Lower-Tier Free Agent Targets

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Holy shit free agency is crazy. So many guys moving all at once.

I'm a historian, and there used to be a tradition in New York City dating back to when it was New Amsterdam, a Dutch colony, that every May 1st was moving day. Almost everybody had to move to a new house or apartment on that day. It was insane. Initially it was a cultural tradition, but then it became a way for landlords to raise rents every year more easily. The first day of NBA free agency feels a bit like that. Everybody moves, and everything seems so expensive!

[Lipoli390]

Seems like these deals hurt and help us. Hurt us in that the market for talent seems too expensive right now; help us in that may be Teague and Gorgui aren't so un-moveable after all.

Probably the most interesting of these deals from the Wolves perspective are Rubio signing with the Suns and the Pacers' deal for Brogdan. The Rubio deal effectively takes the Suns out of the running for Russell, which helps the Wolves. The Pacers' deal for Brogdan could be viewed as setting the price in a sign-and-trade for Russell. That seems a bit excessive, but could be OK unless we also have to give up assets to the third team as the price to take one of our bigger contracts - Wiggins, Teague and/or Gorgui. However, I don't think the price to the Nets for Russell should be as high as the price for Brogdan. The Nets have no use for Russell at this point. In contrast, there Milwaukee had good reason to keep Brogdan and may have needed enough assets in return to persuade them to let him go.

[Lipoli390]

So who's left with cap room who would likely have a strong interest in D. Russell? I'd say the only team left is the Lakers and possibly the Clippers. The Suns just signed Ricky, so they're out of the running to bring in Booker's good friend DLo. The Celtics signed Kemba Walker so they have their big-name PG. The Pacers have ended up with Brogdan. The Knicks have lots of cap room, but they have Dennis Smith Jr. at PG.

The Lakers have only one max slot to use and it would appear their preference is Kawhi or Butler. But they've also expressed interest in Russell. The Clippers have cap room for two max free agents. They are obviously pursuing and considered one of the favorites to get Kawhi. But I've never head the Clippers mentioned a potential landing spot for Russell. On the other hand, did anyone report the possibility that Rubio would end up with the Suns?

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Noel is returning to the thunder.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

So who's left with cap room who would likely have a strong interest in D. Russell? I'd say the only team left is the Lakers and possibly the Clippers. The Suns just signed Ricky, so they're out of the running to bring in Booker's good friend DLo. The Celtics signed Kemba Walker so they have their big-name PG. The Pacers have ended up with Brogdan. The Knicks have lots of cap room, but they have Dennis Smith Jr. at PG.

The Lakers have only one max slot to use and it would appear their preference is Kawhi or Butler. But they've also expressed interest in Russell. The Clippers have cap room for two max free agents. They are obviously pursuing and considered one of the favorites to get Kawhi. But I've never head the Clippers mentioned a potential landing spot for Russell. On the other hand, did anyone report the possibility that Rubio would end up with the Suns?

If you are DLO, the Lakers certainly seem like a better situation to go win a bunch of games in the short term with AD and LeBron, however, he'd be the 3rd wheel there. In Minnesota, he'd be the clear #2 guy and its a place he could grow without being in LeBron and AD's shadows.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

So who's left with cap room who would likely have a strong interest in D. Russell? I'd say the only team left is the Lakers and possibly the Clippers. The Suns just signed Ricky, so they're out of the running to bring in Booker's good friend DLo. The Celtics signed Kemba Walker so they have their big-name PG. The Pacers have ended up with Brogdan. The Knicks have lots of cap room, but they have Dennis Smith Jr. at PG.

The Lakers have only one max slot to use and it would appear their preference is Kawhi or Butler. But they've also expressed interest in Russell. The Clippers have cap room for two max free agents. They are obviously pursuing and considered one of the favorites to get Kawhi. But I've never head the Clippers mentioned a potential landing spot for Russell. On the other hand, did anyone report the possibility that Rubio would end up with the Suns?

If you are DLO, the Lakers certainly seem like a better situation to go win a bunch of games in the short term with AD and LeBron, however, he'd be the 3rd wheel there. In Minnesota, he'd be the clear #2 guy and its a place he could grow without being in LeBron and AD's shadows.

He'd have the ball in MN so he can be the #1 guy whenever he wants. He doesn't get the ball a majority of the time in LA. Bigs don't get to decide who the number 1 guy is unless you are Jokic and the whole offense runs through you which isn't the case for any other big in the league.

[Lipoli390]

So who's left with cap room who would likely have a strong interest in D. Russell? I'd say the only team left is the Lakers and possibly the Clippers. The Suns just signed Ricky, so they're out of the running to bring in Booker's good friend DLo. The Celtics signed Kemba Walker so they have their big-name PG. The Pacers have ended up with Brogdan. The Knicks have lots of cap room, but they have Dennis Smith Jr. at PG.

The Lakers have only one max slot to use and it would appear their preference is Kawhi or Butler. But they've also expressed interest in Russell. The Clippers have cap room for two max free agents. They are obviously pursuing and considered one of the favorites to get Kawhi. But I've never head the Clippers mentioned a potential landing spot for Russell. On the other hand, did anyone report the possibility that Rubio would end up with the Suns?

If you are DLO, the Lakers certainly seem like a better situation to go win a bunch of games in the short term with AD and LeBron, however, he'd be the 3rd wheel there. In Minnesota, he'd be the clear #2 guy and its a place he could grow without being in LeBron and AD's shadows.

He'd have the ball in MN so he can be the #1 guy whenever he wants. He doesn't get the ball a majority of the time in LA. Bigs don't get to decide who the number 1 guy is unless you are Jokic and the whole offense runs through you which isn't the case for any other big in the league.

I agree with both of you. The way things have gone down so far, especially with the Suns signing Ricky, I think it's highly likely Russell ends up with the Wolves. I think the delay right now is resulting from the Wolves exploring/negotiating different options to get him, including different cap-clearing deals and different multi-team sign-and-trade deals. If our front office teams is as savvy as some believe, then they're in the process of generating competing offers for various sets of Wolves players including Wiggins alone, or Teague plus Gorgui among other potential combinations. Of course, teams will be pushing to get Okogie, Culver and/or future 1st round picks as part of any deal. But if there are enough competing possibilities, then perhaps the Wolves can avoid losing more than a future lottery-protected 1st and one or two future 2nd round picks.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Knicks have 50 mill in capspace left.

I can see then going all in on dlo.

Dlo, rj, Randle, and robinson is something they can build around.

[Lipoli390]

Knicks have 50 mill in capspace left.

I can see then going all in on dlo.

Dlo, rj, Randle, and robinson is something they can build around.

I don't see it. They have Dennis Smith Jr. Teague would make more sense to them as a vet on an expiring contract to mentor Smith and the other young guys.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

Knicks have 50 mill in capspace left.

I can see then going all in on dlo.

Dlo, rj, Randle, and robinson is something they can build around.

I don't see it. They have Dennis Smith Jr. Teague would make more sense to them as a vet on an expiring contract to mentor Smith and the other young guys.

Unless they dont see smith as their guy.