Could the T-Wolves be a potential draft day trade partner?

[nickagneta]

My guess is the Toronto pick could also be moved for money and a future pick.

A future pick from a probable lottery team maybe. I really don't see them moving that pick for anything less. Depending on where their lotto pick ends up (imagine if they were in line for McLemore, Smart, or Olapido), this could address a real long-term issue. Heck, even if they were in line for a Cody Zeller, they could amnesty Perkins, and run with an entirely different team.

I think its way more likely they move Jeremy Lamb than the Toronto pick.

If they can get a center that can contribute right away and amnesty Perkins, then yes, I agree they keep the pick. If not, I could see them selling it off for what they think might be a future lottery pick.

A Boston 1st rounder in 2015 or 2016, unprotected, could do the trick. Along with $3 million to help with their tax bill. I get the feeling in the next year or two OKC might be looking to bring in that $3 million per year in trades to help with their financial situation because there is no way that franchise can afford a $20-30 million tax bill if they keep everybody and pay them.

[indeedproceed]

My guess is the Toronto pick could also be moved for money and a future pick.

A future pick from a probable lottery team maybe. I really don't see them moving that pick for anything less. Depending on where their lotto pick ends up (imagine if they were in line for McLemore, Smart, or Olapido), this could address a real long-term issue. Heck, even if they were in line for a Cody Zeller, they could amnesty Perkins, and run with an entirely different team.

I think its way more likely they move Jeremy Lamb than the Toronto pick.

If they can get a center that can contribute right away and amnesty Perkins, then yes, I agree they keep the pick. If not, I could see them selling it off for what they think might be a future lottery pick.

A Boston 1st rounder in 2015 or 2016, unprotected, could do the trick. Along with $3 million to help with their tax bill. I get the feeling in the next year or two OKC might be looking to bring in that $3 million per year in trades to help with their financial situation because there is no way that franchise can afford a $20-30 million tax bill if they keep everybody and pay them.

Well, look at their tax/roster situation for next season:

PG: Westbrook (14.7 thru '17 with raises), R Jackson (1.3, thru '15)
SG: Sefolosha (3.9 expiring), Lamb (2.1 thru '16)
SF: Durant (17.8 w raises thru '16) P Jones (1.1 thru '16)
PF: Ibaka (12.3 thru '17), Collison (2.5 thru '15)
C: Thabetter (1.2 with 1 unguaranteed year in '14)

If they amnesty Perkins and release all their cap holds (which they will virtually have to), they'll still have the above team, plus vet min contracts to fill out the roster (cap figure will be around 56.9 before cap holds)

I agree, they may want to sell off their later pick. But that lotto pick has the potential to get them a NBA-level player or better for less than 3 million a season, and the ceiling is far above that.

[pearljammer10]

What else would the Wolves send back to make salaries match? Brandon Roy? J.J. Barea? Luke Ridnour?

I would love to have Ridnour on this team.

[Lucky17]

What else would the Wolves send back to make salaries match? Brandon Roy? J.J. Barea? Luke Ridnour?

I would love to have Ridnour on this team.

He'd be a steady hand on the till while Rondo rehabs. Expiring contract next season too.

Lee for Ridnour and a 2013 1st? I'd be on board with that.

[nickagneta]

My guess is the Toronto pick could also be moved for money and a future pick.

A future pick from a probable lottery team maybe. I really don't see them moving that pick for anything less. Depending on where their lotto pick ends up (imagine if they were in line for McLemore, Smart, or Olapido), this could address a real long-term issue. Heck, even if they were in line for a Cody Zeller, they could amnesty Perkins, and run with an entirely different team.

I think its way more likely they move Jeremy Lamb than the Toronto pick.

If they can get a center that can contribute right away and amnesty Perkins, then yes, I agree they keep the pick. If not, I could see them selling it off for what they think might be a future lottery pick.

A Boston 1st rounder in 2015 or 2016, unprotected, could do the trick. Along with $3 million to help with their tax bill. I get the feeling in the next year or two OKC might be looking to bring in that $3 million per year in trades to help with their financial situation because there is no way that franchise can afford a $20-30 million tax bill if they keep everybody and pay them.

Well, look at their tax/roster situation for next season:

PG: Westbrook (14.7 thru '17 with raises), R Jackson (1.3, thru '15)
SG: Sefolosha (3.9 expiring), Lamb (2.1 thru '16)
SF: Durant (17.8 w raises thru '16) P Jones (1.1 thru '16)
PF: Ibaka (12.3 thru '17), Collison (2.5 thru '15)
C: Thabetter (1.2 with 1 unguaranteed year in '14)

If they amnesty Perkins and release all their cap holds (which they will virtually have to), they'll still have the above team, plus vet min contracts to fill out the roster (cap figure will be around 56.9 before cap holds)

I agree, they may want to sell off their later pick. But that lotto pick has the potential to get them a NBA-level player or better for less than 3 million a season, and the ceiling is far above that.

Problem is that team without Perkins and Martin, isn't a team vying for the championship any more. It has no center and no bench. One draft pick won't fix the damage done.

I think they stay more competitive by keeping Perk, resigning Martin and hoping a long playoff run helps to offset the tax bill by staying very close to the tax level as possible.

Should be an interesting off season in OKC depending on what they do in the playoffs.

As for Minny, I am just not in love with anyone on that team except Love and Pekovic and we aren't getting them. And I don't want late first rounders. I don't see Minny trading their higher pick. They aren't in fiscal troubles and have close to $10 million in non-guaranteed contracts they can waive and be around the cap even after extending Pekovic.

Minny will keep the pick rather than use it to trade to fill a spot.

[Lucky17]

As for Minny, I am just not in love with anyone on that team except Love and Pekovic and we aren't getting them. And I don't want late first rounders. I don't see Minny trading their higher pick. They aren't in fiscal troubles and have close to $10 million in non-guaranteed contracts they can waive and be around the cap even after extending Pekovic.

Minny will keep the pick rather than use it to trade to fill a spot.

If Ainge uses the #16 to stash a Euro, I'd certainly be on board with getting another late 1st (Wolves are owed Memphis' 2013 1st rounder, currently slotted at #26).

The bonus is moving the long-term contract obligation of Lee for a backup at a position of need. As far as trades go, this one would make sense both financially (long-term) and in terms of roster fit (short-term).

[indeedproceed]

My guess is the Toronto pick could also be moved for money and a future pick.

A future pick from a probable lottery team maybe. I really don't see them moving that pick for anything less. Depending on where their lotto pick ends up (imagine if they were in line for McLemore, Smart, or Olapido), this could address a real long-term issue. Heck, even if they were in line for a Cody Zeller, they could amnesty Perkins, and run with an entirely different team.

I think its way more likely they move Jeremy Lamb than the Toronto pick.

If they can get a center that can contribute right away and amnesty Perkins, then yes, I agree they keep the pick. If not, I could see them selling it off for what they think might be a future lottery pick.

A Boston 1st rounder in 2015 or 2016, unprotected, could do the trick. Along with $3 million to help with their tax bill. I get the feeling in the next year or two OKC might be looking to bring in that $3 million per year in trades to help with their financial situation because there is no way that franchise can afford a $20-30 million tax bill if they keep everybody and pay them.

Well, look at their tax/roster situation for next season:

PG: Westbrook (14.7 thru '17 with raises), R Jackson (1.3, thru '15)
SG: Sefolosha (3.9 expiring), Lamb (2.1 thru '16)
SF: Durant (17.8 w raises thru '16) P Jones (1.1 thru '16)
PF: Ibaka (12.3 thru '17), Collison (2.5 thru '15)
C: Thabetter (1.2 with 1 unguaranteed year in '14)

If they amnesty Perkins and release all their cap holds (which they will virtually have to), they'll still have the above team, plus vet min contracts to fill out the roster (cap figure will be around 56.9 before cap holds)

I agree, they may want to sell off their later pick. But that lotto pick has the potential to get them a NBA-level player or better for less than 3 million a season, and the ceiling is far above that.

Problem is that team without Perkins and Martin, isn't a team vying for the championship any more. It has no center and no bench. One draft pick won't fix the damage done.

I think they stay more competitive by keeping Perk, resigning Martin and hoping a long playoff run helps to offset the tax bill by staying very close to the tax level as possible.

Dependent on the contract Martin eventually signs, I really disagree. The ideal situation is A) Serge Ibaka has advanced to the point as a leader and help-defender/anchor that he doesn't need Kendrick Perkins to hold his hand anymore and B) that there is a center prospect in the 9-12 range that is worth keeping, and C) That Jeremy Lamb will be a productive player as soon as next season, and Thabo Sefolosha doesn't take a step back.

allowing Martin to expire, and amnestying Perkins might not be the best thing for their win total, but it makes their future much more viable.

[Who]

I don't think Oklahoma will sell off their picks.

I think that Sam Presti believes that draft picks offer him a chance at finding quality rotation players at a cheaper price than acquiring veteran role players through free agency. That using one's picks is the most cost-effective way of rounding out one's rotation / running a team.

Sort of like how Phoenix spent $20-25 million on a backup PG (Marcus Banks?) instead of drafting Rajon Rondo to do the job and having him on a rookie scale contract.

And that trading solid but unexceptional young talent (like Eric Maynor) for a future first round pick is often more cost effective than signing that young player to a long term contract.

[CFAN38]

I don't think Oklahoma will sell off their picks.

I think that Sam Presti believes that draft picks offer him a chance at finding quality rotation players at a cheaper price than acquiring veteran role players through free agency. That using one's picks is the most cost-effective way of rounding out one's rotation / running a team.

Sort of like how Phoenix spent $20-25 million on a backup PG (Marcus Banks?) instead of drafting Rajon Rondo to do the job and having him on a rookie scale contract.

And that trading solid but unexceptional young talent (like Eric Maynor) for a future first round pick is often more cost effective than signing that young player to a long term contract.

x2

Such a better overall plan than the typical nba model of getting a decent team and over paying FAs to "put your team over the top".

[nickagneta]

I don't think Oklahoma will sell off their picks.

I think that Sam Presti believes that draft picks offer him a chance at finding quality rotation players at a cheaper price than acquiring veteran role players through free agency. That using one's picks is the most cost-effective way of rounding out one's rotation / running a team.

Sort of like how Phoenix spent $20-25 million on a backup PG (Marcus Banks?) instead of drafting Rajon Rondo to do the job and having him on a rookie scale contract.

And that trading solid but unexceptional young talent (like Eric Maynor) for a future first round pick is often more cost effective than signing that young player to a long term contract.

Might be true but I also think this is a formula that completely wastes Durant's ability to get championships. I don't see where young players are going to put this team over the top to win.

So although its a great philosophy, its not, IMHO, a championship winning philosophy. resigning Martin and keeping Perk(or an equivalent starting center) is.

[Moranis]

Perkins + Toronto 1st

for

Lee + Melo


Boston can then use the pick on Shabazz, Olidipo, Robinson, etc. and gets some badly needed interior help.

OKC gets Martin's replacement in Lee who along with Lamb gets them two solid SG's in the rotation.  Lee is probably better at least for the next couple of years than who they would take in that spot so it doesn't hurt their window and Lee fits better with that team than Martin (Lee can also fill a lot of Thabo's role). The trade also saves OKC some money long term and it then doesn't have to amnesty Perk (which isn't easy to swallow for a small market team like OKC).  They also get a prospect in Melo that might turn into what they hoped Perk could be.

Other pieces can be added obviously, but I think that is a pretty decent framework for a trade.