Windy reporting that Ant has questions about the future roster he wants answered

[Phenom]

The Ant stuff from Windy is nonsense. Anyone who is being realistic about the Wolves right now would have questions about the future of the roster and that would include Ant, Finch, TC, all of us, etc so it's not like it's some alarming thing.

Yup!

This type of 'story' is as old as basketball. Once a star player is in their second contract its in the media bylaws to start putting these ideas out there. It happens to all of them. I guess it's good that Ant is worth their time.

[Wolvesfan21]

On the Game Theory podcast, I just heard that Kyrie was 1% shy of averaging a 50-40-90 for the past 5 seasons (not last year of course). That is insane.

Is Julius, Donte and some form of the 2033 pick enough for Dallas? Would it need to be unprotected? Dallas has a good chance to get a point guard to put with Coop at 9.

Kyrie has always been a highly efficient scorer, so that 5-year stat sample wouldn’t surprise me.

To evaluate Kyrie as a potential target for the Wolves, I feel more comfortable looking at his career stats, which are 23.7points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds with shooting percentages of 47.4% FG, 39.4% 3pt., 88.8% FTs on 4.3 attempts. Those are impressive, but he’s obviously not a facilitator or classic PG. He’s a scorer and a really efficient one.

To put his career stats in a more current perspective, I’d look at his most recent two seasons before he went down with the ACL tear:

2022-23: 58 games, 25.6 points, 5.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 49.7% FG, 41.1%, 3pt., 90.5% FT
2023-24: 50 games, 24.7 points, 4.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 47.3% FG, 40.1% 3pt., 91.6% FT

Those are impressive offensive stats around his career averages. But I’d note that he’s 2 years older than he was in that 2023-24 season and no one can deny that players typically decline when they get into their mid 30s.

Then I’d look at his durability, throughout the last half of his career, which is terrible. He’s averaged 40.75 games per season in the eight seasons before last season when he was out the entire season with his ACL tear. In that 8-year span, he played in more than 60 games only twice. In his entire 15-year career he’s played 70+ games only twice. And of course the vast majority of those he was in his 20s. He’s now 34 years old, hasn’t played basketball in over a year and is coming off surgery to repair a torn ACL.

So yes, Kyrie has been a terrific offensive PG over his career. But he’s also shown incredibly poor durability on a consistent basis throughout his career and we know a player’s durability doesn’t get better with age - especially a player entering his mid-30s and even less so coming off major knee surgery. That doesn’t mean Kyrie couldn’t end up being a great offensive PG for the Wolves. But it does mean he should have a huge sign on his packaging that says: APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION, HIGH RISK OF MISSED GAMES AND DECLINE.

When you put Kyrie’s specific situation in the broader context of mid-30s former star vet acquisitions failing, it just strikes me as obvious the Wolves shouldn’t be considering Kyrie in the mix for possible post-season acquisitions.

One of those he sat out a bunch too because of not getting a covid shot, couldn't play home games. I'd look at the last two healthy seasons and say, OK 54 games. I'd be fine with that if he can be there for the playoffs. Give me 54 games, but a top 5 PG play for the playoffs and I'm all in. Versus the mid-low tier PG play we might get in a safe trade.

I think where I and some fans differ is some want to play it safe. Safe isn't winning a championship IMO. We need to go for it all. I have zero interest in playing it safe at this point. Remembering too, DDV even if he's coming back won't help much being at say 50% of his former self of course coming back off the achilles (he needs really 18 months). We should trade him, sad to see him go, but winning takes sacrifices.

[Wolvesfan21]

The Ant stuff from Windy is nonsense. Anyone who is being realistic about the Wolves right now would have questions about the future of the roster and that would include Ant, Finch, TC, all of us, etc so it's not like it's some alarming thing.

Yup!

This type of 'story' is as old as basketball. Once a star player is in their second contract its in the media bylaws to start putting these ideas out there. It happens to all of them. I guess it's good that Ant is worth their time.

I would think it's unlikley though Ant plays his entire career here. Thats just a very rare thing for NBA players these days. So I would look at it as when you have him, go for it. Planning for 3 years from now doesn't do jack, he could be gone and that is realistic to consider.

[TheGrey08]

Paying for Irving long-term on the tail end of his 30s seems like a terrible idea though. Any trade for him would be to "win now" and probably "F the future." I can see why a player like Edwards would want that. But it gives me pause.

I also really dig asparagus when done right. It's a fast riser on Abe's Top 10 list of overlooked vegetables.

That's where they need to have a conversation with him about an extension up front with the emphasis that they're trying to win and need vap flexibility to do so.

If they could get Ant to accept a current max 2 year extension (Brunson type discount) and get Kyrie on a reasonable team friendly extension, it could make a huge difference. If Kyrie wants to maximize his money on his next deal, he's probably not a fit.

[AussieWolf3]

On the Game Theory podcast, I just heard that Kyrie was 1% shy of averaging a 50-40-90 for the past 5 seasons (not last year of course). That is insane.

Is Julius, Donte and some form of the 2033 pick enough for Dallas? Would it need to be unprotected? Dallas has a good chance to get a point guard to put with Coop at 9.

Kyrie has always been a highly efficient scorer, so that 5-year stat sample wouldn’t surprise me.

To evaluate Kyrie as a potential target for the Wolves, I feel more comfortable looking at his career stats, which are 23.7points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds with shooting percentages of 47.4% FG, 39.4% 3pt., 88.8% FTs on 4.3 attempts. Those are impressive, but he’s obviously not a facilitator or classic PG. He’s a scorer and a really efficient one.

To put his career stats in a more current perspective, I’d look at his most recent two seasons before he went down with the ACL tear:

2022-23: 58 games, 25.6 points, 5.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 49.7% FG, 41.1%, 3pt., 90.5% FT
2023-24: 50 games, 24.7 points, 4.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 47.3% FG, 40.1% 3pt., 91.6% FT

Those are impressive offensive stats around his career averages. But I’d note that he’s 2 years older than he was in that 2023-24 season and no one can deny that players typically decline when they get into their mid 30s.

Then I’d look at his durability, throughout the last half of his career, which is terrible. He’s averaged 40.75 games per season in the eight seasons before last season when he was out the entire season with his ACL tear. In that 8-year span, he played in more than 60 games only twice. In his entire 15-year career he’s played 70+ games only twice. And of course the vast majority of those he was in his 20s. He’s now 34 years old, hasn’t played basketball in over a year and is coming off surgery to repair a torn ACL.

So yes, Kyrie has been a terrific offensive PG over his career. But he’s also shown incredibly poor durability on a consistent basis throughout his career and we know a player’s durability doesn’t get better with age - especially a player entering his mid-30s and even less so coming off major knee surgery. That doesn’t mean Kyrie couldn’t end up being a great offensive PG for the Wolves. But it does mean he should have a huge sign on his packaging that says: APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION, HIGH RISK OF MISSED GAMES AND DECLINE.

When you put Kyrie’s specific situation in the broader context of mid-30s former star vet acquisitions failing, it just strikes me as obvious the Wolves shouldn’t be considering Kyrie in the mix for possible post-season acquisitions.

One of those he sat out a bunch too because of not getting a covid shot, couldn't play home games. I'd look at the last two healthy seasons and say, OK 54 games. I'd be fine with that if he can be there for the playoffs. Give me 54 games, but a top 5 PG play for the playoffs and I'm all in. Versus the mid-low tier PG play we might get in a safe trade.

I think where I and some fans differ is some want to play it safe. Safe isn't winning a championship IMO. We need to go for it all. I have zero interest in playing it safe at this point. Remembering too, DDV even if he's coming back won't help much being at say 50% of his former self of course coming back off the achilles (he needs really 18 months). We should trade him, sad to see him go, but winning takes sacrifices.

You continue to mistake pragmatic for "playing it safe"

To be honest I would just like to see the PBO be a little more clever than bombing a hail Mary for 34 year old who hasn't helped a team win a title in over a decade.

I'm also so sick of watching a poorly functioning roster limit the upside of the teams best and most important players - which, I suspect, is exactly the "questions" Ant is asking TC regarding the roster. Let's see what Ant, Jaden and Naz can do when you compliment them with a roster that accentuates their strengths rather than asking them to make sacrifices to accommodate lesser players.

The real lesson from KAT playing so well on this Knicks finals run is seeing what happens when an extremely unique and talented player is given the tools to do what he does best. Karl isn't different than he was here two years ago, but he's flourishing because the roster and role is so complimentary of his skills.

Give that to our core and see what happens, make adjustments as needed. It's not "safe" it's the best way to retool the teams championship window

[Wolvesfan21]

Kyrie has always been a highly efficient scorer, so that 5-year stat sample wouldn’t surprise me.

To evaluate Kyrie as a potential target for the Wolves, I feel more comfortable looking at his career stats, which are 23.7points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds with shooting percentages of 47.4% FG, 39.4% 3pt., 88.8% FTs on 4.3 attempts. Those are impressive, but he’s obviously not a facilitator or classic PG. He’s a scorer and a really efficient one.

To put his career stats in a more current perspective, I’d look at his most recent two seasons before he went down with the ACL tear:

2022-23: 58 games, 25.6 points, 5.2 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 49.7% FG, 41.1%, 3pt., 90.5% FT
2023-24: 50 games, 24.7 points, 4.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 47.3% FG, 40.1% 3pt., 91.6% FT

Those are impressive offensive stats around his career averages. But I’d note that he’s 2 years older than he was in that 2023-24 season and no one can deny that players typically decline when they get into their mid 30s.

Then I’d look at his durability, throughout the last half of his career, which is terrible. He’s averaged 40.75 games per season in the eight seasons before last season when he was out the entire season with his ACL tear. In that 8-year span, he played in more than 60 games only twice. In his entire 15-year career he’s played 70+ games only twice. And of course the vast majority of those he was in his 20s. He’s now 34 years old, hasn’t played basketball in over a year and is coming off surgery to repair a torn ACL.

So yes, Kyrie has been a terrific offensive PG over his career. But he’s also shown incredibly poor durability on a consistent basis throughout his career and we know a player’s durability doesn’t get better with age - especially a player entering his mid-30s and even less so coming off major knee surgery. That doesn’t mean Kyrie couldn’t end up being a great offensive PG for the Wolves. But it does mean he should have a huge sign on his packaging that says: APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION, HIGH RISK OF MISSED GAMES AND DECLINE.

When you put Kyrie’s specific situation in the broader context of mid-30s former star vet acquisitions failing, it just strikes me as obvious the Wolves shouldn’t be considering Kyrie in the mix for possible post-season acquisitions.

One of those he sat out a bunch too because of not getting a covid shot, couldn't play home games. I'd look at the last two healthy seasons and say, OK 54 games. I'd be fine with that if he can be there for the playoffs. Give me 54 games, but a top 5 PG play for the playoffs and I'm all in. Versus the mid-low tier PG play we might get in a safe trade.

I think where I and some fans differ is some want to play it safe. Safe isn't winning a championship IMO. We need to go for it all. I have zero interest in playing it safe at this point. Remembering too, DDV even if he's coming back won't help much being at say 50% of his former self of course coming back off the achilles (he needs really 18 months). We should trade him, sad to see him go, but winning takes sacrifices.

You continue to mistake pragmatic for "playing it safe"

To be honest I would just like to see the PBO be a little more clever than bombing a hail Mary for 34 year old who hasn't helped a team win a title in over a decade.

I'm also so sick of watching a poorly functioning roster limit the upside of the teams best and most important players - which, I suspect, is exactly the "questions" Ant is asking TC regarding the roster. Let's see what Ant, Jaden and Naz can do when you compliment them with a roster that accentuates their strengths rather than asking them to make sacrifices to accommodate lesser players.

The real lesson from KAT playing so well on this Knicks finals run is seeing what happens when an extremely unique and talented player is given the tools to do what he does best. Karl isn't different than he was here two years ago, but he's flourishing because the roster and role is so complimentary of his skills.

Give that to our core and see what happens, make adjustments as needed. It's not "safe" it's the best way to retool the teams championship window

I disagree, I'd say it's a 75% shot Kyrie if traded here not only plays great but stays healthy and plays most of the games. Every player has risk, sure these mid 30's players are probably higher, but it's not that big a difference in reality.

There is a higher reward potential then risk.

[AussieWolf3]

One of those he sat out a bunch too because of not getting a covid shot, couldn't play home games. I'd look at the last two healthy seasons and say, OK 54 games. I'd be fine with that if he can be there for the playoffs. Give me 54 games, but a top 5 PG play for the playoffs and I'm all in. Versus the mid-low tier PG play we might get in a safe trade.

I think where I and some fans differ is some want to play it safe. Safe isn't winning a championship IMO. We need to go for it all. I have zero interest in playing it safe at this point. Remembering too, DDV even if he's coming back won't help much being at say 50% of his former self of course coming back off the achilles (he needs really 18 months). We should trade him, sad to see him go, but winning takes sacrifices.

You continue to mistake pragmatic for "playing it safe"

To be honest I would just like to see the PBO be a little more clever than bombing a hail Mary for 34 year old who hasn't helped a team win a title in over a decade.

I'm also so sick of watching a poorly functioning roster limit the upside of the teams best and most important players - which, I suspect, is exactly the "questions" Ant is asking TC regarding the roster. Let's see what Ant, Jaden and Naz can do when you compliment them with a roster that accentuates their strengths rather than asking them to make sacrifices to accommodate lesser players.

The real lesson from KAT playing so well on this Knicks finals run is seeing what happens when an extremely unique and talented player is given the tools to do what he does best. Karl isn't different than he was here two years ago, but he's flourishing because the roster and role is so complimentary of his skills.

Give that to our core and see what happens, make adjustments as needed. It's not "safe" it's the best way to retool the teams championship window

I disagree, I'd say it's a 75% shot Kyrie if traded here not only plays great but stays healthy and plays most of the games. Every player has risk, sure these mid 30's players are probably higher, but it's not that big a difference in reality.

There is a higher reward potential then risk.

For one season

[rapsuperstar31]

You continue to mistake pragmatic for "playing it safe"

To be honest I would just like to see the PBO be a little more clever than bombing a hail Mary for 34 year old who hasn't helped a team win a title in over a decade.

I'm also so sick of watching a poorly functioning roster limit the upside of the teams best and most important players - which, I suspect, is exactly the "questions" Ant is asking TC regarding the roster. Let's see what Ant, Jaden and Naz can do when you compliment them with a roster that accentuates their strengths rather than asking them to make sacrifices to accommodate lesser players.

The real lesson from KAT playing so well on this Knicks finals run is seeing what happens when an extremely unique and talented player is given the tools to do what he does best. Karl isn't different than he was here two years ago, but he's flourishing because the roster and role is so complimentary of his skills.

Give that to our core and see what happens, make adjustments as needed. It's not "safe" it's the best way to retool the teams championship window

I disagree, I'd say it's a 75% shot Kyrie if traded here not only plays great but stays healthy and plays most of the games. Every player has risk, sure these mid 30's players are probably higher, but it's not that big a difference in reality.

There is a higher reward potential then risk.

For one season

Yeah every player is unique, but Curry's last championship was at 34 years old, Lebrons last championship was at 35 years old. Even if they can still play at high levels, you have to worry about nagging little injuries that can derail them in a long season and grueling playoffs. When worrying about Kyrie in age, we need to start worry about Rudy getting up in that age range where it's just not going to happen for him.

[Q-is-here]

I disagree, I'd say it's a 75% shot Kyrie if traded here not only plays great but stays healthy and plays most of the games. Every player has risk, sure these mid 30's players are probably higher, but it's not that big a difference in reality.

There is a higher reward potential then risk.

For one season

Yeah every player is unique, but Curry's last championship was at 34 years old, Lebrons last championship was at 35 years old. Even if they can still play at high levels, you have to worry about nagging little injuries that can derail them in a long season and grueling playoffs. When worrying about Kyrie in age, we need to start worry about Rudy getting up in that age range where it's just not going to happen for him.

Yeah, it's tough to find examples of #1 or #2 type guys that won a title past age 35. And we need to remember that Kyrie turns 35 next March, before the regular season even ends.

There are plenty of examples of guys 35 or older that are key pieces on title teams (Al Horford being the most recent example), but NOT very high-usage #1 or 2 options.

It's tough seeing Kyrie as a role playing starting PG since his greatest strength is having the ball in his hands, breaking down the defense, and making shots. There is definitely an age risk with him and it's really hard to project his future health and output.

[Wolvesfan21]

You continue to mistake pragmatic for "playing it safe"

To be honest I would just like to see the PBO be a little more clever than bombing a hail Mary for 34 year old who hasn't helped a team win a title in over a decade.

I'm also so sick of watching a poorly functioning roster limit the upside of the teams best and most important players - which, I suspect, is exactly the "questions" Ant is asking TC regarding the roster. Let's see what Ant, Jaden and Naz can do when you compliment them with a roster that accentuates their strengths rather than asking them to make sacrifices to accommodate lesser players.

The real lesson from KAT playing so well on this Knicks finals run is seeing what happens when an extremely unique and talented player is given the tools to do what he does best. Karl isn't different than he was here two years ago, but he's flourishing because the roster and role is so complimentary of his skills.

Give that to our core and see what happens, make adjustments as needed. It's not "safe" it's the best way to retool the teams championship window

I disagree, I'd say it's a 75% shot Kyrie if traded here not only plays great but stays healthy and plays most of the games. Every player has risk, sure these mid 30's players are probably higher, but it's not that big a difference in reality.

There is a higher reward potential then risk.

For one season

He can sign an extension if he agrees to be traded here. It's the same with Giannis. You're not trading for a guy for a one year rental and giving up assets like draft picks.