Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

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Lipoli390
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

Post by Lipoli390 »

We got Ayo but we also got Julian Phillips. Here’s the Draft.net analysis of Julian’s strengths coming out of college:

Strengths: Raw, physical specimen with plenty of upside … Phillips was a McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit … Had modest success this past year as a freshman at Tennessee, but reportedly has been shining at pre draft events … At 6’8″ with a near 7′ wingspan, Julian has great size for the wing/forward position at the NBA level … Athletic ability is elite  … A player with “defensive versatility” to ultimately defend both 3 and 4 positions …. Led the entire 2023 NBA Draft Combine in vertical leap, jumping an eye-popping 43″ … This translates well to being a great open court finisher, rim runner, defender and rebounder at the next level … Watching Julian play, what stands out is indeed his explosiveness … Along with the physical tools, Phillips is also a highly interested, gritty, and tenacious defender, especially on the ball, making him a terror for opponents … This should translate immediately to the NBA … Phillips will mix it up and take a charge, and can be relied upon to absolutely hound the ball handler … His tenacity can also be seen on the boards … He averaged a strong, nearly two offensive rebounds per game… Offensively, Phillips is very raw … Has decent finishing ability around the hoop … Can catch an alley oop, lob pass … 82% from the FT line suggests he can become a better shooter from the floor …

I bolded the part that intrigues me the most because it refers to him having some of the qualities this team desperately needs. Ayo also appears to have these qualities as well — tenacity, intensity, etc.
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FNG
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

Post by FNG »

Lipoli390 wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 2:32 pm We got Ayo but we also got Julian Phillips. Here’s the Draft.net analysis of Julian’s strengths coming out of college:

Strengths: Raw, physical specimen with plenty of upside … Phillips was a McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit … Had modest success this past year as a freshman at Tennessee, but reportedly has been shining at pre draft events … At 6’8″ with a near 7′ wingspan, Julian has great size for the wing/forward position at the NBA level … Athletic ability is elite  … A player with “defensive versatility” to ultimately defend both 3 and 4 positions …. Led the entire 2023 NBA Draft Combine in vertical leap, jumping an eye-popping 43″ … This translates well to being a great open court finisher, rim runner, defender and rebounder at the next level … Watching Julian play, what stands out is indeed his explosiveness … Along with the physical tools, Phillips is also a highly interested, gritty, and tenacious defender, especially on the ball, making him a terror for opponents … This should translate immediately to the NBA … Phillips will mix it up and take a charge, and can be relied upon to absolutely hound the ball handler … His tenacity can also be seen on the boards … He averaged a strong, nearly two offensive rebounds per game… Offensively, Phillips is very raw … Has decent finishing ability around the hoop … Can catch an alley oop, lob pass … 82% from the FT line suggests he can become a better shooter from the floor …

I bolded the part that intrigues me the most because it refers to him having some of the qualities this team desperately needs. Ayo also appears to have these qualities as well — tenacity, intensity, etc.
Yep, he's someone to watch. I had researched him before I listened to 2 Dane Moore podcasts yesterday, and he and his guests hadn't done their homework...they knew nothing about him. But yeah...a young guy who as a McD all american and a 5 star recruit seems like more than a throw in in this deal. Maybe we will see what he can do in Iowa, or maybe Finchy wants to give him some of the Clark energy minutes. Not at all overlooking this guy.
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60WinTim
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

Post by 60WinTim »

FNG wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:34 pm
Lipoli390 wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 2:32 pm We got Ayo but we also got Julian Phillips. Here’s the Draft.net analysis of Julian’s strengths coming out of college:

Strengths: Raw, physical specimen with plenty of upside … Phillips was a McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit … Had modest success this past year as a freshman at Tennessee, but reportedly has been shining at pre draft events … At 6’8″ with a near 7′ wingspan, Julian has great size for the wing/forward position at the NBA level … Athletic ability is elite  … A player with “defensive versatility” to ultimately defend both 3 and 4 positions …. Led the entire 2023 NBA Draft Combine in vertical leap, jumping an eye-popping 43″ … This translates well to being a great open court finisher, rim runner, defender and rebounder at the next level … Watching Julian play, what stands out is indeed his explosiveness … Along with the physical tools, Phillips is also a highly interested, gritty, and tenacious defender, especially on the ball, making him a terror for opponents … This should translate immediately to the NBA … Phillips will mix it up and take a charge, and can be relied upon to absolutely hound the ball handler … His tenacity can also be seen on the boards … He averaged a strong, nearly two offensive rebounds per game… Offensively, Phillips is very raw … Has decent finishing ability around the hoop … Can catch an alley oop, lob pass … 82% from the FT line suggests he can become a better shooter from the floor …

I bolded the part that intrigues me the most because it refers to him having some of the qualities this team desperately needs. Ayo also appears to have these qualities as well — tenacity, intensity, etc.
Yep, he's someone to watch. I had researched him before I listened to 2 Dane Moore podcasts yesterday, and he and his guests hadn't done their homework...they knew nothing about him. But yeah...a young guy who as a McD all american and a 5 star recruit seems like more than a throw in in this deal. Maybe we will see what he can do in Iowa, or maybe Finchy wants to give him some of the Clark energy minutes. Not at all overlooking this guy.
That was one of my early thoughts -- Julian could supplant Clark for a few token minutes. Although, with Ayo in the mix, I think Clark may not get very many stints. We know Finch will tighten to his preferred 8.5-man rotation, and that .5 will be a tossup between Joan and Clark (or Julian).
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Lipoli390
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

Post by Lipoli390 »

Julian Phillips NBA highlights:

https://youtu.be/UCtXzoxg8HA?si=Iu-IGLlvSeXDss0c

Looks like more than just a freak athlete. He has some game, including a three-point shot. It will be interesting to see whether he gets any minutes and how he performs if he does.
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Monster
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

Post by Monster »

60WinTim wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:39 pm
FNG wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 3:34 pm
Lipoli390 wrote: Sat Feb 07, 2026 2:32 pm We got Ayo but we also got Julian Phillips. Here’s the Draft.net analysis of Julian’s strengths coming out of college:

Strengths: Raw, physical specimen with plenty of upside … Phillips was a McDonald’s All-American and 5-star recruit … Had modest success this past year as a freshman at Tennessee, but reportedly has been shining at pre draft events … At 6’8″ with a near 7′ wingspan, Julian has great size for the wing/forward position at the NBA level … Athletic ability is elite  … A player with “defensive versatility” to ultimately defend both 3 and 4 positions …. Led the entire 2023 NBA Draft Combine in vertical leap, jumping an eye-popping 43″ … This translates well to being a great open court finisher, rim runner, defender and rebounder at the next level … Watching Julian play, what stands out is indeed his explosiveness … Along with the physical tools, Phillips is also a highly interested, gritty, and tenacious defender, especially on the ball, making him a terror for opponents … This should translate immediately to the NBA … Phillips will mix it up and take a charge, and can be relied upon to absolutely hound the ball handler … His tenacity can also be seen on the boards … He averaged a strong, nearly two offensive rebounds per game… Offensively, Phillips is very raw … Has decent finishing ability around the hoop … Can catch an alley oop, lob pass … 82% from the FT line suggests he can become a better shooter from the floor …

I bolded the part that intrigues me the most because it refers to him having some of the qualities this team desperately needs. Ayo also appears to have these qualities as well — tenacity, intensity, etc.
Yep, he's someone to watch. I had researched him before I listened to 2 Dane Moore podcasts yesterday, and he and his guests hadn't done their homework...they knew nothing about him. But yeah...a young guy who as a McD all american and a 5 star recruit seems like more than a throw in in this deal. Maybe we will see what he can do in Iowa, or maybe Finchy wants to give him some of the Clark energy minutes. Not at all overlooking this guy.
That was one of my early thoughts -- Julian could supplant Clark for a few token minutes. Although, with Ayo in the mix, I think Clark may not get very many stints. We know Finch will tighten to his preferred 8.5-man rotation, and that .5 will be a tossup between Joan and Clark (or Julian).
I highly doubt Phillips will be seeing any mins in the gleague. He is a guy that's played some legit minutes at times for Chicago and it's not like they are some terrible basketball team it's one that's hovered around .500 the last few years.

A fun thing I just realized this morning the Bulls had Leonard Miller's bother Emanuel on their roster before trading him in the Conley deal.

Edit: correction he was dealt in the Cavs Kings deal.
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kekgeek
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

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Dilly first game with the bulls
9 pts (3-7, 1-3 from 3), 3 Rebs, 4 Asts, 3 turnovers team leading +9 in 22 minutes losing to the nuggets
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kekgeek
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

Post by kekgeek »

Rob Dillingham on playing with the freedom to make mistakes with the Chicago Bulls:

“Obviously we’re gonna win, we wanna win, but like, we can mess up here, it’s not like if we lose we die.”

(via @Will_Gottlieb)
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FNG
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

Post by FNG »

kekgeek wrote: Sun Feb 08, 2026 10:11 am Dilly first game with the bulls
9 pts (3-7, 1-3 from 3), 3 Rebs, 4 Asts, 3 turnovers team leading +9 in 22 minutes losing to the nuggets
Good for Rob!

I can already see the challenge the Bulls are going to have...surviving the non-Rob minutes. They were a -25 when he was off the court! Hmm...does he have a chance of replacing Ivey as a starter? Bulls fans on Reddit want it.
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Q-is-here
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Re: Wolves trade number 2. We got Ayo!!

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Remember that Minott had a honeymoon period with the Celtics and their fans.
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