Minnesota Sports Forum

I enjoyed the Durant talk and, at first, was on board with those who said that we would be an attractive choice for him and we should pursue him aggressively...we have the cap room.

But then I did some future tripping and actually did some calculations based on some cap estimates and lux tax thresholds I have seen, and I documented my math in a new thread. My conclusion is we have room to sign Durant to a max this year (if he were interested), but signing a free agent to a max contract this summer will likely mean we can only retain one of Wig/Zach in 2 years, and also would likely have to let Rubio get away in 3 years when his contract runs out (so what, says porkchop).

I invite those who are brave enough to wade through a lot of numbers to visit my salary cap/Durant thread...proceed with caution though!

Q12543 wrote:From my perspective LaVine for Butler on paper might be a no-brainer, but in practicality a) Chicago would never do it without a bigger/better asset, and b) even if they did, Butler and Wiggins' agents would be opposed to the deal - they are too redundant and one of them would need to become the 3rd wheel. If they were both established vets hunting for a title by getting a super-friends team together, perhaps they would put their egos aside and make it happen.

Now Wiggins for Butler? That's a different story because I think a Butler/LaVine duo works better together and LaVine is already the 3rd wheel as it is. But I don't think Minnesota does that deal and I'd have to agree.

What would Wiggins command in a trade by himself? I know KAT is about as priceless as you can get and would attract a kings ransom. Where do you think Wiggins ranks among the top young players in the league? KAT, Anthony Davis, Leonard, Greek Freak seem to be the top tier. Is Wiggins sniffing that level of attention yet? Does he hold as much value as the next tier with players like Favors, Porzingis, or Gobert?

Q12543 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

thedoper wrote:Is the elephant in the room beyond the rosters themselves? We mention a max contract for a free agent and we're already worried about the luxury tax when we're nowhere near it. Our market and ownership will always be a factor that tips these discussions away from us. Why aren't we in the mix for Durant?

I'll take our roster and our potential easy over Boston even with their picks. But we already got Ricky putting conditions on his commitment to the team, and it's almost a given that we wont target Horford or Durant. And because of the financial implications 4 years from now when we will be theoretically in a new CBA.

I think this is a great question. Why aren't we? It's almost universally acknowledged that the Wolves have the best young core in basketball. Why wouldn't Durant be attracted to our team? I think it comes down to two things, neither particularly encouraging:

1) The Twin Cities market. With it's mid-size and weather, is our market still not attractive to big time free agents with options?

2) Our front office refuses to think big enough. I mean if #1 isn't the case, wouldn't it have to be this? KAT, Durant, and Wiggins would be plenty good enough to contend within 2 years. I'd hate to think we wouldn't inject ourselves into the discussion.

Q stated we might be too far away from contender status, and that could be but how long would it take?

I'm not sure Durant wants to playoff potty-train a bunch of young pups for the next two years when he could enter a situation that allows him to contend right NOW (which potentially includes staying on his current team, OKC, with Westbrook).

Boston has the assets and willingness to make moves to potentially put together a contend-now team that could be very appealing to Durant. I don't think he's as interested in a team that might contend in 2018 or 2019.

Now if you are willing to put Wiggins and our #5 pick on the block for a couple of big-time veteran players to support Durant and KAT, than yeah, we could be a very compelling destination for Durant. Are you willing to do that? I doubt Taylor is.

Boy you really don't think much of Wiggins. I think that's the primary difference in our way of thinking. I see KAT, Wig, Durant, and Rubio and I see contender next year.

You are talking about a playoff roster that has exactly one player that has actually played in the playoffs.

Wiggins made strides last season - especially in the second half - but you along with a few others often conflate potential with current performance.

Contender doesn't mean you win the championship your first try. And the part I don't understand about Wiggins is, what is wrong with his current performance? I mean I understand he isn't a finished product but he's pretty damn good already.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

thedoper wrote:Is the elephant in the room beyond the rosters themselves? We mention a max contract for a free agent and we're already worried about the luxury tax when we're nowhere near it. Our market and ownership will always be a factor that tips these discussions away from us. Why aren't we in the mix for Durant?

I'll take our roster and our potential easy over Boston even with their picks. But we already got Ricky putting conditions on his commitment to the team, and it's almost a given that we wont target Horford or Durant. And because of the financial implications 4 years from now when we will be theoretically in a new CBA.

I think this is a great question. Why aren't we? It's almost universally acknowledged that the Wolves have the best young core in basketball. Why wouldn't Durant be attracted to our team? I think it comes down to two things, neither particularly encouraging:

1) The Twin Cities market. With it's mid-size and weather, is our market still not attractive to big time free agents with options?

2) Our front office refuses to think big enough. I mean if #1 isn't the case, wouldn't it have to be this? KAT, Durant, and Wiggins would be plenty good enough to contend within 2 years. I'd hate to think we wouldn't inject ourselves into the discussion.

Q stated we might be too far away from contender status, and that could be but how long would it take?

I'm not sure Durant wants to playoff potty-train a bunch of young pups for the next two years when he could enter a situation that allows him to contend right NOW (which potentially includes staying on his current team, OKC, with Westbrook).

Boston has the assets and willingness to make moves to potentially put together a contend-now team that could be very appealing to Durant. I don't think he's as interested in a team that might contend in 2018 or 2019.

Now if you are willing to put Wiggins and our #5 pick on the block for a couple of big-time veteran players to support Durant and KAT, than yeah, we could be a very compelling destination for Durant. Are you willing to do that? I doubt Taylor is.

Boy you really don't think much of Wiggins. I think that's the primary difference in our way of thinking. I see KAT, Wig, Durant, and Rubio and I see contender next year.

You are talking about a playoff roster that has exactly one player that has actually played in the playoffs.

Wiggins made strides last season - especially in the second half - but you along with a few others often conflate potential with current performance.

Contender doesn't mean you win the championship your first try. And the part I don't understand about Wiggins is, what is wrong with his current performance? I mean I understand he isn't a finished product but he's pretty damn good already.

I am fairly confident that the Wolves plus Durant is a contender next year. A starting lineup of KAT/End of year Belly/KD/Wig/Ricky is potent, and Zach, G and Bazz provide a lot of scoring off the bench.

Wig was productive although not always efficient as a 2nd year player. I shudder to think of how good he could be if we put one more player next to him that defenses really had to focus on.

longstrangetrip wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

thedoper wrote:Is the elephant in the room beyond the rosters themselves? We mention a max contract for a free agent and we're already worried about the luxury tax when we're nowhere near it. Our market and ownership will always be a factor that tips these discussions away from us. Why aren't we in the mix for Durant?

I'll take our roster and our potential easy over Boston even with their picks. But we already got Ricky putting conditions on his commitment to the team, and it's almost a given that we wont target Horford or Durant. And because of the financial implications 4 years from now when we will be theoretically in a new CBA.

I think this is a great question. Why aren't we? It's almost universally acknowledged that the Wolves have the best young core in basketball. Why wouldn't Durant be attracted to our team? I think it comes down to two things, neither particularly encouraging:

1) The Twin Cities market. With it's mid-size and weather, is our market still not attractive to big time free agents with options?

2) Our front office refuses to think big enough. I mean if #1 isn't the case, wouldn't it have to be this? KAT, Durant, and Wiggins would be plenty good enough to contend within 2 years. I'd hate to think we wouldn't inject ourselves into the discussion.

Q stated we might be too far away from contender status, and that could be but how long would it take?

I'm not sure Durant wants to playoff potty-train a bunch of young pups for the next two years when he could enter a situation that allows him to contend right NOW (which potentially includes staying on his current team, OKC, with Westbrook).

Boston has the assets and willingness to make moves to potentially put together a contend-now team that could be very appealing to Durant. I don't think he's as interested in a team that might contend in 2018 or 2019.

Now if you are willing to put Wiggins and our #5 pick on the block for a couple of big-time veteran players to support Durant and KAT, than yeah, we could be a very compelling destination for Durant. Are you willing to do that? I doubt Taylor is.

Boy you really don't think much of Wiggins. I think that's the primary difference in our way of thinking. I see KAT, Wig, Durant, and Rubio and I see contender next year.

You are talking about a playoff roster that has exactly one player that has actually played in the playoffs.

Wiggins made strides last season - especially in the second half - but you along with a few others often conflate potential with current performance.

Contender doesn't mean you win the championship your first try. And the part I don't understand about Wiggins is, what is wrong with his current performance? I mean I understand he isn't a finished product but he's pretty damn good already.

I am fairly confident that the Wolves plus Durant is a contender next year. A starting lineup of KAT/End of year Belly/KD/Wig/Ricky is potent, and Zach, G and Bazz provide a lot of scoring off the bench.

Wig was productive although not always efficient as a 2nd year player. I shudder to think of how good he could be if we put one more player next to him that defenses really had to focus on.

I agree with the bold. You add a top 5 player in the world to KAT, Wig, Ricky and Zach - How can you not be a contender? Again, it doesn't mean you win the championship, just that you're able to contend for it.