Minnesota Sports Forum

Q-was-here wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

thedoper wrote:

jester1534 wrote:Saw on reddit Wolfson says the Wolves are checking on Montrez Harrell. He be a nice get.

This is much more the direction I hope the Wolves go. We havent had a bruiser on the roster since Pek. I want someone who can deliver some pain down low.

Ugh. I'm gonna have to cheer through gritted teeth with both him and Beverley pulling their antics.

BUT... he's on a reasonable expiring deal and can put the ball in the bucket in limited minutes. As discussed here previously, he's just destroyed the Wolves over the years.

I have to imagine he could be had without giving up too much in return.

But what's the catch with this guy? He's started like 29 out of 433 NBA games despite putting up some really gaudy stats. I mean, he's a walking dunk machine that puts a ton of pressure on the rim. Prince may actually get even hotter with all those wide open corner 3's that could open up!

Is he just a sieve defensively? Foul too much? Selfish?

Q, I don't know for sure, but Harrell might be one of those guy who just plays better off the bench. He gets his consistent minutes...24 per game this year, and 22 for his career. This is the first deal mentioned in this thread that has gotten me excited, because he's always been one of my favorite players. Tough as nails on the court, but also known as one of the really good guys in the association. And I've actually always thought about him as an excellent defender...his non-stop energy and freakish 7-4 wingspan (4 inches longer than Naz) might have something to do with his being a good defender. Just take a look at his stats on basketball reference, Q. He has a career net rating of +15, and this year he has an absurdly good ORtg of 134 and DRtg of 112...to go along with a 65 TS%. And while some here don't like on/off, his +9.2 is second best on the team. There are a lot of reasons he is a perennial 6th Man of the Year candidate.

I like everything about Harrell's game except for his lack of a 3-point shot. I don't know what we would have to give up to get him, but I'm glad Gupta is smart enough to be interested.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Doogie reported that, in his words, "the Wolves are definitely pursuing Marcus Smart." But apparently the hold up is the the Wolves are only willing to part with Beasley while Boston is insisting on also getting a future 1st or McDaniels. While I'm pleased Gupta has thus far refused to include a future first or McDaniels, he should still be fired at the end of this season for even considering the idea of swapping Beasley for Smart. Why on earth does Gupta want to trade our one three-point marksman for a 38% FG shooter. Beasley's career three-point percentage is higher that Smart's career FG percentage? Trading Beasley could make sense, but not for Marcus Smart. And why pay a premium salary for a slightly better version of Okogie? Mind-boggling.

While I would question a trade for Smart for a couple of reasons... calling him a "slightly" better version of Okogie seems like a bad take or irrational hyperbole. I can't think of a single thing Okogie does better than Smart, including many of the subtle unseen things that don't appear on the stat sheet that makes coaches and league insiders gush.

Marcus Smart has been a plus player every season in his career... on perennial playoff teams, including three conference final participants. In fact, the Celtics historically give him MORE minutes once the playoffs come around.

Comparing Smart to Okogie has officially made my 1st annual PST bracket. The committee meets in the next few weeks, this will be in the running a top seed. Congrats Lip.

That name Thad Young just won't go away, LOL. Good God he was terrible in his time with the Wolves. Just awful.

crazysauce wrote:How about a Harrell and Gafford for Prince and Reid type deal? Maybe we can add in a 2nd rounder.

Prince seems pretty key losing hiim is something I really don't want for this years playoff run.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Doogie reported that, in his words, "the Wolves are definitely pursuing Marcus Smart." But apparently the hold up is the the Wolves are only willing to part with Beasley while Boston is insisting on also getting a future 1st or McDaniels. While I'm pleased Gupta has thus far refused to include a future first or McDaniels, he should still be fired at the end of this season for even considering the idea of swapping Beasley for Smart. Why on earth does Gupta want to trade our one three-point marksman for a 38% FG shooter. Beasley's career three-point percentage is higher that Smart's career FG percentage? Trading Beasley could make sense, but not for Marcus Smart. And why pay a premium salary for a slightly better version of Okogie? Mind-boggling.

While I would question a trade for Smart for a couple of reasons... calling him a "slightly" better version of Okogie seems like a bad take or irrational hyperbole. I can't think of a single thing Okogie does better than Smart, including many of the subtle unseen things that don't appear on the stat sheet that makes coaches and league insiders gush.

Marcus Smart has been a plus player every season in his career... on perennial playoff teams, including three conference final participants. In fact, the Celtics historically give him MORE minutes once the playoffs come around.

Irrational? No. Hyperbole? Absolutely. :)

You guys can tell me if this even a chance at this. My guess would require a third team.

I know we been floating Beasley or prince for Barnes but what if we traded Beverley, Okogie and layman and first for him.

They Kings could even flip Beverly or just let him play out and then have 14 mill to play with next year.

jester1534 wrote:You guys can tell me if this even a chance at this. My guess would require a third team.

I know we been floating Beasley or prince for Barnes but what if we traded Beverley, Okogie and layman and first for him.

They Kings could even flip Beverly or just let him play out and then have 14 mill to play with next year.

It sounds like the asking price/market value for Barnes is gonna be at least 2 first round picks or corresponding assets or a combination of first rounder and asset/s. I think to get Barnes it would need to be Beasley and a 1st in terms of assets and some other team might even go higher. We will find out soon enough. I told my friend that's a Kings fan that I hope they get a nice haul for Barnes. The die hard fans there deserve something good to happen.

jester1534 wrote:You guys can tell me if this even a chance at this. My guess would require a third team.

I know we been floating Beasley or prince for Barnes but what if we traded Beverley, Okogie and layman and first for him.

They Kings could even flip Beverly or just let him play out and then have 14 mill to play with next year.

I'm assuming you're referring to Harrison Barnes here. I wouldn't necessarily hate that trade because I do think Barnes is about as good of an addition as Minnesota could get, but it wouldn't be ideal for these reasons.

Firstly, the Wolves need Patrick Beverley's defense in the backcourt, especially with how many offensively-gifted guards there are in the Western Conference. They need him at the point of attack. When Minnesota's been without Beverley they've had to be creative and use Jaden McDaniels or Jarred Vanderbilt in this role, which often leaves Anthony Edwards as the low man and he's just not as capable of making those reads/plays in that role.

Secondly, Minnesota's short on ball-handlers as it is. Jordan McLaughlin coming on as of late is super helpful, but I would be hesitant to fully commit to him being a rotation player for the rest of the season, especially as the only other point guard behind D'Angelo Russell. I think they'd be stretching themselves too thin there.

It's not the worst trade idea because Barnes would be a tremendous fit alongside the little-big three, but it's just not ideal losing Beverley in the process. And that's without mentioning the energy/leadership angle.

These last 3 games by Beasley really got me feeling like how can you trade this guy? I know small sample size but man he's been a difference maker as of late.

Tactical unit wrote:These last 3 games by Beasley really got me feeling like how can you trade this guy? I know small sample size but man he's been a difference maker as of late.

It's great for his value. It's a win-win for us. If he stays great, if he can help fetch another piece, that's good too. Just going to sit back and enjoy the next couple days of speculation and trades.