(Bleacher) Report: Twolves targeting Marcus Smart

[Roy H.]

Because every rumor needs a new thread, no matter how vague...

Before Patrick Beverley reaches free agency, Minnesota is exploring trade avenues involving its veteran point guard in addition to the Timberwolves’ conversations regarding Malik Beasley. Marcus Smart has been mentioned as a recent target for Minnesota who would fill Beverley’s integral role in the Wolves’ starting lineup. – via Jake Fischer @ Bleacher Report

[Celtics2021]

The Athletic’s take on Boston-Minny rumors (per Jared Weiss) today was this:

Boston explored a deal that would send Josh Richardson and one of either Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith to Minnesota for Malik Beasley, but Minnesota was not interested at the time as they sought to maintain flexibility for bigger moves at the deadline, sources told both myself and The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.

[Atzar]

Not sure what we'd even want from Minny for Smart.  They aren't trading us KAT or Ant and the rest of their roster doesn't interest me much.  Not a fan of Russell.

[Celtics2021]

Not sure what we'd even want from Minny for Smart.  They aren't trading us KAT or Ant and the rest of their roster doesn't interest me much.  Not a fan of Russell.

Minny would presumably try to trade Taurean Prince’s expiring and draft compensation.

[RPGenerate]

I'd be interested in getting Russell/Beasley, for the right price. We need guys who can shoot and score.

[smokeablount]

The Athletic’s take on Boston-Minny rumors (per Jared Weiss) today was this:

Boston explored a deal that would send Josh Richardson and one of either Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith to Minnesota for Malik Beasley, but Minnesota was not interested at the time as they sought to maintain flexibility for bigger moves at the deadline, sources told both myself and The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.

Josh is the one guy out of the oft mentioned guys we’d trade that I’d want to keep, but I’d definitely consider this deal for Beasley.

[BruceBanner18]

I bet Minny wanted to send Beasley into our TPE.

[slamtheking]

The Athletic’s take on Boston-Minny rumors (per Jared Weiss) today was this:

Boston explored a deal that would send Josh Richardson and one of either Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith to Minnesota for Malik Beasley, but Minnesota was not interested at the time as they sought to maintain flexibility for bigger moves at the deadline, sources told both myself and The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.

Josh is the one guy out of the oft mentioned guys we’d trade that I’d want to keep, but I’d definitely consider this deal for Beasley.

question for me is how long ago were the C's discussing that trade.  sounds like something from before Richardson hit his stride with the team.  Right now, I'd want more than Beasley for Richardson.   Beasley's shooting 37.1% and barely 34% from 3 not to mention he's really inconsistent from game to game.   Richardson however is hitting just under 45% and a little over 39% from 3 and giving us more consistency in his game to game scoring.

[Celtics2021]

The Athletic’s take on Boston-Minny rumors (per Jared Weiss) today was this:

Boston explored a deal that would send Josh Richardson and one of either Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith to Minnesota for Malik Beasley, but Minnesota was not interested at the time as they sought to maintain flexibility for bigger moves at the deadline, sources told both myself and The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.

Josh is the one guy out of the oft mentioned guys we’d trade that I’d want to keep, but I’d definitely consider this deal for Beasley.

question for me is how long ago were the C's discussing that trade.  sounds like something from before Richardson hit his stride with the team.  Right now, I'd want more than Beasley for Richardson.   Beasley's shooting 37.1% and barely 34% from 3 not to mention he's really inconsistent from game to game.   Richardson however is hitting just under 45% and a little over 39% from 3 and giving us more consistency in his game to game scoring.

Richardson wasn't eligible to be traded until two weeks ago, so it probably wasn't in the distant past.  If the Wolves said "no, we want to wait", that to me implies the deal could have been made that day or at least a short time later -- doesn't sound like a discussion from December.

[keevsnick]

I'd personally be fine trading Richardson right now. I know he's playing well, but with 1.5 year left on his contract and shooting a little over his head right now his value will never be higher. And if you move him you play the young guys and hopefully one of them pops.

An expiring and a first would do it for me, I know its not a great look for this season but the c's need to make an asset play.

[PhoSita]

The Athletic’s take on Boston-Minny rumors (per Jared Weiss) today was this:

Boston explored a deal that would send Josh Richardson and one of either Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith to Minnesota for Malik Beasley, but Minnesota was not interested at the time as they sought to maintain flexibility for bigger moves at the deadline, sources told both myself and The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.

my guess is that Boston floated the deal mentioned here and Minny said "hey how about Marcus Smart instead?" which was a non-starter

[Surferdad]

I'd personally be fine trading Richardson right now. I know he's playing well, but with 1.5 year left on his contract and shooting a little over his head right now his value will never be higher. And if you move him you play the young guys and hopefully one of them pops.

An expiring and a first would do it for me, I know its not a great look for this season but the c's need to make an asset play.

So, I would guess that Brad and Wyc are not looking at things this way.  Consider the following:

1) J-Rich is playing well and probably the most important bench player currently.  The team is just starting to hit its stride, so why break up a good thing?  Also, maybe J-Rich is shooting better because the Jays are commanding attention? I haven't dug into the lineups to see if that's the case.
2) As far as playing the young guys, there's no indication that Ime is inclined to play them more (other than Grant).
3) Wyc is highly sensitive to how things look to fans and to players. He avoids 'not a great look' at all costs.  I bet he highly values making the playoffs this season.  It means more money AND sends a positive signal to both players and fans.

[perks-a-beast]

Wolves want another point guard? Is David Khan back and no one told me?

But really I’ll take expirings and Minnys 1st rounder this year. I actually think the 14-20 range is pretty good in this draft.

[Who]

Trade Smart for 2 firsts. They can top 10 protect the picks. We get two late lotto to mid first rounders for Smart.

[slamtheking]

The Athletic’s take on Boston-Minny rumors (per Jared Weiss) today was this:

Boston explored a deal that would send Josh Richardson and one of either Romeo Langford and Aaron Nesmith to Minnesota for Malik Beasley, but Minnesota was not interested at the time as they sought to maintain flexibility for bigger moves at the deadline, sources told both myself and The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.

Josh is the one guy out of the oft mentioned guys we’d trade that I’d want to keep, but I’d definitely consider this deal for Beasley.

question for me is how long ago were the C's discussing that trade.  sounds like something from before Richardson hit his stride with the team.  Right now, I'd want more than Beasley for Richardson.   Beasley's shooting 37.1% and barely 34% from 3 not to mention he's really inconsistent from game to game.   Richardson however is hitting just under 45% and a little over 39% from 3 and giving us more consistency in his game to game scoring.

Richardson wasn't eligible to be traded until two weeks ago, so it probably wasn't in the distant past.  If the Wolves said "no, we want to wait", that to me implies the deal could have been made that day or at least a short time later -- doesn't sound like a discussion from December.

just because he couldn't be traded until 2 weeks ago doesn't mean they weren't discussing that much sooner than that.