The Timberwolves haven’t looked like the team that went to the Western Conference Finals last year in the early part of this season after replacing Karl-Anthony Towns with Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo via trade. Randle has a $30.9MM player option for next season, and Fred Katz of The Athletic ponders whether the veteran forward will wind up opting in as opposed to hitting free agency.
As Katz points out, there are few teams with projected cap space next offseason. Trades to shed salary to create cap space are also hard to pull off, and teams may be pickier than ever with their long-term money, given the restrictions in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Katz also looks to other top potential free agents like Jimmy Butler and James Harden, and the difficulty either would have in finding suitable money from a competitive team if each declines his player option for 2025/26.
While Randle and his representation likely wouldn’t have considered proposing a team-friendly long-term deal below his projected option salary to Minnesota in the past, the new CBA landscape could change things. Randle, who is extension-eligible, is averaging 20.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game this season.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- DiVincenzo continues to round into form after a cold start to the season, shooting 48.5% from three in his past five games. After the Timberwolves won consecutive games on Wednesday and Friday, the guard spoke on the team’s chemistry, according to The Star Tribune’s Chris Hine (Twitter link). “We know what the expectations are,” DiVincenzo said. “We know everything and everybody feels it. But at the end of the day, can’t do s–t about it. We have to stay together. You either grow apart or grow together. Tonight was huge.“
- The Timberwolves‘ narrow win over the Rockets on Friday showcased a team with title aspirations, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski writes. Anthony Edwards hit a game-winner, head coach Chris Finch handled rotations well, and several pieces stood out. But the play of Randle and DiVincenzo is perhaps the biggest reason for optimism, Krawczynski writes, with Randle going for 27 points and DiVincenzo hitting six threes. “It’s tough. Four straight years, four different teams,” DiVincenzo said. “But the thing about this team is they’ve embraced me. They’ve embraced my ups and downs and continued to push me because I know — and they know — the tide turns. You ain’t gonna be down the whole season. That’s everybody’s mentality here, and I really feel at home.”
- 2023 No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson‘s stats for the Trail Blazers this season are underwhelming, but he had one of the best moments of his young NBA career on Thursday against Utah. Henderson made the game-winner for Portland while scoring 18 points and 10 assists. “You dream of plays like that,” Henderson said, according to Rose Garden Report’s Sean Highkin.
- Meanwhile, the Jazz falling to Portland in last-second fashion was an “ideal loss,” opines Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Rookie Isaiah Collier drew his second career start and showed flashes while the rest of the young core got an opportunity for big minutes.
- The Nuggets have lost two games in a row and surrendered 149 points to the Cavaliers in their latest defeat. After Friday’s loss to Cleveland, Nikola Jokic addressed Denver’s lackluster play that has the team outside the top six in the West, according to DNVR Sports’ Harrison Wind (Twitter link). “We are not even close to where we’re supposed to be,” Jokic said. “I think how bad we’ve played, we’re in a good spot. We need to start thinking what I can do for this team to help, not what the team can do to help me…We should point [the thumb not the finger].“
- Thunder guards Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace are both listed as out for Saturday’s game against the Hornets, according to The Oklahoman’s Joel Lorenzi (Twitter link). Dort is dealing with an ankle sprain while Wallace is suffering from a quad contusion. This will be Wallace’s first career missed game since entering the league last year.
Denver really struggling…
They lack true defensive stoppers
They lack guys who can create their own shot outside of Jokic and Murray
They lack impact off the bench outside of Russ
No doubt they are a lot closer to winning another title than winning first overall pick but I think as currently contracted I don’t think they win another title. Think Murray got overcompensated, MPJ certainly got paid too much and they never really replaced the guys that left (Bruce Brown, KCP, Bones Hyland, Reggie Jackson and Jeff Green).
I know all the talk has been about MPJ for LaVine but maybe they are better off just trying to load up on depth and picks to fill out the rotation and fill the gaps cheaply.
Just some ideas:
1. MPJ and Zeke for Hunter, Bogi, Zeller and 2 seconds
Hunter replaces MPJ, Bogi gives you bench impact and shoot creator, Zeller replaces Zeke and you get draft capital.
2. MPJ and Zeke for Tobias, BeefStew, Beasley and 2 seconds
Much like the first, Tobias replaces MPJ, BeefStew is a big upgrade on Zeke plus you add Beasley and draft picks
3. MPJ and Holmes for Bruce Brown, Olynyk, Agbaji and a first
Okay this creates abit of a hole at SF, maybe Brown fills it, maybe Agbaji, maybe Watson.
But overall your getting 3 good role players and a first round pick for MPJs big contract.
4. MPJ and Holmes for Dillon Brooks, Landale, Green and Whitmore
Brooks fills the SF role, Landale for depth behind Jokic, Jeff Green returns and you also add Cam Whitmore who is a steal.
5. MPJ and Zeke for Jerami Grant, Thybulle, Reath and 2 seconds
Grant replaces MPJ, Reath replaces Zeke and you add a defensive stopper in Thyublle plus some picks.
6. MPJ and Zeke for DeRozan, Hueter, Len and 2 seconds.
DeRozan fills the SF role which doesn’t help the floor spacing but gives you another shot creator. Hueter brings the shooting and some bench impact along with Len for depth and then some picks.
The Portland trade is the one I’d make.
Thybulle can be the defensive specialist and has playoff experience.
Reath can bring good energy as center off the bench, can still develop more.
Grant is a good piece to add; in that case, the thing would be for Malone to not overlap him with Aaron Gordon.
If that trade is done, they need to find a good outside shooter at the 2.
Starters: J.Murray PG
3 PT shooting SG
A. Gordon SF
J. Grant. PF
N. Jokic. C
Bench:
PG – Westbrook
SG – Braun/Thybulle
SF- Watson/Thybulle/Braun
PF – Saric (if healthy)
C – Reath
They can add a bench 4 like Jeff Green via trade.
Rating MPJ pretty high man.
MPJ is the Nuggets only trade asset. The Kings or blazers would be great moves. Grant would be a good move cone home to get a ring. We shall see. Booth has only Braun yi show for his time.