Wolves Next Moves in Post-Randle Era

[Lipoli390]

OK. Randle is gone, Ayo is back and we’re $25 million under the luxury tax threshold with full access to all the League’s trade exceptions and no trade restrictions other than the standard salary match requirement unless we choose to use the $33.3 milli trade exception created by the Randle deal. We still have our young core of Ant, Jaden, Naz, TSJ, Beringer, Rocco and now Ayo. We also still have Rudy.

So the question now is this: What further moves will or should the Wolves make this offseason. I thought I’d start this thread devoted solely to ideas and/or predictions related to that question.

I’ll kick things off by suggesting the following moves:

1. Trade Rudy with the following targets in order of preference:
Option 1: To Orlando for Suggs and a future 2nd round pick
Option 2: To Charlotte for Grant Williams, Josh Green, Moussa Diabate, Pick 14 or 18 (draft Philon)
Option 3: To the Hawks for Okongwu, Kispert and pick 23
Option 4: To Boston for Darrick While and pick 27.

2. Use up to full MLE on best attainable free agent. If we swap Rudy in any of the options above that don’t bring Okongwu here then use the MLE to sign the best attainable center with Mitchell Robison as my first choice, Robert Williams as my 2nd choice and Nick Richards as my 3rd and likely least expensive choice.

3. Use BAE to sign the best available three-point shooter

[Monster]

A couple thoughts.

Since that player from he bulls was sent over that might reduce the trade exception by his salary so just over 30 .million. Probably doesn't matter as Jon K reported but that would eliminate a couple more players including Suggs as options to fit in there.

I'll keep Rudy this year unless the value for dealing him is really good. I'd gamble he stays healthy and effective and if Beringer is ready deal him next off-season.

Rudy to Boston for White and another asset it's tempting but idk if I would do it or not. Fortunately and unfortunately Connelly will pull the trigger if he thinks it's good value and best for his team.

Rudy for a couple backups and a mid round pick. Pass. I know this draft is supposed to be great or whatever and I've done little research on the guys available but Rudy for one draft pick. Man you better nail that pick. Getting more salary flexibility after this season ain't a bad thing but again I think some team probably would trade for him a year from now if it was time to move on so yeah.

Nick Richards is probably a vet min guy maybe like 5 million at most. He seems to be productive but he doesn't seem to be valued.

Again the Wolves now can do a lot of what people have wanted for a couple years build around the young guys. I don't want to trade for overpriced guys. Let's make a couple savvy FA pickups or small traded adding guys with some short term lower salaries. Play TSJ like 30mpg, make McDaniels do stuff on offense. Add the right depth pieces (we do need some help to replace Randle's regular season value and production) and let's see what this group can do.

[WildWolf2813]

If they trade Rudy, do it by tomorrow night. If not, then he's here til his deal is up.

The FA center position is so bare, that you're almost better off just starting Beringer. Best case is Robert Williams and that's pretty much it.


Rudy to Charlotte for Bridges, Williams, 18 and the Dallas 2027 pick I'd jump at.

The bench fills out really well and that Dallas pick is the ace in the hole.

C R WIlliams /Beringer/Zikarsky
PF Reid /G. Williams /Slo-Mo
SF McDaniels /Bridges /#33
SG Edwards /Shannon
PG Dosumnu /Philon? /DDV/Conley


Rudy to Atlanta is possible, thought I'd be kinda pissed if we traded Rudy for #8 only to use it on Philon, but that's another trade where it's Rudy for 8/Kuminga/Kispert

If this doesn't happen and we just pick at 33, they're taking Kayil or de Larrea (I'm holding out that they may want Karaban)

sign either Collins or Hachimura to the MLE or Bagley for less than that.

Tyus Jones for a vet min

also, inquire about Khris Middleton or even see what Malik Beasley wants to do if they wanna come here on the cheap

C Gobert/Beringer /Zikarsky
PF Reid /Collins or Hachimura /Slo-Mo
SF McDaniels /Middleton or Beasley
SG Edwards /Shannon
PG Dosumnu /Jones /Kayil or de Larrea/Conley

[BloopOracle]

Jon K says we likely won't be using the 33mil trade exception, what a fucking joke

[rapsuperstar31]

Jon K says we likely won't be using the 33mil trade exception, what a fucking joke

He said 95% of the time they don't get used. We already used NAW's trade exception when we traded for Ayo, so Tim isn't afraid to use them.

[Lipoli390]

Jon K says we likely won't be using the 33mil trade exception, what a fucking joke

He said 95% of the time they don't get used. We already used NAW's trade exception when we traded for Ayo, so Tim isn't afraid to use them.

That’s correct, Rap. I wouldn’t use it but I wouldn’t be surprised if TC uses it in spite of what Jon K had to say. My sense is that the Wolves will use it if they don’t trade Rudy. If they trade Rudy they won’t use it. I think it’s pretty clear that TC is determined to add a consequential player to the roster this summer and I can’t see the Wolves getting that sort of player with the $15M MLE. Therefore, to get that sort to of player, the Wolves will have to either trade Rudy or use most or all of the $33M trade exception plus minimal outgoing compensation (a 2nd round pick and/or Donte or TSJ). It has to be one of those two.

I’d be shocked if the Wolves go into next season without acquiring a consequential player - probably a PG - in the $25-40M range. I’ll go out on a bit of a limb and predict the Wolves roster going into next season will include one of the following: Derrick White, Jalen Suggs, D Fox, Josh Giddy, Ja Morant or Labaron Philon. I think Ja Morant is the least likely. I think D Fox would be the poorest choice. My top pick would be Suggs. Giddy would be my second choice and Derrick White my third choice. Of course, it also depends on the overall trade package.

You’ll note that Labaron is the one name who doesn’t fit the profile of a consequential PG for next season. I see him as the Wolves last choice if they can’t get one of the others on a reasonable deal from a Rudy deal or the trade exception. Philon would be a “take a step back for two steps forward” sort of move. That’s actually the move I would make if I couldn’t get Suggs or Giddy on a reasonable deal, but I don’t see TC doing it. If I had to predict which of these players ends up here, I’d say Derrick White.

[Monster]

Jon K says we likely won't be using the 33mil trade exception, what a fucking joke

He said 95% of the time they don't get used. We already used NAW's trade exception when we traded for Ayo, so Tim isn't afraid to use them.

That’s correct, Rap. I wouldn’t use it but I wouldn’t be surprised if TC uses it in spite of what Jon K had to say. My sense is that the Wolves will use it if they don’t trade Rudy. If they trade Rudy they won’t use it. I think it’s pretty clear that TC is determined to add a consequential player to the roster this summer and I can’t see the Wolves getting that sort of player with the $15M MLE. Therefore, to get that sort to of player, the Wolves will have to either trade Rudy or use most or all of the $33M trade exception plus minimal outgoing compensation (a 2nd round pick and/or Donte or TSJ). It has to be one of those two.

I’d be shocked if the Wolves go into next season without acquiring a consequential player - probably a PG - in the $25-40M range. I’ll go out on a bit of a limb and predict the Wolves roster going into next season will include one of the following: Derrick White, Jalen Suggs, D Fox, Josh Giddy, Ja Morant or Labaron Philon. I think Ja Morant is the least likely. I think D Fox would be the poorest choice. My top pick would be Suggs. Giddy would be my second choice and Derrick White my third choice. Of course, it also depends on the overall trade package.

You’ll note that Labaron is the one name who doesn’t fit the profile of a consequential PG for next season. I see him as the Wolves last choice if they can’t get one of the others on a reasonable deal from a Rudy deal or the trade exception. Philon would be a “take a step back for two steps forward” sort of move. That’s actually the move I would make if I couldn’t get Suggs or Giddy on a reasonable deal, but I don’t see TC doing it. If I had to predict which of these players ends up here, I’d say Derrick White.

Fox is the least likely. No way Connelly touches that contract after the moves he has made the last couple years.

I'm not in a hurry to move Gobert but it does seem like it would make sense to add a player to the roster and I'm not sure who the players are that are gonna get signed for the MLE or say around 15 million in trade.

The thing is ith that 30+ million trade exemption any team that has a player that would fit into that and wants to move off them is gonna be calling the Wolves to see what they can or would do. Connelly already burns up the phone lines but now he has something teams may want.

[Lipoli390]

He said 95% of the time they don't get used. We already used NAW's trade exception when we traded for Ayo, so Tim isn't afraid to use them.

That’s correct, Rap. I wouldn’t use it but I wouldn’t be surprised if TC uses it in spite of what Jon K had to say. My sense is that the Wolves will use it if they don’t trade Rudy. If they trade Rudy they won’t use it. I think it’s pretty clear that TC is determined to add a consequential player to the roster this summer and I can’t see the Wolves getting that sort of player with the $15M MLE. Therefore, to get that sort to of player, the Wolves will have to either trade Rudy or use most or all of the $33M trade exception plus minimal outgoing compensation (a 2nd round pick and/or Donte or TSJ). It has to be one of those two.

I’d be shocked if the Wolves go into next season without acquiring a consequential player - probably a PG - in the $25-40M range. I’ll go out on a bit of a limb and predict the Wolves roster going into next season will include one of the following: Derrick White, Jalen Suggs, D Fox, Josh Giddy, Ja Morant or Labaron Philon. I think Ja Morant is the least likely. I think D Fox would be the poorest choice. My top pick would be Suggs. Giddy would be my second choice and Derrick White my third choice. Of course, it also depends on the overall trade package.

You’ll note that Labaron is the one name who doesn’t fit the profile of a consequential PG for next season. I see him as the Wolves last choice if they can’t get one of the others on a reasonable deal from a Rudy deal or the trade exception. Philon would be a “take a step back for two steps forward” sort of move. That’s actually the move I would make if I couldn’t get Suggs or Giddy on a reasonable deal, but I don’t see TC doing it. If I had to predict which of these players ends up here, I’d say Derrick White.

Fox is the least likely. No way Connelly touches that contract after the moves he has made the last couple years.

I'm not in a hurry to move Gobert but it does seem like it would make sense to add a player to the roster and I'm not sure who the players are that are gonna get signed for the MLE or say around 15 million in trade.

The thing is ith that 30+ million trade exemption any team that has a player that would fit into that and wants to move off them is gonna be calling the Wolves to see what they can or would do. Connelly already burns up the phone lines but now he has something teams may want.

I agree, Monster. As you noted, it wouldn’t make sense for TC to take on Fox’s contract especially after making such a big cap-clearing move and the importance of transactional/financial flexibility. I also agree with you that TC is probably fielding a lot of offers right now for the Trade Exception. I have mixed feelings about TC’s tenure here so far. But one of his strengths that I like is the fact that he’s fully engaged and leaves no stone unturned. He also seems to have great relationships with team executives throughout the League. It will be fascinating to see what he does next. Again, I would be shocked if he doesn’t make at least one more major trade using either the trade exception of Rudy as the centerpiece.

[Monster]

What if the Wolves pivoted and instead of looking for a ball handler they went for the biggest impact they can get for the money? What about taking Lu Dort for nothing using the trade exception? That would give them a heck of a defensive player who has a history of making 3's and does shit. That might free up other people including Jaden TSJ Ayo to handle the ball and also not have to be defending the best player all the time etc. I know Dort dropped off last year but maybe he is a bounce back guy. I'm not sold on this or anything but having a player like that on this roster makes some sense.

I think there may be a player like that who the Wolves may be able to acquire that we kinda didn't see coming that could be a pretty good addition. Let's see what Connelly does next.

[rapsuperstar31]

He said 95% of the time they don't get used. We already used NAW's trade exception when we traded for Ayo, so Tim isn't afraid to use them.

That’s correct, Rap. I wouldn’t use it but I wouldn’t be surprised if TC uses it in spite of what Jon K had to say. My sense is that the Wolves will use it if they don’t trade Rudy. If they trade Rudy they won’t use it. I think it’s pretty clear that TC is determined to add a consequential player to the roster this summer and I can’t see the Wolves getting that sort of player with the $15M MLE. Therefore, to get that sort to of player, the Wolves will have to either trade Rudy or use most or all of the $33M trade exception plus minimal outgoing compensation (a 2nd round pick and/or Donte or TSJ). It has to be one of those two.

I’d be shocked if the Wolves go into next season without acquiring a consequential player - probably a PG - in the $25-40M range. I’ll go out on a bit of a limb and predict the Wolves roster going into next season will include one of the following: Derrick White, Jalen Suggs, D Fox, Josh Giddy, Ja Morant or Labaron Philon. I think Ja Morant is the least likely. I think D Fox would be the poorest choice. My top pick would be Suggs. Giddy would be my second choice and Derrick White my third choice. Of course, it also depends on the overall trade package.

You’ll note that Labaron is the one name who doesn’t fit the profile of a consequential PG for next season. I see him as the Wolves last choice if they can’t get one of the others on a reasonable deal from a Rudy deal or the trade exception. Philon would be a “take a step back for two steps forward” sort of move. That’s actually the move I would make if I couldn’t get Suggs or Giddy on a reasonable deal, but I don’t see TC doing it. If I had to predict which of these players ends up here, I’d say Derrick White.

Fox is the least likely. No way Connelly touches that contract after the moves he has made the last couple years.

I'm not in a hurry to move Gobert but it does seem like it would make sense to add a player to the roster and I'm not sure who the players are that are gonna get signed for the MLE or say around 15 million in trade.

The thing is ith that 30+ million trade exemption any team that has a player that would fit into that and wants to move off them is gonna be calling the Wolves to see what they can or would do. Connelly already burns up the phone lines but now he has something teams may want.

Hey we already colluded with both Chicago and Charlotte on the Mike trade, maybe we're doing it again. Maybe Charlotte needs to get money off their books for another big move and we use our TPE to take on one of their salaries, and get one of their first round picks to grab Philon or someone else.