The Jazz‘s trade for John Collins and the Timberwolves‘ extension agreement with Naz Reid are two transactions that could have a ripple effect on other offseason activity, Jake Fischer writes in his latest story for Yahoo Sports.
As Fischer explains, the Jazz were expected to be a player for forwards in free agency, with Celtics RFA Grant Williams among Utah’s rumored targets. The Jazz still project to have cap room available, especially if Jordan Clarkson doesn’t remain with the team, but after adding Collins to a frontcourt that now features Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, and lottery pick Taylor Hendricks, it’s hard to see them spending big on another forward or center, Fischer observes.
As for Reid, the Cavaliers were among the teams that hoped to take a run at him in free agency, sources tell Fischer. It’s unclear whether Cleveland – which should have the full mid-level exception available – will pivot to pursuing another significant frontcourt addition to complement Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley or whether the club specifically valued Reid highly, Fischer writes.
Meanwhile, opposing executives are curious about how the Timberwolves’ new deal with Reid might affect the rest of their roster. In particular, Fischer says, rival teams are wondering if Minnesota might waive veteran wing Taurean Prince, whose $7.5MM salary for 2023/24 is non-guaranteed.
With Prince on the books, the Wolves likely won’t have access to the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, and they’re believe to be in the market for a combo guard with size using that MLE, according to Fischer, who names Bruce Brown and Donte DiVincenzo as two possible targets.
Here’s more of Fischer’s latest reporting:
- Minnesota is hardly the only team with interest in DiVincenzo. There has been “growing noise” among league personnel about the possibility of DiVincenzo joining the Knicks and teaming up with fellow Villanova alums Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, says Fischer.
- Teams with cap room, including the Pacers, Magic, and Pistons, are believed to be eyeing players like Grant Williams (RFA) and Max Strus, according to Fischer, though he has heard the same rumblings that Marc Stein has about Detroit potentially using its room to make a room at Cameron Johnson. If the Nets bring back Johnson, rival executives are prepared for Brooklyn to make a cost-cutting trade to help accommodate Johnson’s increased salary.
- The Wizards are considered likely to reach a buyout agreement with Danilo Gallinari, freeing up the veteran forward to pursue a deal with a team closer to contention, Fischer reports. Gallinari would be ineligible to re-sign with the Celtics in that scenario.
- The Rockets are considering high-salary, short-term deals in order to land their preferred targets in free agency, per Fischer, who suggests it might take a maximum-salary offer to lure Fred VanVleet away from the Raptors. VanVleet is rumored to be one of Houston’s top priorities in free agency.
- In case you missed it, we passed along more of Fischer’s latest tidbits in a pair of stories earlier today.
Take a maximum-salary offer to lure Fred VanVleet away from the Raptors?
I say No.
Rockets need to trade Smith and Green ASAP.
Why?
Their trade value is getting worse and worse year after year
Two years later, they both will have little trade value.
In 2023 their value is equal to top 20th best players
In 2025, their value is equal to 200th best player
They need to trade for a veteran guard who pushes the kids..Lowry/Conley/Tyus
Yeah! Trade two guys you took #2 and #3 within the last 3 years. Sounds like a fantastic strategy!
Two years ago Rockets fans declared that they would be title contenders in 2024.
Both players are low efficient players and are not the winners
The expectation is too high
That’s why they call him sillyman. He has no clue about basketball
Is he just trolling or do you think sillyman believes what he’s saying?
100% trolling, nobody could be this ignorant when it comes to basketball for this long
After trading two of the best players in franchise history for a multitude middling draft picks and mediocre to elite role players it kind of makes me worry the Jazz are going to try to jumpstart the rebuild. Hopefully they’re just diversifying their assets so they’ll have a mix of players and picks to match salaries when it is time to make a major move.
I don’t think trader Danny ever planned to tank for long…
Seems to me that the plan was to hope that Cleveland or Minnesota are forced to tank or are just plain bad enough for those picks to be in the lottery…
Looks like that bet is going to pay off too
DiVencienzo, Gallinari, Sbaros….
DiVincenzo would be an obvious fit with the NYK, but there are likely places where his path to significant PT would be clearer. It would be easier to find PT for a combo F or even a longer 2/3 with a 3 pt shot; but those guys aren’t likely to be available for the MLE.
I think Grant Williams will be a great addition to Orlando, Williams will bring toughest and poise to the young Orlando Magic team. He will be very versatile playing different positions.