Wolves Next Moves in Post-Randle Era

[rapsuperstar31]

Trey Murphy is said to be available for a high price. Makes 27, 29, 31 million next three years, just turned 26 years old so right in our core age range, two way player. Would you give up our remaining tradable picks for him? The 33rd pick in the 2nd round this year that we got for Randle, and the 2033 unprotected pick? We could fit him into the tpe, and still stay under the luxury tax if that is a goal to get out of the repeater tax.

Tari Eason is another two way player that we could try and sign and trade. 25 years old RFA. Houston hasn't been able to lock him up, and the Rockets have been trying to underpay some of their players in contract negotiations. I don't watch enough Rockets, but I hear he's a great defender.

[AussieWolf3]

What if the Wolves pivoted and instead of looking for a ball handler they went for the biggest impact they can get for the money? What about taking Lu Dort for nothing using the trade exception? That would give them a heck of a defensive player who has a history of making 3's and does shit. That might free up other people including Jaden TSJ Ayo to handle the ball and also not have to be defending the best player all the time etc. I know Dort dropped off last year but maybe he is a bounce back guy. I'm not sold on this or anything but having a player like that on this roster makes some sense.

I think there may be a player like that who the Wolves may be able to acquire that we kinda didn't see coming that could be a pretty good addition. Let's see what Connelly does next.

I could be sold on this as lower tier move if others options burn out.
I think Dort is a great asset and valuable player, and his fit makes sense in some respects but it points back to the primary dilemma this team faces right now: they need a PG to unlock everyone's ceiling, but those are in short supply. Conversely there are limitless options if you could trust Ant as a primary playmaker ala SGA and not a player like Dort makes perfect sense.

To me this is really the season, and therefore the off-season where Ant really needs to decide if he wants to be great and actually understand the steps it takes to get there. If he does than he understands that this team needs him to be a higher level playmaker and works to achieve that or he needs to be the best two way player he can be. I really don't know the direction this will take but it will be fascinating to watch

[Lipoli390]

Trey Murphy is said to be available for a high price. Makes 27, 29, 31 million next three years, just turned 26 years old so right in our core age range, two way player. Would you give up our remaining tradable picks for him? The 33rd pick in the 2nd round this year that we got for Randle, and the 2033 unprotected pick? We could fit him into the tpe, and still stay under the luxury tax if that is a goal to get out of the repeater tax.

Tari Eason is another two way player that we could try and sign and trade. 25 years old RFA. Houston hasn't been able to lock him up, and the Rockets have been trying to underpay some of their players in contract negotiations. I don't watch enough Rockets, but I hear he's a great defender.

Great question, Rap. Tre Murphy is a terrific player. The problem is that he’s a starter who plays Jaden’s position. I suppose we could shift Jaden to PF and put Naz back in the 6th-man role. As good as Tre is, I’d have a hard time giving up the little draft capital we have to acquire him.

[Monster]

Trey Murphy is said to be available for a high price. Makes 27, 29, 31 million next three years, just turned 26 years old so right in our core age range, two way player. Would you give up our remaining tradable picks for him? The 33rd pick in the 2nd round this year that we got for Randle, and the 2033 unprotected pick? We could fit him into the tpe, and still stay under the luxury tax if that is a goal to get out of the repeater tax.

Tari Eason is another two way player that we could try and sign and trade. 25 years old RFA. Houston hasn't been able to lock him up, and the Rockets have been trying to underpay some of their players in contract negotiations. I don't watch enough Rockets, but I hear he's a great defender.

Great question, Rap. Tre Murphy is a terrific player. The problem is that he’s a starter who plays Jaden’s position. I suppose we could shift Jaden to PF and put Naz back in the 6th-man role. As good as Tre is, I’d have a hard time giving up the little draft capital we have to acquire him.

I think the one thing that could lower the price for Murphy is if they didn't have to take any salary back. What other teams can offer that? Still how much are they gonna value the picks we can send them.

Eason would be an interesting get in a sign and trade.

[Lipoli390]

Trey Murphy is said to be available for a high price. Makes 27, 29, 31 million next three years, just turned 26 years old so right in our core age range, two way player. Would you give up our remaining tradable picks for him? The 33rd pick in the 2nd round this year that we got for Randle, and the 2033 unprotected pick? We could fit him into the tpe, and still stay under the luxury tax if that is a goal to get out of the repeater tax.

Tari Eason is another two way player that we could try and sign and trade. 25 years old RFA. Houston hasn't been able to lock him up, and the Rockets have been trying to underpay some of their players in contract negotiations. I don't watch enough Rockets, but I hear he's a great defender.

Great question, Rap. Tre Murphy is a terrific player. The problem is that he’s a starter who plays Jaden’s position. I suppose we could shift Jaden to PF and put Naz back in the 6th-man role. As good as Tre is, I’d have a hard time giving up the little draft capital we have to acquire him.

I think the one thing that could lower the price for Murphy is if they didn't have to take any salary back. What other teams can offer that? Still how much are they gonna value the picks we can send them.

Eason would be an interesting get in a sign and trade.

I’d love to acquire Eason! I remember he was one of my favorites in his draft class. My draft analysis that year was at an elite level. I recall wanting the Wolves to trade up for Jalen Williams, Dyson Daniels or Tari Eason. Of course, I was also really high on Dalen Terry. Not so elite after all. .

[60WinTim]

A couple of thoughts/predictions:

- Monster -- the guy coming back from Chicago will slide into a portion of NAW's trade exemption, so the 33 mil TPE will remain intact.

- I don't see Rudy going anywhere. We need at least one more year of transition time for Joan, and I don't see TC giving up the team's defensive floor.

- It seems "ball-handling" should still be on TC's list of priorities...

- And a BIG who can shoot ought to be on that priority list as well.

- I doubt we hear anything at the draft tonight about a trade involving the trade exception, as the trade exception will not be created until after July 1st.

- We passed on Rasheer Fleming last year with pick 31. I wonder what happens with pick 33 tonight?!? TC will probably be flexible: if there's someone he likes, he'll take him. If not, he'll trade out of it, probably for future 2nd(s).

- The overpay comments on Ayo are silly. 112 mil only seems big because it's over 5 years. It starts at 19.3 mil. Many of us were fine with 3 years at 52 mil (the amount he could sign before July 1st). Now it is equivalent to 3 years at 62 mil. Oh, and Ayo >> than NAW!

[Lipoli390]

A couple of thoughts/predictions:

- Monster -- the guy coming back from Chicago will slide into a portion of NAW's trade exemption, so the 33 mil TPE will remain intact.

- I don't see Rudy going anywhere. We need at least one more year of transition time for Joan, and I don't see TC giving up the team's defensive floor.

- It seems "ball-handling" should still be on TC's list of priorities...

- And a BIG who can shoot ought to be on that priority list as well.

- I doubt we hear anything at the draft tonight about a trade involving the trade exception, as the trade exception will not be created until after July 1st.

- We passed on Rasheer Fleming last year with pick 31. I wonder what happens with pick 33 tonight?!? TC will probably be flexible: if there's someone he likes, he'll take him. If not, he'll trade out of it, probably for future 2nd(s).

- The overpay comments on Ayo are silly. 112 mil only seems big because it's over 5 years. It starts at 19.3 mil. Many of us were fine with 3 years at 52 mil (the amount he could sign before July 1st). Now it is equivalent to 3 years at 62 mil. Oh, and Ayo >> than NAW!

I agree with your observation on Ayo’s contract. It’s clearly not an overpay. I also agree with your other points except I’m not entirely with you on TC keeping Rudy. I don’t think TC is determined to trade Rudy but I suspect he’s seriously exploring that option. There’s a solid group of free agent centers any one of which could provide a reasonable bridge to Beringer and/or Rocco. At the same time, trading Rudy for a top defensive PG like White or Suggs would keep our defensive floor in tact without Rudy.

[Monster]

A couple of thoughts/predictions:

- Monster -- the guy coming back from Chicago will slide into a portion of NAW's trade exemption, so the 33 mil TPE will remain intact.

- I don't see Rudy going anywhere. We need at least one more year of transition time for Joan, and I don't see TC giving up the team's defensive floor.

- It seems "ball-handling" should still be on TC's list of priorities...

- And a BIG who can shoot ought to be on that priority list as well.

- I doubt we hear anything at the draft tonight about a trade involving the trade exception, as the trade exception will not be created until after July 1st.

- We passed on Rasheer Fleming last year with pick 31. I wonder what happens with pick 33 tonight?!? TC will probably be flexible: if there's someone he likes, he'll take him. If not, he'll trade out of it, probably for future 2nd(s).

- The overpay comments on Ayo are silly. 112 mil only seems big because it's over 5 years. It starts at 19.3 mil. Many of us were fine with 3 years at 52 mil (the amount he could sign before July 1st). Now it is equivalent to 3 years at 62 mil. Oh, and Ayo >> than NAW!

Thanks for that clarification in the chicago contract going into another trade exception. That keeps a dream alive if someone wants to acquire Suggs with that trade exception.

I think a couple things have to happen for Connelly to move Gobert.

1. The value has to be really good and likely forms at least one path to solve one of the roster concerns...probably the guard spot next to Edwards.

2. Acquiring a legit big to play some legit minutes for a year while Beringer gets better and more experienced. If what a couple posters have said about Isaiah Stewart defensively is true that might be the guy I'd want.

Connelly thought there was value in moving down last year. I think people are fairly happy with him ending up with Rocco and a random future 2nd. That pick at #33 likely will have some decent value this draft as well so he might be able to move down get a player he likes and add a future 2nd. He might have a guy he really wants there too though and a guaranteed full NBA salary might be easier to do this year than it was last year.

[FNG]

A couple of thoughts/predictions:

- Monster -- the guy coming back from Chicago will slide into a portion of NAW's trade exemption, so the 33 mil TPE will remain intact.

- I don't see Rudy going anywhere. We need at least one more year of transition time for Joan, and I don't see TC giving up the team's defensive floor.

- It seems "ball-handling" should still be on TC's list of priorities...

- And a BIG who can shoot ought to be on that priority list as well.

- I doubt we hear anything at the draft tonight about a trade involving the trade exception, as the trade exception will not be created until after July 1st.

- We passed on Rasheer Fleming last year with pick 31. I wonder what happens with pick 33 tonight?!? TC will probably be flexible: if there's someone he likes, he'll take him. If not, he'll trade out of it, probably for future 2nd(s).

- The overpay comments on Ayo are silly. 112 mil only seems big because it's over 5 years. It starts at 19.3 mil. Many of us were fine with 3 years at 52 mil (the amount he could sign before July 1st). Now it is equivalent to 3 years at 62 mil. Oh, and Ayo >> than NAW!

I agree with your observation on Ayo’s contract. It’s clearly not an overpay. I also agree with your other points except I’m not entirely with you on TC keeping Rudy. I don’t think TC is determined to trade Rudy but I suspect he’s seriously exploring that option. There’s a solid group of free agent centers any one of which could provide a reasonable bridge to Beringer and/or Rocco. At the same time, trading Rudy for a top defensive PG like White or Suggs would keep our defensive floor in tact without Rudy.

I'm not opposed to trading Rudy if TC is taking a long view, but there's a big defensive difference between the centers available and Rudy. So many times in the past two years Rudy has bailed out Ju or Ant when one or the other lost track of his man, either with a block or more frequently a "never mind". Ju is gone, but I wouldn't call Naz much of an upgrade to Julius on defense. As long as we have two defensively challenged starters, we need Rudy back there to cover for them. Moving away from Rudy in my opinion would be a signal that TC is playing the long game and comfortable with a gap year or 2 (or 3).

[BeenLurkin]

A couple of thoughts/predictions:

- Monster -- the guy coming back from Chicago will slide into a portion of NAW's trade exemption, so the 33 mil TPE will remain intact.

- I don't see Rudy going anywhere. We need at least one more year of transition time for Joan, and I don't see TC giving up the team's defensive floor.

- It seems "ball-handling" should still be on TC's list of priorities...

- And a BIG who can shoot ought to be on that priority list as well.

- I doubt we hear anything at the draft tonight about a trade involving the trade exception, as the trade exception will not be created until after July 1st.

- We passed on Rasheer Fleming last year with pick 31. I wonder what happens with pick 33 tonight?!? TC will probably be flexible: if there's someone he likes, he'll take him. If not, he'll trade out of it, probably for future 2nd(s).

- The overpay comments on Ayo are silly. 112 mil only seems big because it's over 5 years. It starts at 19.3 mil. Many of us were fine with 3 years at 52 mil (the amount he could sign before July 1st). Now it is equivalent to 3 years at 62 mil. Oh, and Ayo >> than NAW!

I agree with your observation on Ayo’s contract. It’s clearly not an overpay. I also agree with your other points except I’m not entirely with you on TC keeping Rudy. I don’t think TC is determined to trade Rudy but I suspect he’s seriously exploring that option. There’s a solid group of free agent centers any one of which could provide a reasonable bridge to Beringer and/or Rocco. At the same time, trading Rudy for a top defensive PG like White or Suggs would keep our defensive floor in tact without Rudy.

I'm not opposed to trading Rudy if TC is taking a long view, but there's a big defensive difference between the centers available and Rudy. So many times in the past two years Rudy has bailed out Ju or Ant when one or the other lost track of his man, either with a block or more frequently a "never mind". Ju is gone, but I wouldn't call Naz much of an upgrade to Julius on defense. As long as we have two defensively challenged starters, we need Rudy back there to cover for them. Moving away from Rudy in my opinion would be a signal that TC is playing the long game and comfortable with a gap year or 2 (or 3).

Not sure if advanced stats bear this out but the eye test of Naz putting forth effort and being a hugely improved player on the defensive side of the ball vs Julius often being out of position and disinterested imo will lead to a better team defense this year. Julius gave up so often and I never saw Naz do it once. The heart of this team is about to grow like the Grinch in Xmas! Rudy can stay or go but his value will only decrease in regards to asset recoup. So I’d say TC should play the field. Rudy seems like a consummate professional who doesn’t mind his name being In the trade winds. If he stays he will continue to be a positive force and if he leaves we will miss him in the short term but this is about the long view of maximizing the next 5 years of Ants career at all costs.