Free Agency Begins!

[Monster]

FWIW I don't think anyone else posted this but Jon K tweeted that they are looking for a ball handler and a backup big after the Ingles signing. Lip is probably texting Tim Connelly and holding out information on us!!!

[Monster]

I just read an article on the Athletic from Jason Quick that a big part of the Blazers moved on from Ayton was he was a problem.he was late to team flights and practices and basically still thought of himself a star player. I hadn't realized how many games he had missed the last couple years. Last season he only played 40 games. The Blazers won more games when he didn't play. I knew he had some issues but didn't realize it was bad like that. I didn't think he made sense to acquire next to Towns but I'm really glad we didn't make a move for him. Maybe he will figure it out at his next stop.

[AussieWolf3]

I’ve thought for a long time, as did many others, that losing NAW in free agency this summer was inevitable. And how it’s happened. We should appreciate what we’re losing. Let’s start with the fact that he played in all 82 games each of his two full seasons with us. That’s extraordinary. We can talk stats all day and night, but no stat matters more than showing up on the court and that’s what NAW did every single day or night. While on the court, NAW gave nonstop effort and played superb defense. Last season he made nearly 44% of his FG attempts and 39.7% of his 4.5 3-point attempts. He was also, by all accounts, a terrific teammate. He has a serious approach to the game. You never saw him disengaged or frolicking on the bench. NAW was a terrific player for us and he leaves behind a significant void to fill. I think we have the players in TSJ and Clark to fill that void, but it won’t be easy.

So goodbye and good luck, NAW. Thanks for what you did here and all the best to you in Atlanta!

I know Naw got a decent bag, but I honestly would have preferred keeping him at that price over either Naz and Randle at what they got. I wish we could have kept one and traded one, while also keeping NAW.

I totally agree. It never made sense to me how Naw was the last priority of the 3. When you consider the log jam that's created by Naz, Randle and Jaden (plus the spacing issues with Rudy)- Naw could likely provide more value at this price, and it's not for nothing that he has taken small steps in his offensive game every year.

I'm miss his persistent energy

[Sundog]

Apologies if this has already been posted —

Dane Moore: The Wolves now have a traded player exception for around $7M from the Nickeil Alexander-Walker sign and trade. (The TPE will be 50% of NAW's starting salary.)

A traded player exception allows a team to acquire a player in a trade for up to the amount of the exception (around $7M in this case) without needing to send back returning salary. These exceptions expire after 12 months.

This theoretically opens up a pathway to $7M in free agency spending power for the Wolves, via sign and trade -- provided they can find a way to do so while staying beneath the 2nd apron. Or to trade for a player making less than $7M.

[Monster]

I’ve thought for a long time, as did many others, that losing NAW in free agency this summer was inevitable. And how it’s happened. We should appreciate what we’re losing. Let’s start with the fact that he played in all 82 games each of his two full seasons with us. That’s extraordinary. We can talk stats all day and night, but no stat matters more than showing up on the court and that’s what NAW did every single day or night. While on the court, NAW gave nonstop effort and played superb defense. Last season he made nearly 44% of his FG attempts and 39.7% of his 4.5 3-point attempts. He was also, by all accounts, a terrific teammate. He has a serious approach to the game. You never saw him disengaged or frolicking on the bench. NAW was a terrific player for us and he leaves behind a significant void to fill. I think we have the players in TSJ and Clark to fill that void, but it won’t be easy.

So goodbye and good luck, NAW. Thanks for what you did here and all the best to you in Atlanta!

I know Naw got a decent bag, but I honestly would have preferred keeping him at that price over either Naz and Randle at what they got. I wish we could have kept one and traded one, while also keeping NAW.

I totally agree. It never made sense to me how Naw was the last priority of the 3. When you consider the log jam that's created by Naz, Randle and Jaden (plus the spacing issues with Rudy)- Naw could likely provide more value at this price, and it's not for nothing that he has taken small steps in his offensive game every year.

I'm miss his persistent energy

The Wolves have Jaylen Clark, and TSJ to help fill in the minutes that NAW played. The Wolves didn't really have young bigs that showed the promise in real games those guys did. In addition as solid as NAW is he might be the lowest end of those guys. Maybe he takes another step forward and becomes a Caruso type impact guy in Atlanta which isn't wildly hard to fathom.

I was a big fan of adding NAW in the trade when he was brought here. I have enjoyed him during his time here and he is a success story for himself and for the Wolves organization. We knew NAW was likely to leave over a year ago and so this comes at no surprise that he is gone. The Wolves got a meh 2nd rounder and some pizza money for him so that's not bad. Previously the 2nd rounder didn't feel as worthwhile but with Connelly I feel more confident he might actually find someone with a late 2nd round pick or use it to get something out of it. Now it's time to do what most of us here have wanted for this roster for years plugging in cheaper young talent and having them become contributors. I'm probbaly higher than anyone here on Clark bringing more than just defense and maybe 3 point shooting.

[Wolvesfan21]

I’ve thought for a long time, as did many others, that losing NAW in free agency this summer was inevitable. And how it’s happened. We should appreciate what we’re losing. Let’s start with the fact that he played in all 82 games each of his two full seasons with us. That’s extraordinary. We can talk stats all day and night, but no stat matters more than showing up on the court and that’s what NAW did every single day or night. While on the court, NAW gave nonstop effort and played superb defense. Last season he made nearly 44% of his FG attempts and 39.7% of his 4.5 3-point attempts. He was also, by all accounts, a terrific teammate. He has a serious approach to the game. You never saw him disengaged or frolicking on the bench. NAW was a terrific player for us and he leaves behind a significant void to fill. I think we have the players in TSJ and Clark to fill that void, but it won’t be easy.

So goodbye and good luck, NAW. Thanks for what you did here and all the best to you in Atlanta!

I know Naw got a decent bag, but I honestly would have preferred keeping him at that price over either Naz and Randle at what they got. I wish we could have kept one and traded one, while also keeping NAW.

I totally agree. It never made sense to me how Naw was the last priority of the 3. When you consider the log jam that's created by Naz, Randle and Jaden (plus the spacing issues with Rudy)- Naw could likely provide more value at this price, and it's not for nothing that he has taken small steps in his offensive game every year.

I'm miss his persistent energy

I actually think TJ/DDV/Clark could be better then NAW now given the opportunity for more minutes. NAW while he was consistent on D, his offense was mediocre and 3P shot hot and cold, but was solid.

I saw reports NAW was signed and traded? Did we get a 2nd round pick swap or something? Oh we got cash, a 2027 second rounder and traded player exception! Nice!!!

I actually like ATL's team a lot now though, IF Zinger can stay healthy, big IF I know. But they are looking pretty good to contend next year IF healthy.

[rapsuperstar31]

[Charania] BREAKING: Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, plus a player option for year four in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. Stunner.

Shocker! Giannis isn't going anywhere and that hurts Indiana big time.

[kekgeek]

BREAKING: Free agent center Myles Turner has agreed to a four-year, $107 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks, plus a player option for year four in 2028-29 and a full 15% trade kicker, sources tell ESPN. Stunner.

[kekgeek]

The Bucks found a creative path to waive and stretch Lillard – whose $113M will be stretched over the next five seasons – while leaving their future draft assets untouched. In a stunning turn of events, Myles Turner departs the Pacers to join the Bucks.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Free agent guard Ty Jerome has agreed to a three-year, $28 million deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, with a player option in year three, sources tell ESPN. Kieran Piller and Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports negotiated the new deal with the Grizzlies.

He got paid good for him. I was a big fan of his coming out of college as a solid backup PG. It took him a while but it looks like he figured it out last year. This is why every roster spot can count.

Yep. It’s also a lesson in patience. Good for Ty.

I do wonder, however, if his abysmal 2nd round vs. Indiana cost him a bit of money. He was overextended early in that series with Garland injured and was bad... shooting 9 - 34 in the first two games, including 1 - 14 fg in his one start. They cut his minutes significantly after that. The guy who came in 3rd for 6MOY ended up as his own team's 9th man halfway through the series.