Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 23, 2025 12:43 am
A team trying to win a title needs a point guard. With Rob still not in the rotation it's clear we don't really have a suitable one. We have the assets to get one and I don't think we should wait too long while our window is open.
What does a combination of Rob and Donte get us?
Collin Sexton, Coby White or Malik Monk are doable in that salary range.
Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 23, 2025 12:43 am
A team trying to win a title needs a point guard. With Rob still not in the rotation it's clear we don't really have a suitable one. We have the assets to get one and I don't think we should wait too long while our window is open.
What does a combination of Rob and Donte get us?
Collin Sexton, Coby White or Malik Monk are doable in that salary range.
Also Kyle Anderson plus Kevin Love
I think White is the most attainable being on an expiring contract and expecting a big pay bump next season. If Reed Sheppard keeps being a cone on defense, I could see them moving him for a point guard that is ready this year, of course that probably isn't Mike. Monk is very attainable as well, but makes 18.8 million so Rob and Donte is about 1.5 million off matching salary wise, which I think would hard cap us doing a 2 for 1. Sounds like Miami doesn't want to extend Herro, but he would be hard to match salary for. It might be best to just see how the season plays out, a team that ends up starting bad may want to move on from a point guard. San Antonio's two young point guards look pretty good in game one, I still think they move on from Fox in the net year or two. I'm not sure if I love Fox at a max contract though.
A few other comments based on things I heard on various pods today:
1) Have we talked about Jaden enough? He was very good last night. 18-5-2 with 3 blocks and a poster dunk on the Chinese Swede. He just looked more confident in his offensive game. Julius found him several times, and was raving about him post game.
2) Ant only had 1 assist, but I think it was because Portland didn't double him very much. I think they were so confident in Camara and Grant defending him one on one that they didn't think they needed doubles. I'm sure the Lakers will double a lot tomorrow, so let's see how Ant reacts.
3) I noticed Finchy yelling at the guys a few times telling them who should bring the ball up. That's why Jaden ended up initiating the offense the times Clingen was on him, because they weren't worried about him picking him up full court. It also seemed like whoever was guarded by Avdija would bring the ball up. Good on Finchy, and good on the players for listening. We still turned the ball over way too much, but it could have been worse.
4) I don't know if anyone else noticed, but Rudy hustled to the basket on Ant's final clutch shot, and was in position for another putback if Ant had missed. And this was shortly after the other big putback he had. We need him to be more aggressive on the offensive boards throughout the game.
5) And finally, and most important...Ant said he was never tired during the game, despite playing 39 minutes and really locked in on defense in the 4th quarter. Could his quest to get in shape during the offseason be paying off? How much of a factor in his poor clutch performances last year was due to being tired?
FNG wrote: ↑Thu Oct 23, 2025 2:09 pm
A few other comments based on things I heard on various pods today:
1) Have we talked about Jaden enough? He was very good last night. 18-5-2 with 3 blocks and a poster dunk on the Chinese Swede. He just looked more confident in his offensive game. Julius found him several times, and was raving about him post game.
2) Ant only had 1 assist, but I think it was because Portland didn't double him very much. I think they were so confident in Camara and Grant defending him one on one that they didn't think they needed doubles. I'm sure the Lakers will double a lot tomorrow, so let's see how Ant reacts.
3) I noticed Finchy yelling at the guys a few times telling them who should bring the ball up. That's why Jaden ended up initiating the offense the times Clingen was on him, because they weren't worried about him picking him up full court. It also seemed like whoever was guarded by Avdija would bring the ball up. Good on Finchy, and good on the players for listening. We still turned the ball over way too much, but it could have been worse.
4) I don't know if anyone else noticed, but Rudy hustled to the basket on Ant's final clutch shot, and was in position for another putback if Ant had missed. And this was shortly after the other big putback he had. We need him to be more aggressive on the offensive boards throughout the game.
5) And finally, and most important...Ant said he was never tired during the game, despite playing 39 minutes and really locked in on defense in the 4th quarter. Could his quest to get in shape during the offseason be paying off? How much of a factor in his poor clutch performances last year was due to being tired?
I think it's great Jaden can have a game like that and it's not considered news worthy. He has improved so much and he's still not done.
I've been critical of Ant's conditioning in the past, but I have to give him his due. He looks to be in fantastic condition. I'm still not sold on his character but it's clear his approach to basketball is about as good as it gets.
FNG wrote: ↑Thu Oct 23, 2025 2:09 pm
A few other comments based on things I heard on various pods today:
1) Have we talked about Jaden enough? He was very good last night. 18-5-2 with 3 blocks and a poster dunk on the Chinese Swede. He just looked more confident in his offensive game. Julius found him several times, and was raving about him post game.
2) Ant only had 1 assist, but I think it was because Portland didn't double him very much. I think they were so confident in Camara and Grant defending him one on one that they didn't think they needed doubles. I'm sure the Lakers will double a lot tomorrow, so let's see how Ant reacts.
3) I noticed Finchy yelling at the guys a few times telling them who should bring the ball up. That's why Jaden ended up initiating the offense the times Clingen was on him, because they weren't worried about him picking him up full court. It also seemed like whoever was guarded by Avdija would bring the ball up. Good on Finchy, and good on the players for listening. We still turned the ball over way too much, but it could have been worse.
4) I don't know if anyone else noticed, but Rudy hustled to the basket on Ant's final clutch shot, and was in position for another putback if Ant had missed. And this was shortly after the other big putback he had. We need him to be more aggressive on the offensive boards throughout the game.
5) And finally, and most important...Ant said he was never tired during the game, despite playing 39 minutes and really locked in on defense in the 4th quarter. Could his quest to get in shape during the offseason be paying off? How much of a factor in his poor clutch performances last year was due to being tired?
I think it's great Jaden can have a game like that and it's not considered news worthy. He has improved so much and he's still not done.
I've been critical of Ant's conditioning in the past, but I have to give him his due. He looks to be in fantastic condition. I'm still not sold on his character but it's clear his approach to basketball is about as good as it gets.
I was actually a little down on Jaden in the first half...his defense was exemplary as always, but he was standing around on offense and not rebounding. Didn't like his body language either. But everything changed in the second half, and he was terrific at both ends of the court, especially on offense in the 4th. My sense is that Jaden is a more sensitive guy than anyone else on the team, so I think it helps to have vets like Ju and Rudy raving about him postgame...loved the big smile on Ju's face as he talked about him. I actually wouldn't be surprised if some of the guys talked to him at half time, because he looked really confident after that. 8 big points in the 4th quarter when we needed him, including the huge trey.
Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 23, 2025 12:43 am
A team trying to win a title needs a point guard. With Rob still not in the rotation it's clear we don't really have a suitable one. We have the assets to get one and I don't think we should wait too long while our window is open.
I’d put it this way. We need a backcourt mate for Ant who has a good handle, can withstand ball pressure, effectively take some of the ball pressure off Ant and be a scoring threat. Donte’s 6 turnovers last night were a reminder that he’s not the answer but I never thought he was.
When you have a player like Ant, you don’t necessarily need a classic PG. Jordan had Paxon and then Kerr. Kobe had Fischer.
What’s clear is that Conley doesn’t have enough left in his tank to be the backcourt mate Ant needs. Donte simply doesn’t have the skill set or instincts for that role. Dilly is a 20 year old who is still developing and not quite ready although I think he’ll be the answer a year from now. I’m not ready to give up on Bones for that role. Again - because of Ant we don’t need a classic PG or a high end talent at that position. So I’m inclined to agree with several others that Shannon might be the answer — someone who can handle the ball, break down defenses, score and overall take defensive pressure and attention away from Ant.
So if it were up to me, I wouldn’t look to trade for a starting PG quite yet. If TC decides to trade for a PG, I think Donte is our best trade chip.
Yeah, Donte might deserve his own thread, because how to handle him is critical to our success this season. Here are the options:
1) Continue to start him in the backcourt with Ant. But to be clear, he won't be the PG on offense...that was Ant (or Ju) at the start of the game, not DiVo. I'm convinced that Donte was the problem child on the team last year as Finchy said it wasn't fun to coach the team. Jon K predicted Donte would be in the starting lineup because his ego would demand it. He thrived starting at SG two years ago because he had a true PG next to him. He's a great shooter and could thrive in that role here too. The question is are we comfortable with Ant or Ju (or TJ?) being the primary ball handler. I'm skeptical.
2) Have him come off the bench as a high-scoring SG. Of course this would require starting someone else at PG...Mike, Rob, Bones or TJ. I still think Mike is our best option...we consistently outscore our opponent when he is on the court, and he will likely make 40% of this treys. But Finchy wants to reduce his minutes, and that is challenging if he starts.
3) Trade Donte for a starting PG. This is my favorite option. I would target a game manager and try to get a pick too. Donte is a high energy 40% three point shooter, and those guys will always be in demand. I think we could get a serviceable PG and a pick for him.
I think he will start again tomorrow night, but if it doesn't work again, options 2 or 3 need to be considered.
I agree that option 3 is probably the best one for Donte. Don’t forget his really team-friendly contract as another factor contributing to Donte’s trade value. I would not package him with Dilly or anyone else on this team except Miller. Donte alone should land us a very solid starting PG. Remember, with Ant, we don’t need anything close to an elite PG. We just need a solid one.
Donte on talent alone could get the Wolves a solid starting point guard but his salary is actually a limiting factor. There is not much out there for his salary or less. Coby White is probably the best option that could be gettable
