Camden wrote:It's been said plenty of times on here, but Minnesota should have moved the veterans on expiring deals -- Taj Gibson, Derrick Rose, Anthony Tolliver -- as well as Tyus Jones, at or before the trade deadline. I refuse to believe those four had no value to teams chasing the playoffs and beyond, which is likely the same reason the Wolves kept them as they too were hoping to see the postseason. Now there's a solid chance that they all walk this summer with nothing in return for Minnesota.
The Pelicans received four second-round picks and a serviceable wing for Nikola Mirotic.
The Grizzlies got a decent guard and center as well as a second-round pick for an old Marc Gasol.
The Celtics received a conditional second-round pick for Jabari Bird.
The Pelicans received an expiring contract in Markieff Morris and a second-round pick for Wesley Johnson.
The Pistons received a cheap prospect and a second-round pick for Reggie Bullock.
The Cavaliers received two second-round picks for Rodney Hood.
The Bulls received two second-round picks for Justin Holiday.
The Cavaliers received two second-round picks for an old Kyle Korver.
I think those are enough examples from this year to show that there likely would have been interest in our guys. I believe Minnesota's management just sat on their hands and/or didn't recognize the situation before them, which wouldn't be the first time.
Absolutely right, Cam! A number of us expressed that view back shortly before the trade deadline. Although a playoff spot was still within reach at the time, it was clear this team was a 7thor 8th seed at best and probably would end up in the lottery anyway. And it was certainly clear by then that this team needed to retool around KAT for the long haul if it had any hope of ever contending.
You provide a lot of good examples that strongly suggest the Wolves could have gotten decent value for Tolliver, Taj and Rose. Those are precisely the types of vets that contending teams love to get for a stretch run. I know that 2nd round picks don't excite the fan base and typically don't pan out. But when you're rebuilding or retooling it's all about accumulating assets. Adding a couple 2019 2nd round picks with our Miami 2nd round pick could have cumulative value in a trade this summer -- trading up in the draft or some other deal. Meanwhile, Tolliver and Taj will likely leave after this season and neither one nor Derrick Rose can be viewed as long term pieces with KAT. The imperative at the time was to get something for them rather than just let them walk for nothing.
Once again, what we saw back at the trade deadline was a Wolves' organization that just isn't very smart -- an organization with no sense of where they're at and no strategic vision. As I mentioned before, this isn't rocket science, yet the Wolves ownership and front office make it seem like quantum physics.
