BeenLurkin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 9:47 am
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.
Seeing what happens with kawahi in Lac will also be a signal…cause I’m sure Brunson got compensated somewhere somehow for the discount…check his rapist fathers bank account
BeenLurkin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 8:35 am
All of my excitement for next year is gone. This really seems like a dumb move. Lamelo = Younger Randle at a different position. I hope I’m eating my words by next year….
I don’t see it quite the same way, Lurkin. I don’t love the trade but I don’t see it Ball as the backcourt equivalent of Randle. LaMello’s passing and ball-handling prowess will blend much better with Edwards. However, I do see a parallel from an attitude/effort standpoint. So yes, I’m not thrilled. But I unlike the Randle acquisition which I was certain would fail, i think this move could work.
Well for sure, We had no good ball handlers or passers yesterday. Now we have one. I just found it tough to imagine us winning anything without any good ball handlers or creators and that was already a weakness with Ju who did provide some creation at times, though we wanted more.
Now doubling Ant is going to be tough.
The question about Balls effort and defense are the parallel. However being on a potential winner, could maybe get him fully engaged to come for the ride.
What's the difference in hiding Ball on defense than hiding Mike on defense? We've already been doing this for 2 years with a pg.
TheGrey08 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 9:53 am
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.
Seeing what happens with kawahi in Lac will also be a signal…cause I’m sure Brunson got compensated somewhere somehow for the discount…check his rapist fathers bank account
Nah dude, Brunson was the driving force in it. He left DAL to bring a chip to NYC. It's NYC, he's making it rain with endorsements.
I don’t see it quite the same way, Lurkin. I don’t love the trade but I don’t see it Ball as the backcourt equivalent of Randle. LaMello’s passing and ball-handling prowess will blend much better with Edwards. However, I do see a parallel from an attitude/effort standpoint. So yes, I’m not thrilled. But I unlike the Randle acquisition which I was certain would fail, i think this move could work.
Well for sure, We had no good ball handlers or passers yesterday. Now we have one. I just found it tough to imagine us winning anything without any good ball handlers or creators and that was already a weakness with Ju who did provide some creation at times, though we wanted more.
Now doubling Ant is going to be tough.
The question about Balls effort and defense are the parallel. However being on a potential winner, could maybe get him fully engaged to come for the ride.
What's the difference in hiding Ball on defense than hiding Mike on defense? We've already been doing this for 2 years with a pg.
TheGrey08 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 9:53 am
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.
Seeing what happens with kawahi in Lac will also be a signal…cause I’m sure Brunson got compensated somewhere somehow for the discount…check his rapist fathers bank account
Nah dude, Brunson was the driving force in it. He left DAL to bring a chip to NYC. It's NYC, he's making it rain with endorsements.
Quite sure Kawahi can make a few bucks endorsing things in LA….
I don’t see it quite the same way, Lurkin. I don’t love the trade but I don’t see it Ball as the backcourt equivalent of Randle. LaMello’s passing and ball-handling prowess will blend much better with Edwards. However, I do see a parallel from an attitude/effort standpoint. So yes, I’m not thrilled. But I unlike the Randle acquisition which I was certain would fail, i think this move could work.
Well for sure, We had no good ball handlers or passers yesterday. Now we have one. I just found it tough to imagine us winning anything without any good ball handlers or creators and that was already a weakness with Ju who did provide some creation at times, though we wanted more.
Now doubling Ant is going to be tough.
The question about Balls effort and defense are the parallel. However being on a potential winner, could maybe get him fully engaged to come for the ride.
What's the difference in hiding Ball on defense than hiding Mike on defense? We've already been doing this for 2 years with a pg.
Right, I'm not that concerned about it. Having another legit player on offense who can dagger teams when Ant is doubled is what we needed. This will only make Ant better, make Rudy better with LaMelo who can dish to him accurately and thus our
offense much better overall.
TheGrey08 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 9:59 am
Nah dude, Brunson was the driving force in it. He left DAL to bring a chip to NYC. It's NYC, he's making it rain with endorsements.
Quite sure Kawahi can make a few bucks endorsing things in LA….
Yeah his whole situation doesn't make sense, but the difference is, Brunson had the intention of taking less to win. Sure it's possible there is nonsense involved because you never know in this corrupt ass country, but all indications I've seen point to him legit just wanting to win. I never got that vibe with Kawahi with LAC.
This is a bit of a surprise in a way. Here are my thoughts.
Ball seems like a guy that will be toms of fun with Edwards and those guys will likely have a fun vibe on the same roster. My biggest issue with Ball is whether or not he stays healthy. Defense sure but he can't play either side of the ball if he isn't available to play.
What are we doing at PF? Maybe they are just gonna play Jaden there. To some extent that's interesting. Josh Green is a solid addition the Wolves kinda have a bunch of wings right now.
Naz Reid is a good player and a fan favorite however there has always been a little bit in the back of my mind that did wonder if he was gonna be a good starter or not. The folks here that thought he was overpaid or overrated I didn't completely dismiss where they were coming from. Is Ball worth 17 million and assets more than Naz? That's a fair question but it does feel like Ball right now objectively is a better player at a spot that's pretty important.
Connelly definitely isn't afraid to make a trade. It will be interesting to see how this works out. I'm nervously excited.
I'll also add that if this works Ball with Beringer could be fun too in addition to him probably getting Gobert some easy buckets if he is still on the roster.
Last edited by Monster on Thu Jun 25, 2026 10:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
Well for sure, We had no good ball handlers or passers yesterday. Now we have one. I just found it tough to imagine us winning anything without any good ball handlers or creators and that was already a weakness with Ju who did provide some creation at times, though we wanted more.
Now doubling Ant is going to be tough.
The question about Balls effort and defense are the parallel. However being on a potential winner, could maybe get him fully engaged to come for the ride.
What's the difference in hiding Ball on defense than hiding Mike on defense? We've already been doing this for 2 years with a pg.
Right, I'm not that concerned about it. Having another legit player on offense who can dagger teams when Ant is doubled is what we needed. This will only make Ant better, make Rudy better with LaMelo who can dish to him accurately and thus our
offense much better overall.
Yeah, it may elevate Rudy's scoring impact, not to mention Joan and/or Rocco.
There's not many $s left to fill out the roster. And I don't know what we have to offer to get off Donte's contract. I wonder if we might waive and stretch Donte to create a bit more $s under the 2nd apron?
