Naz Reid

[Monster]

I keep coming back to the idea that Naz could be involved in a sign-and-trade. And rumors have Boston looking to think out its guards. Naz for Brogdon or Derrick White and whatever is needed to make it work keeps popping into my head!

Tim - I think that’s a really plausible scenario. The Wolves organization obviously loves and values Naz as they should, but if they could get Derrick White in a sign-and-trade I would think they’d do it. I’m not sure I’d swap Naz for Brogdon.

Postscript: Swapping Naz for Derrick at $19.5 million in 2024 would make it even more likely the Wolves exceed the second apron if they keep both KAT and Rudy. So as much as I’d like to make that deal if available, I think it would make trading KAT or Rudy this summer or next even more imperative, in which case I think I’d want to keep Naz.

If the Wolves swapped Naz for White then they become legit contenders. I’m not sure how they would add a player that impactful at a spot of need later so regardless of the penalties later might as well get them now. I don’t think the Wolves can get White but Boston would be an interesting landing spot for Naz. Too bad we couldn’t somehow get Grant Williams in a sign and trade for Naz that would also be a nice move.

[thedoper]

I dont see the Celtics ditching White he is probably their 3rd best player. Id rather have Naz than Brogden. Id look at a sign and trade Naz for Smart though but I think Boston would want more.

[Lipoli390]

I dont see the Celtics ditching White he is probably their 3rd best player. Id rather have Naz than Brogden. Id look at a sign and trade Naz for Smart though but I think Boston would want more.

I agree, Doper. I don’t see the Celtics swapping White for Naz and I wouldn’t swap Naz for Brogdon. Swapping Naz for Smart is a very intriguing possibility. But I don’t see that happening.

[60WinTim]

I dont see the Celtics ditching White he is probably their 3rd best player. Id rather have Naz than Brogden. Id look at a sign and trade Naz for Smart though but I think Boston would want more.

I agree, Doper. I don’t see the Celtics swapping White for Naz and I wouldn’t swap Naz for Brogdon. Swapping Naz for Smart is a very intriguing possibility. But I don’t see that happening.

"Swapping Naz" is kind of a misnomer... Naz has complete control of where and how he wants to go somewhere.

[KG4Ever]

I wonder if Knicks would want to swap one of their bigs Mitch Rob or Hartenstein in a sign and trade for Naz. There has been several fan writeups that have said Knicks are high on Naz and they'd have to move one of their bigs if they acquired Naz. I like both of their bigs, especially if it appears inevitable that Naz is leaving. It would be great if the Knicks threw in a pick too given their stockpile, especially, if Hartenstein is the traded player given he had a bit of a down year (though I'm personally not too worried as he was dealing with a leg injury that he didn't recover from until midseason). Hartenstein is a very good passer and had some great defensive numbers when he was with the Clippers. Mitch Rob is great too and is very disruptive shot blocker and strong rebounder, though his offensive game is pretty much dunking. His big problem has been health.

[Q-is-here]

I wonder if Knicks would want to swap one of their bigs Mitch Rob or Hartenstein in a sign and trade for Naz. There has been several fan writeups that have said Knicks are high on Naz and they'd have to move one of their bigs if they acquired Naz. I like both of their bigs, especially if it appears inevitable that Naz is leaving. It would be great if the Knicks threw in a pick too given their stockpile, especially, if Hartenstein is the traded player given he had a bit of a down year (though I'm personally not too worried as he was dealing with a leg injury that he didn't recover from until midseason). Hartenstein is a very good passer and had some great defensive numbers when he was with the Clippers. Mitch Rob is great too and is very disruptive shot blocker and strong rebounder, though his offensive game is pretty much dunking. His big problem has been health.

Hartenstein probably would have been the perfect solution for us originally, before the Gobert trade when we all wanted a big-bodied Center to soak up some minutes and protect KAT from foul trouble. His name came up a lot in those older threads.

Aren't Naz and Randle kind of functionally similar to each other though? I get that Randle is a PF and Naz a Center, but I feel like they are both similar in the space they use and their offensive and defensive strengths. Seems redundant to me.

[60WinTim]

On another note, Shams just reported that the league updated the cap figures for the coming season: the salary cap goes from 132 mil to 134 mil, and the luxury tax threshold goes from 162 mil to 165 mil. That's 3 more mil to spend on Naz!!!

(It's also a harbinger for the 2024-25 season -- maybe the Wolves will not be destined for the 2nd apron running it back...)

[Q-is-here]

On another note, Shams just reported that the league updated the cap figures for the coming season: the salary cap goes from 132 mil to 134 mil, and the luxury tax threshold goes from 162 mil to 165 mil. That's 3 more mil to spend on Naz!!!

(It's also a harbinger for the 2024-25 season -- maybe the Wolves will not be destined for the 2nd apron running it back...)

There is a saying in the world of passive investing that is a twist on another saying. It's "Don't do something, just stand there!" It's based on the idea that the more an amateur investor churns his portfolio and tries to time the market, the worse he does, and that setting it and forgetting it is the better approach.

While I generally don't think that applies to roster construction in professional sports, in this particular case, may be the whole 2nd apron thing just resolves itself!

[Lipoli390]

I dont see the Celtics ditching White he is probably their 3rd best player. Id rather have Naz than Brogden. Id look at a sign and trade Naz for Smart though but I think Boston would want more.

I agree, Doper. I don’t see the Celtics swapping White for Naz and I wouldn’t swap Naz for Brogdon. Swapping Naz for Smart is a very intriguing possibility. But I don’t see that happening.

"Swapping Naz" is kind of a misnomer... Naz has complete control of where and how he wants to go somewhere.

Actually, Naz does not have complete control over where he goes. There are team that won’t have cap room to sign him. There are other teams that might have the cap room, but would rather not use that cap room to sign him as a free agent given other free agent targets. A Naz sign-and trade is a very viable option for the Wolves if they find something they like.

[60WinTim]

One of the difficulties trying to keep Naz is the timing. The Wolves need a backup plan if Naz chooses to go somewhere else. But if they wait too long for Naz to make a decision, they could miss out on some worthy guys who commit elsewhere. It's a tough spot for the Wolves to be in.