Q-was-here wrote:The Gobert trade really did change the calculus on DLO in my opinion. Before I was absolutely not in favor of an extension. Now I'm unambiguously flummoxed as to what the best outcome might be because of the ins and outs of the salary cap. Is it more valuable to retain DLO/the salary slot or are we still better off letting him walk even though we lose the salary slot? In addition, he may have a say in this as well. He might decide to bet on himself and willingly become an UFA after next year.
Well put, Q. The calculus has changed. My first thought was that the Gobert deal made extending or re-signing DLO more likely. But after looking more closely as the payroll situation, I now think it's less likely they re-sign or extend him beyond the 2023-24 season.
Maybe the smartest thing would be a one-year extension at $30 million. That would allow the Wolves to make a decision on DLO the summer of 2024 when the luxury tax chickens come home to roost. That would keep DLO around for two more seasons to gel with the current roster. In addition, the Wolves would have DLO's salary slot and Bird rights to work with, which would give them the flexibility to keep him and absorb the luxury tax hit if they decide it makes sense. But they'd also have the flexibility to let him walk and slot someone cheaper into the PG position if it turns out that the development of Edwards as a lead ball-handler (or the development of Nowell) reduces DLO's value to the team.
I'll add that the uncertainty surrounding DLO is a reason why I was really disappointed that Connelly didn't sign McClung to our last regular roster spot or at least sign Sharife Cooper to a two-way deal. I think the Wolves should be looking for young PGs to evaluate and groom as potential successors to DLO. Perhaps they see Nowell or Moore as possible successors, but I think they should case a broader net and have a true PG in the fold to evaluate and develop.
Q-was-here wrote:The Gobert trade really did change the calculus on DLO in my opinion. Before I was absolutely not in favor of an extension. Now I'm unambiguously flummoxed as to what the best outcome might be because of the ins and outs of the salary cap. Is it more valuable to retain DLO/the salary slot or are we still better off letting him walk even though we lose the salary slot? In addition, he may have a say in this as well. He might decide to bet on himself and willingly become an UFA after next year.
Well put, Q. The calculus has changed. My first thought was that the Gobert deal made extending or re-signing DLO more likely. But after looking more closely as the payroll situation, I now think it's less likely they re-sign or extend him beyond the 2023-24 season.
Maybe the smartest thing would be a one-year extension at $30 million. That would allow the Wolves to make a decision on DLO the summer of 2024 when the luxury tax chickens come home to roost. That would keep DLO around for two more seasons to gel with the current roster. In addition, the Wolves would have DLO's salary slot and Bird rights to work with, which would give them the flexibility to keep him and absorb the luxury tax hit if they decide it makes sense. But they'd also have the flexibility to let him walk and slot someone cheaper into the PG position if it turns out that the development of Edwards as a lead ball-handler (or the development of Nowell) reduces DLO's value to the team.
I'll add that the uncertainty surrounding DLO is a reason why I was really disappointed that Connelly didn't sign McClung to our last regular roster spot or at least sign Sharife Cooper to a two-way deal. I think the Wolves should be looking for young PGs to evaluate and groom as potential successors to DLO. Perhaps they see Nowell or Moore as possible successors, but I think they should case a broader net and have a true PG in the fold to evaluate and develop.
Yeah, we really have to hope that Ant and Nowell continue to improve their playmaking chops so that we have options. We've talked before about not really needing a high level playmaking/scoring PG if you have guys like Ant and Nowell reach their full potential. But you also don't want someone that barely belongs on an NBA roster. That's why my original dream was landing Tyus Jones - a true "game manager" that will allow others to shine on offense while holding his own on defense.
Q-was-here wrote:The Gobert trade really did change the calculus on DLO in my opinion. Before I was absolutely not in favor of an extension. Now I'm unambiguously flummoxed as to what the best outcome might be because of the ins and outs of the salary cap. Is it more valuable to retain DLO/the salary slot or are we still better off letting him walk even though we lose the salary slot? In addition, he may have a say in this as well. He might decide to bet on himself and willingly become an UFA after next year.
Well put, Q. The calculus has changed. My first thought was that the Gobert deal made extending or re-signing DLO more likely. But after looking more closely as the payroll situation, I now think it's less likely they re-sign or extend him beyond the 2023-24 season.
Maybe the smartest thing would be a one-year extension at $30 million. That would allow the Wolves to make a decision on DLO the summer of 2024 when the luxury tax chickens come home to roost. That would keep DLO around for two more seasons to gel with the current roster. In addition, the Wolves would have DLO's salary slot and Bird rights to work with, which would give them the flexibility to keep him and absorb the luxury tax hit if they decide it makes sense. But they'd also have the flexibility to let him walk and slot someone cheaper into the PG position if it turns out that the development of Edwards as a lead ball-handler (or the development of Nowell) reduces DLO's value to the team.
I'll add that the uncertainty surrounding DLO is a reason why I was really disappointed that Connelly didn't sign McClung to our last regular roster spot or at least sign Sharife Cooper to a two-way deal. I think the Wolves should be looking for young PGs to evaluate and groom as potential successors to DLO. Perhaps they see Nowell or Moore as possible successors, but I think they should case a broader net and have a true PG in the fold to evaluate and develop.
Yeah, we really have to hope that Ant and Nowell continue to improve their playmaking chops so that we have options. We've talked before about not really needing a high level playmaking/scoring PG if you have guys like Ant and Nowell reach their full potential. But you also don't want someone that barely belongs on an NBA roster. That's why my original dream was landing Tyus Jones - a true "game manager" that will allow others to shine on offense while holding his own on defense.
I agree, Q. If this team becomes the championship contender we're hoping for, then I think Ant or Nowell will have to develop into the type of player that allows the team to forego having a high level playmaking/scoring PG. I also agree that Tyus Jones would have been a perfect fit in that scenario. If Edwards becomes our Dwayne Wade in a couple years, then a Dennis Schroder type will be sufficient.
- There is very little reason for D'Angelo Russell to agree to any extension that isn't at least three years long, in my opinion. He's looking for long-term security. Taking a one-year extension would arguably be the worst thing to do for a player in Russell's position.
- I continue to be perplexed by this board's resistance to having more ball-handlers. Frankly, Minnesota needs Anthony Edwards and Jaylen Nowell to step up and improve in that regard even with Russell on the roster. And losing Russell only puts even more pressure on the few shot creators Minnesota currently has. The bottom line is that we want Edwards to be the Harden-esque lead guard that can facilitate the entire offense, but it's just as likely that he'll never be that guy, and that's okay.
Camden wrote:- There is very little reason for D'Angelo Russell to agree to any extension that isn't at least three years long, in my opinion. He's looking for long-term security. Taking a one-year extension would arguably be the worst thing to do for a player in Russell's position.
- I continue to be perplexed by this board's resistance to having more ball-handlers. Frankly, Minnesota needs Anthony Edwards and Jaylen Nowell to step up and improve in that regard even with Russell on the roster. And losing Russell only puts even more pressure on the few shot creators Minnesota currently has. The bottom line is that we want Edwards to be the Harden-esque lead guard that can facilitate the entire offense, but it's just as likely that he'll never be that guy, and that's okay.
I agree with your first point, and it's the reason I don't see a long term extension happening. The goals of the organization and DLO's objectives just don't line up. It's one thing to go high into the luxury tax for Durant, it's another to do it for DLO. Especially for multiple years. But we need to find a solution at PG moving forward. I'm a bit perplexed they did nothing in that area this offseason. It would be interesting to know what the plan is.
Camden wrote:- There is very little reason for D'Angelo Russell to agree to any extension that isn't at least three years long, in my opinion. He's looking for long-term security. Taking a one-year extension would arguably be the worst thing to do for a player in Russell's position.
- I continue to be perplexed by this board's resistance to having more ball-handlers. Frankly, Minnesota needs Anthony Edwards and Jaylen Nowell to step up and improve in that regard even with Russell on the roster. And losing Russell only puts even more pressure on the few shot creators Minnesota currently has. The bottom line is that we want Edwards to be the Harden-esque lead guard that can facilitate the entire offense, but it's just as likely that he'll never be that guy, and that's okay.
I agree having multiple ball handlers is a good thing. Having a $30M/year ball handler that is a negative defender and with just OK-ish efficiency is a big decision to make. You don't want him to become a negative asset in Year 2 of a 4 year deal. That is a distinct possibility in my opinion. But perhaps the best is yet to come with DLO.
Q-was-here wrote:The Gobert trade really did change the calculus on DLO in my opinion. Before I was absolutely not in favor of an extension. Now I'm unambiguously flummoxed as to what the best outcome might be because of the ins and outs of the salary cap. Is it more valuable to retain DLO/the salary slot or are we still better off letting him walk even though we lose the salary slot? In addition, he may have a say in this as well. He might decide to bet on himself and willingly become an UFA after next year.
Well put, Q. The calculus has changed. My first thought was that the Gobert deal made extending or re-signing DLO more likely. But after looking more closely as the payroll situation, I now think it's less likely they re-sign or extend him beyond the 2023-24 season.
Maybe the smartest thing would be a one-year extension at $30 million. That would allow the Wolves to make a decision on DLO the summer of 2024 when the luxury tax chickens come home to roost. That would keep DLO around for two more seasons to gel with the current roster. In addition, the Wolves would have DLO's salary slot and Bird rights to work with, which would give them the flexibility to keep him and absorb the luxury tax hit if they decide it makes sense. But they'd also have the flexibility to let him walk and slot someone cheaper into the PG position if it turns out that the development of Edwards as a lead ball-handler (or the development of Nowell) reduces DLO's value to the team.
I'll add that the uncertainty surrounding DLO is a reason why I was really disappointed that Connelly didn't sign McClung to our last regular roster spot or at least sign Sharife Cooper to a two-way deal. I think the Wolves should be looking for young PGs to evaluate and groom as potential successors to DLO. Perhaps they see Nowell or Moore as possible successors, but I think they should case a broader net and have a true PG in the fold to evaluate and develop.
Yeah, we really have to hope that Ant and Nowell continue to improve their playmaking chops so that we have options. We've talked before about not really needing a high level playmaking/scoring PG if you have guys like Ant and Nowell reach their full potential. But you also don't want someone that barely belongs on an NBA roster. That's why my original dream was landing Tyus Jones - a true "game manager" that will allow others to shine on offense while holding his own on defense.
One of the knocks on Sharife Cooper is the question of whether or not he can be a complementary player. That was one thing that I did consider about him when I was considering him as an option. McClung? Idk I haven't watched enough of him to say on that front I didn't want to get my hopes up.
It's also worth noting how much Tyus Jones cost this summer. It's not going to be easy to land a good player in that mold. Lots of teams are looking for players like that. Beverly is kinda in that mold too although less of a true PG but also a really good 3 point shooter that's a REALLY good defender. There is a reason why Beverley has continued to make a pretty nice salary the last few years
