Wolves Next Big Moves

[Lipoli390]

As most know, I'm not particularly happy with last night's draft, although I still give it a C because of our Nowell pick at #43. But it's not over yet.

First of all, Garland might still be in play. For all we know, Minnesota and Cleveland are still talking and trying to piece together a deal that swaps Garland for Culver. I'm not sure what such a deal would look like, but it's possible.

Another possibility is a cap-clearing deal to make room for signing D. Russell. It would appear that the Wolves could make the necessary salary room by trading Teague to a team that absorbs his salary and releasing Reynolds, whose contract is not guaranteed. The question is what the Wolves would have to give up as inducement for a team to take Teague. I'm not sure what that price would be or whether I'd want Rosas to pay that price. For me, I'd be willing to give up anyone on the roster other than KAT and Okogie to make that happen. One possibility would be Teague and the rights to Culver to any number of teams with cap room. I have reservations about Russell for reasons I and others have given. And I'd much rather have Garland. But giving up Culver and Teague to get him seems like a smart bold move at this point.

So are some predictions on the Wolves next big moves? Will it be completing a Culver for Garland swap with Cleveland? Will it be a cap-clearing deal to sign Russell and, if so, what will that deal look like? Will it be something else? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Leado01]

Denver should be looking to dump some salary and might be willing to take on Teague as a compliment to Murray.

I do think that's more likely than trading for Garland.

If we give up anything more than we've already given up for Garland, who has only played 5 games and is possibly prone to injury, then Rosas is putting himself in a highly vulnerable position

[Lipoli390]

Denver should be looking to dump some salary and might be willing to take on Teague as a compliment to Murray.

I do think that's more likely than trading for Garland.

If we give up anything more than we've already given up for Garland, who has only played 5 games and is possibly prone to injury, then Rosas is putting himself in a highly vulnerable position

Interesting take. I hadn't thought of the Denver angle, but I think you might be on to something there. As for upping the ante to get Garland, I think Rosas has already demonstrated that he's willing to take a risk to get Garland. There's certainly a limit on how much he'd give up, but I suspect he's willing to give up more. Would KBD be enough to get the deal done? Hard to say. Cam Reynold's who has some nice potential and a no guaranteed contract?

[60WinTim]

I think Teague has a lot more value than many are giving him. The Wolves were 23-19 in games which Teague played. He had been pretty healthy until last year, but had a debridement procedure at the end of the season to correct the problem.

Irving and Walker are the top two FA PGs, and Teague would be the next best PG (depending on where you stick Russell). Once those two PGs are signed, a team with cap space and a need for a starting PG could have serious interest in Teague. And that's all that is needed to setup a potential 3-team trade where the the Wolves get Russell in a sign-and-trade and the third team gets Teague. Other pieces would be needed to make it all work, but the foundation is Teague to a 3rd team, Russell to the Wolves, and some sort of compensation going to Brooklyn.

But even if that scenario does not come to fruition, one more year with Teague running the point is not the end of the world!

[thedoper]

The Teague contract should be easy to move. The Gorgui one is going to hurt.

[Lipoli390]

The Teague contract should be easy to move. The Gorgui one is going to hurt.

That's right. Ryan and his coaching staff need for focus on figuring out how to most effectively use Gorgui because he'll be around a while. Fortunately, Teague and more so Covington have trade value. And I haven't totally dismissed the possibility that Wiggins might have some positive trade value with a small number of teams.

[thedoper]

The Teague contract should be easy to move. The Gorgui one is going to hurt.

That's right. Ryan and his coaching staff need for focus on figuring out how to most effectively use Gorgui because he'll be around a while. Fortunately, Teague and more so Covington have trade value. And I haven't totally dismissed the possibility that Wiggins might have some positive trade value with a small number of teams.

I think Wiggins we may need to give some time. The rhetoric is a bit over the top because of last year's performance relative to the contract. The possibility I see with Gorgui is simply that the contract is shorter and cheaper. I'd burn a pick to get rid of him if it meant getting Russell.

[KG4Ever]

I actually want to see Wiggins stay here, just because his value is so low that we'd get killed in any trade. I at least believe there is some hope that Wiggins can still be a DeRozan type talent with proper development and coaching. Thibs was exactly the wrong coach for Wiggs. Wiggs needs his minutes cut a bit until the effort is strong on both sides of the ball and we got enough wing talent with Cov, Okogie and Culver to make Wiggs earn his playing time.

[Lipoli390]

The Teague contract should be easy to move. The Gorgui one is going to hurt.

That's right. Ryan and his coaching staff need for focus on figuring out how to most effectively use Gorgui because he'll be around a while. Fortunately, Teague and more so Covington have trade value. And I haven't totally dismissed the possibility that Wiggins might have some positive trade value with a small number of teams.

I think Wiggins we may need to give some time. The rhetoric is a bit over the top because of last year's performance relative to the contract. The possibility I see with Gorgui is simply that the contract is shorter and cheaper. I'd burn a pick to get rid of him if it meant getting Russell.

Doper - I agree with you and KG4Ever on Wiggins. His value right now is about as low as it can go. So this is not time to sell. I'd like to see him one more season under one head coach hopefully using him in a more optimal way. I'm not optimistic that we'll see a significantly improved Wiggins, but I just don't see a reasonable deal for him materializing and I don't want to give up assets just to clear his contract from the payroll. He remains tremendously talented.

[Leado01]

I actually want to see Wiggins stay here, just because his value is so low that we'd get killed in any trade. I at least believe there is some hope that Wiggins can still be a DeRozan type talent with proper development and coaching. Thibs was exactly the wrong coach for Wiggs. Wiggs needs his minutes cut a bit until the effort is strong on both sides of the ball and we got enough wing talent with Cov, Okogie and Culver to make Wiggs earn his playing time.

Agreed. Wiggins line can still increase and reducing his PT should result in increased effort/output per minute. I wouldn't be afraid to continue reducing his PT until he shows some max effort. In his defense, his numbers did increase after Thibs left and his minutes were reduced. Even after the reduction he ended up with the 17th most minutes in the league . . . KAT was 38th.