Minnesota Sports Forum

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 7:54 am ....the other thing I will add from that Dane/Britt podcast is the notion that may be we don't need a clearcut 2nd option with such an alpha dog in Ant as #1. I think this is partially a way to rationalize dealing Randle without getting the equivalent production in return at some other position.

I would point to the Knicks as an example. Who is their 2nd option? Not that long ago it was KAT. Now it seems like it's OG. We know Bridges can fill it up at times too.

Same thing with OKC. Who is OKC's 2nd option to SGA? Last year it was JDubs. But this year it alternated between a few guys. Heck, during the playoffs Jared McCain was their 2nd option on some nights!

May be we don't need an alpha 2nd option, but simply spread it around based on matchups and who has it going. Jaden, Naz, and Ayo all have the ability to put up 20+ on any given night (especially if Naz is starting). Shannon off the bench has the potential to be far more potent offensively than NAW ever was a couple years ago.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 7:20 am

60WinTim wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2026 11:39 pm

Monster wrote: ↑Thu Jun 11, 2026 10:04 pm

Sabonis would be pretty cool on this roster but I agree that he isn't worth what it will cost both in salary and assets to get him. He is basically the only vet that's probably worth anything.

Lavine at almost 50 million this season on an expiring deal is just a ton of money. DeRozan is still a pretty effective offensive player but acquiring for Randle doesn't make a ton of sense. Hunter is an interesting buy low guy but the Kings might try and see if they can rehab him themselves to get something for him. Monk is kinda interesting although overpaid for what he is. I could see him maybe being a decent fit here. He has a player option for the following season so that makes me less likely to be interested.

I texted my friend that's a Kings fan. He said they should just trade everyone older than Murray for what er they can get. I agree with him. Fortunately they do have a total of 3 draft picks this year the lowest being a mid 2nd round pick. They definitely have a chance to add some young talent in a few weeks but it's seems to me they have a long way to go to build up their roster although moving Sabonis should get them something worthwhile back.

Malik Monk is a backup plan in my mind if the Wolves are unable to nab a bigger name. But Quickley and Dejounte Murray are my personal favorites (assuming Derrick White is off the table).

I was listening to Dane and Britt the other day and there was an entire struggle session on the PG position. Dane talked through the fact that a younger version of Mike Conley that is gettable is like trying to find a dodo bird. So then he shifted to the plethora of combo guards that are out there that could play PG. But even within that group, there are some that are more point guard-y than others. Dane views Ayo as a combo guard, but not far along on the PG continuum. I personally think he's better at it than NAW or DDV were.

The bottom line is that nearly any name you can think of that could start at PG carries some major risk, cost, and/or known flaws: Irving - Age and injury; Suggs - can't shoot and turnover prone; Murray - on the decline?; Quickley - is he worth the cost?, etc., etc.

I continue to go back to that Memphis roster and feel like there are multiple lower risk/lower cost guys that could be excellent guards off the bench and easily play with either Ant or Ayo in the backcourt. It's not the nirvana at PG we may all want, but Ayo + [insert Memphis ballhandler] may be enough to relieve Ant from primary ball handling duties.

And if we happen to free up some $ via a Randle and/or Rudy trade, Collin Gillespie is someone worth checking out as a high floor, high-IQ 3rd guard.

Phenom wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 11:37 am Sam Amick has also reported that the Wolves have some interest in Ja Morant. I still see this is a marriage of convenience. When both teams become stuck, a Julius for Ja swap happens.

TheGrey08 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 11:18 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 7:54 am ....the other thing I will add from that Dane/Britt podcast is the notion that may be we don't need a clearcut 2nd option with such an alpha dog in Ant as #1. I think this is partially a way to rationalize dealing Randle without getting the equivalent production in return at some other position.

I would point to the Knicks as an example. Who is their 2nd option? Not that long ago it was KAT. Now it seems like it's OG. We know Bridges can fill it up at times too.

Same thing with OKC. Who is OKC's 2nd option to SGA? Last year it was JDubs. But this year it alternated between a few guys. Heck, during the playoffs Jared McCain was their 2nd option on some nights!

May be we don't need an alpha 2nd option, but simply spread it around based on matchups and who has it going. Jaden, Naz, and Ayo all have the ability to put up 20+ on any given night (especially if Naz is starting). Shannon off the bench has the potential to be far more potent offensively than NAW ever was a couple years ago.

Been thinking about this as well. The #1 need is a primary ball-handler who can consistently take that pressure off Ant and be able to hit an open shot. IMO it needs to be a value add and not an overpay that guts part of the rotation. It's also why as much as I like the Kyrie idea, if DAL is demanding a stupid return, it's a no go.

Phenom wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 11:37 am Sam Amick has also reported that the Wolves have some interest in Ja Morant. I still see this is a marriage of convenience. When both teams become stuck, a Julius for Ja swap happens.

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 1:11 pm

Phenom wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 11:37 am Sam Amick has also reported that the Wolves have some interest in Ja Morant. I still see this is a marriage of convenience. When both teams become stuck, a Julius for Ja swap happens.

I don't hate but I don't like it. There's a world where Ja is actually a good fit even if he doesn't gain much a 3 point shot or get much better as a defender. One of those is a prerequisites for the fit to be perfect, and Ja will not become a plus defender so he would have to become a legit shooter... Which... Who knows I guess.

The biggest reason I'd be unsure about it is ego. Is Ja willing and ready to accept that he isn't that guy? I just don't know if he's ready to function as a cog for a winning team rather than be the primary driver. He probably needs further lessons in humbling for that to happen.

Monster wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 4:25 pm

AussieWolf3 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 1:11 pm

Phenom wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 11:37 am Sam Amick has also reported that the Wolves have some interest in Ja Morant. I still see this is a marriage of convenience. When both teams become stuck, a Julius for Ja swap happens.

I don't hate but I don't like it. There's a world where Ja is actually a good fit even if he doesn't gain much a 3 point shot or get much better as a defender. One of those is a prerequisites for the fit to be perfect, and Ja will not become a plus defender so he would have to become a legit shooter... Which... Who knows I guess.

The biggest reason I'd be unsure about it is ego. Is Ja willing and ready to accept that he isn't that guy? I just don't know if he's ready to function as a cog for a winning team rather than be the primary driver. He probably needs further lessons in humbling for that to happen.

Morant's hogher salary is a problem though with a Randle for Morant deal. If the Grizzlies are willing to give up something else to move him great but I kinda doubt they are gonna do that. It certainly makes sense to keep checking in though you never know what might work out.

I saw a tweet the other day of players that put the most pressure on the rim. Brandon Williams was at the top of the list. For Morant who is a pretty good passer but his getting into the paint is his thing but isn't a good shooter...how valuable is that and what other options are out there. I mean...what's the difference between Morant and signing Westbrook for the vet min or something? I know that's probably going a little too far but seriously there are reasons teams are not finding ways to bring Morant to their roster.

I learned Derozen's deal is only partially guaranteed at 10 million. That could be an interesting decision for the Kings and could bring up a solid FA option for sole teams if they let him go.

FNG wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 1:12 pm

TheGrey08 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 11:18 am Been thinking about this as well. The #1 need is a primary ball-handler who can consistently take that pressure off Ant and be able to hit an open shot. IMO it needs to be a value add and not an overpay that guts part of the rotation. It's also why as much as I like the Kyrie idea, if DAL is demanding a stupid return, it's a no go.

I don't disagree that it's absolutely essential that we get a prolific second option...more important that we find someone who can take Ant off the ball, and I'm not as convinced as some here that we have that person on our current roster. But it would be fun to get a really good second option too. And that's why I'm on the Irving train. Not only is he one of the best ball handlers of all time, but he would also be a legitimate 1B, or possibly even a 1A. Of all the rumored deals out there, this one seems to have the most steam (with JA catching up unfortunately). I don't think Ju plus two picks is too much to give up, and Dallas might bite if they thought Irving wanted out.

TheGrey08 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 9:42 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 1:12 pm

TheGrey08 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 12, 2026 11:18 am Been thinking about this as well. The #1 need is a primary ball-handler who can consistently take that pressure off Ant and be able to hit an open shot. IMO it needs to be a value add and not an overpay that guts part of the rotation. It's also why as much as I like the Kyrie idea, if DAL is demanding a stupid return, it's a no go.

I don't disagree that it's absolutely essential that we get a prolific second option...more important that we find someone who can take Ant off the ball, and I'm not as convinced as some here that we have that person on our current roster. But it would be fun to get a really good second option too. And that's why I'm on the Irving train. Not only is he one of the best ball handlers of all time, but he would also be a legitimate 1B, or possibly even a 1A. Of all the rumored deals out there, this one seems to have the most steam (with JA catching up unfortunately). I don't think Ju plus two picks is too much to give up, and Dallas might bite if they thought Irving wanted out.

I do think Ayo has the potential to be that type of guard if coaches fully put him in that role. Not sure how much I would bet on that success, but I don't hate the idea of them going that route if a better fit doesn't materialize (gotta add 1 more ball handler regardless though). Kyrie being an all time elite level ball handlers on top of being an elite scorer is what makes the idea so intriguing. We haven't seen anything close to that next to Ant. Now onto trade value.

Here's the trade from a few years ago.

Brooklyn receives:
Spencer Dinwiddie
Dorian Finney-Smith
2027 second-round pick
2029 first-round pick (unprotected)
2029 second round-pick

Dallas receives:
Kyrie Irving
Markieff Morris

What would be the current Wolves equivalent of that trade? (current Wolves roster with the 2023 Mavs players involved in the trade)

Basically wondering how close Randle & 2 firsts is to what the Mavs gave up for him and then factoring in age/injury risk for his current trade value. I'm not so sure Randle and 1 first is an unreasonable offer. Randle could go to a 3rd team for a pick or other young asset.