Minnesota Sports Forum

Monster wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2025 9:34 pm Collins might be a better fit long term as a bench guy basically inverting him and Naz. I don't think Collins is gonna get a ton of money on his next contract. Speaking of which...is Collins even gonna be a starter going or anything forward? Has he played well enough in this half season in Utah and wherever he is next season to be considered a starter? What of he is more of a 10 million a year type guy? I just don't know what his value is around the league and ultimately on the court. His numbers are solid this year but how bad is his D? In the past he always had some issues with BBIQ on offense. Atlanta kinda dumped him. The Kings have reportedly shown interest. Again I wouldn't be opposed to a Randle for Collins deal but it's not something to get excited about.

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2025 12:54 pm I'm going to continue to play devil's advocate on moving Randle. Part of my take is because I actually would like to keep him. But also, I sense Finchie really wants to keep him, and I don't want posters here to be on suicide watch if a deal doesn't happen.

I think there were valid opinions here as to why Ju is a bad fit. He is ball-dominant on offense, and that could take shots away from Ant. And he sometimes has appeared lazy or ineffective on defense. I understand both of these takes.

But it appears our offense is finally starting to click, despite losing one of our best 3-point shooters to injury. I mentioned yesterday that we were averaging almost 117 points per game the past 10 games, and our 115 last night despite 30% shooting from Ju and Ant tells me this offense is working. League average this year is south of 112, so the recent results are very promising. I think the comfort level both Ju and Ant are with finding open teammates when they are doubled is a big reason for our resurgence. Some might argue our sub 110 point performance for the first 30 games of the season is a more compelling argument that our offense isn't working than the recent 11 game spurt. But I would argue it takes time to incorporate high usage players like Donte and Ju into our offense, and recent results are more relevant.

Randle can also be maddening on defense at times...he's certainly not Jaden, NAW or Ant in covering the perimeter. But I've seen great improvement in his defense in the past couple weeks...more hustle and intensity. But more importantly, it looks like Finchie has figured out Ju is a better option than Naz guarding centers when Rudy is off the floor. It was impressive how he bodied up Gafford last night, and this isn't the first time I have noticed it.

If TC can move Randle in a deal that clearly makes us better, or clearly sets us up to be better next season, I would not be opposed. Gotta keep the Detroit pick though. Otherwise, my position is to stay the course.

60WinTim wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2025 1:27 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jan 23, 2025 12:54 pm I'm going to continue to play devil's advocate on moving Randle. Part of my take is because I actually would like to keep him. But also, I sense Finchie really wants to keep him, and I don't want posters here to be on suicide watch if a deal doesn't happen.

I think there were valid opinions here as to why Ju is a bad fit. He is ball-dominant on offense, and that could take shots away from Ant. And he sometimes has appeared lazy or ineffective on defense. I understand both of these takes.

But it appears our offense is finally starting to click, despite losing one of our best 3-point shooters to injury. I mentioned yesterday that we were averaging almost 117 points per game the past 10 games, and our 115 last night despite 30% shooting from Ju and Ant tells me this offense is working. League average this year is south of 112, so the recent results are very promising. I think the comfort level both Ju and Ant are with finding open teammates when they are doubled is a big reason for our resurgence. Some might argue our sub 110 point performance for the first 30 games of the season is a more compelling argument that our offense isn't working than the recent 11 game spurt. But I would argue it takes time to incorporate high usage players like Donte and Ju into our offense, and recent results are more relevant.

Randle can also be maddening on defense at times...he's certainly not Jaden, NAW or Ant in covering the perimeter. But I've seen great improvement in his defense in the past couple weeks...more hustle and intensity. But more importantly, it looks like Finchie has figured out Ju is a better option than Naz guarding centers when Rudy is off the floor. It was impressive how he bodied up Gafford last night, and this isn't the first time I have noticed it.

If TC can move Randle in a deal that clearly makes us better, or clearly sets us up to be better next season, I would not be opposed. Gotta keep the Detroit pick though. Otherwise, my position is to stay the course.

All good points, FNG. I have noticed the defensive improvement as well, and worry about who is going to body up some of the bigger players if we lose Randle.

I don't have a problem embracing this team with Randle for the rest of the season. But I also see so many signs that moving on from Randle might be best, and could very well happen. This is why I am currently in the Wilderness for 8 more games. I just don't know what TC is going to do. But I'll be ready to rock-and-roll once we get past Feb 6th. With or without Ju.