Minnesota Sports Forum

PorkChop wrote:Isn't Ricky already on record saying if they don't make the playoffs this year it might be time for a change. Doesn't sound like the type of statement a guy would make if he was willing to stay on a discount.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=/amp/ftw.usatoday.com/2016/06/ricky-rubio-trade-out-of-minnesota-timberwolves-nba-playoffs/amp&ved=0ahUKEwi12_bsg4jQAhXEyoMKHSFjBZUQFggcMAA&usg=AFQjCNG9RjDSmdGJB8AK9BqY12xp74Is7w

And remember...
http://m.startribune.com/ricky-rubio-is-the-worst-shooter-in-modern-nba-history/362780491/

*credit to Abe for the second link!*

I'm still disappointed that I didn't get any credit for the second link. I was sharing those statistics months before anybody else picked up on them.

lipoli390 wrote:Here's some more clarity on my prediction with Dunn added. The following is my projection for the 2019-20 season. This will be KAT's first season under his new contract and the second season for Wiggins and Zach under their extensions. It would also be the first season of Ricky's next contract, following the final year of his current contract at $14.8 million. It would be second season of Belly's new deal. It would be the final season of Dunn's rookie deal.

KAT: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Wigg: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Zach: $21
Gorgui: $16
Ricky: $15
Belly: $10
Dunn: $5.3

TOTAL for 7 Players = $117.3 million

Then I'd add 2 players at the mid-level exception of around $8 million. That brings the total to $133.3 for 9 players. We will be WAY over the luxury tax threshold.

Ricky hasn't improved nearly at all in 5 seasons now. This last contract was given in hopes that he would solidify himself in the upper echelon of pgs, yet he is still middle of the pack. With the staggering amount of pg talent on the league, possibly even on our own team, and the major influx of quality players that are coming in every draft year, I would say it will be time to let him go if we can't find a return for him.

It is becoming more apparent that you cannot win tough games with a pg who is a combined 35% career shooter. The spacing is just terrible.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:I'm still disappointed that I didn't get any credit for the second link. I was sharing those statistics months before anybody else picked up on them.

Fixed that for you. I think it needs to be brought up every couple of months. Those numbers are god awful and definitely affect how our offense operates. Im transitioning from rubio fan to rubio dissenter.

TheFuture wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:I'm still disappointed that I didn't get any credit for the second link. I was sharing those statistics months before anybody else picked up on them.

Fixed that for you. I think it needs to be brought up every couple of months. Those numbers are god awful and definitely affect how our offense operates. Im transitioning from rubio fan to rubio dissenter.

They turned you didn't they? Pork, Duke, Khans....they turned you! Once you were Rubiooooo and now you are Future. I'm very disappointed! :)

People always talk about his inability to shoot, but boy, our team offense hasn't been the problem with this squad when he's been healthy! Ultimately isn't that how a PG should be judged? By how effective the TEAM is at scoring when he's on the floor?

lipoli390 wrote:Here's some more clarity on my prediction with Dunn added. The following is my projection for the 2019-20 season. This will be KAT's first season under his new contract and the second season for Wiggins and Zach under their extensions. It would also be the first season of Ricky's next contract, following the final year of his current contract at $14.8 million. It would be second season of Belly's new deal. It would be the final season of Dunn's rookie deal.

KAT: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Wigg: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Zach: $21
Gorgui: $16
Ricky: $15
Belly: $10
Dunn: $5.3

TOTAL for 7 Players = $117.3 million

Then I'd add 2 players at the mid-level exception of around $8 million. That brings the total to $133.3 for 9 players. We will be WAY over the luxury tax threshold.

Yeah, you guys have convinced me that I was low on Zach. Thx for the above breakdown, Lip...kind of dire considering we still have to pay 6 more players after the payroll is already at $133.3. Maybe Thaydon doesn't sign two players at $8 million each but then we're still at $117 million with 8 more players to pay...i.e. certain lux tax. It's becoming clear that the only way we can retain our Big 3 is if Dunn proves himself to be a suitable PG, and we are able to trade Ricky to clear some space. Most likely though I fear one of the young Big 3 will be Harden-ed.

longstrangetrip wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Here's some more clarity on my prediction with Dunn added. The following is my projection for the 2019-20 season. This will be KAT's first season under his new contract and the second season for Wiggins and Zach under their extensions. It would also be the first season of Ricky's next contract, following the final year of his current contract at $14.8 million. It would be second season of Belly's new deal. It would be the final season of Dunn's rookie deal.

KAT: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Wigg: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Zach: $21
Gorgui: $16
Ricky: $15
Belly: $10
Dunn: $5.3

TOTAL for 7 Players = $117.3 million

Then I'd add 2 players at the mid-level exception of around $8 million. That brings the total to $133.3 for 9 players. We will be WAY over the luxury tax threshold.

Yeah, you guys have convinced me that I was low on Zach. Thx for the above breakdown, Lip...kind of dire considering we still have to pay 6 more players after the payroll is already at $133.3. Maybe Thaydon doesn't sign two players at $8 million each but then we're still at $117 million with 8 more players to pay...i.e. certain lux tax. It's becoming clear that the only way we can retain our Big 3 is if Dunn proves himself to be a suitable PG, and we are able to trade Ricky to clear some space. Most likely though I fear one of the young Big 3 will be Harden-ed.

LST I know you have said in the past you don't think Glen's other owners would be willing to go into the lux tax. Would you be willing to say if they would possibly do it for just one season if it made a lot of sense?

longstrangetrip wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Here's some more clarity on my prediction with Dunn added. The following is my projection for the 2019-20 season. This will be KAT's first season under his new contract and the second season for Wiggins and Zach under their extensions. It would also be the first season of Ricky's next contract, following the final year of his current contract at $14.8 million. It would be second season of Belly's new deal. It would be the final season of Dunn's rookie deal.

KAT: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Wigg: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Zach: $21
Gorgui: $16
Ricky: $15
Belly: $10
Dunn: $5.3

TOTAL for 7 Players = $117.3 million

Then I'd add 2 players at the mid-level exception of around $8 million. That brings the total to $133.3 for 9 players. We will be WAY over the luxury tax threshold.

Yeah, you guys have convinced me that I was low on Zach. Thx for the above breakdown, Lip...kind of dire considering we still have to pay 6 more players after the payroll is already at $133.3. Maybe Thaydon doesn't sign two players at $8 million each but then we're still at $117 million with 8 more players to pay...i.e. certain lux tax. It's becoming clear that the only way we can retain our Big 3 is if Dunn proves himself to be a suitable PG, and we are able to trade Ricky to clear some space. Most likely though I fear one of the young Big 3 will be Harden-ed.

I have a feeling the second level of guys would go and not one of the big 3. Dieng, Ricky, Belly, all would be replaced by cheaper options. They'll take up 75% of the cap, but that's what you do to keep your top players.

It all depends largely on how we're doing. If we enter the 2019-20 season as a championship contender following a nice playoff run the previous season, and provided Glen is still alive, I think Wolves management/ownership will go over the luxury tax if that's what it takes to keep our core of KAT, Wiggins, LaVine and Gorgui together. If this core doesn't gel together or isn't the right mix for a championship run I think we'll know by the end of next season. At that point, I could see Wolves management/ownership dealing one or two of these four for a different mix that might keep us under the luxury tax.

monsterpile wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Here's some more clarity on my prediction with Dunn added. The following is my projection for the 2019-20 season. This will be KAT's first season under his new contract and the second season for Wiggins and Zach under their extensions. It would also be the first season of Ricky's next contract, following the final year of his current contract at $14.8 million. It would be second season of Belly's new deal. It would be the final season of Dunn's rookie deal.

KAT: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Wigg: $25 (just below $26.5 max)
Zach: $21
Gorgui: $16
Ricky: $15
Belly: $10
Dunn: $5.3

TOTAL for 7 Players = $117.3 million

Then I'd add 2 players at the mid-level exception of around $8 million. That brings the total to $133.3 for 9 players. We will be WAY over the luxury tax threshold.

Yeah, you guys have convinced me that I was low on Zach. Thx for the above breakdown, Lip...kind of dire considering we still have to pay 6 more players after the payroll is already at $133.3. Maybe Thaydon doesn't sign two players at $8 million each but then we're still at $117 million with 8 more players to pay...i.e. certain lux tax. It's becoming clear that the only way we can retain our Big 3 is if Dunn proves himself to be a suitable PG, and we are able to trade Ricky to clear some space. Most likely though I fear one of the young Big 3 will be Harden-ed.

LST I know you have said in the past you don't think Glen's other owners would be willing to go into the lux tax. Would you be willing to say if they would possibly do it for just one season if it made a lot of sense?

I wouldn't know for sure, Monster, and I also don't know if Glen has made any assurances to his minority owners that he won't go over the threshold. I think it depends on how much over the threshold they go...it can get absurdly punitive. A couple of the minority guys are quite well heeled, but I know there was some reluctance to contribute more capital in the past when Glen made capital calls. And although I don't know Debbie Saunders, I think we can assume that it might be difficult for her to come up with her portion of the tax if they went over the threshold. Now, minority owners have been given the option in the past of diluting their ownership percentage if they chose not to participate in a capital call, but the ownership group is broader now, and that might not be a situation Glen wants to get into again.

I guess we'll have to wait and see. Salary cap management is going to be key to this team's success, and so far I've been pleased with the way Thaydon has approached it.