Wolves traded Kat

[FNG]

The improved play by Ju and Donte combined with the Detroit first rounder and KAT's slipping a little makes this trade not look so one-sided anymore. KAT is averaging 18/13/1 this month with 2.7 TOS, while Ju is at 18/7/5 with 3.1 TOs. Further, Ju + Donte are averaging 35/11/9 with 4 TOs this month!

Let's take it a little further: the Wolves have won 9 games in a row with Ju playing, and haven't lost to a non-playoff team with him on the court since the loss to Toronto on 11/21! And he seems to be moving into a swiss army knife kind of role with near triple doubles in his last 2 games.

Randle seems happy here and has a great relationship with Finchie, so I think most of us expect him to opt in to his contract. While that likely means losing NAW, I don't look at his opt-in as a bad thing anymore. I think the Wolves can thrive with a big man rotation of Rudy, Naz and Ju dividing up the 96 C/PF minutes depending on the situation.

[60WinTim]

The improved play by Ju and Donte combined with the Detroit first rounder and KAT's slipping a little makes this trade not look so one-sided anymore. KAT is averaging 18/13/1 this month with 2.7 TOS, while Ju is at 18/7/5 with 3.1 TOs. Further, Ju + Donte are averaging 35/11/9 with 4 TOs this month!

Let's take it a little further: the Wolves have won 9 games in a row with Ju playing, and haven't lost to a non-playoff team with him on the court since the loss to Toronto on 11/21! And he seems to be moving into a swiss army knife kind of role with near triple doubles in his last 2 games.

Randle seems happy here and has a great relationship with Finchie, so I think most of us expect him to opt in to his contract. While that likely means losing NAW, I don't look at his opt-in as a bad thing anymore. I think the Wolves can thrive with a big man rotation of Rudy, Naz and Ju dividing up the 96 C/PF minutes depending on the situation.

If things continue going in the right direction, I don't expect an opt-in at all. Randle is eligible for a contract extension, and we know TC likes to keep his ducks in a row. So, I would expect a contract extension before it comes to Randle's opt-in decision on June 29th. Same with NAZ.

The only question is how much does each guy get? TC will be doing good if he can keep the combined extensions under 50 mil. That would keep the Wolves well under (by more than 5 mil) the 2nd apron.

[Phenom]

The improved play by Ju and Donte combined with the Detroit first rounder and KAT's slipping a little makes this trade not look so one-sided anymore. KAT is averaging 18/13/1 this month with 2.7 TOS, while Ju is at 18/7/5 with 3.1 TOs. Further, Ju + Donte are averaging 35/11/9 with 4 TOs this month!

Let's take it a little further: the Wolves have won 9 games in a row with Ju playing, and haven't lost to a non-playoff team with him on the court since the loss to Toronto on 11/21! And he seems to be moving into a swiss army knife kind of role with near triple doubles in his last 2 games.

Randle seems happy here and has a great relationship with Finchie, so I think most of us expect him to opt in to his contract. While that likely means losing NAW, I don't look at his opt-in as a bad thing anymore. I think the Wolves can thrive with a big man rotation of Rudy, Naz and Ju dividing up the 96 C/PF minutes depending on the situation.

If things continue going in the right direction, I don't expect an opt-in at all. Randle is eligible for a contract extension, and we know TC likes to keep his ducks in a row. So, I would expect a contract extension before it comes to Randle's opt-in decision on June 29th. Same with NAZ.

The only question is how much does each guy get? TC will be doing good if he can keep the combined extensions under 50 mil. That would keep the Wolves well under (by more than 5 mil) the 2nd apron.

I kind of expect an opt out and extension for Ju but that would depend on how the Wolves feel about going after KD. Unless they plan on moving Rudy in that deal, a Julius extension basically ends the KD talk.

[FNG]

It's fun to compare Ju/Donte vs KAT on nights where all three play. Last night Juonte (trademark pending) put up 35/10/9 for our Wolves, and KAT put up 21/7/4. Plus we are poised to get the Detroit pick. A deal that looked one-sided the first half of the season is looking better and better.

[Sundog]

I’m really glad Kat’s having a great season in NY, but even more glad this trade is looking like a good one for the Wolves. I supported it when it happened but there’ve been times when it didn’t look so good…

[Q-is-here]

I’m really glad Kat’s having a great season in NY, but even more glad this trade is looking like a good one for the Wolves. I supported it when it happened but there’ve been times when it didn’t look so good…

I think a lot of us liked it because of DDV and the Detroit 1st, with Randle being a sort of "ok, we'll take him to make the salaries work" kind of player. Well, now it's looking like all three parts of the return are working out well. We are peaking at the perfect time, but need to keep up the intensity and not let go of the rope during this upcoming homestand.

[Sundog]

I even liked the Randle piece… I had to go back in this thread to confirm I said so, and I had, whew! My memory isn’t what it used to be, lol

[FNG]

I even liked the Randle piece… I had to go back in this thread to confirm I said so, and I had, whew! My memory isn’t what it used to be, lol

Yep, you were one of the few that was on the bandwagon with both players we got. Another great night for Jonte, putting up 36/14/8.

By the way, I'm having fun comparing Jonte's combined stats to KAT's, but I do recognize it's a flawed comparison because playing both Ju and Donte means one other T-Wolf's stats don't count. But then again, most pundits say the T-wolf who most likely got tossed out of the rotation with the addition of Donte was Rob...before the trade, it was assumed he would be the backup PG and get regular minutes. And I would argue that the combination of Ju and Donte is much more productive than KAT and Rob would have been. Plus we get the Detroit pick and cap relief!

[60WinTim]

Here is an NBA podcaster noting how Randle and the Wolves have adjusted to each other, and how well it is now working.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMNMM_cFEzk

[60WinTim]

LOL!! I just heard this question posed on Flagrant Howls right now:

Would you trade Randle, DDV and Detroit pick for KAT?

I couldn't help but chuckle, because the answer is a complete 180 from how many felt a few months ago!