Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

KG4Ever wrote:Restricted free agent C Nic Claxton has agreed on a two-year, $20 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets.

This continues the pattern of bigs signing multi-year contracts averaging between 8 and 12 million per year. Still hoping to hear news about the Wolves signing Jalen Smith to a 2-year contract averaging around $10-11 million per year. I'm not holding my breath however.

That second year would affect their potential cap space and flexibility next summer so I wouldn't expect it at this point. Tim Connelly must know something I don't about the free agent class in 2023, which is entirely possible. I'm just not seeing any big fish that would be worth holding out for.

I'm sure that's a consideration. But paying $8-10 million in the second year of a 2-year deal doesn't entirely undermine the team's financial flexibility next summer. The significant drivers will be the expiring contracts of DLO, Beverley and Beasley. If we can sign Jalen Smith for two years at $10M per year, I'd do it.

The Ayton rumour is interesting. Durant wants to go to Phoenix, but the Nets don't want Ayton. Maybe we could facilitate a deal as a third team.

MIN receive: Deandre Ayton (30 mil per)
PHO receive: Kevin Durant
BKL receive: DeAngelo Russell, Mikael Bridges, 1st round pick (PHO - unprotected), 1st round pick (MIN - top 15 protection).

Free agent JaVale McGee has agreed to a three-year, $20.1 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks, with player option for third season.

Juan Toscano-Anderson has agreed to a deal to join the Lakers

KiwiMatt wrote:The Ayton rumour is interesting. Durant wants to go to Phoenix, but the Nets don't want Ayton. Maybe we could facilitate a deal as a third team.

MIN receive: Deandre Ayton (30 mil per)
PHO receive: Kevin Durant
BKL receive: DeAngelo Russell, Mikael Bridges, 1st round pick (PHO - unprotected), 1st round pick (MIN - top 15 protection).

I'd be fine with that deal.

KiwiMatt wrote:The Ayton rumour is interesting. Durant wants to go to Phoenix, but the Nets don't want Ayton. Maybe we could facilitate a deal as a third team.

MIN receive: Deandre Ayton (30 mil per)
PHO receive: Kevin Durant
BKL receive: DeAngelo Russell, Mikael Bridges, 1st round pick (PHO - unprotected), 1st round pick (MIN - top 15 protection).

Pretty creative, Matt. I wouldn't do that deal if I were Connelly because I don't see Ayton as a good fit here. But it's not an unreasonable deal.

I wonder if we wind up with Whiteside...

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

KG4Ever wrote:Restricted free agent C Nic Claxton has agreed on a two-year, $20 million deal to return to the Brooklyn Nets.

This continues the pattern of bigs signing multi-year contracts averaging between 8 and 12 million per year. Still hoping to hear news about the Wolves signing Jalen Smith to a 2-year contract averaging around $10-11 million per year. I'm not holding my breath however.

That second year would affect their potential cap space and flexibility next summer so I wouldn't expect it at this point. Tim Connelly must know something I don't about the free agent class in 2023, which is entirely possible. I'm just not seeing any big fish that would be worth holding out for.

I'm sure that's a consideration. But paying $8-10 million in the second year of a 2-year deal doesn't entirely undermine the team's financial flexibility next summer. The significant drivers will be the expiring contracts of DLO, Beverley and Beasley. If we can sign Jalen Smith for two years at $10M per year, I'd do it.

Oh, I'm right there with you. There are still some bigs that I have legitimate interest in and would sign to multi-year deals. I'm growing concerned that Minnesota is prioritizing next summer over this current free agent period. For what, I don't know, but I'll trust the plan -- whatever that might be.

So, you're comfortable paying Deandre Ayton $30-million annually over four or five years, but not D'Angelo Russell? In this market where quality bigs can be had for approximately half of that while the emphasis league-wide continues to be placed on ball-handlers, shot creators, and perimeter shooters? That's... confusing. Or perhaps it's just personal at this point. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.

And perhaps acquiring Ayton wouldn't require Russell to be traded, but if we're comparing the two... Give me the shot creator.

I wonder what New York is planning on doing with Mitchell Robinson. He would be a sneaky good get for Minnesota if they let him walk.