Minnesota Sports Forum

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:23 pm Clearly this trade was all about financial flexibility. This deal drops our payroll by $33.3 million and saves an addition $1 million moving our pick from the first to second round. So this deal gives the Wolves massive payroll relief of over $34 million or a $33 million trade exception of they choose to use it

The cap relief is so big that it will allow the Wolves to use the full $15 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE) and the $5.5 million Bi-Annual Exception (BAE) rather than the taxpayer MLE of $6 million. That’s huge. The Wolves can now sign a free agent at the full MLE, and maybe even squeeze in a second FA at the BAE level, before using Bird rights to re-sign Ayo at around $20 million without going over the 2nd apron.

An alternative path would be using the $33.3 million trade exception in a deal to acquire a high-priced veteran without trading Rudy, Jaden or Naz. Could the trade target be Fox? Ja Morant? Kevin Durant? I see those three as high-priced vets their respective teams would probably like to unload for financial reasons. Maybe TSJ and our two second round picks this year along with our 2033 1st for one of those three. I hope not, but that sort of deal for one of those three seems plausible.

Fox and Morant are not even positive assets at this point. No way I’m giving up TSJ or a 1st for either of them (definitely not both). But yeah, these are some of the guys we can target with this for sure. Good move

Monster wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 9:39 pm Connelly basically found a taker to trade Randle for nothing. As I looked through the options coming back this was my preferred option but I didn't think it was gonna happen.

Why do I like it?

Let's say there is another Aaron Wiggins you want to trade for. They can take a guy like that in with any of their 3 trade exemptions. For the money they were paying Randle they could end up being able to sign or take on 3 quality players instead of one and they can pick who those players are they are in the driver's seat.

They could also take back bad salary in a trade to acquire a player or a pick.

This confirms Connelly does know what he is doing.

Hell No it doesn't. Connelly is a frickin idiot. He's traded away 7 FRPs and KAT and made roster worse. Don't drink the koolaid.

kekgeek wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:35 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:32 pm I always preferred to trade Randle for cap flexibility --- wasn't that the whole reason they had to trade Kat in the first place!!??---
Having said that, what the hell do these exceptions mean? What do they actually give the Wolves?

Wolves can acquire a player that makes 33 million or less in a trade with no financial restriction (wolves would need to send a pick or player back)

Does the exception only be able to be used on on player? Like for example if they added Isaiah Stewart for 15 million would they have any left? I can't remember and I think they maybe changed these rules.

I know you used to not be able to add a sign and trade player with another player but I think in some circumstances you can?

KG4Ever wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:38 pm

Monster wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 9:39 pm Connelly basically found a taker to trade Randle for nothing. As I looked through the options coming back this was my preferred option but I didn't think it was gonna happen.

Why do I like it?

Let's say there is another Aaron Wiggins you want to trade for. They can take a guy like that in with any of their 3 trade exemptions. For the money they were paying Randle they could end up being able to sign or take on 3 quality players instead of one and they can pick who those players are they are in the driver's seat.

They could also take back bad salary in a trade to acquire a player or a pick.

This confirms Connelly does know what he is doing.

Hell No it doesn't. Connelly is a frickin idiot. He's traded away 7 FRPs and KAT and made roster worse. Don't drink the koolaid.

Don't disparage Kool-aid like that. It was created here in Nebraska.

Rui would be a great fit. He's an actual glue guy that can knock down 3's...and his timeline matches ours if he fits in

Monster wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:39 pm

kekgeek wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:35 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:32 pm I always preferred to trade Randle for cap flexibility --- wasn't that the whole reason they had to trade Kat in the first place!!??---
Having said that, what the hell do these exceptions mean? What do they actually give the Wolves?

Wolves can acquire a player that makes 33 million or less in a trade with no financial restriction (wolves would need to send a pick or player back)

Does the exception only be able to be used on on player? Like for example if they added Isaiah Stewart for 15 million would they have any left? I can't remember and I think they maybe changed these rules.

I know you used to not be able to add a sign and trade player with another player but I think in some circumstances you can?

I’m not 100% but I believe it can add multiple players in the expectation because the wolves used some of the Naw trade exception to bring in Ayo if I remember right

Monster wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:27 pm

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:23 pm Clearly this trade was all about financial flexibility. This deal drops our payroll by $33.3 million and saves an addition $1 million moving our pick from the first to second round. So this deal gives the Wolves massive payroll relief of over $34 million or a $33 million trade exception of they choose to use it

The cap relief is so big that it will allow the Wolves to use the full $15 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception (MLE) and the $5.5 million Bi-Annual Exception (BAE) rather than the taxpayer MLE of $6 million. That’s huge. The Wolves can now sign a free agent at the full MLE, and maybe even squeeze in a second FA at the BAE level, before using Bird rights to re-sign Ayo at around $20 million without going over the 2nd apron.

An alternative path would be using the $33.3 million trade exception to use in a deal to acquire a high-priced veteran without trading Rudy, Jaden or Naz. Could the trade target be Fox? Ja Morant? Kevin Durant? I see those three as high-priced vets their respective teams would probably like to unload for financial reasons. Maybe TSJ and our two second round picks this year along with our 2033 1st for one of those three. I hope not, but that sort of deal for one of those three seems plausible.

We moved Randle why take on a high priced guy? We can pick through guys that are not overpriced. Heck for example I'm over Grant Williams he isn't worth 14 million. He might actually be worth 10 million but idk if he would actually get that on the open market.

I completely agree with you, Monster. I sure hope the Wolves don’t go down the trade exception path for a high-priced veteran like any of the three I mentioned. And I continue to hope we re-sign Ayo and don’t trade any of our younger guys: Ant, Jaden, Naz, Beringer, Rocco and TSJ. I like the opportunity we have to move the needle through free agent acquisitions and/or a smart strategic trade involving Rudy Gobert. There are some nice free agent centers to consider if we move Rudy for a PG like Suggs, Giddy or Darrick White. Those centers include Mitchell Robinson, Zach Collins, Robert Williams, and Nick Richards. There’s also Andre Drummond and Jaxon Hayes who should get gettable on vet minimum deals or vial the BAE. For more depth at PF I like both Sochan and Achiuwa. I like Tyus Jones as a cheap PG free agent likely gettable at the vet minimum.

If it were me, I’d try to trade Rudy for Suggs, Giddy or White but I would not give up any of our precious few picks this year or in the future for any of those three. Instead, I’d push for getting a pick or two as part of the return package. Otherwise, I’d consider trading Rudy for multiple picks and a lesser, lower priced player in return to fill some of the empty space in our draft cupboards and give us even more financial flexibility in the FA market. If we trade Rudy and free up some additional cap space, I’d be all over trying to sign Mitchell Robinson with Nick Richards as my second choice. Andre Drummond would be a cheap bridge to our younger centers and someone who could pick up a good chunk of the rebounds we get from Rudy.

I could live with John Collins as a backup to Reid.

I could also live with a Gobert to Charlotte trade as I mentioned earlier in the offseason.


Hachimura is a frustrating player in the regular season but he is a playoff riser.

Oubre is another solid option if they go small and have JMac play some 4.

Bagley doesn't shoot from outside with volume, but he does offer average play as a backup 4. I wouldn't sleep on this.

I'm mentioning these guys assuming we draft Kayil at 33.

Mnwild1128 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:24 pm Now i want to see Gobert go to the Hawks.

For what? Okonwu and two firsts? Could be a good partner. Rudy still has significant value after what he did to jokic in the 1st round. I’m ready to move on for the right package

WildWolf2813 wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:36 pm

60WinTim wrote: ↑Mon Jun 22, 2026 10:29 pm And our only two stretch bigs now are NAZ and ....... Rocco!

time for TC to make the shrewd free agent signings he shoulda been doing.

FA forwards

Khris Middleton
John Collins
Rui Hachimura
Kelly Oubre
Simone Fontecchio
Marvin Bagley

Problem is TC is not shrewd and guys with options won't want to play for Finch.