Wolves Next Moves in Post-Randle Era

[D-Loser25]

I’m fine with trading Rudy for the right package, but let’s not pretend that the impact wouldn’t be huge. We might score another 10 points per game, but we’ll give up another 15, and we’ll be a “play in” team out west without him.

[Lipoli390]

I’m fine with trading Rudy for the right package, but let’s not pretend that the impact wouldn’t be huge. We might score another 10 points per game, but we’ll give up another 15, and we’ll be a “play in” team out west without him.

It all depends on who we get in return for Rudy and who we sign in the free agent market. For example, if we were to trade Rudy for White or Suggs, we’d be trading an elite defensive center for an elite defensive PG. White would also make us better offensively. Ant clearly has a lot of untapped defensive potential that we need to start seeing from him. And we could sign a really good defensive rotation player via free agency as well. I certainly see the value of Rudy defensively, but if we can improve significantly on the offensive end and significantly mitigate the defensive impact of losing Rudy, we will be just fine.

By the way, I don’t think TC is going to trade Rudy. If I’m right I think he’ll be making a mistake. I think we’ve maxed out on what we can get from Rudy and we need to cash in on him now as a trade asset before his stock starts to slip significantly. At his age, his play likely diminish and even worse there’s alway the risk of a major injury. Just as I believe we should have moved Randle last summer (instead of NAW) I think we’re be a year late again if we wait until next year to move him.

[60WinTim]

Disclaimer, I haven't read every post here. That said, what are the more realistic moves on the table? Particularly to address the fact that additional ball handling is still a need imo, and I would also like to see another versatile defender.

By realistic I mean not doing one of the big trade options that cost them Rudy, because I don't think that's happening --- although I don't think it's off the table either.

The new starting 5 is fine imo and I don't think it's unreasonable that they could be great. If they can be an unselfish, synergistic group then it can still be one of the better starting 5s in the league. I really believe that. As things stand however, and trying to apply more sober analysis, i'm not confident that this group has a higher ceiling than the 6th seed.

So again, what are the moves on the margins available to them? What would some of you all like to see?

Now THIS is a reasonable stance and question!!

Unfortunately, I am going to tie it back to the Randle trade. If Randle was still on the team, TC would be searching for a team that would take Randle to somehow address one or both needs you highlighted (ball handling and a versatile defender - I assume you mean a defender to backup NAZ). It seems to me the universe of available teams/players to accomplish that task is pretty damn small. We would have the tax payer MLE (6 mil) to help address those needs, but we would be pressed right up against the 2nd apron and may not be able to use the entire 6 mil.

But with Randle's salary off the books, a whole new world of possibilities are available to TC. He has the full non-taxpayer MLE (15 mil) and the BLE (5.5 mil). We suddenly are an attractive destination for any FAs that can help fill one or both our needs. And the universe of trade possibilities is dramatically increased. We no longer are looking to figure out how to make a Randle trade work -- most any trade target that becomes available can easily be accommodated by using whatever portion of TPE (33 mil) is needed, along with a simple asset to get the deal done.

I can see how posters look at the current result of the Randle trade and not like it. But once the needs you highlighted are addressed using the resources created by the Randle "salary dump", I think most people will be pleased.

As for specific examples using targets I like, Jock Landale is a FA big I think would fit great on this team. We now have $s to go get him, or someone similar who fills that need. Tyus Jones will like command more than a vet minimum, and now we can offer more $s in order to secure his services. That's an example of the FA market. But trades are so much easier to make now that TC has the 33 mil TPE and the space below the aprons to actually use a chunk of it.

Thanks for asking that question. I was happy to get that off my chest!