Cutting GR3 is Another Bonehead Move by Flip Saunders

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Dig that the board is invested enough to discuss the atrocity of losing Glenn Robinson III.

I just don't know what the guy ever did to justify it.

I can't speak to the pain some are feeling about the loss of GR3, because I haven't had the courage yet to let myself go there. A person can only carry so much grief, and I'm still reeling from the loss of Lazar Hayward.

[bleedspeed]

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/practice-report-march-5-what-can-hamilton-do-wolves

I look at this as obviously we value Hummel more. Prety sure he is a FA at the end of the year. And why even draft GR3 if it is so hard to develop 3 players at the same position. I would think 2nd round picks are more need or draft and stash then BPA. I am guessing we might have been able to trade GR3 on draft night for a future 2nd.

Anyways my dreams of fielding the lineup of:

LaVine
Wiggins
GR3
AB
Payne

are long gone now. No chance will we have the best lineup of dunkers the NBA this season now.

[Monster]

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/practice-report-march-5-what-can-hamilton-do-wolves

I look at this as obviously we value Hummel more. Prety sure he is a FA at the end of the year. And why even draft GR3 if it is so hard to develop 3 players at the same position. I would think 2nd round picks are more need or draft and stash then BPA. I am guessing we might have been able to trade GR3 on draft night for a future 2nd.

Anyways my dreams of fielding the lineup of:

LaVine
Wiggins
GR3
AB
Payne

are long gone now. No chance will we have the best lineup of dunkers the NBA this season now.

Wiggins wasn't on the roster when we picked GR3.

[bleedspeed]

Wiggins wasn't on the roster when we picked GR3.

Good point! To me it is just odd we kept him all these months when this problem has been ongoing. I think something prompted it.

[Carlos Danger]

Not a big deal for me. If GR3 wasn't getting minutes this year - that sort of shows where he was at in the pecking order. We are one of the worst teams in the NBA with lots of injuries. The only odd thing for me is that they kept him for so long. We spent most of the year in need of additional bigs and point guards while being over stocked at wing. Meh. This is the modern NBA. We have only 7 guys on the team now that were around last year. It's tough to get too attached to anyone these days the way teams turnover rosters. I'm sure a bunch of the guys on the roster now will not be around next year at this time either.

[MikkeMan]

A lot of guys can play 35-40 a night, but do they make us a better team. Flip concluded that we couldn't win with Thad at PF, and I agree. You and I just have different opinions on this one. KG looked like our best player last night in his 21 minutes, while Young can't crack the starting lineup on a bad Nets team. Plus Flip doesn't have to pay Thad $10 million next year, and that's a win by itself.

Long, Brooklyn has record 4 wins 3 losses after trading KG for Thad. Those wins include impressive wins against Golden State and against Dallas in their floor. Before that trade miserable Brooklyn team had won only 5 times in last 20 games. For comparison even Wolves had won 6 games in their last 20 games. Also for comparison Wolves have record 2 wins 5 losses after trading Thad.

It's true that Thad has not yet inserted to Brooklyn starting unit but he has still been big reason why they have been winning more lately. He has played just about 23 minutes per game but he has .642 TS% 23.4 PER and +3.0 on/off numbers with Brooklyn. He has been even grabbing 7 rebounds (and 20 points) per 36 minutes with Brooklyn.

Based on these numbers it seems that Thad/KG trade has been so far working better for Brooklyn than for us. I still think that the only reason for trading was to make nice story about former Wolves legend returning home. If Flip uses signs KG next season for something like 6-7 million per year, it means that trading Thad's 10 million contract barely helps us for signing any other players.

I would have wanted to keep Thad since he was playing much better when paired with Rubio. In those 9 games they played together, He averaged 15.7 pts and 6.5 rebounds per 36 minutes and had TS% .549. Even more impressive is that team was +29 in those 9 games with Thad on the floor versus -40 that they were with him on the bench. Sample size is of course small but it looks like he had quite nice chemistry with Ricky.

I think that even if Flip was afraid that Thad would have been opting out it would have made sense to keep him. I think that 29 more games with Ricky and new higher salary cap would have convinced him for opting in. Then if he had played better next season with Ricky that will hopefully been playing full season, it would have been better market for trading him as expiring veteran who could help some playoff team. (if they would have thought that his new contract would be too expensive). I think KG would have retired next season without Flip trading for him and they could have brought him as one of the assistant couches rather than a player whose expensive salary will be counted against salary cap. So KG could have been still teaching defense for our bigs.

[60WinTim]

Wiggins wasn't on the roster when we picked GR3.

Good point! To me it is just odd we kept him all these months when this problem has been ongoing. I think something prompted it.

How about the development of Shabazz? Or the realization that Zach is more SG than PG?

It sounds like GR3 could have been let go sooner if the Wolves were able to land Hamilton a month ago like they wanted...

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

A lot of guys can play 35-40 a night, but do they make us a better team. Flip concluded that we couldn't win with Thad at PF, and I agree. You and I just have different opinions on this one. KG looked like our best player last night in his 21 minutes, while Young can't crack the starting lineup on a bad Nets team. Plus Flip doesn't have to pay Thad $10 million next year, and that's a win by itself.

Long, Brooklyn has record 4 wins 3 losses after trading KG for Thad. Those wins include impressive wins against Golden State and against Dallas in their floor. Before that trade miserable Brooklyn team had won only 5 times in last 20 games. For comparison even Wolves had won 6 games in their last 20 games. Also for comparison Wolves have record 2 wins 5 losses after trading Thad.

It's true that Thad has not yet inserted to Brooklyn starting unit but he has still been big reason why they have been winning more lately. He has played just about 23 minutes per game but he has .642 TS% 23.4 PER and +3.0 on/off numbers with Brooklyn. He has been even grabbing 7 rebounds (and 20 points) per 36 minutes with Brooklyn.

Based on these numbers it seems that Thad/KG trade has been so far working better for Brooklyn than for us. I still think that the only reason for trading was to make nice story about former Wolves legend returning home. If Flip uses signs KG next season for something like 6-7 million per year, it means that trading Thad's 10 million contract barely helps us for signing any other players.

I would have wanted to keep Thad since he was playing much better when paired with Rubio. In those 9 games they played together, He averaged 15.7 pts and 6.5 rebounds per 36 minutes and had TS% .549. Even more impressive is that team was +29 in those 9 games with Thad on the floor versus -40 that they were with him on the bench. Sample size is of course small but it looks like he had quite nice chemistry with Ricky.

I think that even if Flip was afraid that Thad would have been opting out it would have made sense to keep him. I think that 29 more games with Ricky and new higher salary cap would have convinced him for opting in. Then if he had played better next season with Ricky that will hopefully been playing full season, it would have been better market for trading him as expiring veteran who could help some playoff team. (if they would have thought that his new contract would be too expensive). I think KG would have retired next season without Flip trading for him and they could have brought him as one of the assistant couches rather than a player whose expensive salary will be counted against salary cap. So KG could have been still teaching defense for our bigs.

Good post and yet another repudiation to the "Thad is the Devil" (credit to Abe) sentiment expressed by some around here.

What's funny is that Thad is 26 years old. He's only 2 years older than Payne! I really thought we could have made something work with him longer term by restructuring his contract. He's the type of swing forward you want coming off the bench when you get really good.

KG's return was heart-warming and unbelievably special for those who were able to attend that night. It's hard to put a price on that kind of emotion. But all of that and then some could have been accomplished on opening night of the 2015-16 campaign.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Wiggins wasn't on the roster when we picked GR3.

Good point! To me it is just odd we kept him all these months when this problem has been ongoing. I think something prompted it.

How about the development of Shabazz? Or the realization that Zach is more SG than PG?

It sounds like GR3 could have been let go sooner if the Wolves were able to land Hamilton a month ago like they wanted...

The Wolves have said they tried to deal for Hamilton with Miami, but Miami didn't like our offer. Hmm...what do you think we were offering? We don't know, but based on who we just released, my guess is that we offered them Robinson and they didn't think it was enough.

GR3 will get another chance with an NBA team, if for no other reason than his pedigree. But it was clear to me for a long time that he didn't have a future here.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

A lot of guys can play 35-40 a night, but do they make us a better team. Flip concluded that we couldn't win with Thad at PF, and I agree. You and I just have different opinions on this one. KG looked like our best player last night in his 21 minutes, while Young can't crack the starting lineup on a bad Nets team. Plus Flip doesn't have to pay Thad $10 million next year, and that's a win by itself.

Long, Brooklyn has record 4 wins 3 losses after trading KG for Thad. Those wins include impressive wins against Golden State and against Dallas in their floor. Before that trade miserable Brooklyn team had won only 5 times in last 20 games. For comparison even Wolves had won 6 games in their last 20 games. Also for comparison Wolves have record 2 wins 5 losses after trading Thad.

It's true that Thad has not yet inserted to Brooklyn starting unit but he has still been big reason why they have been winning more lately. He has played just about 23 minutes per game but he has .642 TS% 23.4 PER and +3.0 on/off numbers with Brooklyn. He has been even grabbing 7 rebounds (and 20 points) per 36 minutes with Brooklyn.

Based on these numbers it seems that Thad/KG trade has been so far working better for Brooklyn than for us. I still think that the only reason for trading was to make nice story about former Wolves legend returning home. If Flip uses signs KG next season for something like 6-7 million per year, it means that trading Thad's 10 million contract barely helps us for signing any other players.

I would have wanted to keep Thad since he was playing much better when paired with Rubio. In those 9 games they played together, He averaged 15.7 pts and 6.5 rebounds per 36 minutes and had TS% .549. Even more impressive is that team was +29 in those 9 games with Thad on the floor versus -40 that they were with him on the bench. Sample size is of course small but it looks like he had quite nice chemistry with Ricky.

I think that even if Flip was afraid that Thad would have been opting out it would have made sense to keep him. I think that 29 more games with Ricky and new higher salary cap would have convinced him for opting in. Then if he had played better next season with Ricky that will hopefully been playing full season, it would have been better market for trading him as expiring veteran who could help some playoff team. (if they would have thought that his new contract would be too expensive). I think KG would have retired next season without Flip trading for him and they could have brought him as one of the assistant couches rather than a player whose expensive salary will be counted against salary cap. So KG could have been still teaching defense for our bigs.

Good post and yet another repudiation to the "Thad is the Devil" (credit to Abe) sentiment expressed by some around here.

What's funny is that Thad is 26 years old. He's only 2 years older than Payne! I really thought we could have made something work with him longer term by restructuring his contract. He's the type of swing forward you want coming off the bench when you get really good.

KG's return was heart-warming and unbelievably special for those who were able to attend that night. It's hard to put a price on that kind of emotion. But all of that and then some could have been accomplished on opening night of the 2015-16 campaign.

Ha, I liked Abe's line also! I never thought Thad Young was the devil...in fact, I generally admired his character and creative offensive game. I just never thought of him as a starting NBA PF because of the obvious deficiencies in his game...despite being an NBA veteran. I have enjoyed watching the Wolves so much more since the trade (except for Wednesday's disaster) and I know why. KG constant movement and talk on offense and defense makes a team so much more watchable. I have had to tear my hair out at various times watching Thad, AB and AP on defense, but there's a difference...I recognize that NBA defense is a big step up from college, so I make allowances for AB and AP's struggles. There's still plenty of time for learning here, and I expect to see both of them improve dramatically on defense...especially with KG's help. Thad, on the other hand, is an NBA vet, and he is what he is...good and bad.

I completely agree that Thad has been terrific in his first seven games with the Nets, and they are playing great ball. But I attribute that to the Nets using him in a way many of us here always knew he was best suited for...as a combo forward off the bench, not having to worry about defending NBA starters. Thad was a big favorite on the Philly RealGM board, but even his proponents over there knew that he should be coming off the bench. At any rate, it's working for the Nets right now, and I hope they are smart enough to continue using Thad correctly. I think both the Wolves and the Nets are playing better after the trade, at least until they both laid an egg Wednesday (the Wolves losing to Denver by 15 was embarrassing, but not as embarrassing as the Nets' 24-point loss at home to the Hornets, in a game they needed to win for playoff purposes). At the end of the day, the NBA is in the entertainment business and needs to sell their product. I'll be going to the game Saturday night, and I know I would not have gone had they not made this trade...and I know I'm not alone in that thinking. They still have a long way to go, but they're much easier to watch now.