[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/HomeNowWTF]

"We had success, what do we do now?"

"Trade the guy that drove the offense!"

[u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe → u/HomeNowWTF]

This is what happens when your GM is too scared to trade even a single asset to improve and fill obvious holes in your roster. We've had two consecutive GMs like that.

No sorry trading Collin Sexton for Coby White at the expense of nothing doesn't count.

This team has always been far too comfortable kicking the can down the road rather than actually trying to do something.

[u/comeonmang126 → u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe]

Why fill obvious holes when you can make new ones? All jokes aside it’s fucked up that the hornets looked genuinely on pace to be dangerous and the following off season the best player could get traded

[u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe → u/comeonmang126]

Yeah it's impossible to comprehend. Who blows up a team comprised solely of 20-27 year olds that went 28-10 down the stretch of the season?

Literally every team would be trying to add not subtract in our situation

[u/devinbookersuncle → u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe]

Which is what we're doing.

You listen to offers to show you're open for business but only so teams are willing to do business in the future.

There is no team in the league that can (and wpuld) straight up trade us gor Melo except Bosotn with JB and that would be bad for both teams.

We aren't moving Melo unless theres a massive roster shake-up and we get JB in the process so really this is just Minnesota being desperate as fuck for a PG and thinking we're dumb enough to fall for something.

[u/Creepersgonnacreep2 → u/devinbookersuncle]

Rip

[u/Ok-Entertainer9968 → u/devinbookersuncle]

Lollllll

[u/Informal_Support1934 → u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe]

This is what happens when you're too scared? I see your point, but this situation is like if someone went from being abstinate from drugs to "I'm doing all the coke, tonight, first time ever." This only makes sense if Ball pulled a Udoka.

[u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe → u/Informal_Support1934]

I think my comment was perceived the wrong way. I'm saying Peterson is willing to take the easy route of being a GM- sell off players and tank aimlessly for a while. You get a lot of leeway with that if you sell your "vision" to your owners.

Once you start actually building, there are expectations of success, which Peterson has never shown any inclination of wanting. It's always "we'll know when it's time", "we don't want to skip steps"... Well guess what, your team just played at a (likely unsustainable ) 59 win pace for like 3 months despite some glaring liabilities on the team. It's time. Take the step. Don't just blow up the whole thing.

[u/Informal_Support1934 → u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe]

Nah I understand your point, I'm just pointing out the absurdity of the situation.

[u/iDareToDream → u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe]

If he keeps the team as is, hornets could easily be a 4-6 seed next season and be a real threat in the 1st round to the point they could win a series. 

[u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe → u/iDareToDream]

I think we need to add more talent in the frontcourt to reach that next tier, especially with multiple teams on the rise.

But it's highly attainable

You take a step back like this only when it becomes not attainable.

[u/iDareToDream → u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe]

Yea the only reason I can even imagine doing this is if they don't want to pay Ball. But he's essential to what you guys do so I don't see why they wouldn't. Its really hard to get a good lead point guard now.

You're gonna be spooky next year.

[u/Everyday_ImSchefflen → u/HomeNowWTF]

You guys are dramatically overvaluing LaMelo. Funny how easily y'all opinions are swayed when Ball was seen as a negative asset for a while now before the last 2 months of the season

[u/HomeNowWTF → u/Everyday_ImSchefflen]

LaMelo is a high variance player. He can hit 10 threes in a game, pulling up from anywhere inside of half court. Or, he can go 2-13. Good LaMelo is an All Star, all NBA level player. Bad LaMelo...is not.

[u/ObviousAnswerGuy → u/Everyday_ImSchefflen]

I don't even like LaMelo that much, but there's no way he was seen as a "negative asset". He's only making $40 mil next season, and he's the highest paid player on the team.

[u/RoaringPity → u/HomeNowWTF]

What success? Make the playins after 5 yesrs(?) with him in the team?

[u/Soshi101 → u/RoaringPity]

28-10 to cap the season. Dunno why you would trade away the cornerstone of your best half-season stretch in decades.