this team can do Without Kat and I would be jacked if we added such a young talented player for him.

[Lipoli390]

I've heard this Dame for Towns thing picking up steam.

And in a way... sure. Imagine the spacing for Edwards with lillard as a sidekick. McDaniels and Gobert can help cover for Lillard on defense. And the Wolves get out from this silly Gobert-Reid-Towns big man trifecta.

I'm 100% confident they are a much better team with a healthy Lillard/Towns swap. Perhaps a very good team.

But Lillard is older. And he's paid very well, so the Wolves are still staring down luxury tax problems soon... only they're losing their one trade chip to get younger, cheaper talent.

I think that stream is nothing more than some hot air. There is no way the Wolves will (or should) trade KAT for Lillard.

[Lipoli390]

Tim started this thread with a take on predicting what the Wolves will likely do and why they’ll likely trade KAT this summer. My last post responded directly to the issue of what will likely happen. Now I’ll offer a thought on what I’d like to see happen.

As everyone on this board knows, I’ve been advocating for the Wolves to trade one of our two max-salary bigs this summer - preferably Rudy, but if not Rudy then KAT. I still think that’s the right thing to do long term, but I’m also at peace running it back with both bigs. I’m excited about what this team can potentially do if our key players, especially Ant and KAT, stay healthy and if Rudy steps up his game back to where it was before last season.

We started last season with Ant coming to camp out of shape because of poor diet and conditioning, KAT coming to camp weak and underweight because of illness and Rudy coming to camp worn down by competing in Europe over the summer. So far this summer, Ant is apparently in superb physical condition, KAT is healthy, and Gobert is committed to being better next season. Unfortunately, Rudy decided to play for France again, but maybe he’ll play fewer games/minutes. Naz is back and looked late last season like he was about to take it to another level. We’ll probably have NAW back and we all saw what he can do defensively last last season and in the playoffs. Ant and Jaden will likely take another step forward. Most important of all is that all these guys have experience playing together. And who knows, maybe Minott and Moore be able to contribute as well. So, to borrow TC’s phrase, I’m pretty fired up about next season and I don’t see a compelling need to make any significant trades this summer. At the same time, it’s hard not to get excited long term about getting Scoot Henderson and going all in for the future with Ant, Jaden, Scoot and Naz.

I would say we’ve seen what this team can do Without Kat and I would be jacked if we added such a young talented player for him.

What this team did without KAT wasn’t impressive at all. We finished 2 games over .500 and needed two play-in games just to make the playoffs. If you look at the Wolves last four regular season games and play-in games you’ll see that, without KAT, it’s likely the Wolves would have finished below .500 and not made the playoffs. I’m on record preferring to move KAT for Scoot this summer. But we have to be honest with ourselves that making that move is a longer-term play and that this team will take a step back from where it would be with KAT here and healthy.

I just think we’re better off long term removing the bandaid now and going all in on a young core of Ant, Jaden, Scoot and Naz. Next season without KAT would likely be no better than last season with KAT playing 35 games, which would mean a lottery pick or an 8th seed. The good news is that the Wolves have their 1st round pick next summer. So next season seems like the right time to take a step back for a long term move.

Having said all that, I’m fine moving forward with KAT and Rudy next season. But there will likely be a second apron reckoning next summer.

[Q-is-here]

I've heard this Dame for Towns thing picking up steam.

And in a way... sure. Imagine the spacing for Edwards with lillard as a sidekick. McDaniels and Gobert can help cover for Lillard on defense. And the Wolves get out from this silly Gobert-Reid-Towns big man trifecta.

I'm 100% confident they are a much better team with a healthy Lillard/Towns swap. Perhaps a very good team.

But Lillard is older. And he's paid very well, so the Wolves are still staring down luxury tax problems soon... only they're losing their one trade chip to get younger, cheaper talent.

Dame for Towns??? While I don't have my NBA police scanner on, I don't recall ever seeing any buzz around a KAT for Dame trade. Not sure I understand the logic behind that from Portland's perspective, as it seems getting rid of Dame means trading for a bunch of shorter contracts, draft picks, young potential, etc.

[Coolbreeze44]

The key in my opinion is the dynamic between Portland and Dame. That dynamic is they are not going to trade him (Miami has been mentioned most) unless it is Dame's idea to go. They are not going to burn Dame who many believe is the best player in franchise history. If Dame wants to stay, I think they almost have to try to surround him with players who can win right now and give it another run. That's not Scoot, and that's not Sharp.

[WildWolf2813]

I've heard this Dame for Towns thing picking up steam.

And in a way... sure. Imagine the spacing for Edwards with lillard as a sidekick. McDaniels and Gobert can help cover for Lillard on defense. And the Wolves get out from this silly Gobert-Reid-Towns big man trifecta.

I'm 100% confident they are a much better team with a healthy Lillard/Towns swap. Perhaps a very good team.

But Lillard is older. And he's paid very well, so the Wolves are still staring down luxury tax problems soon... only they're losing their one trade chip to get younger, cheaper talent.

Dame for Towns??? While I don't have my NBA police scanner on, I don't recall ever seeing any buzz around a KAT for Dame trade. Not sure I understand the logic behind that from Portland's perspective, as it seems getting rid of Dame means trading for a bunch of shorter contracts, draft picks, young potential, etc.

It was something Bill Simmons mentioned on his podcast as a good idea at least for Dame.

[60WinTim]

I've heard this Dame for Towns thing picking up steam.

And in a way... sure. Imagine the spacing for Edwards with lillard as a sidekick. McDaniels and Gobert can help cover for Lillard on defense. And the Wolves get out from this silly Gobert-Reid-Towns big man trifecta.

I'm 100% confident they are a much better team with a healthy Lillard/Towns swap. Perhaps a very good team.

But Lillard is older. And he's paid very well, so the Wolves are still staring down luxury tax problems soon... only they're losing their one trade chip to get younger, cheaper talent.

Dame for Towns??? While I don't have my NBA police scanner on, I don't recall ever seeing any buzz around a KAT for Dame trade. Not sure I understand the logic behind that from Portland's perspective, as it seems getting rid of Dame means trading for a bunch of shorter contracts, draft picks, young potential, etc.

It was something Bill Simmons mentioned on his podcast as a good idea at least for Dame.

Dang! I just thought Abe was f*cking with us, as he is want to do!