It's time to move on from DLO....

[Q-is-here]

Cam, I mentioned a few options earlier in the thread. Here are two on different ends of the risk/reward spectrum:

Tyus Jones - He's a better all-around player than he was when he left Minnesota. He can knock down open 3's now and has a floater game when he gets into the lane. He was the starting PG when Morant was out and Memphis went something like 20-4, including the playoffs. Now I'm not saying it's solely because of him, but there is no way you can have a mediocre PG and have that kind of record. To me his acquisition would go hand in hand with getting a starting big to replace Vando that is more of an offensive threat, as Tyus is almost too low usage. He's a game manager for the most part, but a pretty elite one if that's what you're looking for in a PG. He hardly ever makes mistakes.

Victor Oladipo - This is the riskier move. His thigh tendon issue was not fixed correctly the first time around, but Miami took a very patient approach with him and you could see him just get better and better during the playoffs. He's not a PG, but like Ant, he can handle the ball and make some decent passes. I could see using him as a PG in a staring lineup with KAT and Ant. Defensively, he'd help take us to the next level. He made Jaylen Brown's life hell during the stints he was matched up on him.

Both of these guys are obtainable with the right FA deal.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Respectfully, I think I've answered your question. 1) I'm sure there are options we can explore that would upgrade the roster involving moving DLO. 2) I don't know what they are because I have no idea who is attainable. But to suggest we can't move DLO because there are no viable options is ridiculous. If we could get Simmons (though I think it would take more than DLO), I pull the trigger without hesitation. But again, I don't know if Simmons is available. Is Jamal Murray attainable? How about Mikal Bridges? Or Donovan Mitchell? I have to know what the options are to definitively answer your question.

Yeah, this is definitely a brainstorming activity that takes some creativity because we're not involved in the process, but one would logically think that those who want to move on from D'Angelo Russell must surely have a few names in mind to replace him, right? That's what I'm getting at in my prior posts. Use your best judgement to determine whether a player might be available or not.

I think Minnesota could easily move Russell. I don't think they should move Russell without a legitimate plan to get better. I'm simply searching for what that plan might be while recognizing that there doesn't appear to be a plethora of options available, or at least options that make me think the Wolves actually get better in going that direction.

Thank you, Cool, for at least suggesting some names.

Would the Nuggets be willing to cut bait on Jamal Murray just as he got healthy? Does he present a meaningful upgrade to Russell despite being a similar type of high usage player?

Mikal Bridges just signed a $90-million deal with Phoenix in December so he can't be traded just yet, nor do I think the Suns would entertain dealing him, but he would be an intriguing player type to target once Anthony Edwards was capable of playing that lead guard role.

Rumors that Donovan Mitchell could be available have been around all season. He would represent an upgrade for sure, but I'd also expect him to carry an even higher usage than Russell. Could Minnesota get away with having two similar players in Mitchell and Edwards in the backcourt?

These are just thoughts I'm bouncing back your way, but at least there's dialogue. Not to mention, you suggested All-Star caliber players. Would it be fair to assume you still think Minnesota needs a high usage third star next to Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns? Or would you try and acquire another star and then trade Towns for supporting pieces, assuming you didn't want to give him the super max. That's perhaps another discussion, but that would result in a pretty significant roster overhaul.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Cam, I mentioned a few options earlier in the thread. Here are two on different ends of the risk/reward spectrum:

Tyus Jones - He's a better all-around player than he was when he left Minnesota. He can knock down open 3's now and has a floater game when he gets into the lane. He was the starting PG when Morant was out and Memphis went something like 20-4, including the playoffs. Now I'm not saying it's solely because of him, but there is no way you can have a mediocre PG and have that kind of record. To me his acquisition would go hand in hand with getting a starting big to replace Vando that is more of an offensive threat, as Tyus is almost too low usage. He's a game manager for the most part, but a pretty elite one if that's what you're looking for in a PG. He hardly ever makes mistakes.

Victor Oladipo - This is the riskier move. His thigh tendon issue was not fixed correctly the first time around, but Miami took a very patient approach with him and you could see him just get better and better during the playoffs. He's not a PG, but like Ant, he can handle the ball and make some decent passes. I could see using him as a PG in a staring lineup with KAT and Ant. Defensively, he'd help take us to the next level. He made Jaylen Brown's life hell during the stints he was matched up on him.

Both of these guys are obtainable with the right FA deal.

Good post, Q. I disagree in terms of Minnesota getting better going this direction, but this is at least a suggestion, which is what I was asking for.

I don't think Tyus Jones can replace D'Angelo Russell for this team. More specifically, I don't believe Jones to be anywhere near Russell in terms of playmaking or shot creating. That swap would likely put even more pressure on Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns offensively. Are we sure that's what we want?

Victor Oladipo is an interesting idea. Assuming he'd be healthy, who would take over ball-handling responsibilities? Do you have confidence in Oladipo and/or Edwards consistently initiating offensive sets? Do they have enough in their bag to manage the game without a more natural point guard alongside them? I would argue that Minnesota doesn't get better with this option either, but there's some form of creativity here.

[Monster]

I believe one key to improving overall as a team and raising our ceiling is to find a way to move on from DLO and get a fair return for him at the same time. It's short sighted to say there isn't a way to accomplish that. That being said, as fans it's not our job to come up with specific scenarios. It may be fun to speculate, but we really don't know who is available and what options we have. Cam, I can't give you a specific plan. You win that argument. But I'd also be hard pressed to come up with a way we get to the next level with DLO in his current role.

It's up to Connelly to find a way. I don't really care how he goes about it, just that it happens. If it happens without DLO, and I'm betting it will, great. If it happens with DLO that's great too.

Wait its not a fan's job to come up with trade scenarios?!??! Damn Cool you could have let me in on this like 20+ years ago. lol

Obviously I'm joking here but I often tend to stay out to the trade dicussions for the reasons you have sited in this thread. Still when I look around at salalries and the league in general its easy to come to the conlusion that my excitement for trades should be tempered. Is there a deal out there for Russell? Maybe. I do think he has value but you have to find the team that wants him that also happens to have the right salaries to send back. This reminds me a bit of Rubio last offseason. I didn't see a team sending much value back for him so I thought the best they could do with him is something like what they did but they also got a solid 2nd rounder back for him and Prince ended up being mostly healthy and valuable. The flexibility they got back in that deal was significant imagine if they hadn't been able to resign Vanderbilt?! Nobody saw the Beverly deal coming so we could hope for a surprise like that.

I tend not to get my hopes up. I don't think letting things play out with Russell in his last year of his deal is a bad option either. What I don't want is to trade Russell for another guy where we have the Wiggins/Rubio/Russell discussion months from now of why he is overpaid for what he is and we should move on from him. Russell has played well every season he has been in a contract year which as someone pointed out he considered this is a contract year for him. I'm sure he knew his last year in Brooklyn he might get let go to bring in some big FAs. I don't worry THAT much about him playing in the last year of his deal.

[Monster]

People want a lower usage PG.

Fun stats that are good for either side fo the Russell vs XYZ quandry

After January 1 Russell took 13.7 shots per game and the Wolves basically were the best offensive team the rest of the season. Obvously what Russell did or didn't do wasn't the sole driver to the Wolves exploding offensively but soemthing went right. Intereestingly the Wolves actually attempted slightly fewer FGs a game after January 1 than they did before. They were simply a better offensive team in terms of effcency. One reason was they got to the line more but it also helped they started hitting a higher percentage of 3's.

During that time Russell played the 3rd most minutes on the Wolves closley follwed by Vanderbilt and Beasley. So thats a lot of minutes for flawed players on team that went 30-17.

[Tactical unit]

Regular season DLO vs Playoff DLO curious on if the stats tell the same story?

Just from a viewing perspective, it seemed the team was better with J-Mac & Beverley all out hustle style of play.

I think Beverley as the veteran leader and a developing J-Mac could be a net win over DLO. Maybe add rookie guard or another cheap vet guard. Finch seemed to think J-Mac was the answer with everything on the line. If we keep DLO I think he should be moved into 6th man of the year type of role. I've already said this in the past but when he is hot you don't want another player on the court and he would be focused on what he does best, scoring.

It's rather obvious but it really depends on what you can get in return.

[Q-is-here]

Cam, I mentioned a few options earlier in the thread. Here are two on different ends of the risk/reward spectrum:

Tyus Jones - He's a better all-around player than he was when he left Minnesota. He can knock down open 3's now and has a floater game when he gets into the lane. He was the starting PG when Morant was out and Memphis went something like 20-4, including the playoffs. Now I'm not saying it's solely because of him, but there is no way you can have a mediocre PG and have that kind of record. To me his acquisition would go hand in hand with getting a starting big to replace Vando that is more of an offensive threat, as Tyus is almost too low usage. He's a game manager for the most part, but a pretty elite one if that's what you're looking for in a PG. He hardly ever makes mistakes.

Victor Oladipo - This is the riskier move. His thigh tendon issue was not fixed correctly the first time around, but Miami took a very patient approach with him and you could see him just get better and better during the playoffs. He's not a PG, but like Ant, he can handle the ball and make some decent passes. I could see using him as a PG in a staring lineup with KAT and Ant. Defensively, he'd help take us to the next level. He made Jaylen Brown's life hell during the stints he was matched up on him.

Both of these guys are obtainable with the right FA deal.

Good post, Q. I disagree in terms of Minnesota getting better going this direction, but this is at least a suggestion, which is what I was asking for.

I don't think Tyus Jones can replace D'Angelo Russell for this team. More specifically, I don't believe Jones to be anywhere near Russell in terms of playmaking or shot creating. That swap would likely put even more pressure on Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns offensively. Are we sure that's what we want?

Victor Oladipo is an interesting idea. Assuming he'd be healthy, who would take over ball-handling responsibilities? Do you have confidence in Oladipo and/or Edwards consistently initiating offensive sets? Do they have enough in their bag to manage the game without a more natural point guard alongside them? I would argue that Minnesota doesn't get better with this option either, but there's some form of creativity here.

If you get Tyus Jones, in my mind it goes with a bigger plan to also land another big that can carry a higher usage than Vando and replace him as a starter. John Collins might be the dream here. But even a guy like Hartenstein if we decided to go with a true Center is capable of being the 3rd scorer in a lineup with firepower like KAT and Ant. I mean I'm running damn-near everything through those two.

With Dipo, it's more PG by committee, meaning him, Beverley, and McLaughlin are all in the regular rotation and take on the majority of bringing the ball up the floor to initiate the offense.

[Coolbreeze44]

Respectfully, I think I've answered your question. 1) I'm sure there are options we can explore that would upgrade the roster involving moving DLO. 2) I don't know what they are because I have no idea who is attainable. But to suggest we can't move DLO because there are no viable options is ridiculous. If we could get Simmons (though I think it would take more than DLO), I pull the trigger without hesitation. But again, I don't know if Simmons is available. Is Jamal Murray attainable? How about Mikal Bridges? Or Donovan Mitchell? I have to know what the options are to definitively answer your question.

Yeah, this is definitely a brainstorming activity that takes some creativity because we're not involved in the process, but one would logically think that those who want to move on from D'Angelo Russell must surely have a few names in mind to replace him, right? That's what I'm getting at in my prior posts. Use your best judgement to determine whether a player might be available or not.

I think Minnesota could easily move Russell. I don't think they should move Russell without a legitimate plan to get better. I'm simply searching for what that plan might be while recognizing that there doesn't appear to be a plethora of options available, or at least options that make me think the Wolves actually get better in going that direction.

Thank you, Cool, for at least suggesting some names.

Would the Nuggets be willing to cut bait on Jamal Murray just as he got healthy? Does he present a meaningful upgrade to Russell despite being a similar type of high usage player?

Mikal Bridges just signed a $90-million deal with Phoenix in December so he can't be traded just yet, nor do I think the Suns would entertain dealing him, but he would be an intriguing player type to target once Anthony Edwards was capable of playing that lead guard role.

Rumors that Donovan Mitchell could be available have been around all season. He would represent an upgrade for sure, but I'd also expect him to carry an even higher usage than Russell. Could Minnesota get away with having two similar players in Mitchell and Edwards in the backcourt?

These are just thoughts I'm bouncing back your way, but at least there's dialogue. Not to mention, you suggested All-Star caliber players. Would it be fair to assume you still think Minnesota needs a high usage third star next to Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns? Or would you try and acquire another star and then trade Towns for supporting pieces, assuming you didn't want to give him the super max. That's perhaps another discussion, but that would result in a pretty significant roster overhaul.

There is a lot in your post to unpack. I'll work from the back forward. In regard to Towns, yes I wouldn't pay him the supermax but I realize he's probably going to get it. So let's assume Towns is here for the long haul. Towns and Edwards are going to get their touches, but I would coach this team to get more from the 5 man unit as a whole. It's one problem I saw last year. 3 guys alternating shots while the ball doesn't move isn't the way I'd coach offense. Golden State is my model for getting everyone involved and everyone benefitting.

So naturally I'd focus on getting players who's sole purpose is to win. I want guys willing to sacrifice personal accomplishments for team goals. Bill Walton with the Celtics, and PJ Tucker with the Bucks type of players. Maybe Murray and Mitchell aren't ready for this yet, so they could have been poor examples.

Bridges might be wishful thinking, but it's that kind of guy who I think would fit great. I'd have to scour the rosters of all the teams to find others that could bring the same game and value. I'll let Connelly do that for me. I'm going to let him go to work and make decisions that he feels make us better. I think it's safe to say there will be changes, some might be significant. I'm not really campaigning for DLO to be part of those changes, but he seems like a logical place to look if we want to make a big move.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Regular season DLO vs Playoff DLO curious on if the stats tell the same story?

Just from a viewing perspective, it seemed the team was better with J-Mac & Beverley all out hustle style of play.

I think Beverley as the veteran leader and a developing J-Mac could be a net win over DLO. Maybe add rookie guard or another cheap vet guard. Finch seemed to think J-Mac was the answer with everything on the line. If we keep DLO I think he should be moved into 6th man of the year type of role. I've already said this in the past but when he is hot you don't want another player on the court and he would be focused on what he does best, scoring.

It's rather obvious but it really depends on what you can get in return.

It depends on how you evaluate players and the game of basketball in general. For instance, D'Angelo Russell had the second-highest net rating for Minnesota in the playoffs behind Jaden McDaniels. He wasn't nearly as good as that rating would indicate, but he was much better (or less bad) than his terrible shooting would suggest. In any case, it would be unwise and illogical to make personnel decisions based on a single playoff series alone. Should Utah move Donovan Mitchell? What about Atlanta and Trae Young? Two higher usage guards that struggled and came up short in their playoff series. Maybe let's pump the brakes and consider the entire picture.

Patrick Beverley and Jordan McLaughlin cannot replace Russell unless we want to take a serious step back in the wins column. I shouldn't need to expend energy explaining that. It's also unlikely that a rookie or journeyman could give you enough to make up the difference. If Russell is moved or allowed to walk next summer, then the Wolves will have to bring in an outside replacement.

Also, Chris Finch rode the hot hand in a singular moment. Kudos to him for having the courage to bench one of his best players who was struggling, but he'd be the first to tell you that it was situational coaching and nothing more. Watch and/or read his exit interview and you'll see that he willingly shares the blame for how Russell was used in that series. There will be a day for Russell to primarily come off the bench for whatever team he plays for. He's not there yet-- not even close.

[KG4Ever]

Cam, I mentioned a few options earlier in the thread. Here are two on different ends of the risk/reward spectrum:

Tyus Jones - He's a better all-around player than he was when he left Minnesota. He can knock down open 3's now and has a floater game when he gets into the lane. He was the starting PG when Morant was out and Memphis went something like 20-4, including the playoffs. Now I'm not saying it's solely because of him, but there is no way you can have a mediocre PG and have that kind of record. To me his acquisition would go hand in hand with getting a starting big to replace Vando that is more of an offensive threat, as Tyus is almost too low usage. He's a game manager for the most part, but a pretty elite one if that's what you're looking for in a PG. He hardly ever makes mistakes.

Victor Oladipo - This is the riskier move. His thigh tendon issue was not fixed correctly the first time around, but Miami took a very patient approach with him and you could see him just get better and better during the playoffs. He's not a PG, but like Ant, he can handle the ball and make some decent passes. I could see using him as a PG in a staring lineup with KAT and Ant. Defensively, he'd help take us to the next level. He made Jaylen Brown's life hell during the stints he was matched up on him.

Both of these guys are obtainable with the right FA deal.

Good post, Q. I disagree in terms of Minnesota getting better going this direction, but this is at least a suggestion, which is what I was asking for.

I don't think Tyus Jones can replace D'Angelo Russell for this team. More specifically, I don't believe Jones to be anywhere near Russell in terms of playmaking or shot creating. That swap would likely put even more pressure on Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns offensively. Are we sure that's what we want?

Victor Oladipo is an interesting idea. Assuming he'd be healthy, who would take over ball-handling responsibilities? Do you have confidence in Oladipo and/or Edwards consistently initiating offensive sets? Do they have enough in their bag to manage the game without a more natural point guard alongside them? I would argue that Minnesota doesn't get better with this option either, but there's some form of creativity here.

Are we sure we shouldn't jump at the chance to sign Tyus if he agrees to come here on a bigtime hometown discount? Tyus Jones had a better plus minus than D Russell in both the regular season and playoffs. Also, Tyus didn't benefit by playing next to the team's best player Ja Morant like DLO did playing next to Kat. Tyus doesn't make as many bonehead plays as DLO. He's tops in the league in Assists to Turnovers. I like his lower usage for this team. I don't think the team would be worse off if it replaced DLO. I think he's quite replaceable and the capspace gained is the key. There are a lot of options to explore including Point Ant, Tyus, Brogdon (trade), Oladipo, Monte Morris (trade), Collin Sexton, Markelle Fultz (trade), Gary Payton, Rubio, Cory Joseph, TJ McConnell, Delon Wright, JMac, Point LeBron (next year, you never know), Dyson Daniels (trade up), Kennedy Chandler, TyTy Washington, Nembhard. And don't sleep on Bolmaro, Kat has been singing his praises. lol