Re: Gobert Trade after 22 games
Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2022 12:49 pm
As someone mention, the Wolves gave up 4 of their next 7 1st-round picks - all but one unprotected and the last one minimally protected. So the fact that we're discussion a small different in VORP between the players we gave up and Gobert tells the tale of a bad trade for the Wolves thus far. As I've mentioned before, the value of those future picks can't simply be viewed as the potential contribution of the future players we draft. The value is also transactional - the opportunity to trade future picks as sweetener to make necessary or opportunistic deals, especially when things aren't going well and there's a major need for a change.
I'll be the first to admit that the full story hasn't been written yet with about 75% of the season left. So we'll see how things go. But the real issue again comes back to McHale's refrain that it's not the five best players but instead the five players who play best together. Last season's Wolves team the 2nd-half of the season played much better than this season's team through the first quarter of the season. The Wolves could have picked up where they left off with the same team coming back and a tweak or two like acquiring Anderson. Obviously, the team has taken a step back with the goal of taking 3 or 4 steps forward. We'll see if that happens.
But there should be no doubt that the trade looks bad for the Wolves so far. If you're looking for a major trade that looks successful so far it's Cleveland's trade for Donovan Mitchell. He fits seamlessly in with the Cavs - not requiring any significant change in the way the team plays. Acquiring Rudy - and giving up key rotation players to get him - was bound to be disruptive and require significant changes in the way our team plays.
I'll be the first to admit that the full story hasn't been written yet with about 75% of the season left. So we'll see how things go. But the real issue again comes back to McHale's refrain that it's not the five best players but instead the five players who play best together. Last season's Wolves team the 2nd-half of the season played much better than this season's team through the first quarter of the season. The Wolves could have picked up where they left off with the same team coming back and a tweak or two like acquiring Anderson. Obviously, the team has taken a step back with the goal of taking 3 or 4 steps forward. We'll see if that happens.
But there should be no doubt that the trade looks bad for the Wolves so far. If you're looking for a major trade that looks successful so far it's Cleveland's trade for Donovan Mitchell. He fits seamlessly in with the Cavs - not requiring any significant change in the way the team plays. Acquiring Rudy - and giving up key rotation players to get him - was bound to be disruptive and require significant changes in the way our team plays.