AB is likely gone on draft draft (speculation)

[Jvalin]

Bradley is gone. He is too expensive and we have to move him before we can make any max offers.

We certainly don't have to move him. There are many ways for us to create enough space for Hayward

- renounce Kelly, trade Rozier+Jackson for future pick(s)/salary relief
- trade Smart + renounce Kelly
- trade Crowder
- trade IT + renounce Kelly
- trade Bradley

(just to name a few)

The way I see it, the odd man out is IT. I 'd trade him either on draft night or at the trade deadline and I'd resign/extend Bradley-Smart.

[CFAN38]

Let's try to look at this from the Wolves perspective. You want to give me what is essentially an expiring contract and two unproven players who were drafted in the teens for the 7th pick in what is believed to be a very deep draft? Not happening. The same holds true for the offer to the Knicks for the 8th pick. Teams drafting at 7or 8 are hoping to get an All-Star, not role players and roster fillers. It doesn't guarantee that they will get an All-Star, but they will be fishing in the right pond.

Keep in mind Ibaka was a high end role player going into a contract year and was traded for #11, Oladipo and Ilyasova. If Thibs really is looking to move this team into the playoffs then he could take the calculated risk and trade for AB. Minn has never been a FA hot spot so the draft and trades are their only way to add talent. Is there a better system and team fit out there right now then AB to Minn? You also have to remember that the longer they wait for players to develop the closer they get to resigning Wiggings and KAT. If they are not perennial playoff contenders what kind of chance do they have to resign either of these players?   

[Smokeeye123]

It's likely but I wouldnt mind just letting him walk. Just having him go up against fultz in practice would be great for his development.

[RodyTur10]

It's likely but I wouldnt mind just letting him walk. Just having him go up against fultz in practice would be great for his development.

I don't think that would justify not getting a lottery pick. Bradley has a lot of value leaguewise for a one year contract with his skillset and salary.

[jambr380]

It's likely but I wouldnt mind just letting him walk. Just having him go up against fultz in practice would be great for his development.

I don't think that would justify not getting a lottery pick. Bradley has a lot of value leaguewise for a one year contract with his skillset and salary.

...and Bird Rights.

Since he is a win-now player and the cap spikes are about to come to a screeching hault, it will be really helpful for any team who wants to sign him long term to be able to go over the cap to do so.

[clevelandceltic]

I have come to the realization that you will need to trade AB no matter if you sign a FA or not. Financially you cant hold onto him and from a long term development standpoint it might make just as much sense to play Smart, Fultz, Brown heavy min at the 2 in order to develop.

I cant see paying IT and AB based on the market plus your opportunity to win. We know the combo of Crowder, IT, and AB is not close to being enough to get us  a legit shot at the title. With that said, Im ready to move on from one of them as a starter for sure and since AB is an upcoming FA that would be my vote.

[Jvalin]

I have come to the realization that you will need to trade AB no matter if you sign a FA or not. Financially you cant hold onto him and from a long term development standpoint it might make just as much sense to play Smart, Fultz, Brown heavy min at the 2 in order to develop.

I cant see paying IT and AB based on the market plus your opportunity to win. We know the combo of Crowder, IT, and AB is not close to being enough to get us  a legit shot at the title. With that said, Im ready to move on from one of them as a starter for sure and since AB is an upcoming FA that would be my vote.

They are both upcoming free agents.

[Sophomore]

Let's try to look at this from the Wolves perspective. You want to give me what is essentially an expiring contract and two unproven players who were drafted in the teens for the 7th pick in what is believed to be a very deep draft? Not happening. The same holds true for the offer to the Knicks for the 8th pick. Teams drafting at 7or 8 are hoping to get an All-Star, not role players and roster fillers. It doesn't guarantee that they will get an All-Star, but they will be fishing in the right pond.

Keep in mind Ibaka was a high end role player going into a contract year and was traded for #11, Oladipo and Ilyasova. If Thibs really is looking to move this team into the playoffs then he could take the calculated risk and trade for AB. Minn has never been a FA hot spot so the draft and trades are their only way to add talent. Is there a better system and team fit out there right now then AB to Minn? You also have to remember that the longer they wait for players to develop the closer they get to resigning Wiggings and KAT. If they are not perennial playoff contenders what kind of chance do they have to resign either of these players?

Tommy point. Trade makes a lot of sense for the timberpups. They have exciting young talent. They need pros who know how to play and prepare, set the culture. That, and of course, AB is a plus two-way player who spaces the floor, defends the toughest guards, and clearly can start at the two for a team that goes deep in the playoffs. MN has the cap room to extend him immediately and he might not mind if the team is on the upswing. Honestly we overpay a little, but it may be worthwhile to get something if we are letting him walk anyway end of the year.

More likely, I think, we draft Fultz, make a play for GH and probably one cheap frontcourt player, then roll to the deadline and see what we've got. Who developed? What deals are out there. Prolly going to be slow again. But this wouldn't be nuts.

[More Banners]

A lot depends on how Ainge values what Olynyk brings. Might rather thin out the guard rotation than renounce the rights on KO. Total wild card right there. Skilled player, works in the system, and size. Tough to just let him walk.

I'm sure someone will correct me if mistaken, but with a $7.7M cap hold, clearing space for a max and then going over it to resign KO is possible, so long as they have the space including the 7.7, not what he actually gets...meaning we can exceed the cap even if we have space and use it elsewhere.

Also depends on how Ainge values Brown, who could be the guy to take AB's starting spot. I'm not so big on Smart, since shooting is so important.

For me, with so many young guards, keeping the veteran Bradley - though still a young veteran - for next season is the preferred route. Then deal with th problems of 2018 in 2018 as far as resignings and the cap.

[OldSchoolDude]

getting away from the Pippen non sense. (drop a prime pippen in the league right now you and you have a better facilitating K Leonard)


Another long term way to look at an AB for #7 based deal.


2017 Draft
      #1 Fultz
      #7 Issac

2018 Draft
       Porter Jr. or Doncic

Cs youth movement roster

PG Fultz
SG Brown
SF Porter/Doncic or worst case M Bridges
PF Issac
C Zizic
6th Smart

granted everyone will not reach their potential but at least on paper thats an amazing fit. With Fultz or Porter/Doncic early conciseness is they should develop into a top duo in the league. When playing small with Smart in at SG and Issac (hopefully bulked up) this roster would have amazing defensive versatility.

I like it a lot but how about:

PG Fultz / Rozier
SG Brown / Sindarius Thornwell (2017 2nd round)
SF Hayward / Yabuselle
PF Issac / Zizic
C Mo Bamba / Thomas Welsh (2018 celtics own 1st round pick)

[KG Living Legend]

 Bamba No. Let's pray for Ayton or Porter.

[OldSchoolDude]

 Bamba No. Let's pray for Ayton or Porter.

Bamba is 4-0 vs Ayton, that should mean something 

I'd take either of them, just thinking we probably have a better chance ending up with Bamba.  The 2018 draft is just like this years draft in that you cant go wrong with any of the top three.

[Dannys Chipotle Guy]

Bradley is gone. He is too expensive and we have to move him before we can make any max offers.

We certainly don't have to move him. There are many ways for us to create enough space for Hayward

- renounce Kelly, trade Rozier+Jackson for future pick(s)/salary relief
- trade Smart + renounce Kelly
- trade Crowder
- trade IT + renounce Kelly
- trade Bradley

(just to name a few)

The way I see it, the odd man out is IT. I 'd trade him either on draft night or at the trade deadline and I'd resign/extend Bradley-Smart.

bolded doesnt work.

both are ~1 million short.

[ashanm10]

I think AB goes to the Wolves for the 7th pick. Fair deal I would say. The reason I assume this move is with Isacc having come in for a workout. Surely lots of others will come for workouts too but I just feel that this move is very good as we can build for the future with a strong youth movement !

+ Clear salary and avoid crazy tax

[obnoxiousmime]

Let's try to look at this from the Wolves perspective. You want to give me what is essentially an expiring contract and two unproven players who were drafted in the teens for the 7th pick in what is believed to be a very deep draft? Not happening. The same holds true for the offer to the Knicks for the 8th pick. Teams drafting at 7or 8 are hoping to get an All-Star, not role players and roster fillers. It doesn't guarantee that they will get an All-Star, but they will be fishing in the right pond.

Keep in mind Ibaka was a high end role player going into a contract year and was traded for #11, Oladipo and Ilyasova. If Thibs really is looking to move this team into the playoffs then he could take the calculated risk and trade for AB. Minn has never been a FA hot spot so the draft and trades are their only way to add talent. Is there a better system and team fit out there right now then AB to Minn? You also have to remember that the longer they wait for players to develop the closer they get to resigning Wiggings and KAT. If they are not perennial playoff contenders what kind of chance do they have to resign either of these players?

I would say Ibaka at the time was considered more than a "high-end role player“ even though his game had been deteriorating slightly and steadily the last few years. Still, just because one team ripped another off doesn't mean Minnesota will behave similarly.

Wiggins and KT will be restricted FAs. Re-signing them is almost certainly guaranteed.

It will be very difficult to get a pick in the top 8-10 this year, because teams believe the draft is very deep from 2-10. There may not be a lot of potential stars after Fultz, but there are a lot of guys who could be starters eventually.