Shams just reported the Hornets are discussing a Lamelo trade with multiple teams

[BeenLurkin]

Yeah, there are some more significant moves coming. Maybe Rudy is traded? Could Donte be moved after all? Of course, I don't know if we have any draft assets left to get something done!

For those that want to lament how terrible things are, can we please let the rest of offseason play out?

Why? So we can trade Jaden to replace the front court depth lost? And then trade Rudy to replace the SF? Then maybe trade Crunch to shore up the center spot? At some point we are just putting out fires and not realizing we are starting just as many.

My guy, we wanted them to make a roster with balance and synergy. Every player on this roster is basically the same age except for Rudy and they're all on long term contracts that goes through each players prime. They kept their defensive floor and raised their offensive ceiling SIGNIFICANTLY.
This is a risky move but it by far has the highest potential outcome. This is an elite staring 5 and they maintained their depth, and actually even added to it with Green. I like that they kept TJ, I think there is still a high level of believe internally with him.

The biggest question mark is obviously - is Ball a legit winning player, and can Ant step up on defense to cover for his PG?
Ball is playing for a serious team now and I think that will matter a lot, he was also a big reason that Charlotte won a ton during the back half of the year. Not being the biggest load bearing pillar on the team will help him as well I think.
Ant played great defense in 23' when he had a real PG and I bet he'll do it again while being in position to be the most lethal offensive weapon in the league.

This is a very very good move

I can’t praise them for correcting course and creating flexibility and all that jazz, saving their picks instead of dumping them into trades….and then be excited 24hrs later when they double down on the original sin again.

[BeenLurkin]

lol @ Finch swearing he needed to put the ball in TJ Shannon's hands more only to trade for LaMelo.

LaMelo is Tim Connelly's D'Angelo Russell. I think that sums up my feelings on this.

Agree 1000%

[Phenom]

I will miss Naz for sure but hot damn.

Remember when people thought Marc and Alex were going to cheap out? Seems like days ago.

[60WinTim]

I will miss Naz for sure but hot damn.

Remember when people thought Marc and Alex were going to cheap out? Seems like days ago.

Yeah. And I was wrong about the "2 star mold"...

[D-Loser25]

RIP my “opponent has scored on 12 of 14 possessions since Naz entered the game”


The wolves traded a 6th man for an all star PG. Legit love this. I know I’ll be in the minority

Yep, I love seeing Naz get traded just as much Randle, only because he is so overrated around this fan base.

There’s still moves to be made to fill in the front court. Ddv contract will likely be traded for a win now big.

This team was maxed and probably won more playoff rounds than we deserved these last two years. Time to roll the dice. I like it. For those who don’t like it, would you rather fox or Morant or Durant? This is much better!

[WildWolf2813]

RIP my “opponent has scored on 12 of 14 possessions since Naz entered the game”


The wolves traded a 6th man for an all star PG. Legit love this. I know I’ll be in the minority

Yep, I love seeing Naz get traded just as much Randle, only because he is so overrated around this fan base.

There’s still moves to be made to fill in the front court. Ddv contract will likely be traded for a win now big.

This team was maxed and probably won more playoff rounds than we deserved these last two years. Time to roll the dice. I like it. For those who don’t like it, would you rather fox or Morant or Durant? This is much better!

In a vacuum I don't disagree with this. In fact, I've been saying this for YEARS.

My issue with doing this now is that now you do have a legit 2nd option, but the forward issues they now have are issues they can't address unless TC pulls a rabbit out of his ass.

[BeenLurkin]

RIP my “opponent has scored on 12 of 14 possessions since Naz entered the game”


The wolves traded a 6th man for an all star PG. Legit love this. I know I’ll be in the minority

Yep, I love seeing Naz get traded just as much Randle, only because he is so overrated around this fan base.

There’s still moves to be made to fill in the front court. Ddv contract will likely be traded for a win now big.

This team was maxed and probably won more playoff rounds than we deserved these last two years. Time to roll the dice. I like it. For those who don’t like it, would you rather fox or Morant or Durant? This is much better!

Pretty sure those that don’t like it don’t like it for the same reason we would t like any of those other options you listed. Because it requires fully mortgaging the flexibility we just got to put all the chips in on the prime Ant years. If for any reason this doesn’t work we will have to move Ant next year imo. If he becomes extension eligible and decides he wants out we will be in for a Giannis type drama and rebuild with the likes of a Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez plus three mid picks scenario with no picks of our own. We won’t be able to find another top 10 talent. With no top picks.

Even if this works, it gets you the single title and is immediatly dismantled because it’s not sustainable salary wise.

I’ll enjoy the single title. I’ll buy a hat. I’ll maybe shed a tear. But I’ll always feel shitty that it came with a hired gun knuckle head like Lamelo and not the kids I’ve watched grow here for the last 6 years.

[TheGrey08]

lol @ Finch swearing he needed to put the ball in TJ Shannon's hands more only to trade for LaMelo.

LaMelo is Tim Connelly's D'Angelo Russell. I think that sums up my feelings on this.

It was always going to be TSJ off the bench as a ball-handler though. That hasn't changed.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Whoa. Woe?

The goal in any pro sport is to win a championship. And MN has not won a championship (or appeared in a Finals) for 35+ years now. So, maybe we should be excited about this "all in" approach for the Wolves (and the Wild in St. Paul).

That being said... if it doesn't work...

The cupboard is bare. Like completely empty sans cobwebs. And when that day comes (title or not), Tim Connelly will be long gone and tens of millions of dollars richer and in another kick-ass job. And Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball can leave to a better situation almost whenever they want.

Only one of the most tortured fanbases in pro sports history will be left holding the proverbial bag and facing a series of re-re-rebuilds.

________

So let's hope for healthy players and good vibes... and some luck... and get this title while we can.

[TheGrey08]

Pretty sure those that don’t like it don’t like it for the same reason we would t like any of those other options you listed. Because it requires fully mortgaging the flexibility we just got to put all the chips in on the prime Ant years. If for any reason this doesn’t work we will have to move Ant next year imo. If he becomes extension eligible and decides he wants out we will be in for a Giannis type drama and rebuild with the likes of a Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez plus three mid picks scenario with no picks of our own. We won’t be able to find another top 10 talent. With no top picks.

Even if this works, it gets you the single title and is immediatly dismantled because it’s not sustainable salary wise.

I’ll enjoy the single title. I’ll buy a hat. I’ll maybe shed a tear. But I’ll always feel shitty that it came with a hired gun knuckle head like Lamelo and not the kids I’ve watched grow here for the last 6 years.

It's a bit too early to worry about Ant wanting out even after this move. If the pairing doesn't work over the next year or 2, they can flip LaMelo. Both in their prime and will have value.

As far as salary sustainability. I'm REALLY curious what stars do going forward after seeing what Brunson was just rewarded with for not taking the max.