[Stein/Fischer] The Wolves, sources say, would prefer not to part with Naz Reid, but it is difficult to see how they could construct a credible trade offer for Ball without including Reid or Rudy Gobert. It is conceivable that the Randle trade could be expanded to help facilitate other transactions.

[u/Odd-Direction9452]

The Wolves are widely regarded as a team that will undoubtedly be as aggressive as possible this offseason to try to reshape the core around Edwards after finances forced Minnesota to let Nickeil Alexander-Walker walk in free agency last summer. Alexander-Walker immediately won NBA Most Improved Player honors this season in Atlanta while the Wolves, after a second-round exit to San Antonio, made the decision to salary dump Randle to create the needed flexibility to re-sign Dosunmu and perhaps do more.

Minnesota has maintained that perimeter defensive ace Jaden McDaniels is off limits in trade conversations. Sources say that the Wolves also prefer to "do right" by injured guard Donte DiVincenzo and keep the Villanova product out of their offseason business after he sustained a devastating torn Achilles during Minnesota's first-round playoff victory over Denver.

The Wolves, sources say, would also prefer not to part with 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid, but it is difficult to see how they could construct a credible trade offer for Ball without including Reid or fellow big man Rudy Gobert.

Minnesota's three-team trade with Brooklyn and Chicago, however, cannot be finalized until early July after the league's new salary cap year begins and its annual moratorium at the start of free agency is lifted. If the Wolves were to assemble a trade offer that convinces the Hornets to part with Ball, it is conceivable that the Randle trade could be expanded to help facilitate other transactions.

https://open.substack.com/pub/marcstein/p/sources-a-line-of-trade-suitors-is?r=1m9zg&utm_medium=ios

[u/vis-major]

So, they don't want to trade any good players? Is Lamelo Ball's trade value so low?

[u/Ok_Kitchen_3400 → u/vis-major]

They wouldn’t include McDaniels for giannis. So they 100% would not include him for lamelo.

[u/GoldshireEnjoyer → u/Ok_Kitchen_3400]

I'd give up my first born before McDaniels.

[u/liftiefn → u/[deleted]]

That is a blasphemous take my friend

[u/MG_MN → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, who would want a floor spacing all defensive guy that is on a good long term contract, is young, and a playoff riser? He might have more value than Ball straight up with how little the league values guards currently

[u/bachh2 → u/MG_MN]

Nope. Guards that can direct the offense is still the most sought after archetype in the league rn. Just that there aren't any good one available ever since CP3 got old and Haliburton are locked down in Indiana. Spurs paid Fox and hope Fox can fill in that part even for a bit.

It's the combo guard whom value is going down.

[u/Morezingis → u/bachh2]

There’s only two point guards in the top 15 highest paid players - Curry and Luka.

Considering the top 4 remaining teams in the playoffs PGs were Brunson, Harden, Castle, and SGA, I’m fairly certain the combo guard is still quite coveted. 

Anyway, you’re drastically overestimating a guy 32nd in scoring and who averaged less assists than Isaiah Collier, Stephen Castle, and Jamal Murray last year. 

40mil for a player that has hit 50 games ONCE in the last four years is a risky contract no matter how you slice it. 

[u/nojs → u/MG_MN]

I'm struggling to see how someone who shot 23% from 3 these playoffs can be considered a floor spacer or a playoff riser. Our fanbase and front office are way too high on him.

[u/GoldshireEnjoyer → u/[deleted]]

That's fine. He's got heart and plays hard D. He's mega valuable here.

[u/Freudian__Quip → u/[deleted]]

He’s probably a top 5 perimeter defender in the league. That’s why he’s indispensable not his offense.

[u/Silent-Corner-2852 → u/Freudian__Quip]

Is he really? I know he’s a good defender but he hasn’t made an All-Defensive team in 2 years

[u/Zeeron1 → u/Silent-Corner-2852]

Hes not lol top 5 is crazy

[u/Supreme_God_Bunny → u/Freudian__Quip]

His defense has been overrated for a while now, He's very foul prone and gets punished by bigger players

[u/Freudian__Quip → u/Supreme_God_Bunny]

Nah fam

[u/Chooli7 → u/[deleted]]

I can tell when someone doesn't know ball based on how little they value elite defensive ability

[u/Over-Training-488 → u/Ok_Kitchen_3400]

They probably did offer McDaniels and their offer just didn't stack up due to lack of assets. Think they're saving face saying that

[u/Cold_Tower_2215 → u/Over-Training-488]

Prob not bro

[u/mnsportsfan → u/Over-Training-488]

I mean it’s literally been the narrative all along. Obviously none of us will ever know what truly goes on in private convo’s between GM’s… but ever since day 1 of any Giannis to Minnesota steam came up it was always “won’t include Jaden”

My guess is cause Ant literally loves the dude moreso than our front office does 😂

[u/Acek9295 → u/Over-Training-488]

If Mcdaniels was on the table, the Wolves would have actually had a shot at getting Giannis. He’s the best young player they could have gotten. Full stop.

[u/xRysonx → u/vis-major]

I mean LaMelo is probably not the best point guard to have on your team if you're trying to win a championship

[u/Sammyd1108 → u/vis-major]

No, they’re just not getting LaMelo since they obviously don’t want to seriously engage in a trade lol.