" (Lowe) Minnesota has communicated to the league at large that they believe they have a pathway to

[apollotsg [enjin:6592798]]

This might be the craziest offseason I can remember for the NBA, it really feels like next year and beyond is back up for grabs again. Toronto beating the most stacked team ever changes things a bit, along with the other two teams everyone thought would be juggernauts collapsing - Bos and LALabrons.

I have no idea how it's going to shake out for us but DLO coming to us sounds pretty promising, I have a feeling this has been the plan from the start - while I am not a scout or talent evaluator in any sense, but I would really like to see this lineup next year:

PG Russel
SG Okogie
SF Culver
PF Covington
C Towns

G Some old vet like Rose who can get his own with DLO and Towns on the bench
F/C A bruiser to counter teams with a physical PF/C

I am rooting hard for Rosa to tell Saunders to bench any player that takes another long two ever again - for 3 or in the paint - nothing else. With the lineup above I could foresee a lot of fast breaks on stops - that whole lineup is willing passers, leading to some fun games to watch.

If I were running the team, I trade whatever I have to to make the above lineup.

Russel is free to sign a deal with anyone he wants, and if he wants to play with his BFF then it is going to happen as long as we can free up cap space - period. It has nothing to do with NY or anyone else - the players have taken over the league and they are deciding where they play. The Butler and Kyrie team destruction tour last year should have scared the shit out of every GM. That said, I could see someone like Jones going to NY in a 3 team trade.

Wiggins - he is still young and his stats are avg. BUT, when I looked through the list of 1st picks that are labeled as busts - he stands out a bit differently for several reasons. He has not failed, he just isn't a superstar. He also has been injury free, it is so rare to see a player play as many minutes as him. I think we can get someone to take him - another team like us that can't lure in a top tier FA and room on the team for the potential to break out - history says he is not going to breakout but who knows - if I were a GM with cap space and no means of getting someone with his potential, I might make the leap.

Teague - his stats match up pretty well against all the available PGs this year and he has a decent expiring contract - I think he is easily movable.

[TAFKASP]

But Lip and Cool and a few others said this was bad. I'm not sure who to listen to...

(I kid..I kid)

Listen to everyone, but if you want a realistic take from a trained basketball evaluator, I will do. Regarding Culver, I saw him quite a bit last year and I don't see the upside some of the pundits do. But I'm just one guy with an opinion. Obviously I hope I'm wrong.

The first line of this reply made me chuckle. All in good fun and I'm not attempting to start anything, but this thing where you act like your basketball prowess is somehow higher than others here because you coached amateur girls basketball is pure comedy.

You're good for the board, Cool, but come on now. "Trained basketball evaluator" is quite the spin.

The best posts are the "No offense but..." posts!

I'm *jab* not *jab* trying *jab* to *jab* start *jab* anything *jab* but....


Lolololol! Good stuff Cam!

[mjs34]

If the Wolves trade Covington or first round picks for the right to massively overpay DLO, I'm calling Rosas, Kahn 2.0.

I'm eager to hear your explanation for why.

While I think of Cov as a role player on a good contract (tradeable), I am have concerns about DLO. Why isn't Brooklyn looking to re-sign him? He was an all-star in their system, so doesn't that take the guess work out of it for them. Why bring in Kyrie for even more money knowing what a drama queen he can be?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

If the Wolves trade Covington or first round picks for the right to massively overpay DLO, I'm calling Rosas, Kahn 2.0.

I'm eager to hear your explanation for why.

While I think of Cov as a role player on a good contract (tradeable), I am have concerns about DLO. Why isn't Brooklyn looking to re-sign him? He was an all-star in their system, so doesn't that take the guess work out of it for them. Why bring in Kyrie for even more money knowing what a drama queen he can be?

From the Nets angle, I think it's honestly as simple as star power. I think they're trying to get two stars this off-season. D'Angelo Russell doesn't have that allure yet of stars wanting to relocate to play with him -- also because his friends/buddies are locked into deals with the teams that drafted them (Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker).

Brooklyn can go after Kyrie Irving with hopes that he'll attract a Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, or Tobias Harris into coming with him. That's something that Russell just doesn't have going for him right now.

[kekgeek]

If the Wolves trade Covington or first round picks for the right to massively overpay DLO, I'm calling Rosas, Kahn 2.0.

I'm eager to hear your explanation for why.

While I think of Cov as a role player on a good contract (tradeable), I am have concerns about DLO. Why isn't Brooklyn looking to re-sign him? He was an all-star in their system, so doesn't that take the guess work out of it for them. Why bring in Kyrie for even more money knowing what a drama queen he can be?

From the Nets angle, I think it's honestly as simple as star power. I think they're trying to get two stars this off-season. D'Angelo Russell doesn't have that allure yet of stars wanting to relocate to play with him -- also because his friends/buddies are locked into deals with the teams that drafted them (Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker).

Brooklyn can go after Kyrie Irving with hopes that he'll attract a Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler, or Tobias Harris into coming with him. That's something that Russell just doesn't have going for him right now.

I also want to add that there is a report (I believe from the NY Post) saying that the front office of the Nets is really split on weather to bring back Russell on a cheaper contract or going to get Kyrie. Also Kyrie and Russell really don't fit great together, two dominate ball handlers who are the best with the ball in their hands that are generally sub par at defense.

The thing that does worry me about Russell is he had his best year in a contract year and he made a ton of contested mid range jumpers this year, is it sustainable for him to keep at this pass making those types of shots I am not sure, but if it only costs us 1 first round pick I am willing to find out.

[TheFuture]

I'd rather attach picks to Dieng and teague to move them instead of using Covington.

We can gain picks down the line. We are not going to get a player like Covington on that contract moving forward. KAT is entering his contract, and he needs other proven plus players around him. Covington is a perfect fit here. He preaches defense and is the perfect mentor for Okogie and Culver (wish Wiggins). I'm not relying on more rookies to satisfy KAT and watch it go the way of KG and Love again, or more recently AD.

Keep covington even if it costs us multiple 1sts with mid lottery protections/2nds to go get DLO. Use the MLE on a PF, resign Tyus with bird rights, then vet minimums to fill out.

In this scenario we already have tons of players to develop in Wiggins, okogie, KAT, Culver, Tyus, DLO (all locked in for multiple more years) Nowell and KBD. We can afford losing a couple picks in the next few years. If a run fails, we can blow it up and gain back picks.

[TheGrey08]

I'd rather attach picks to Dieng and teague to move them instead of using Covington.

We can gain picks down the line. We are not going to get a player like Covington on that contract moving forward. KAT is entering his contract, and he needs other proven plus players around him. Covington is a perfect fit here. He preaches defense and is the perfect mentor for Okogie and Culver (wish Wiggins). I'm not relying on more rookies to satisfy KAT and watch it go the way of KG and Love again, or more recently AD.

Keep covington even if it costs us multiple 1sts with mid lottery protections/2nds to go get DLO. Use the MLE on a PF, resign Tyus with bird rights, then vet minimums to fill out.

In this scenario we already have tons of players to develop in Wiggins, okogie, KAT, Culver, Tyus, DLO (all locked in for multiple more years) Nowell and KBD. We can afford losing a couple picks in the next few years. If a run fails, we can blow it up and gain back picks.

That's pretty close to my thinking as well.

Teague has positive value and idk why there's emphasis on his contract as if it's an overpay... it's the last year of his deal and he's a damn good PG. He's good enough to start on a championship team. Not just any old starting 5, but one that fits together.

Covington should be untouchable unless Rosas is 100% certain they are getting a good 3 & D wing back or have one locked up in free agency. He's too good of a fit as a 3 & D guy on this roster and before he got hurt it showed.

If Irving chooses the Nets, they will then need to unload DLO to bring in other all star talent to fit with Irving. Therefore this isn't the Lebron to Miami situation where the Cavs just wanted picks in return to retool. This time it's the Nets trying to bring in multiple stars and they need the cap space right away. That leaves the Nets with little to no leverage and at that point they will be lucky to get a 1st rounder or more in return.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I coached 6th grade travel hoops last season.

That makes me the 3rd best trained talent evaluator here. I think.

[thedoper]

Poor Cool is getting roasted for calling himself a trained basketball evaluator. I trust your training Cool.