Time to clear the way for Jaylen Nowell

[Monster]

Monster - I really like your idea of swapping Beasley for a pick and trade exception. I think he could garner a lottery-protected first. I just don't see how the Wolves can clear the way for Nowell's development with Beasley still on the team. I'm a Beasley fan and I hate to lose his three-point shooting. But given what Finch has been saying, I have to believe that Beasley will be on the move this summer.

As I've posted elsewhere, I'd rather not swap him for another big because I think we can get a quality big in the free agent market. Getting a pick and trade exception would be a good return for Beasley. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Wolves ended up trading Beasley and Naz for Myles Turner or even Clint Capela. I'm just not sure what else the Wolves would have to give up to get either one - obviously they'd have to give up more for Capela.

Lip I think there will be opportunities this offseason to get value players as FAs at various positions not just bigs. I think the Wolves would be wise to keep their options open both in dealing Beasley and who they are looking at signing in FA.

[60WinTim]

I don't like the idea of moving Beasley. He started slow last year (remember he was kind of bloated!), but he was really hitting from 3 the 2nd half of the season. I would much rather see us move on from DLo, which would also open up minutes for Nowell as a combo guard.

[Lipoli390]

I don't like the idea of moving Beasley. He started slow last year (remember he was kind of bloated!), but he was really hitting from 3 the 2nd half of the season. I would much rather see us move on from DLo, which would also open up minutes for Nowell as a combo guard.

Beasley was terrific in the second half of the season. I have no doubt he's an elite high-volume 3-point shooter. He's also a high-level athlete who rebounds well and effective in transition. So I see the logic in keeping him and developing Nowell as more of a combo guard who can share responsibility with Beverley and/or Ant initiating the offense. I just have a hard time seeing a realistic, sensible DLO deal the Wolves could make. Thankfully, the Wolves front office guys are a lot smarter about this stuff than I am, so maybe they'll figure something out.

[60WinTim]

I am not sure I am comfortable with this solution, but the Wolves could simply buyout DLo's contract, making room for a 15th roster spot. This would assume you are comfortable with a PG depth of Bev, Nowell and J-Mac. A heavy load of playing making would fall on Ant's and KAT's shoulders, and might create opportunities for Moore.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I don't like the idea of moving Beasley. He started slow last year (remember he was kind of bloated!), but he was really hitting from 3 the 2nd half of the season. I would much rather see us move on from DLo, which would also open up minutes for Nowell as a combo guard.

As I pointed out continuously last season, Malik Beasley's game is entirely too dependent on his perimeter shot. When he's hitting his threes he can be a game-changer. Few shooters in the league can reach his level when he's hot. He really is a microwave when he's got it going. Hand in his face -- it doesn't matter. He can rise and hit, undoubtedly.

However, when he's off, he's really off. He's just as capable of going 6-10 in one game and 2-12 the next. And when his shot is off he becomes a pretty significant liability, in my opinion, because he provides nothing else outside of some scrappy, hustle plays. He's a poor defender in spite of his effort. He's incapable of pressuring the rim. And he's not a shot creator for others. On top of that, he's also prone to taking some terrible shots in big moments -- shots you'd rather your first, second, or third option be taking. We saw that side of Beasley far too often last season.

That doesn't mean he doesn't have value to the Timberwolves or another team. But he's a more limited player than you'd hope to rely on to be your sixth man, and that's what he's expected to be. I think Minnesota should sell on him and get value elsewhere while simultaneously opening up a path for Jaylen Nowell to get consistent playing time.

[Monster]

I don't like the idea of moving Beasley. He started slow last year (remember he was kind of bloated!), but he was really hitting from 3 the 2nd half of the season. I would much rather see us move on from DLo, which would also open up minutes for Nowell as a combo guard.

As I pointed out continuously last season, Malik Beasley's game is entirely too dependent on his perimeter shot. When he's hitting his threes he can be a game-changer. Few shooters in the league can reach his level when he's hot. He really is a microwave when he's got it going. Hand in his face -- it doesn't matter. He can rise and hit, undoubtedly.

However, when he's off, he's really off. He's just as capable of going 6-10 in one game and 2-12 the next. And when his shot is off he becomes a pretty significant liability, in my opinion, because he provides nothing else outside of some scrappy, hustle plays. He's a poor defender in spite of his effort. He's incapable of pressuring the rim. And he's not a shot creator for others. On top of that, he's also prone to taking some terrible shots in big moments -- shots you'd rather your first, second, or third option be taking. We saw that side of Beasley far too often last season.

That doesn't mean he doesn't have value to the Timberwolves or another team. But he's a more limited player than you'd hope to rely on to be your sixth man, and that's what he's expected to be. I think Minnesota should sell on him and get value elsewhere while simultaneously opening up a path for Jaylen Nowell to get consistent playing time.

I agree with Cam here and I'll say a couple positives for Beasley why another team will probably value him.

1. I saw Beasley especially down the stretch and even in the playoffs play a better brand of basketball. He wasn't a defensive liability (still not an asset there) he made some simple plays and didn't just jack up shots whenever the ball found him. Will he be able to replicate that along with his hot shooting? Idk but I think most everyone if not everyone on this board would expect Beasley to maybe have a better seasons start to finish than his last one when he was pretty brutal to start. Finch really stuck with him and to some extent that paid off. That's probably gonna help his value too.

2. Beasley doesn't create for others although I think he showed a little smarter game in that regard last year but that has value that his offensive value comes from not needing to handle the ball. That is a good thing in some respects.

Overall I think Beasley might be a slightly more well rounded player (the bar was kinda low) and could be a nice pickup for either a team that's already good and needs a complimentary guy or a young team looking for a young productive guy not unlike when the Wolves acquired him. Now that Prince is resigned I feel a lot better about moving Beasley. If Beasley is moved Prince could even see some uptick in minutes if Nowell isn't up to that task. Prince is a better all around player than Beasley and can give you a bit of everything when he is on the court. With Prince resigned the Rubio trade last offseason continues to have value.

[TheFuture]

I don't like the idea of moving Beasley. He started slow last year (remember he was kind of bloated!), but he was really hitting from 3 the 2nd half of the season. I would much rather see us move on from DLo, which would also open up minutes for Nowell as a combo guard.

As I pointed out continuously last season, Malik Beasley's game is entirely too dependent on his perimeter shot. When he's hitting his threes he can be a game-changer. Few shooters in the league can reach his level when he's hot. He really is a microwave when he's got it going. Hand in his face -- it doesn't matter. He can rise and hit, undoubtedly.

However, when he's off, he's really off. He's just as capable of going 6-10 in one game and 2-12 the next. And when his shot is off he becomes a pretty significant liability, in my opinion, because he provides nothing else outside of some scrappy, hustle plays. He's a poor defender in spite of his effort. He's incapable of pressuring the rim. And he's not a shot creator for others. On top of that, he's also prone to taking some terrible shots in big moments -- shots you'd rather your first, second, or third option be taking. We saw that side of Beasley far too often last season.

That doesn't mean he doesn't have value to the Timberwolves or another team. But he's a more limited player than you'd hope to rely on to be your sixth man, and that's what he's expected to be. I think Minnesota should sell on him and get value elsewhere while simultaneously opening up a path for Jaylen Nowell to get consistent playing time.

I wouldn't do that unless Nowell gets locked down for say 3-4 years.

[Lipoli390]

Here's some further elaboration on Nowell from Finchy:

But Finch threw a third name into that group, one the Wolves haven't thrown around before when they have talked about franchise cornerstone pieces -- Jaylen Nowell. Nowell, who has a team option for next season, will be entering his fourth season after averaging 8.5 points in 62 games a season ago. "We saw in short stints out there what he's able to do," Finch said. "He's an x-factor, he's a game-changer. I think everybody needs that. He has the ability to create his own basket, he has the ability to attack switching. He's actually an underrated playmaker." - via Chris Hine @ Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Finchy calling Nowell "an x-factor" and going further in referring to him as "an underrated playmaker." Just more confirmation that either DLO or Beasley will be moved this summer. Actually, the reference to Nowell's playmaking suggests that making room for Nowell doesn't necessarily increase the odds of the Wolves trading Beasley rather than DLO. Interesting.

[kekgeek]

Still think the Wolves should decline his team option making Nowell a RFA (I believe a decision on this and for Naz needs to happen by tomorrow). I think Nowell could be an elite scoring guard. Worried he is going to play really well and walk in FA next offseason

[Monster]

Still think the Wolves should decline his team option making Nowell a RFA (I believe a decision on this and for Naz needs to happen by tomorrow). I think Nowell could be an elite scoring guard. Worried he is going to play really well and walk in FA next offseason

I was waking through doing this a few hours ago and realized I need to find out what the most of a raise they could pay him this season as well as next season. I haven't had tome to look at Larry Coon's CBA FAQ to get an answer. My guess is that to get Nowell to agree to an extension they may need to use some or a significant portion of the mid-level to do it. I don't think Nowell is gonna sign for just a couple more million like Vando money when a year from now he could be an UFA and a bunch of teams have money to spend. Meanwhile the Wolves would also have lots of cap space next offseason so they could offer him plenty of money. In a somewhat related note what is the most money Dallas can actually offer Brunson? I think it's been posted but I forget. It may not matter because it seems like he wants to go to the Knicks but it COULD be a similar situation to the Wolves next offseason which is the fear.