05-10-2023, 03:23 PM
(05-10-2023, 11:44 AM)surfpuckmd Wrote: New idea to use the 10th pick for a useful player. I believe this would solve a problem for each team.
Dallas trades the 10th pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves as well as Javale McGee in exchange for Jaden McDaniels and Nathan Knight.
Fundamentally, the trade is pick 10 for Jaden McDaniels. I included the McGee and Knight for salary matching purposes.
McDaniels is a combo forward with good size, excellent defense and shot 40% from 3 this year.
He would be an excellent fit as the Mavs power forward. He is only 22 and likely to improve.
The Timberwolves are about to have a salary crunch. Anthony Edwards will receive a max contract extension this summer and Rudy Gobert and KAT are already guaranteed large contracts over the next several years. I think McDaniels will deserve an expensive extension and retaining Kyle Anderson would be a much less expensive move for Minnesota.
They could use the 10th pick to draft either Conley's eventual replacement or a cost-controlled forward to replace McDaniels.
McGee is a bad contract but I don't see another way to match salaries.
I believe this would work well for both teams.
I love the idea to get McDaniels. I think he'd fit in incredibly well here.
Although I'm a bit hesitant to say he's worth a lottery pick. Yes he's an incredible defender and can shoot from 3, but for a player like that is the going rate a lottery pick? I'm leaning towards no.
In fact I can point to an incredibly similar player in Jarred Vanderbilt who was just traded for one of the worst contracts in the NBA and all it cost the Lakers was a protected first.
I'd also wonder why not just use the 10th pick to draft a player like McDaniels anyways if there is one available?
With that in mind I'd modify the trade and give the Wolves McGee+Maxi (or Bullock+McGee) for McDaniels+Prince.
Wolves do this trade for the cap savings you mentioned, but also get a stretch 4 they desperately need off the bench that can defend.
Not sure if they do this, but I just think a lotto pick for a talent like McDaniels is an overpay.
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.