Wolves Free Agent Focuses

[Lipoli390]

We have a couple earlier threads dealing with free agency. But with the 2017 official free agent signing period around the corner, I thought I'd start a fresh free agent thread to get the latest perspectives on what we're all thinking the Wolves should do and, perhaps, what they will do.

I've already given my perspective on what we should do in other threads. First, I think we should focus our approximately $22 million in cap space entirely on signing rotation bench players not starters. We have a nice starting lineup with the addition of Butler, but we have a very weak bench. We could pursue a FA like Kyle Lowry, which would include dumping Rubio in a trade that brings no significant players in return. But as I've mentioned before, Lowry would likely cost at least $10 million per year more than Ricky, which would leave us with only around $12 million to fill in and upgrade our bench. In my view, that would be a terrible use of our limited resources. Second, in adding rotation bench players, we should give first priority to 3-point shooters who can also play defense -- the so-called 3&D guys. Finally, we should prioritize signing players who are 30 and under to ensure they're in or entering their prime and that they'll have some longevity with the team.

Now, turning to which free agents we should pursue, I included my list in another thread. Thibs should strive to sign two of the following four:

WINGS

1. At the top of that list is Milwaukee's Tony Snell. I think he'd be a perfect fit for this teams for several reasons. First, he's an excellent 3-point shooter who hit 40.6% of his threes last season and 37.3% over his career. Second, he's a very solid defender, which makes him a true 3&D guy. Third, he's still only 26 years old. Finally, Snell played for Thibs and with Butler in Chicago, so there's a degree of familiarity that makes Snell him a particularly good fit for us. He's a restricted free agent, but the Bucks are about $10 million under the luxury tax threshold, which means we might be able to make an offer the Bucks won't feel comfortable matching. He made $2.3 million last season. I'm guessing his market value is around $50 million - $12.5 million per year over 4 years.

2. Next on my list is Joe Ingles. At age 30, he's at the top of my age range, but I think he'd be a great fit here for our rotation. He's a terrific 3-point shooter, converting on 44% of his threes last season and 40% over his career. He's also tough, a good defender and a pretty good ball-handler as we all saw in this year's playoffs. Like Snell, he's a restricted free agent. Utah's payroll is currently at around $80 million, so they're not in danger of hitting the luxury tax threshold even if they end up re-signing Hayward. But retaining Ingles might not be a priority for the Jazz given their likely focus on retaining Hayward and George Hill. Other teams will no doubt be interested in Ingles, so he won't come cheap. He made $2.1 million last season. I see his market value at around $48 million -- $12 per year over 4 years.

PGs
3. My top PG target would be the Spurs Pattie Mills. He's a terrific 3-point shooter who is in his prime at age 29. He comes from a winning culture and would be a great backup PG to Ricky as well as a guy who could be on the floor instead of Ricky in crunch time if we need more three-point shooting. He's an unrestricted FA. I would think the Spurs would love to keep him, but they have their sights set on signing Chris Paul and will be concerned about reserving cap space for him. I think we'd need to strike quickly to get Mills while the Spurs are still in pursuit of Paul. Mills made $3.6 million last season. I would think he'd cost at least $10 million per year.

4. My second choice for backup PG would be Darren Collison. He's 30 years old, which puts him at the top of my age range, but he's still quick and clearly has lots of miles left on his tread. He's a terrific 3-point shooter, albeit at the low volume. He hit 41.7% of his threes last season and 38% over his career. Collison made $5.2 million last season. He might be gettable for around $8-10 million per year.

So these are the four I'd focus on initially with the intent of signing one of the two wings and one of the two PGs. That would give us 2 very solid rotation players to go with Belly and Tyus. Our rotation would be 9 deep. Then we could use the room exception and minimum contracts to fill in the rest of the bench with guys like Casspi.

[thedoper]

I'm with Jim Pete. He was on with Jon K on the Butler trade Wolves biggest needs.
https://soundcloud.com/mnspn/you-betcha-basketball-89?in=mnspn/sets/you-betcha-basketball-w-jon

1. A legit 4 so we can move KAT to the 5. Sorry G, you're a backup - Taj
2. Shooting depth - Reddick, Gallo or tier 2 shooter
3. A PG who can shoot - ....Patty Mills has been my #1 for a while too. If we could somehow snag Beverly I'd be over the moon

[Phenom]

The duncd on guys had a good point that if Ricky is traded for one of the free agent point guards the Wolves would be able to hold onto the mid level exception. Not sure how accurate that is but those 2 are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to that sort of thing. I wonder how much Glen will be willing to spend.

[Coolbreeze44]

I absolutely love the idea of going after Gallo. But this really only makes sense if you can flip Ricky for a lower priced option at PG. Beverly would be perfect. Imagine being able to go small with KAT, Gallo, Butler, Wig, and Beverly. I'd like to watch that lineup go up against Golden State in a 4th quarter. We'd still have space left to fill in the blanks on our bench.

[Duke13]

Well, like Lip I've stated my preference for the off season.

First and foremost we need shooting, where better place to start then the PG position. I said at the time, I would to traded Rubio for Rose, just to free cap space and start over. Right now cap space is premium. Rubio just isn't going to bring back and worthwhile assets. So I find a deal without taking money back for at the least a cheap player.

Options for PG

1a - I would try and pry Beverly away in a Houston salary dump. Rumored 3 team trade involving Utah, and Houston. With Beverly you save almost 10 million in salary. That's a huge amount, I think the most objective observer could make an argument Beverly fits better with our roster.

If I go this route I go hard at Millsap. He would be the ideal fit with Kat, tough to speculate what the length and amount of his deal would be but would be very comfortable going 90 mil for 3 years. You may have to go longer with less yearly amount, wouldn't go over 4 years.

If we signed Millsap, I trade Gorgui in another salary dump. Just can't afford to pay an average back up center 14 million a year. Rubio and G make almost 29 million a year, Millsap/Beverly potentially 30-35 million a year. I don't think that's much of a decision.

1b - if we can't get Beverly, I still salary dump Rubio and go hard after Lowry. He's going to 25-30 a year, I don't go over 3-4 years with him. Again, if we somehow can get him, I salary dump Gorgui. Obviously if we get Lowry, Millsap is off the table. I try and sign James Johnson to play the 4. It's really difficult to gage his salary range, but I'd be comfortable going 10-12 a year.

I prefer the combination of Beverly/Millsap signings vs Lowry. Who knows if this will happen, however logistically I think it's plausible and I'm very confident this is the route Tibs and Layden will travel. They are looking to move on from Rubio, no doubt in my mind. They are looking to make a splash. Should be fun either way.

Is there anyway possible we can dump Cole's contract??? Just think if we would of made dumb signings last year on bit bench players like most were hoping for. I'm thankful for the patience that was show last off season.

[WildWolf2813]

The Wolves, regardless of any big name they wanna pursue should bring in 2 of the best three point shooters from Summer League as well as one of the best scorers. Regardless of free agency, this team needs to find some diamonds in the rough to round out this roster which is only 9 deep right now.


You know who I'd legit kick the tires on? Jimmer. He wasn't shy about shooting the three. Bring him onto a team where that's all he'd be asked to do. Maybe it works and it wouldn't cost anything but a look.

[thedoper]

The Wolves, regardless of any big name they wanna pursue should bring in 2 of the best three point shooters from Summer League as well as one of the best scorers. Regardless of free agency, this team needs to find some diamonds in the rough to round out this roster which is only 9 deep right now.

Having a G league team and two-way contracts could be a really great way to develop 3 pt shooting. The teams that find a way to take advantage of the new infastructure are going to be at a big advantage as I see it.

[foye2smith [enjin:6593248]]

I'm with Jim Pete. He was on with Jon K on the Butler trade Wolves biggest needs.
https://soundcloud.com/mnspn/you-betcha-basketball-89?in=mnspn/sets/you-betcha-basketball-w-jon

1. A legit 4 so we can move KAT to the 5. Sorry G, you're a backup - Taj
2. Shooting depth - Reddick, Gallo or tier 2 shooter
3. A PG who can shoot - ....Patty Mills has been my #1 for a while too. If we could somehow snag Beverly I'd be over the moon

I am in on Taj + a shooter. Think between Taj's price tag the Wolves may need to dip back into the pool of Brandon Rushes and pray it works this season. I'm really tentative about all the big splash talk. I think moving Dieng to the bench, finding a shooter, and running back Jones, Bazz, and Bjelly makes for a solid bench. It may not be a strength but hopefully it wouldn't be the weakness it was last season.

Unless the Wolves are getting Lowry, Milsap or another top 10 FA I wouldn't dump Ricky or Gorgui.

[Monster]

This is my basic summery of what I think the Wolves plans are in FA.

1. They are gonna put a lot of effort into exploring if there is any chance they can add a better or better fit at PG. They should explore those options. It's possible they find out very quickly none of these guys is an option. It may also take a while espcially if they are willing to wait around and see what One of those guys wants to do. If none of those guys seem that interested in the Wolves and or the contract they are willing to offer they could move on. If they decide to move on from Rubio one of the teams that loses out on a PG will have interest in him (Jazz are a team that has been reported to have interest which makes sense) and like was brought up a sign and trade may even be in play.

2. There really hasn't been many rumors about going after any top PFs so to me that means they are going to use that 22 million to do more of the stuff Lip said to fill out the roster. They may pony up some decent money for a guy like Taj Gibson but they could still end up with some money to sign a decent player beyond him. If they get shut out of the PG market I think they will also be looking for chances to add vet players teams are looking to dump. Last offseason the Cavs got Dunleavy and the Jazz got Diaw.

3. Regardless they will likely have a few roster spots available and they can sign some cheaper guys. Depending on who they sign guys like Rush and Casspi would make sense on cheap deals. There will be others and this team could be a team players see as a legit playoff team and have interest in signing here. I don't want to be tooooo opTIMistic (my phone autocorrected that which is awesome so I am leaving it) but with Butler here it sure helps.

I agree the Wolves need to look to develop at least one shooter using the G-league and or their last roster spot. They should be looking in the international market and see if there is a guy that would be worth taking a flyer on as well. I'm hoping they get a bit creative through this whole process.

One thing I'll mention about Darren Collison. He isn't really a volume 3 guy. You may be surprised to know he basically takes the same amount of 3's as Rubio. Obviously he is more of a threat from out there but it's worth noting. It's not a completely fair comparison because Mills has had the luxury of playing on the Spurs but he takes 3x as many 3's as those guys. He would be terrific here as a backup PG and combo guard. It will be interesting what his market is.

[Duke13]

We are rumored to be 1 of 3 teams willing to offer Millsap a max. Just read it...