Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:

Shams Charania:

The Minnesota Timberwolves have also remained in conversations with the 76ers, but are unwilling to meet Philadelphia's high threshold for draft picks. Minnesota has indicated an openness to discussing a package that includes Simmons and Tobias Harris, sources said, but that offer would not come with draft capital from the Timberwolves and the 76ers do not view both players as part of a salary dump trade. The gulf in perspective is why there hasn't been much traction so far. At 27-25, the Timberwolves are firmly in the postseason picture in the Western Conference, have had positive play from All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, rising young guard Anthony Edwards and veteran guard D'Angelo Russell. Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Sachin Gupta has been described as dutiful and active in conversations throughout the league.

Link: https://theathletic.com/3112818/2022/02/04/a-james-harden-ben-simmons-deal-is-a-possibility-before-the-nba-trade-deadline-sources/?source=user_shared_article

I wish the organization would move on from this already. I get that they're doing their diligence, but Ben Simmons should not be the focus for the Wolves anymore.

Camden wrote:

Shams Charania:

The Minnesota Timberwolves have also remained in conversations with the 76ers, but are unwilling to meet Philadelphia's high threshold for draft picks. Minnesota has indicated an openness to discussing a package that includes Simmons and Tobias Harris, sources said, but that offer would not come with draft capital from the Timberwolves and the 76ers do not view both players as part of a salary dump trade. The gulf in perspective is why there hasn't been much traction so far. At 27-25, the Timberwolves are firmly in the postseason picture in the Western Conference, have had positive play from All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, rising young guard Anthony Edwards and veteran guard D'Angelo Russell. Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Sachin Gupta has been described as dutiful and active in conversations throughout the league.

Link: https://theathletic.com/3112818/2022/02/04/a-james-harden-ben-simmons-deal-is-a-possibility-before-the-nba-trade-deadline-sources/?source=user_shared_article

I wish the organization would move on from this already. I get that they're doing their diligence, but Ben Simmons should not be the focus for the Wolves anymore.

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:

Shams Charania:

The Minnesota Timberwolves have also remained in conversations with the 76ers, but are unwilling to meet Philadelphia's high threshold for draft picks. Minnesota has indicated an openness to discussing a package that includes Simmons and Tobias Harris, sources said, but that offer would not come with draft capital from the Timberwolves and the 76ers do not view both players as part of a salary dump trade. The gulf in perspective is why there hasn't been much traction so far. At 27-25, the Timberwolves are firmly in the postseason picture in the Western Conference, have had positive play from All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, rising young guard Anthony Edwards and veteran guard D'Angelo Russell. Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Sachin Gupta has been described as dutiful and active in conversations throughout the league.

Link: https://theathletic.com/3112818/2022/02/04/a-james-harden-ben-simmons-deal-is-a-possibility-before-the-nba-trade-deadline-sources/?source=user_shared_article

I wish the organization would move on from this already. I get that they're doing their diligence, but Ben Simmons should not be the focus for the Wolves anymore.

I agree completely, Cam!! And I agree this organization should not be pursuing Marcus Smart. I liked the Josh Richardson deal, although I could take it or leave it. Right now, our only big-game targets should be Barnes and Derrick White - one or the other. And I'd be pretty stingy on who I'd give up for either one. I think Gupta should move on entirely from big-game hunting and look for minor trades to fill some targeted needs. I'm thinking Layman and maybe 2nd-round picks for Len, Robin Lopez or cap space to sign Monroe. We need to see where this roster takes us this season and use the offseason to chart our course for next season and beyond.

Jester1534 wrote:So I'm just reading all this news and see that Portland is in sell mode and obviously wants contracts to come off the books to pair star up with Lillard.

So why shouldn't this team not go after Nurkic?

As RFA he's perfect if he doesn't gel then we can just let him walk.

jester1534 wrote:So I'm just reading all this news and see that Portland is in sell mode and obviously wants contracts to come off the books to pair star up with Lillard.

So why shouldn't this team not go after Nurkic?

As RFA he's perfect if he doesn't gel then we can just let him walk.

lipoli390 wrote:

Jester1534 wrote:So I'm just reading all this news and see that Portland is in sell mode and obviously wants contracts to come off the books to pair star up with Lillard.

So why shouldn't this team not go after Nurkic?

As RFA he's perfect if he doesn't gel then we can just let him walk.

I like what Nurkic would bring to the Wolves. But who would you give up to get him? Beasley? Pat B? Prince? It would have to be one of those three. I'm not sure swapping any of those three for Nurkic would be a net gain for the Wolves as a team built primarily around offensive versatility, shooting and athleticism.

Camden wrote:For what it's worth, the following is actually possible and makes the Wolves better on the court, in my opinion.

Minnesota:: Jusuf Nurkic, 2027 second-round pick (via POR)

Portland: Josh Okogie, Leandro Bolmaro, Naz Reid

Oklahoma City: Jake Layman, 2022 second-round pick (via PHI/DEN via MIN)


Whether or not you'd be willing to make that trade is another story. I probably would pull the trigger on that assuming nothing else materialized. I think a healthy Nurkic is a big matchup problem for a lot of teams in this league, especially in the Western Conference.