Timberwolves 2017 Offseason rumors

[kab21]

There has already been rumored interest in D Rose as a FA and now the Knicks are back with another attempt to acquire Rubio (for the 8th pick). If the Wolves trade Rubio in order to sign Rose then I will be very unhappy.

 

I am one of the bigger Rubio supporters and don't really like the trade since it could set the Wolves back several games this season and I hate continual rebuilding. I also really question whether or not Dunn or Jones are capable starting PG's. 

 

Two possible scenarios where it could make sense.

 

1) there is a second trade in the works and the Wolves need more draft picks to pull off the addition of a very good to near elite player.

 

2) They draft 3 and D Ntilikina (or a different PG in this PG heavy draft) and he provides a better fit for the future. And the Wolves already face the uncertainty of what to do with Rubio in two years when he becomes a FA. Sign him for 15-20M and 4+ years with his health? I might like Rubio a lot but that seems like a bad idea. It would be a gamble to draft another PG but I could understand taking a step back this year and really loading up for KAT/Wiggins prime.

BUT NO D ROSE!

[ALessKosherScott]

The other rumor is moving out of the seven pick for a veteran, which seems counterintuitive to moving Rubio for the 8th pick.

 

I love Rubio, but I don't mind him for the 8th pick. Like you said though, you're essentially moving Rubio to grab a guy who will then compete with Dunn and even Jones to see who the PG of the future is while Rubio's money goes to signing a short-term veteran, which seems to be Derrick Rose and the giant fork sticking out of his back.

[bluechipper]

Not directly a Wolves rumor, but reports of Gordon Hayward's interest in the Celtics and the Heat are good news. More good players need to go from the West to the East, as it's seemingly always the other way around.

[kab21]

 

The other rumor is moving out of the seven pick for a veteran, which seems counterintuitive to moving Rubio for the 8th pick.

 

I love Rubio, but I don't mind him for the 8th pick. Like you said though, you're essentially moving Rubio to grab a guy who will then compete with Dunn and even Jones to see who the PG of the future is while Rubio's money goes to signing a short-term veteran, which seems to be Derrick Rose and the giant fork sticking out of his back.

The thing I don't like about trading Rubio (and it was a Knicks interest led rumor) is that it makes the Wolves worse next year and the clock has started to tick with regards to the young core. The gamble could pay off and the Wolves might take that money and sign a top FA (with the rest of the cap room) and one of the 3 PG's (Dunn, Jones and the drafted one) could become as good as Rubio but there is downside risk.

 

 

[old nurse]

iI think the team has about 20 million in cap room. So do they oerpay for a restricted free agent. Does an Otto Porter or Caldwell Pope make the Wolves a 50 win team?  11 players under contract plus Peckovic.  12 if the renew Shabazz. 

The only way I think Rubio should be traded to the Knicks is packages with the 7th pick for Porzingis. That is not going to happen unless a Kahn do type GM takes over to dismantle the team and do a Hinske.

[kab21]

Not Wolves related but I love the Philly/Boston trade.

 

Boston really had no use for Fultz with Thomas and a full backcourt of undersized guards. Getting a second likely lottery pick (LAL or SAC) is a major win for them just to move down and likely get a guy that fits their team much better.

 

Philly's side is more risky but they have oodles of young players with talent and Fultz might be the perfect fit for the team.

[kab21]

Jimmy Butler rumors again this season. Hopefully this goes somewhere. I would give up 2 or possibly 3 of anyone not named Andrew or Karl to make this happen.

[bluechipper]

 

Jimmy Butler rumors again this season. Hopefully this goes somewhere. I would give up 2 or possibly 3 of anyone not named Andrew or Karl to make this happen.

I would gladly give up Kris Dunn and the pick, but I want to hold on to LaVine. 

[rghrbek]

I think you guys are possibly off a bit...with the celtics and all their picks, and the cavs, bothafter him, it will absolutely take Wiggins to be in that mix.

 

http://www.startribune.com/would-you-trade-andrew-wiggins-in-a-deal-for-jimmy-butler/429652783/

 

Wiggins is good with promise, but he has been very one dimensional in his 3 years with the wolves...

 

The article suggests it will take Wiggins the #1 and Dunn...wow, what a steep price.

[ALessKosherScott]

Canis had an interesting thought in their trade for superstars article, which amounts to do the Wolves become the Kevin Love facilitator to bring Paul George to Cleveland?

[ALessKosherScott]

Pek waived. On one hand it's sad. On the other, that potentially opens up a lot of cap space.

[kab21]

 

Canis had an interesting thought in their trade for superstars article, which amounts to do the Wolves become the Kevin Love facilitator to bring Paul George to Cleveland?

Dieng (would assume it has to include him) and the #1 for Love? One of Dunn or Jones also probably. It wouldn't fix the defense but would give the Wolves a great offense and they could actually shoot some threes.

 

I would gladly give up Kris Dunn and the pick, but I want to hold on to LaVine. 

Lavine is nice but I don't let him stand in the way of acquiring a much better (near elite) two way player. The problem with the trade is that the Wolves would have virtually no bench (Jones and Bjelica) but they would have plenty of cap room to add two role players.

[ALessKosherScott]

Tom Thibodeau talks to Ricky Rubio about the brewing trade rumors.

[bluechipper]

The Wolves are also showing interest in Paul George. Wow. It would more than likely be for just the 1 year, but that would be fun to watch. I wonder if #7 plus Kris Dunn be enough.

[PseudoSABR]

Just say on ESPN that the Jimmy Butler and Chi's pick is going to the Twolves for Lavine and the 7th pick, pending league approval.

 

Edit: now seeing Dunn is included as well.  

 

Link.

[DaveW]

Absolute bloody steal for the T Pups.

Lavine is NOT a good player, anyone can shoot 30 shots a game in this league.

Butler under Thibs is legitimately a top 5 player in the NBA.

Dunn, sucks to lose him, but whatever.

KAT, Butler, Wiggins, Rubio, Dieng....that's a really nice starting 5.

[Pardon My Dinger]

That's a fancy move.

[ALessKosherScott]

That's a "We're not going another year without making the playoffs" move.

[ALessKosherScott]

Who's 16? Leaf? Anouby? Jackson?

[Vanimal46]

Not a big basketball follower, however Butler sounds like a guy you give up the farm for. Even better if they don't have to include Wiggins in the deal. The Wolves may finally become relevant again....

[PseudoSABR]

Looks like Justin Patton. 

[Pardon My Dinger]

This starting five definitely makes the Wolves no.1 in the central, and possibly makes them the second best in the conference. Hallelujah, holy ****. Where's the Tylenol?

[SF Twins Fan]

Great move, but still need a defensive center and couple of 3 point shooters to really compete.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Great move, but still need a defensive center and couple of 3 point shooters to really compete.

JJ Reddick, anyone?

[kab21]

Best of all the Wolves should have plenty of salary cap room to add some complementary players as well. They certainly need a couple to have an NBA level second string. Right now they have Jones and Bjelica and a toolsy center draft pick

 

 

 

 

[nicksaviking]

I'm not a great basketball mind, but don't you need at least one perimeter shooter in your starting five? It doesn't seem like a 10-12 minute per game bench guy is going to be taking enough threes to make a difference.

[kab21]

 

I'm not a great basketball mind, but don't you need at least one perimeter shooter in your starting five? It doesn't seem like a 10-12 minute per game bench guy is going to be taking enough threes to make a difference.

This is the big issue facing the Wolves but it is helped by having a center that can shoot 3's. Patton looks interesting with some potential but I was hoping the Wolves could move more towards small ball 4 that could shoot 3's as a backup big (Bjelica?).

 

Any wing they get will probably be a 20-25 min/gm option to hoist up some 3's.

[kab21]

So the Spurs are rumored to be shopping Danny Green. The price is high. Like Justin Patton high? Go get him and then sign a big that is a competent defender with an outside shot (3's are better but hard to find).

[ALessKosherScott]

 

I'm not a great basketball mind, but don't you need at least one perimeter shooter in your starting five? It doesn't seem like a 10-12 minute per game bench guy is going to be taking enough threes to make a difference.

 

In theory, it's kind of a Faustian Bargain. You'd love to replace Rubio or Dieng in the starting lineup with a better shooter. But Rubio and Dieng are also the two guys who spearhead your defense, Rubio on the perimeter and Dieng as the rim protector. You kind of hope Jones and Bjellica can take on a few more minutes and then add a really good wing shooter. 

 

It's not perfect. But it's good enough to get to the point where Golden State exposes your flaws in the playoffs next year--which is progress.

[Mike Sixel]

I don't know much about the NBA, but this trade looks like a steal right now.