Minnesota Sports Forum

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 8:21 am Durant vs. Randle:

Durant PPG/Reb/Asst/To per game: 26.6/6.0/4.2/3.1
Randle PPG/Reb/Asst/To per game: 18.7/7.1/4.7/2.8

Durant Net Rating and On/Off Rating: -1.0/+4.2
Randle Net Rating and On/Off Rating: +3.4/-3.7

Durant Defensive Estimated Plus Minus Percentile: 59th
Randle Defensive Estimated Plus Minus Percentile: 49th

Durant 2pt%/3pt%/FT%/TS%: 57%/43%/84%/64%
Randle 2pt%/3pt%/FT%/TS%: 56%/34%/81%/59%

Notes:
- Durant played a couple fewer minutes per game than Randle, for what it's worth

- Durant's Net Rating was the best among Phoenix's starting 5, whereas Randle's was the worst among Minnesota's starting 5. That's some important context. I think the Net On/Off rating is telling too, although in Randle's defense, it was Rudy and Naz on the floor when he was on the bench, which is a pretty damn good big combination.

- Durant is still an elite scorer. To average 27PPG in only 30 MPG on a TS% of 64% is pretty insane and certainly more efficient than Julius and Ant.

- Randle sported a surprisingly better Asst:TO ratio. For a guy that seems to be so efficient in his movements and shooting, Durant sure did turn it over a lot. And he played with Tyus, so it's not like his PG was encouraging the sloppiness.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 8:21 am Durant vs. Randle:

Durant PPG/Reb/Asst/To per game: 26.6/6.0/4.2/3.1
Randle PPG/Reb/Asst/To per game: 18.7/7.1/4.7/2.8

Durant Net Rating and On/Off Rating: -1.0/+4.2
Randle Net Rating and On/Off Rating: +3.4/-3.7

Durant Defensive Estimated Plus Minus Percentile: 59th
Randle Defensive Estimated Plus Minus Percentile: 49th

Durant 2pt%/3pt%/FT%/TS%: 57%/43%/84%/64%
Randle 2pt%/3pt%/FT%/TS%: 56%/34%/81%/59%

Notes:
- Durant played a couple fewer minutes per game than Randle, for what it's worth

- Durant's Net Rating was the best among Phoenix's starting 5, whereas Randle's was the worst among Minnesota's starting 5. That's some important context. I think the Net On/Off rating is telling too, although in Randle's defense, it was Rudy and Naz on the floor when he was on the bench, which is a pretty damn good big combination.

- Durant is still an elite scorer. To average 27PPG in only 30 MPG on a TS% of 64% is pretty insane and certainly more efficient than Julius and Ant.

- Randle sported a surprisingly better Asst:TO ratio. For a guy that seems to be so efficient in his movements and shooting, Durant sure did turn it over a lot. And he played with Tyus, so it's not like his PG was encouraging the sloppiness.

FNG wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 9:57 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 8:21 am Durant vs. Randle:

Durant PPG/Reb/Asst/To per game: 26.6/6.0/4.2/3.1
Randle PPG/Reb/Asst/To per game: 18.7/7.1/4.7/2.8

Durant Net Rating and On/Off Rating: -1.0/+4.2
Randle Net Rating and On/Off Rating: +3.4/-3.7

Durant Defensive Estimated Plus Minus Percentile: 59th
Randle Defensive Estimated Plus Minus Percentile: 49th

Durant 2pt%/3pt%/FT%/TS%: 57%/43%/84%/64%
Randle 2pt%/3pt%/FT%/TS%: 56%/34%/81%/59%

Notes:
- Durant played a couple fewer minutes per game than Randle, for what it's worth

- Durant's Net Rating was the best among Phoenix's starting 5, whereas Randle's was the worst among Minnesota's starting 5. That's some important context. I think the Net On/Off rating is telling too, although in Randle's defense, it was Rudy and Naz on the floor when he was on the bench, which is a pretty damn good big combination.

- Durant is still an elite scorer. To average 27PPG in only 30 MPG on a TS% of 64% is pretty insane and certainly more efficient than Julius and Ant.

- Randle sported a surprisingly better Asst:TO ratio. For a guy that seems to be so efficient in his movements and shooting, Durant sure did turn it over a lot. And he played with Tyus, so it's not like his PG was encouraging the sloppiness.

Thanks for this, Q...good information.

I'm still president of the "run it back" club...I just can't let a bad series against an elite team change the opinion I had going into the series based on an exceptional final quarter of the season. I think anyone would be intrigued by Durant...he's a great player. But here's my big issue. The majority of this board has moved on from Mike Conley, and say we just can't have a guy that old in the starting lineup (despite the fact that he continues to be a much needed stabilizing influence on this team and we continue to perform better when he is on the court compared to off). Well, on September 28 both Durant and Conley will be the same age...granted Mike moves ahead of him again in October. But here's my problem...I think anybody that watched Mike bust his ass in the playoffs and the entire season, and then compared it to Durant's lazy demeanor on the court (at least every time I watched him this season) would never believe that Mike is the slightly older player! I'm not willing to get older and give up significant assets betting on the chance that Durant's attitude is going to suddenly change overnight because he now gets to play next to Ant rather than Booker...color me skeptical on that one.

And I get that your comparison here is not Durant vs. Mike, but Durant vs. Randle, and Randle's body language sometimes mirrors Durant's (although not as often). I just don't know that I want two guys in their late 30s in the rotation.

Plus, I think we have to get real about what we would have to give up to bring in Durant...not only what works under the CBA, but also what the Suns would accept. We can talk about aggregating salaries of players we don't care about, but let's keep it real here. The Suns are going to insist on bringing in players who can help them long term, and I have to believe that would include Jaden plus some young players we are betting on. I'm not going to take the time to do it, but I would be interested in seeing a deal proposal that both works financially and is attractive to the Suns. I think when most posters here see what that would entail, they will say "that's giving up too much to bring in a guy turning 37".

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 10:27 am

FNG wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 9:57 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 8:21 am Durant vs. Randle:

Durant PPG/Reb/Asst/To per game: 26.6/6.0/4.2/3.1
Randle PPG/Reb/Asst/To per game: 18.7/7.1/4.7/2.8

Durant Net Rating and On/Off Rating: -1.0/+4.2
Randle Net Rating and On/Off Rating: +3.4/-3.7

Durant Defensive Estimated Plus Minus Percentile: 59th
Randle Defensive Estimated Plus Minus Percentile: 49th

Durant 2pt%/3pt%/FT%/TS%: 57%/43%/84%/64%
Randle 2pt%/3pt%/FT%/TS%: 56%/34%/81%/59%

Notes:
- Durant played a couple fewer minutes per game than Randle, for what it's worth

- Durant's Net Rating was the best among Phoenix's starting 5, whereas Randle's was the worst among Minnesota's starting 5. That's some important context. I think the Net On/Off rating is telling too, although in Randle's defense, it was Rudy and Naz on the floor when he was on the bench, which is a pretty damn good big combination.

- Durant is still an elite scorer. To average 27PPG in only 30 MPG on a TS% of 64% is pretty insane and certainly more efficient than Julius and Ant.

- Randle sported a surprisingly better Asst:TO ratio. For a guy that seems to be so efficient in his movements and shooting, Durant sure did turn it over a lot. And he played with Tyus, so it's not like his PG was encouraging the sloppiness.

Thanks for this, Q...good information.

I'm still president of the "run it back" club...I just can't let a bad series against an elite team change the opinion I had going into the series based on an exceptional final quarter of the season. I think anyone would be intrigued by Durant...he's a great player. But here's my big issue. The majority of this board has moved on from Mike Conley, and say we just can't have a guy that old in the starting lineup (despite the fact that he continues to be a much needed stabilizing influence on this team and we continue to perform better when he is on the court compared to off). Well, on September 28 both Durant and Conley will be the same age...granted Mike moves ahead of him again in October. But here's my problem...I think anybody that watched Mike bust his ass in the playoffs and the entire season, and then compared it to Durant's lazy demeanor on the court (at least every time I watched him this season) would never believe that Mike is the slightly older player! I'm not willing to get older and give up significant assets betting on the chance that Durant's attitude is going to suddenly change overnight because he now gets to play next to Ant rather than Booker...color me skeptical on that one.

And I get that your comparison here is not Durant vs. Mike, but Durant vs. Randle, and Randle's body language sometimes mirrors Durant's (although not as often). I just don't know that I want two guys in their late 30s in the rotation.

Plus, I think we have to get real about what we would have to give up to bring in Durant...not only what works under the CBA, but also what the Suns would accept. We can talk about aggregating salaries of players we don't care about, but let's keep it real here. The Suns are going to insist on bringing in players who can help them long term, and I have to believe that would include Jaden plus some young players we are betting on. I'm not going to take the time to do it, but I would be interested in seeing a deal proposal that both works financially and is attractive to the Suns. I think when most posters here see what that would entail, they will say "that's giving up too much to bring in a guy turning 37".

Yeah, a lot not to like about Durant with his age being the #1 factor, but the other is that he is seemingly discontented almost everywhere he goes. We'd be talking about a two year window of usefulness in my opinion and he'd be a borderline part-time player during the regular season in order to ensure he's rested and healthy for the playoffs. Far from ideal!

However, the numbers don't lie...he is still one of the elite scorers in the NBA and makes it look easy in that he doesn't have to labor much. He just rises above the defense and shoots.

The obvious question is what would it take and is it worth whatever we would have to give up? If Randle picks up his option, which is a distinct possibility given the lack of cap space out there, something like Randle, DDV, Dillingham, and a draft pick may do it.

I don't believe Phoenix would be looking for some ridiculous haul given his age and one year left on his contract. And I certainly don't think the Wolves would give up Jaden, as I actually think having Durant play between Jaden and Rudy would be a critical factor in making it work defensively.

TheFuture wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 11:02 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 10:27 am

FNG wrote: ↑Sat May 31, 2025 9:57 am

Thanks for this, Q...good information.

I'm still president of the "run it back" club...I just can't let a bad series against an elite team change the opinion I had going into the series based on an exceptional final quarter of the season. I think anyone would be intrigued by Durant...he's a great player. But here's my big issue. The majority of this board has moved on from Mike Conley, and say we just can't have a guy that old in the starting lineup (despite the fact that he continues to be a much needed stabilizing influence on this team and we continue to perform better when he is on the court compared to off). Well, on September 28 both Durant and Conley will be the same age...granted Mike moves ahead of him again in October. But here's my problem...I think anybody that watched Mike bust his ass in the playoffs and the entire season, and then compared it to Durant's lazy demeanor on the court (at least every time I watched him this season) would never believe that Mike is the slightly older player! I'm not willing to get older and give up significant assets betting on the chance that Durant's attitude is going to suddenly change overnight because he now gets to play next to Ant rather than Booker...color me skeptical on that one.

And I get that your comparison here is not Durant vs. Mike, but Durant vs. Randle, and Randle's body language sometimes mirrors Durant's (although not as often). I just don't know that I want two guys in their late 30s in the rotation.

Plus, I think we have to get real about what we would have to give up to bring in Durant...not only what works under the CBA, but also what the Suns would accept. We can talk about aggregating salaries of players we don't care about, but let's keep it real here. The Suns are going to insist on bringing in players who can help them long term, and I have to believe that would include Jaden plus some young players we are betting on. I'm not going to take the time to do it, but I would be interested in seeing a deal proposal that both works financially and is attractive to the Suns. I think when most posters here see what that would entail, they will say "that's giving up too much to bring in a guy turning 37".

Yeah, a lot not to like about Durant with his age being the #1 factor, but the other is that he is seemingly discontented almost everywhere he goes. We'd be talking about a two year window of usefulness in my opinion and he'd be a borderline part-time player during the regular season in order to ensure he's rested and healthy for the playoffs. Far from ideal!

However, the numbers don't lie...he is still one of the elite scorers in the NBA and makes it look easy in that he doesn't have to labor much. He just rises above the defense and shoots.

The obvious question is what would it take and is it worth whatever we would have to give up? If Randle picks up his option, which is a distinct possibility given the lack of cap space out there, something like Randle, DDV, Dillingham, and a draft pick may do it.

I don't believe Phoenix would be looking for some ridiculous haul given his age and one year left on his contract. And I certainly don't think the Wolves would give up Jaden, as I actually think having Durant play between Jaden and Rudy would be a critical factor in making it work defensively.

That's 2 starters (assuming DDV takes over for Conley) and essentially 3 first round picks for a soon to be 38 year old Durant, who has missed about as many games he has played recently, has jetted from every team he has played for, and is only signed for this next year so you could lose him for nothing. I vote no. If he wants to come here, sign him next off-season.