Yep. Watching the playoffs reinforces my view that we need to trade Rudy or KAT. Of course, I lean heavily towards trading Rudy. We don’t need a lot in return for him and we wouldn’t get a lot. I’d expect one rotation player, one future protected 1st and salary relief. But maybe there’s a home run KAT deal that would set this team up well for the future with Ant and Edwards.
Well, I guess my point is if we don't trade Rudy or KAT, then I really don't think it's wise to sign Naz to a big-ish contract. I mean, the plodding Cody Zeller is the current backup Center for Miami making $1.6M per year! LeBron and Vando are basically AD's backup Center when he sits on the bench. They literally don't have another one. And just a few years ago AD himself wasn't even a Center!
If I thought Naz could forge himself into a better defensive presence in the middle like Looney has for Golden State, then I'd probably be fine keeping him and more proactively shopping KAT or Rudy. But he just gets dominated in the paint when someone his own size or bigger goes up against him.
I agree that is makes sense to move on from Naz if we are keeping both Rudy and Kat. I think it might be productive to limit the overlap of Rudy and Kat as well. It doesn't make sense to have a bench player at center when we are paying out 80 mil a year already. Play them together for the first five or six minutes of each half and then alternate them out for each other (fouls permitting). We need to upgrade our backup PG spot before anything else.
The thing about Naz is that there are teams that play small and he can absolutely eat in terms of scoring. I think it’s fair to say Naz is a bit of a unique big guy in how he can score all over the floor especially for a guy coming off the bench. As a defender he isn’t a paint protector although he is a good shot blocker but he is mobile enough to guard some smaller players. I’m in on keeping Naz for around 10 million per year or less. There is still upside and I think that would be a contract and player worth value and so think that’s worth considering. What the Wolves need to be doing is building as much talent as reasonably possible on the roster and keeping Naz at a reasonable number does that. If Naz costs more than that yeah let him walk and add a defender cheap and let Garza become the scoring big you can deploy.
Part of the reason Naz likely won’t get that big money is what has been discussed in the posts above. I don’t think teams consider him a starter so a bench big that isn’t a defensive presence…I don’t see how he is gonna cash in that big. That doesn’t mean he isn’t worth signing or that teams might even be missing out on a good player because it’s possibly he keeps improving but I think the Wolves are in a pretty good spot to keep him for a reasonable cost. If not fine there will be solid options and maybe even one that fit better.
I think Naz will cost more than $10 million per year. I’d say at least $12 million next season and escalating after that. In my view, signing Naz is a must. He’s too talented to let go and we need to accept that this organization can’t reasonably keep both KAT and Rudy beyond next season - assuming we keep Ant and Jaden, which is HIGHLY likely.
Good organizations plan long term and don’t lurch year to year. Keeping Naz is a long-term move that fits with building around Ant and Jaden. I think it would be a colossal mistake to let Naz go. If I had more confidence in TC, I’d say it’s highly likely the Wolves keep NAZ. But I don’t trust TC’s judgment or his word. When he arrived, he said he really liked the team he inherited and wanted to stay out of the way and avoid screwing things up. A week or two later, he screwed things up with the Rudy deal. So when TC says he really likes Naz and wants to keep him, I take that with a grain of salt.
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2023 12:43 pm
I think Naz will cost more than $10 million per year. I’d say at least $12 million next season and escalating after that. In my view, signing Naz is a must. He’s too talented to let go and we need to accept that this organization can’t reasonably keep both KAT and Rudy beyond next season - assuming we keep Ant and Jaden, which is HIGHLY likely.
Good organizations plan long term and don’t lurch year to year. Keeping Naz is a long-term move that fits with building around Ant and Jaden. I think it would be a colossal mistake to let Naz go. If I had more confidence in TC, I’d say it’s highly likely the Wolves keep NAZ. But I don’t trust TC’s judgment or his word. When he arrived, he said he really liked the team he inherited and wanted to stay out of the way and avoid screwing things up. A week or two later, he screwed things up with the Rudy deal. So when TC says he really likes Naz and wants to keep him, I take that with a grain of salt.
I'm with you on NAZ Lip, I really think he would score 20 per game if given a more prominent role. He likely won't get that role with the Wolves, but that doesn't mean he isn't highly valuable to the Wolves. I will be pretty disappointed if they don't keep him. However, at least one of the 3 bigs needs to go and I think KAT will be traded this summer.
Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2023 12:43 pm
I think Naz will cost more than $10 million per year. I’d say at least $12 million next season and escalating after that. In my view, signing Naz is a must. He’s too talented to let go and we need to accept that this organization can’t reasonably keep both KAT and Rudy beyond next season - assuming we keep Ant and Jaden, which is HIGHLY likely.
Good organizations plan long term and don’t lurch year to year. Keeping Naz is a long-term move that fits with building around Ant and Jaden. I think it would be a colossal mistake to let Naz go. If I had more confidence in TC, I’d say it’s highly likely the Wolves keep NAZ. But I don’t trust TC’s judgment or his word. When he arrived, he said he really liked the team he inherited and wanted to stay out of the way and avoid screwing things up. A week or two later, he screwed things up with the Rudy deal. So when TC says he really likes Naz and wants to keep him, I take that with a grain of salt.
I'm with you on NAZ Lip, I really think he would score 20 per game if given a more prominent role. He likely won't get that role with the Wolves, but that doesn't mean he isn't highly valuable to the Wolves. I will be pretty disappointed if they don't keep him. However, at least one of the 3 bigs needs to go and I think KAT will be traded this summer.
Totally agree with you on Naz Ave rating 20 points if given a more prominent role. I also suspect you’re right that the Wolves will probably trade KAT this summer. I wouldn’t bet a lot on it, but I’m thinking the chances of it happening are better than 50-50.
KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Sun May 21, 2023 5:39 pm
There is also the option of a sign and trade involving Naz.
We could get a good player in return at more of a position of need.
Or could take back an expiring contract and picks.
I'm sure TC will either re sign him or S & T. No way he just lets him walk. Problem is he is a UFA so we can't match offers.
You put your finger on the problem counting on a S&T. Teams without cap room can make a run at Naz with the MLE, which is expected to be around $11.2 million. If Naz’s market value is higher than $11.2 million, then a team above the cap that really wants Naz would be a potential S&T partner. However, there are a number of teams well below the cap that could offer more than that and sign Naz without a S&T. As you noted, Naz is an UFA so we won’t have a chance to match.
So while a S&T is possible, it’s largely out of TC’s control. If we take TC at his word, he really wants to keep Naz. That will probably mean offering Naz a contract that starts at between $12 million and $15 million the first year. If TC makes that kind of offer and Naz wants to stay, then the Wolves will sign him. If Naz sees a better opportunity for himself with another team, then he’ll leave and it’s unlikely the Wolves will get anything in return.
I think you trade KAT and resign NAZ. Then depending on what you get back you can start NAZ if need be, Rudy can be a good pairing for Naz's poor defense and rebounding, likely sucking up a lot of boards and blow byes. Or you can also bring him off the bench and play him as a 6th man scorer and hopefully you acquire a decent backup 5 for defense.
I can't see the Wolves resigning NAZ (to keep) without a KAT trade at this point. A KAT trade now also frees up 10 million plus next year.
NAZ has been making improvements every season, so I don't think you may ended up losing much by trading KAT and sticking with NAZ. His upside is still there, while KAT likely won't improve much from here (as a wolf).
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 3:18 am
I think you trade KAT and resign NAZ. Then depending on what you get back you can start NAZ if need be, Rudy can be a good pairing for Naz's poor defense and rebounding, likely sucking up a lot of boards and blow byes. Or you can also bring him off the bench and play him as a 6th man scorer and hopefully you acquire a decent backup 5 for defense.
I can't see the Wolves resigning NAZ (to keep) without a KAT trade at this point. A KAT trade now also frees up 10 million plus next year.
NAZ has been making improvements every season, so I don't think you may ended up losing much by trading KAT and sticking with NAZ. His upside is still there, while KAT likely won't improve much from here (as a wolf).
Well, Naz has 4 years in the league now so I'm not sure he can get THAT much better. But yes, I'd be fine with re-signing Naz if KAT were traded. We'd really need his offense assuming we aren't getting an elite scorer in whatever we get back in a KAT trade.
But as long as KAT and Gobert are here, I just don't think we can afford to spend that kind of money on another big.
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 3:18 am
I think you trade KAT and resign NAZ. Then depending on what you get back you can start NAZ if need be, Rudy can be a good pairing for Naz's poor defense and rebounding, likely sucking up a lot of boards and blow byes. Or you can also bring him off the bench and play him as a 6th man scorer and hopefully you acquire a decent backup 5 for defense.
I can't see the Wolves resigning NAZ (to keep) without a KAT trade at this point. A KAT trade now also frees up 10 million plus next year.
NAZ has been making improvements every season, so I don't think you may ended up losing much by trading KAT and sticking with NAZ. His upside is still there, while KAT likely won't improve much from here (as a wolf).
Well, Naz has 4 years in the league now so I'm not sure he can get THAT much better. But yes, I'd be fine with re-signing Naz if KAT were traded. We'd really need his offense assuming we aren't getting an elite scorer in whatever we get back in a KAT trade.
But as long as KAT and Gobert are here, I just don't think we can afford to spend that kind of money on another big.
Well, TC said he really wants, and will do everything he can, to keep Naz. When he said that about two weeks ago, TC had to know that Naz is going to cost at least full MLE money ($11.2M). It might be foolish to take TC at his word, but call me foolish then because I think he’s going to re-sign Naz unless Naz wants to leave for what he considers a better playing opportunity. Does that foreshadow trading Rudy or KAT this summer? Maybe. But it could also mean TC sees Naz as an insurance policy in the event his KAT/Rudy experiment fails again next season, at which point he can trade Rudy or KAT. If the experiment is successful, then he can trade Naz pretty easily next summer. The serious luxury tax hit comes next summer. I think the Wolves can re-sign Naz and still stay barely short of the luxury tax threshold this summer.
Wolvesfan21 wrote: ↑Mon May 22, 2023 3:18 am
I think you trade KAT and resign NAZ. Then depending on what you get back you can start NAZ if need be, Rudy can be a good pairing for Naz's poor defense and rebounding, likely sucking up a lot of boards and blow byes. Or you can also bring him off the bench and play him as a 6th man scorer and hopefully you acquire a decent backup 5 for defense.
I can't see the Wolves resigning NAZ (to keep) without a KAT trade at this point. A KAT trade now also frees up 10 million plus next year.
NAZ has been making improvements every season, so I don't think you may ended up losing much by trading KAT and sticking with NAZ. His upside is still there, while KAT likely won't improve much from here (as a wolf).
Well, Naz has 4 years in the league now so I'm not sure he can get THAT much better. But yes, I'd be fine with re-signing Naz if KAT were traded. We'd really need his offense assuming we aren't getting an elite scorer in whatever we get back in a KAT trade.
But as long as KAT and Gobert are here, I just don't think we can afford to spend that kind of money on another big.
Well, TC said he really wants, and will do everything he can, to keep Naz. When he said that about two weeks ago, TC had to know that Naz is going to cost at least full MLE money ($11.2M). It might be foolish to take TC at his word, but call me foolish then because I think he’s going to re-sign Naz unless Naz wants to leave for what he considers a better playing opportunity. Does that foreshadow trading Rudy or KAT this summer? Maybe. But it could also mean TC sees Naz as an insurance policy in the event his KAT/Rudy experiment fails again next season, at which point he can trade Rudy or KAT. If the experiment is successful, then he can trade Naz pretty easily next summer. The serious luxury tax hit comes next summer. I think the Wolves can re-sign Naz and still stay barely short of the luxury tax threshold this summer.
Right, may be it's insurance or some kind of hedge so we have options when it comes to KAT and Rudy. And I think KAT is the one that is more redundant with Naz than Rudy, so to me Naz is our KAT hedge/backup plan.
