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Offseason Plan + Lauri Thread

I'd also look into using the 2025 Wolves pick to move up in the draft from 29/32 to have two lottery picks.
I was with this strategy early but not sure at the moment. Like I think we can get to late teens early 20s pretty easily with more minor assets. Not sure the jump to 10-14 is worth the extra. I’d definitely consider it (like OKC did a couple years ago). The price must be right and I’d obviously have to have someone I loved slipping down there.

After the play in we can get wild with some fake trades.
 
I'm not gonna pencil the Wolves in for sustained success just yet.. No way I'm giving up next years pick for next to nothing.
 
I was with this strategy early but not sure at the moment. Like I think we can get to late teens early 20s pretty easily with more minor assets. Not sure the jump to 10-14 is worth the extra. I’d definitely consider it (like OKC did a couple years ago). The price must be right and I’d obviously have to have someone I loved slipping down there.

After the play in we can get wild with some fake trades.
Assume the Jazz move into #1 and draft Sarr....

Would you trade Walker and the 2025 Wolves pick (could even throw in 29 or 32) for #7?
 
I'm not gonna pencil the Wolves in for sustained success just yet.. No way I'm giving up next years pick for next to nothing.
Being good a season after nearly being the #1 seed isnt what I would call betting on sustained success. It's just common sense they probably arent dropping much.
 
Being good a season after nearly being the #1 seed isnt what I would call betting on sustained success. It's just common sense they probably arent dropping much.
So I'd just take the pick in a better draft class next year.

I agree there is a very very good chance the pick is mid 20's or later next year. But I still wouldn't give it up just to slightly improve draft position this year. Unless I just absolutely loved a prospect that had fallen, which feels unlikely in this draft.
 
If we ended up trading Sexton and Clarkson how would organically could we be next year with Lauri?
 
So I'd just take the pick in a better draft class next year.

I agree there is a very very good chance the pick is mid 20's or later next year. But I still wouldn't give it up just to slightly improve draft position this year. Unless I just absolutely loved a prospect that had fallen, which feels unlikely in this draft.
I mean, moving into the lottery from 29 isnt slightly improving your pick, it's improving it a lot.
 
I mean, moving into the lottery from 29 isnt slightly improving your pick, it's improving it a lot.
It's all relative to the draft class though.

Imagine we have traded that pick and have an extra bum from this years draft class. Then early next season the Wolves get hit by injuries to their best players, or something just seems off and they disappoint a bit next season. The West top teams are so loaded that good teams will be in the play-in every year. And from there you have a very real chance that a good team that was expected to contend, has lotto balls instead.
 
Assume the Jazz move into #1 and draft Sarr....

Would you trade Walker and the 2025 Wolves pick (could even throw in 29 or 32) for #7?
Hmmmm... if you let me put top 8-10 protections on that Wolves pick then yes. I might sign a FA center as a gap filler until Sarr is ready.

If the pick is unprotected then no. I think Walker for #7 is pretty close to fair... so maybe I'd try and get Walker plus the late firsts this year instead? Assumes there is someone there they really like.
 
It's all relative to the draft class though.

Imagine we have traded that pick and have an extra bum from this years draft class. Then early next season the Wolves get hit by injuries to their best players, or something just seems off and they disappoint a bit next season. The West top teams are so loaded that good teams will be in the play-in every year. And from there you have a very real chance that a good team that was expected to contend, has lotto balls instead.
Sure, but that's probably not going to happen. If there wasnt any risk then the pick wouldnt have any value. Got to take risk sometimes.
 
Hmmmm... if you let me put top 8-10 protections on that Wolves pick then yes. I might sign a FA center as a gap filler until Sarr is ready.

If the pick is unprotected then no. I think Walker for #7 is pretty close to fair... so maybe I'd try and get Walker plus the late firsts this year instead? Assumes there is someone there they really like.
Best you could get was maybe top 3 protected. But I wouldnt do it if I was the Grizzlies unless it was straight up.

If Walker didnt take a step back this past year, I'd agree that Walker for 7 would be fair, but that isnt the case.
 
Sure, but that's probably not going to happen. If there wasnt any risk then the pick wouldnt have any value. Got to take risk sometimes.
Fair enough, I actually missed this hypothetical:
Assume the Jazz move into #1 and draft Sarr....

Would you trade Walker and the 2025 Wolves pick (could even throw in 29 or 32) for #7?

And in this scenario it definitely makes sense. Especially if a nice target is there at #7. I would do this trade.
 
I just have a hard time believing the Wolves are going to take a significant step back with Ant only being 22 years old currently.
 
Best you could get was maybe top 3 protected. But I wouldnt do it if I was the Grizzlies unless it was straight up.

If Walker didnt take a step back this past year, I'd agree that Walker for 7 would be fair, but that isnt the case.
I'd probably just keep Walker if we drafted Sarr... but if Castle or Shep were available at 7 I'd be tempted to do that deal. Make it top 4 protected to make sure you don't have them jumping up if they have an injury and end up late lotto.

Prolly just keep Walker though as Sarr wouldn't be ready for 24+ minutes as a rook. Depends on the team goals too. If they are trying to stealth tank with Lauri then moving Walker for another top 10 pick aids in that effort tremendously.
 
I just have a hard time believing the Wolves are going to take a significant step back with Ant only being 22 years old currently.
They are a Rudy or Ant injury away from the play in (if it happens early in the season). They have some issues with the budget this summer and maybe the KAT trade ends up being a good deal (if they do it). They will inevitably lose some depth but a step back will require a fairly catastrophic injury to Ant or Rudy. The west is such is going to be a blood bath next year if teams are relatively healthy. Injuries may throw a team from top 3 to the play in pretty quickly.
 
Silly question - but our pick is equally protected 1-10 in 2025, right? I.e., the pick not conveying this year doesn't trigger a guarantee for the pick to convey next year?

Obviously a massive consideration WRT the 2025 tank brigade.
If we are tanking even for this year then rest assured we gonna tank the **** out of next year.
 
I think there will be some serious tire kicking on a Lauri trade. If someone ponies up the bounty I think the Jazz will take the offer and tank the next couple years. The price will be high though. At this point we get a bonus pick in 2025 or 2026 by retaining our pick if we tank... so that cherry gets added to the top of whatever sundae we trade him for.

If not I think it becomes a really boring offseason that frustrates everyone. Maybe only one of Clarkson, Collins, Sexton is moved... and maybe none. We make our picks (well two of them and either trade up or do the LA Bronny trade with the second rounder). We "try" and trade for a star or sign someone but end up punting our cap space on retaining Dunn and Lauri while maintaining "flexibility" into the offseason.

Organically we will be like the 6th or 7th worst team because of how competitive the west is and because we will have 4-5 young players in the rotation all year. Kenny Lofton wins most improved player.
please title this "Excellent Set of Scenarios to Make NAOS Even Less Interested in Jazz Basketball"
 
please title this "Excellent Set of Scenarios to Make NAOS Even Less Interested in Jazz Basketball"
For sure. I think this offseason we see peak fan lashouts followed by general disinterest. This feels to me like a tank apocalypse or an Almost Ainge type of summer. The playoffs could change that if a few teams hit the reset button unexpectedly. We could also win the lotto which may change things a bit.
 
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