worldK wrote:Any interest in PJ Washington or Obi Toppin? These 2 aren't being shopped by their team but I think they can be had with the right deal. Example Naz and a 2nd for PJ.
To be clear, I think Plan A should be to go after a big center to pair with KAT. But if we can't pull that off, these 2 will be backup plan for me. I think even when they are not the ideal fit, they have some upside that they will be valuable trade assets down the road.
Interesting thought, World. I think you've identified two bigs the Wolves could probably get without giving up a lot in return. You can make a good argument for acquiring either one depending on what the Wolves would have to give up.
Personally, I'm not a big PJ Washington fan. He's somewhat small for his position and he's not a particularly good rebounder - the two things we need most in a big to replace Vando as a starter next to KAT. On the other hand, PJ can shoot. He's a pretty good all-around player and in that sense he's better than Vando. But our rebounding would take a huge step backwards going from Vando to Washington. So I don't know.
Like KG, I'm more intrigued by Toppin because of what I think is still a lot of untapped upside. He's more explosive and dynamic athletically than Washington. But his length is similar to Washington's and he's a similarly mediocre rebounder.
So I'd still like to see the Wolves sign one of the many good free-agent bigs - Nurkic, Hartenstein, Smith, Drummond, Bamba, etc. Getting Bamba (or perhaps Nurkic) might require a sign-and-trade.
Maybe the Hornets would really value getting Naz in the deal and if so then sure I would do it especially if it was just 48 or 50. Washington seems like a solid player that's still just 23. Yeah he is a below average rebounder and other than shooting well nothing stands out. I haven't watched him play much but there might be some upside offensively. Here is a list of guys that scored and took more shots on the Hornets last year.
Ball
Rozier
Hayward
Bridges
Oubre
Other than Oubre those other guys are pretty good offensive players when healthy. I'm not suggesting Washington is an 18+Ppg scorer but he might have more to offer on that end that the raw stats may show. He might be a worthwhile compliment to Vanderbilt and it would open up a clear backup C spot behind towns which the Wolves could fill with a FA. Would this be an inspiring trade? No but I think Washington as a true PF that can shoot would possibly fit better than Naz who is a shooting center who blocks shots but hasn't played strong enough for what we need.
Bamba intrigues me and I think Matt Lloyd being in the front office means we will have someone that has seen him on a daily basis and would know how much he is invested in the game what he maybe has shown in practice that he hasn't in games (good and bad) etc. Bamba including a solid finish to the previous season has a resume of a solid low minute starter on a bad team. I'm not sure what that is worth on the open market. It looks like he has missed some game in his career I assume they were due to injury not him just sitting at least early on in his career I mean he was a top 10 pick.
worldK wrote:Any interest in PJ Washington or Obi Toppin? These 2 aren't being shopped by their team but I think they can be had with the right deal. Example Naz and a 2nd for PJ.
To be clear, I think Plan A should be to go after a big center to pair with KAT. But if we can't pull that off, these 2 will be backup plan for me. I think even when they are not the ideal fit, they have some upside that they will be valuable trade assets down the road.
Interesting thought, World. I think you've identified two bigs the Wolves could probably get without giving up a lot in return. You can make a good argument for acquiring either one depending on what the Wolves would have to give up.
Personally, I'm not a big PJ Washington fan. He's somewhat small for his position and he's not a particularly good rebounder - the two things we need most in a big to replace Vando as a starter next to KAT. On the other hand, PJ can shoot. He's a pretty good all-around player and in that sense he's better than Vando. But our rebounding would take a huge step backwards going from Vando to Washington. So I don't know.
Like KG, I'm more intrigued by Toppin because of what I think is still a lot of untapped upside. He's more explosive and dynamic athletically than Washington. But his length is similar to Washington's and he's a similarly mediocre rebounder.
So I'd still like to see the Wolves sign one of the many good free-agent bigs - Nurkic, Hartenstein, Smith, Drummond, Bamba, etc. Getting Bamba (or perhaps Nurkic) might require a sign-and-trade.
Not a chance you can get Toppin from them. He and Barrett are their 2 untouchables at the moment.
Knicks fans would pack Randle's bags and take them to his next destination on a bike if they could to get Obi Toppin more playing time.
I really like the Harstein, Nurkic, and Jalen Smith options others have brought up. Bamba or Toppin would be great but the first 3 would all be impact additions without having to give up any assets!
BloopOracle wrote:I really like the Harstein, Nurkic, and Jalen Smith options others have brought up. Bamba or Toppin would be great but the first 3 would all be impact additions without having to give up any assets!
I am in 100% agreement with this! I also like that Connelly is familiar with Hartenstein and Nurkic and saw something he liked in both players as he brought both guys to Denver. Supposedly, there are no hard feelings as Nurkic became redundant when Jokic established himself while Nurkic was hurt and Hartenstein wasn't retained because Denver's coach thought Hartenstein was quirky and besides his playing time would be limited with Jokic.
Sources: The Mavericks are sending Boban Marjanovic, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, Marquese Chriss and the No. 26 pick to the Rockets for Christian Wood.
For the 26th pick, I think, and some players ... haven't heard who though
Sources: The Mavericks are sending Boban Marjanovic, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, Marquese Chriss and the No. 26 pick to the Rockets for Christian Wood.
For the 26th pick, I think, and some players ... haven't heard who though
Sources: The Mavericks are sending Boban Marjanovic, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, Marquese Chriss and the No. 26 pick to the Rockets for Christian Wood.
Dallas didn't give up much. Looks like a group of player with minimal value on the court who were included solely for salary match purposes. So it's really the #26 pick for Christian Wood. Seems like a really good deal for Dallas.
Good move for the Wolves! Dallas needed to add a big and so they may not be as big of competition for Hartenstein, Nurkic, Jalen Smith, Drummond or Koloko.
