Next Years Bigs

[Lipoli390]

I am still in favor of keeping everyone next season, and I also agree with Lip that it is unlikely we move either of our bigs this summer, but I'm warming to the deals Kiwi and Lip are suggesting...but only under one condition. I have no interest in Henderson. I recognize the athleticism and he seems like a smart, interesting guy, but there are too many red flags for a top 3 pick. 25% 3-point shooting, 3.5 TOs per game, few trips to the FT line, and a work in process on defense according to nbadraft.net. Not the kind of guy I would want to give up an offensive unicorn for. However other than the weird murder story and the poor NCAA tournament (yeah, I know...other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how'd you like the play?), I would be in favor of getting Brandon Miller in a KAT trade. I don't see Charlotte taking Henderson though, so that would mean we would have to force a deal with Charlotte.

That's where I run into a problem, because I can't come up with a KAT for #2 trade that works. While I can see Miller moving into a starting 4 role with us, especially if he packs on a little more muscle, I think Charlotte is probably drooling about slotting him in as Hayward's replacement. But they also would have to be excited about bringing in KAT as their starting center, I would think. Can anyone come up with a salary-matching deal that the Hornets might consider?

Charlotte already has a starting center they should be happy to develop in Mark Williams.

The reason why everyone is very intrigued by Scoot is that Scoot potentially solves PG now and in the future, whereas it should be a major wonder as to how they'll solve PG after Conley leaves. If the solution is to just make Ant the PG, it's a lazy one that hurts everyone since he's not Luka in any way.

I share FNG’s reluctance to deal KAT for Scoot because of those “red” flags he listed, although I’d call them yellow cautionary flags. Just too many cautionary flags to get as the prize return for KAT. But I’d be even less inclined to deal KAT for Miller - a guy with actual red flags. I wouldn’t go near him. If we’re going to trade KAT for a top 5 pick, I’d be more interested in Amen Thompson.

Charlotte isn’t going to pass on the chance to get KAT because of Mark Williams. That’s pretty silly. But I’m not sure the Hornets would give up their #2 pick for KAT. The question is whether the Hornets front office wants to jump-start the team’s development and become a likely playoff team next season. If so, then I think they’d deal #2 for KAT. Pairing LaMello with KAT would provide a really potent offensive machine. The Wolves were the #8 offense two seasons ago with KAT and Edwards before Edwards was an all-star caliber player. But if Charlotte’s front office is still all in on building methodically around Ball, then they’ll keep the pick.

I still think it’s a bad idea to trade KAT. Trading KAT takes away one of the team’s two all-stars, an offensive unicorn and the only elite three-point shooter on team that’s already deficient in that area. Trading KAT for a completely unproven young college or G-League player other than Wemba seems far too risky to me - the sort of deal that could easily implode.

The torrent of talk about trading KAT for a top 4 pick strikes me as the wrong way to address the obvious cap cliff the Wolves are headed towards the season after next. KAT’s supermax isn’t the problem. This team could easily stay below the apron in 2024 pairing KAT with Edwards, Jaden, Naz and Naw signed to the contracts they’re likely to get. The problem is Gobert. His $43 million in 2024 can’t be justified given what he provides to the team and as he ages he’ll provide even less. I think it would be a mistake to allow one terrible deal - the Gobert trade - to cause another bad trade - swapping an allstar in his prime for a young unknown.

I’ll offer another path. Instead of trading KAT for a top 4 pick, how about trading Gobert for expiring contracts and a lower first-round or a couple high second round picks. The Wolves owners gave TC an unprecedented contract to lure him here based largely on his reputation for finding great talent low in the draft. It’s time to put his supposed prowess to the test. There are some exciting young prospects who will likely be available in the 15-40 range, including Nick Smith, Kobe Bufkin, Kris Murray, James Nnaji, Brandon Podziemski, Sidy Cissoko, Marcus Sasser, Kobe Brown and others. There are a number of teams with lottery picks who also have other picks. Orlando has ##6, 11 and 36. Houston has ##4 and 20. Portland has ##3, 23 and 43. Charlotte has ##2, 27, 34, 39 and 41. Indiana has ##7, 26, 29, and 32. Those are all teams that can have their cake and eat it too - meaning they can get a lottery prospect to build for the future and use another pick or two to get an all NBA defensive center in Rudy to help improve the team more immediately. I suspect Orlando has their sights set on trying to make a big jump next season. Obviously, Portland wants to make a big jump for a last shot with Lillard and Gobert would be a big improvement over Nurkic. I’d offer Rudy +#53 for ## 23 and 43 along with matching salaries.

[worldK]

I am still in favor of keeping everyone next season, and I also agree with Lip that it is unlikely we move either of our bigs this summer, but I'm warming to the deals Kiwi and Lip are suggesting...but only under one condition. I have no interest in Henderson. I recognize the athleticism and he seems like a smart, interesting guy, but there are too many red flags for a top 3 pick. 25% 3-point shooting, 3.5 TOs per game, few trips to the FT line, and a work in process on defense according to nbadraft.net. Not the kind of guy I would want to give up an offensive unicorn for. However other than the weird murder story and the poor NCAA tournament (yeah, I know...other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how'd you like the play?), I would be in favor of getting Brandon Miller in a KAT trade. I don't see Charlotte taking Henderson though, so that would mean we would have to force a deal with Charlotte.

That's where I run into a problem, because I can't come up with a KAT for #2 trade that works. While I can see Miller moving into a starting 4 role with us, especially if he packs on a little more muscle, I think Charlotte is probably drooling about slotting him in as Hayward's replacement. But they also would have to be excited about bringing in KAT as their starting center, I would think. Can anyone come up with a salary-matching deal that the Hornets might consider?

Charlotte already has a starting center they should be happy to develop in Mark Williams.

The reason why everyone is very intrigued by Scoot is that Scoot potentially solves PG now and in the future, whereas it should be a major wonder as to how they'll solve PG after Conley leaves. If the solution is to just make Ant the PG, it's a lazy one that hurts everyone since he's not Luka in any way.

I share FNG’s reluctance to deal KAT for Scoot because of those “red” flags he listed, although I’d call them yellow cautionary flags. Just too many cautionary flags to get as the prize return for KAT. But I’d be even less inclined to deal KAT for Miller - a guy with actual red flags. I wouldn’t go near him. If we’re going to trade KAT for a top 5 pick, I’d be more interested in Amen Thompson.

Charlotte isn’t going to pass on the chance to get KAT because of Mark Williams. That’s pretty silly. But I’m not sure the Hornets would give up their #2 pick for KAT. The question is whether the Hornets front office wants to jump-start the team’s development and become a likely playoff team next season. If so, then I think they’d deal #2 for KAT. Pairing LaMello with KAT would provide a really potent offensive machine. The Wolves were the #8 offense two seasons ago with KAT and Edwards before Edwards was an all-star caliber player. But if Charlotte’s front office is still all in on building methodically around Ball, then they’ll keep the pick.

I still think it’s a bad idea to trade KAT. Trading KAT takes away one of the team’s two all-stars, an offensive unicorn and the only elite three-point shooter on team that’s already deficient in that area. Trading KAT for a completely unproven young college or G-League player other than Wemba seems far too risky to me - the sort of deal that could easily implode.

The torrent of talk about trading KAT for a top 4 pick strikes me as the wrong way to address the obvious cap cliff the Wolves are headed towards the season after next. KAT’s supermax isn’t the problem. This team could easily stay below the apron in 2024 pairing KAT with Edwards, Jaden, Naz and Naw signed to the contracts they’re likely to get. The problem is Gobert. His $43 million in 2024 can’t be justified given what he provides to the team and as he ages he’ll provide even less. I think it would be a mistake to allow one terrible deal - the Gobert trade - to cause another bad trade - swapping an allstar in his prime for a young unknown.

I’ll offer another path. Instead of trading KAT for a top 4 pick, how about trading Gobert for expiring contracts and a lower first-round or a couple high second round picks. The Wolves owners gave TC an unprecedented contract to lure him here based largely on his reputation for finding great talent low in the draft. It’s time to put his supposed prowess to the test. There are some exciting young prospects who will likely be available in the 15-40 range, including Nick Smith, Kobe Bufkin, Kris Murray, James Nnaji, Brandon Podziemski, Sidy Cissoko, Marcus Sasser, Kobe Brown and others. There are a number of teams with lottery picks who also have other picks. Orlando has ##6, 11 and 36. Houston has ##4 and 20. Portland has ##3, 23 and 43. Charlotte has ##2, 27, 34, 39 and 41. Indiana has ##7, 26, 29, and 32. Those are all teams that can have their cake and eat it too - meaning they can get a lottery prospect to build for the future and use another pick or two to get an all NBA defensive center in Rudy to help improve the team more immediately. I suspect Orlando has their sights set on trying to make a big jump next season. Obviously, Portland wants to make a big jump for a last shot with Lillard and Gobert would be a big improvement over Nurkic. I’d offer Rudy +#53 for ## 23 and 43 along with matching salaries.

I agree with lip. Its fun to think about potential Kat deals because we know he is in his prime and has great value and will bring a lot back. But ultimately it is unwise to move him over gobert. Gobert trade was a mistake. TC needs to own up to that and move on and get the best possible pieces to salvage that trade. Build the team around ant, kat and jaden. They are young enough that you still have time to fit the right pieces around them. Riding out Gobert’s contract while trading away Kat will just put us in the lower seed/playin spot for the next 4 years.

[WildWolf2813]

I am still in favor of keeping everyone next season, and I also agree with Lip that it is unlikely we move either of our bigs this summer, but I'm warming to the deals Kiwi and Lip are suggesting...but only under one condition. I have no interest in Henderson. I recognize the athleticism and he seems like a smart, interesting guy, but there are too many red flags for a top 3 pick. 25% 3-point shooting, 3.5 TOs per game, few trips to the FT line, and a work in process on defense according to nbadraft.net. Not the kind of guy I would want to give up an offensive unicorn for. However other than the weird murder story and the poor NCAA tournament (yeah, I know...other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how'd you like the play?), I would be in favor of getting Brandon Miller in a KAT trade. I don't see Charlotte taking Henderson though, so that would mean we would have to force a deal with Charlotte.

That's where I run into a problem, because I can't come up with a KAT for #2 trade that works. While I can see Miller moving into a starting 4 role with us, especially if he packs on a little more muscle, I think Charlotte is probably drooling about slotting him in as Hayward's replacement. But they also would have to be excited about bringing in KAT as their starting center, I would think. Can anyone come up with a salary-matching deal that the Hornets might consider?

Charlotte already has a starting center they should be happy to develop in Mark Williams.

The reason why everyone is very intrigued by Scoot is that Scoot potentially solves PG now and in the future, whereas it should be a major wonder as to how they'll solve PG after Conley leaves. If the solution is to just make Ant the PG, it's a lazy one that hurts everyone since he's not Luka in any way.

I share FNG’s reluctance to deal KAT for Scoot because of those “red” flags he listed, although I’d call them yellow cautionary flags. Just too many cautionary flags to get as the prize return for KAT. But I’d be even less inclined to deal KAT for Miller - a guy with actual red flags. I wouldn’t go near him. If we’re going to trade KAT for a top 5 pick, I’d be more interested in Amen Thompson.

Charlotte isn’t going to pass on the chance to get KAT because of Mark Williams. That’s pretty silly. But I’m not sure the Hornets would give up their #2 pick for KAT. The question is whether the Hornets front office wants to jump-start the team’s development and become a likely playoff team next season. If so, then I think they’d deal #2 for KAT. Pairing LaMello with KAT would provide a really potent offensive machine. The Wolves were the #8 offense two seasons ago with KAT and Edwards before Edwards was an all-star caliber player. But if Charlotte’s front office is still all in on building methodically around Ball, then they’ll keep the pick.

I still think it’s a bad idea to trade KAT. Trading KAT takes away one of the team’s two all-stars, an offensive unicorn and the only elite three-point shooter on team that’s already deficient in that area. Trading KAT for a completely unproven young college or G-League player other than Wemba seems far too risky to me - the sort of deal that could easily implode.

The torrent of talk about trading KAT for a top 4 pick strikes me as the wrong way to address the obvious cap cliff the Wolves are headed towards the season after next. KAT’s supermax isn’t the problem. This team could easily stay below the apron in 2024 pairing KAT with Edwards, Jaden, Naz and Naw signed to the contracts they’re likely to get. The problem is Gobert. His $43 million in 2024 can’t be justified given what he provides to the team and as he ages he’ll provide even less. I think it would be a mistake to allow one terrible deal - the Gobert trade - to cause another bad trade - swapping an allstar in his prime for a young unknown.

I’ll offer another path. Instead of trading KAT for a top 4 pick, how about trading Gobert for expiring contracts and a lower first-round or a couple high second round picks. The Wolves owners gave TC an unprecedented contract to lure him here based largely on his reputation for finding great talent low in the draft. It’s time to put his supposed prowess to the test. There are some exciting young prospects who will likely be available in the 15-40 range, including Nick Smith, Kobe Bufkin, Kris Murray, James Nnaji, Brandon Podziemski, Sidy Cissoko, Marcus Sasser, Kobe Brown and others. There are a number of teams with lottery picks who also have other picks. Orlando has ##6, 11 and 36. Houston has ##4 and 20. Portland has ##3, 23 and 43. Charlotte has ##2, 27, 34, 39 and 41. Indiana has ##7, 26, 29, and 32. Those are all teams that can have their cake and eat it too - meaning they can get a lottery prospect to build for the future and use another pick or two to get an all NBA defensive center in Rudy to help improve the team more immediately. I suspect Orlando has their sights set on trying to make a big jump next season. Obviously, Portland wants to make a big jump for a last shot with Lillard and Gobert would be a big improvement over Nurkic. I’d offer Rudy +#53 for ## 23 and 43 along with matching salaries.

I disagree with the supermax contract not being a deterrent for KAT. Not many if any teams think he's worth it. Like I've said all along, for all of his positives, he has a bad reputation around the league that only he can fix. I'd say the same about Rudy, and since everyone is convinced that the Gobert acquisition is a stupid one, nobody wants to offer a golden parachute to Tim Connelly.

[TheFuture]

Charlotte already has a starting center they should be happy to develop in Mark Williams.

The reason why everyone is very intrigued by Scoot is that Scoot potentially solves PG now and in the future, whereas it should be a major wonder as to how they'll solve PG after Conley leaves. If the solution is to just make Ant the PG, it's a lazy one that hurts everyone since he's not Luka in any way.

I share FNG’s reluctance to deal KAT for Scoot because of those “red” flags he listed, although I’d call them yellow cautionary flags. Just too many cautionary flags to get as the prize return for KAT. But I’d be even less inclined to deal KAT for Miller - a guy with actual red flags. I wouldn’t go near him. If we’re going to trade KAT for a top 5 pick, I’d be more interested in Amen Thompson.

Charlotte isn’t going to pass on the chance to get KAT because of Mark Williams. That’s pretty silly. But I’m not sure the Hornets would give up their #2 pick for KAT. The question is whether the Hornets front office wants to jump-start the team’s development and become a likely playoff team next season. If so, then I think they’d deal #2 for KAT. Pairing LaMello with KAT would provide a really potent offensive machine. The Wolves were the #8 offense two seasons ago with KAT and Edwards before Edwards was an all-star caliber player. But if Charlotte’s front office is still all in on building methodically around Ball, then they’ll keep the pick.

I still think it’s a bad idea to trade KAT. Trading KAT takes away one of the team’s two all-stars, an offensive unicorn and the only elite three-point shooter on team that’s already deficient in that area. Trading KAT for a completely unproven young college or G-League player other than Wemba seems far too risky to me - the sort of deal that could easily implode.

The torrent of talk about trading KAT for a top 4 pick strikes me as the wrong way to address the obvious cap cliff the Wolves are headed towards the season after next. KAT’s supermax isn’t the problem. This team could easily stay below the apron in 2024 pairing KAT with Edwards, Jaden, Naz and Naw signed to the contracts they’re likely to get. The problem is Gobert. His $43 million in 2024 can’t be justified given what he provides to the team and as he ages he’ll provide even less. I think it would be a mistake to allow one terrible deal - the Gobert trade - to cause another bad trade - swapping an allstar in his prime for a young unknown.

I’ll offer another path. Instead of trading KAT for a top 4 pick, how about trading Gobert for expiring contracts and a lower first-round or a couple high second round picks. The Wolves owners gave TC an unprecedented contract to lure him here based largely on his reputation for finding great talent low in the draft. It’s time to put his supposed prowess to the test. There are some exciting young prospects who will likely be available in the 15-40 range, including Nick Smith, Kobe Bufkin, Kris Murray, James Nnaji, Brandon Podziemski, Sidy Cissoko, Marcus Sasser, Kobe Brown and others. There are a number of teams with lottery picks who also have other picks. Orlando has ##6, 11 and 36. Houston has ##4 and 20. Portland has ##3, 23 and 43. Charlotte has ##2, 27, 34, 39 and 41. Indiana has ##7, 26, 29, and 32. Those are all teams that can have their cake and eat it too - meaning they can get a lottery prospect to build for the future and use another pick or two to get an all NBA defensive center in Rudy to help improve the team more immediately. I suspect Orlando has their sights set on trying to make a big jump next season. Obviously, Portland wants to make a big jump for a last shot with Lillard and Gobert would be a big improvement over Nurkic. I’d offer Rudy +#53 for ## 23 and 43 along with matching salaries.

I agree with lip. Its fun to think about potential Kat deals because we know he is in his prime and has great value and will bring a lot back. But ultimately it is unwise to move him over gobert. Gobert trade was a mistake. TC needs to own up to that and move on and get the best possible pieces to salvage that trade. Build the team around ant, kat and jaden. They are young enough that you still have time to fit the right pieces around them. Riding out Gobert’s contract while trading away Kat will just put us in the lower seed/playin spot for the next 4 years.

I don't think the demeanor of KAT gets talked about enough. Sure, he is very talented, but the guy puts off some weird energy. He is not a leader, though he attempts to awkwardly force it. He bitches after bowling over defenders, and then mentally checks out all over the court. Hasn't shown up in either of our playoff stints. Moving KAT isn't just about it being our best option to gain value, there is an addition by subtraction value to moving KAT as well. KAT is not a player to build a culture around. Edwards is. Hell, even Gobert is. Slo-mo is. Prince, McDaniels, Conley are. KAT is a bitch. Mannerisms, robotic PR interviews. Move him, he hasn't improved nearly enough in 4+ years to commit to the insane contract he is signed to, instead he has regressed.

If fans are honest, KAT is a #1 talent with a weird non-accepting role-player attitude.

Now is the time to attempt to cash out.

[Monster]

I know Towns has his flaws but my goodness he isn’t some horrible guy.

One of the problems that come with trading Towns or Gobert or any big salary player for assets or to save money a season from now is that it likely means multiple players coming back. That can be a good thing but it could also mean taking up roster spots that could be used to acquire the types of players this team needs. For example let’s say Garza turns into a nice bench big for the next 5 years. If the Wolves don’t do the Gobert trade Garza probably isn’t here as the Wolves wouldn’t have had an open roster spot of any kind. Roster spots are so valuable and can be a way to mitigate spending and or overspending on other players. Miami is in the Finals partly because of all the undrafted players on their roster. They ended up overpaying Duncan Robinson but no worries they found 3 more guys that are playing legit minutes on a team that is in the finals.

What’s the concern about the expensive roster into the lux tax? The Wolves can’t sign FA over a couple million bucks? Ok sure that’s a problem but look at Miami. They literally screwed themselves a few different times the last few years overpaying guys and look at where they are now. If Connelly is the guy that nearly built Denver into a contender then I’m feeling just fine in having him try to find cheap worthwhile players and part of doing that is getting the most out of every roster spot and in some cases simply having on available to add a guy that could turn into something. As I have said numerous times there is more opportunity to do this than ever.

I don’t want to make it sound like the money part doesn’t matter because it does but to me the question about whether to trade Gobert or Towns should be more about basketball not salaries. If that’s the case then I just don’t think we have seen those guys and this roster play enough as a group to know that it won’t work. Im not opposed to trading either guy but I’m not gonna worry about the Wolves being in the tax a season from now. So much can happen in a year and 2 off seasons in the NBA. Let’s go find the next Naz Reid or Caleb Martin or Bruce Brown or Joe Harris etc.

[Q-is-here]

I share FNG’s reluctance to deal KAT for Scoot because of those “red” flags he listed, although I’d call them yellow cautionary flags. Just too many cautionary flags to get as the prize return for KAT. But I’d be even less inclined to deal KAT for Miller - a guy with actual red flags. I wouldn’t go near him. If we’re going to trade KAT for a top 5 pick, I’d be more interested in Amen Thompson.

Charlotte isn’t going to pass on the chance to get KAT because of Mark Williams. That’s pretty silly. But I’m not sure the Hornets would give up their #2 pick for KAT. The question is whether the Hornets front office wants to jump-start the team’s development and become a likely playoff team next season. If so, then I think they’d deal #2 for KAT. Pairing LaMello with KAT would provide a really potent offensive machine. The Wolves were the #8 offense two seasons ago with KAT and Edwards before Edwards was an all-star caliber player. But if Charlotte’s front office is still all in on building methodically around Ball, then they’ll keep the pick.

I still think it’s a bad idea to trade KAT. Trading KAT takes away one of the team’s two all-stars, an offensive unicorn and the only elite three-point shooter on team that’s already deficient in that area. Trading KAT for a completely unproven young college or G-League player other than Wemba seems far too risky to me - the sort of deal that could easily implode.

The torrent of talk about trading KAT for a top 4 pick strikes me as the wrong way to address the obvious cap cliff the Wolves are headed towards the season after next. KAT’s supermax isn’t the problem. This team could easily stay below the apron in 2024 pairing KAT with Edwards, Jaden, Naz and Naw signed to the contracts they’re likely to get. The problem is Gobert. His $43 million in 2024 can’t be justified given what he provides to the team and as he ages he’ll provide even less. I think it would be a mistake to allow one terrible deal - the Gobert trade - to cause another bad trade - swapping an allstar in his prime for a young unknown.

I’ll offer another path. Instead of trading KAT for a top 4 pick, how about trading Gobert for expiring contracts and a lower first-round or a couple high second round picks. The Wolves owners gave TC an unprecedented contract to lure him here based largely on his reputation for finding great talent low in the draft. It’s time to put his supposed prowess to the test. There are some exciting young prospects who will likely be available in the 15-40 range, including Nick Smith, Kobe Bufkin, Kris Murray, James Nnaji, Brandon Podziemski, Sidy Cissoko, Marcus Sasser, Kobe Brown and others. There are a number of teams with lottery picks who also have other picks. Orlando has ##6, 11 and 36. Houston has ##4 and 20. Portland has ##3, 23 and 43. Charlotte has ##2, 27, 34, 39 and 41. Indiana has ##7, 26, 29, and 32. Those are all teams that can have their cake and eat it too - meaning they can get a lottery prospect to build for the future and use another pick or two to get an all NBA defensive center in Rudy to help improve the team more immediately. I suspect Orlando has their sights set on trying to make a big jump next season. Obviously, Portland wants to make a big jump for a last shot with Lillard and Gobert would be a big improvement over Nurkic. I’d offer Rudy +#53 for ## 23 and 43 along with matching salaries.

I agree with lip. Its fun to think about potential Kat deals because we know he is in his prime and has great value and will bring a lot back. But ultimately it is unwise to move him over gobert. Gobert trade was a mistake. TC needs to own up to that and move on and get the best possible pieces to salvage that trade. Build the team around ant, kat and jaden. They are young enough that you still have time to fit the right pieces around them. Riding out Gobert’s contract while trading away Kat will just put us in the lower seed/playin spot for the next 4 years.

I don't think the demeanor of KAT gets talked about enough. Sure, he is very talented, but the guy puts off some weird energy. He is not a leader, though he attempts to awkwardly force it. He bitches after bowling over defenders, and then mentally checks out all over the court. Hasn't shown up in either of our playoff stints. Moving KAT isn't just about it being our best option to gain value, there is an addition by subtraction value to moving KAT as well. KAT is not a player to build a culture around. Edwards is. Hell, even Gobert is. Slo-mo is. Prince, McDaniels, Conley are. KAT is a bitch. Mannerisms, robotic PR interviews. Move him, he hasn't improved nearly enough in 4+ years to commit to the insane contract he is signed to, instead he has regressed.

If fans are honest, KAT is a #1 talent with a weird non-accepting role-player attitude.

Now is the time to attempt to cash out.

I'm not dead-set against moving KAT if we can somehow find a way to backfill his shooting with either the players we get back or through free agency.

On the culture thing, Ant is already pretty much at the center of everything and KAT has taken a step back. So we are no longer building around KAT. Ant is at the center of everything, including the culture.

Now here is the dilemma.....KAT has a skill-set that is super complimentary to Ant. He is a big that can shoot and score from almost anywhere on the floor, giving Ant space to operate and also a relief valve when he needs a break or KAT has a mis-match. This is especially the case when KAT plays Center against some of the more lumbering bigs.

On the other hand, a lot of what you say about KAT is true. He just simply may not be a good enough #2 option to pay all that money to and we might be better off moving in a different direction with more cap flexibility.

[Lipoli390]

I agree with lip. Its fun to think about potential Kat deals because we know he is in his prime and has great value and will bring a lot back. But ultimately it is unwise to move him over gobert. Gobert trade was a mistake. TC needs to own up to that and move on and get the best possible pieces to salvage that trade. Build the team around ant, kat and jaden. They are young enough that you still have time to fit the right pieces around them. Riding out Gobert’s contract while trading away Kat will just put us in the lower seed/playin spot for the next 4 years.

I don't think the demeanor of KAT gets talked about enough. Sure, he is very talented, but the guy puts off some weird energy. He is not a leader, though he attempts to awkwardly force it. He bitches after bowling over defenders, and then mentally checks out all over the court. Hasn't shown up in either of our playoff stints. Moving KAT isn't just about it being our best option to gain value, there is an addition by subtraction value to moving KAT as well. KAT is not a player to build a culture around. Edwards is. Hell, even Gobert is. Slo-mo is. Prince, McDaniels, Conley are. KAT is a bitch. Mannerisms, robotic PR interviews. Move him, he hasn't improved nearly enough in 4+ years to commit to the insane contract he is signed to, instead he has regressed.

If fans are honest, KAT is a #1 talent with a weird non-accepting role-player attitude.

Now is the time to attempt to cash out.

I'm not dead-set against moving KAT if we can somehow find a way to backfill his shooting with either the players we get back or through free agency.

On the culture thing, Ant is already pretty much at the center of everything and KAT has taken a step back. So we are no longer building around KAT. Ant is at the center of everything, including the culture.

Now here is the dilemma.....KAT has a skill-set that is super complimentary to Ant. He is a big that can shoot and score from almost anywhere on the floor, giving Ant space to operate and also a relief valve when he needs a break or KAT has a mis-match. This is especially the case when KAT plays Center against some of the more lumbering bigs.

On the other hand, a lot of what you say about KAT is true. He just simply may not be a good enough #2 option to pay all that money to and we might be better off moving in a different direction with more cap flexibility.

Q - I think you’ve boiled it down perfectly. I believe KAT is a good enough #2 for the money, but it’s a legitimate question so I’m not sure. What I’m sure of is that Gobert’s 40+ million per year salary is NOT remotely justified for what he provides. Think about it. At best, he’s this team’s #4 behind Ant, KAT and Jaden. Heck, he might be our #5 behind Conley. On that basis alone, keeping him under the circumstances is pretty nonsensical. It becomes even more nonsensical when you consider the alternative of trading KAT who, unlike Gobert, fits well with Ant and is still in his prime. Keeping both KAT and Rudy for one more season is my second choice behind trading Rudy. But while I totally get the arguments for trading KAT this summer, I think the far smarter move is to trade Gobert.

[Lipoli390]

I know Towns has his flaws but my goodness he isn’t some horrible guy.

One of the problems that come with trading Towns or Gobert or any big salary player for assets or to save money a season from now is that it likely means multiple players coming back. That can be a good thing but it could also mean taking up roster spots that could be used to acquire the types of players this team needs. For example let’s say Garza turns into a nice bench big for the next 5 years. If the Wolves don’t do the Gobert trade Garza probably isn’t here as the Wolves wouldn’t have had an open roster spot of any kind. Roster spots are so valuable and can be a way to mitigate spending and or overspending on other players. Miami is in the Finals partly because of all the undrafted players on their roster. They ended up overpaying Duncan Robinson but no worries they found 3 more guys that are playing legit minutes on a team that is in the finals.

What’s the concern about the expensive roster into the lux tax? The Wolves can’t sign FA over a couple million bucks? Ok sure that’s a problem but look at Miami. They literally screwed themselves a few different times the last few years overpaying guys and look at where they are now. If Connelly is the guy that nearly built Denver into a contender then I’m feeling just fine in having him try to find cheap worthwhile players and part of doing that is getting the most out of every roster spot and in some cases simply having on available to add a guy that could turn into something. As I have said numerous times there is more opportunity to do this than ever.

I don’t want to make it sound like the money part doesn’t matter because it does but to me the question about whether to trade Gobert or Towns should be more about basketball not salaries. If that’s the case then I just don’t think we have seen those guys and this roster play enough as a group to know that it won’t work. Im not opposed to trading either guy but I’m not gonna worry about the Wolves being in the tax a season from now. So much can happen in a year and 2 off seasons in the NBA. Let’s go find the next Naz Reid or Caleb Martin or Bruce Brown or Joe Harris etc.

All excellent points, Monster. My concern about the salaries relates to the severe restrictions under the new CBA for teams over the second apron. Those restrictions include not being able to sign players off the waiver wire. That and other restrictions would make it much harder to maneuver without cap room and plug holes necessary to win a championship. I think it’s highly likely we end up over the second apron in 2024 if we keep KAT, Rudy, Ant and Jaden. That’s why I think we need to trade Rudy. His salary just doesn’t make sense relative to his contribution and fit with Ant. Having said that, you make the case well for my second choice - i.e., keeping both KAT and Rudy for at least one more season.

[kekgeek]

I know Towns has his flaws but my goodness he isn’t some horrible guy.

One of the problems that come with trading Towns or Gobert or any big salary player for assets or to save money a season from now is that it likely means multiple players coming back. That can be a good thing but it could also mean taking up roster spots that could be used to acquire the types of players this team needs. For example let’s say Garza turns into a nice bench big for the next 5 years. If the Wolves don’t do the Gobert trade Garza probably isn’t here as the Wolves wouldn’t have had an open roster spot of any kind. Roster spots are so valuable and can be a way to mitigate spending and or overspending on other players. Miami is in the Finals partly because of all the undrafted players on their roster. They ended up overpaying Duncan Robinson but no worries they found 3 more guys that are playing legit minutes on a team that is in the finals.

What’s the concern about the expensive roster into the lux tax? The Wolves can’t sign FA over a couple million bucks? Ok sure that’s a problem but look at Miami. They literally screwed themselves a few different times the last few years overpaying guys and look at where they are now. If Connelly is the guy that nearly built Denver into a contender then I’m feeling just fine in having him try to find cheap worthwhile players and part of doing that is getting the most out of every roster spot and in some cases simply having on available to add a guy that could turn into something. As I have said numerous times there is more opportunity to do this than ever.

I don’t want to make it sound like the money part doesn’t matter because it does but to me the question about whether to trade Gobert or Towns should be more about basketball not salaries. If that’s the case then I just don’t think we have seen those guys and this roster play enough as a group to know that it won’t work. Im not opposed to trading either guy but I’m not gonna worry about the Wolves being in the tax a season from now. So much can happen in a year and 2 off seasons in the NBA. Let’s go find the next Naz Reid or Caleb Martin or Bruce Brown or Joe Harris etc.

In general I agree with you but the new CBA does have a lot of punishments for teams in the lux tax.

-no mid level exception
-only bet Min guys
- can’t acquire more salary in a trade (used to be able to acquire 125%)
- can’t trade picks 6 years out (at the moment this won’t effect the wolves)
- can’t participate in the buyout market


Those are just some of the new punishments, not even including our new owners have had to push back their payments to buy the wolves. Can they afford going into the lux tax financially?

Lip is right one of Kat or Gobert will not be on the team in 2024-25 season more than likely.

Also just a side note the players association fucked themselves. I don’t know how above average guy really gets paid anyone. You’ll have like 2 60 million guys 1 20 million guy and the rest under 10. They really screwed like 90% of the leagues players

[Q-is-here]

Given all of that, Tim Connelly's ability to unearth talent in the draft and via undrafted players will be needed more than ever moving forward!

And we know that there is no "Wolves culture" in the same way there is a Heat culture (or Spurs culture which has seemingly lost some of its magic in recent years). So TC will need to find guys that have hidden potential and talent since the franchise has a crappy track record of developing it.

One of my biggest disappointments from last season is how a couple of the guys I have been following since they played in the G-league - McLaughlin and Nowell - became total liabilities in the stretch run of the season and in the playoffs. It felt like the Wolves were doing everything right with these two over the last few years, yet they devolved into becoming unplayable by the end of the season. Very sad to see and a big point of frustration.

You have to wonder how Nowell would have developed in the Heat system. For one thing, I bet his defense and shot selection would have been not nearly as bad.