Minnesota Sports Forum

Tactical unit wrote:Westbrook to LA should fit well in my eyes. Think about how competitive Russ is and you put him on a team that will really push the pace up and down the court. That should lead to a great season for Westbrook by doing what he does well and being able to be a 3rd option in half court sets.

Westbrook is super talented, no doubt, but I don't really like the fit that much. LeBron is already their playmaker, when that's what Russ does best, which will force one of them off ball, where they're not at their best. Plus that team needs 3 point shooting in the worst possible way now. They'll probably manage to get some veteran shooters looking to chase a ring in LA, and there's so much talent in those three they'll probably make it work somewhat. But their depth is shot, making them even more susceptible to an injury derailing their season. Risky bet, but with that talent, it could pay off.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:

Tactical unit wrote:Westbrook to LA should fit well in my eyes. Think about how competitive Russ is and you put him on a team that will really push the pace up and down the court. That should lead to a great season for Westbrook by doing what he does well and being able to be a 3rd option in half court sets.

Westbrook is super talented, no doubt, but I don't really like the fit that much. LeBron is already their playmaker, when that's what Russ does best, which will force one of them off ball, where they're not at their best. Plus that team needs 3 point shooting in the worst possible way now. They'll probably manage to get some veteran shooters looking to chase a ring in LA, and there's so much talent in those three they'll probably make it work somewhat. But their depth is shot, making them even more susceptible to an injury derailing their season. Risky bet, but with that talent, it could pay off.

Yeah, they were a mediocre 3-point shooting team last year but replacing Kuzma and KCP with Westbrook now turns them to a very poor shooting team. Plus these guys aren't getting any younger. But you are right, some great 3&D free agent will sign for peanuts and slot in one of the wing spots.

Apparently, Tristen Thompson is on his way to Atlanta in exchange for Kris Dunn and a 2023 2nd round pick. When will the Hawks conclude that they have enough bigs? They now have Capela, Collins, Okongwu, Fernando and now Thompson. Oh, they also have two PF/SFs in Gallo and Hunter.

The Hawks, Mavs and Pacers are loaded with a lot of bigs. And as we know, Rosas is hunting for bigs in the trade market. I think it's likely the Wolves will end up doing a deal with one of these three teams for a big.

Capela would be my first choice in a deal with the Hawks. I remember when Capela dominated KAT in the playoffs a few years ago. He's the pure defensive big who probably isn't in high demand around the League, but could fit well here because of KAT's uniquely diverse offensive skill set. I'd also be interested in Okongwu. He won't help right away, especially with his surgery causing him to miss the first few months of the season. But his youth and injury might make put the asking price for Okongwu within range of the Wolves. I'm not particularly interested in trading for Collins because I think he'll require a max salary and will carry the highest asking price of all the bigs on these three teams.

Kleber would be my first choice in a deal with the Mavs. I think he'd be a good fit here next to KAT and the asking price shouldn't be too high.

Myles Turner would be my target in a deal with the Pacers. But the asking price for him will be pretty high and, as Monster has pointed out a number of times, he has significant durability issues.

lipoli390 wrote:Apparently, Tristen Thompson is on his way to Atlanta in exchange for Kris Dunn and a 2023 2nd round pick. When will the Hawks conclude that they have enough bigs? They now have Capela, Collins, Okongwu, Fernando and now Thompson. Oh, they also have two PF/SFs in Gallo and Hunter.

The Hawks, Mavs and Pacers are loaded with a lot of bigs. And as we know, Rosas is hunting for bigs in the trade market. I think it's likely the Wolves will end up doing a deal with one of these three teams for a big.

Capela would be my first choice in a deal with the Hawks. I remember when Capela dominated KAT in the playoffs a few years ago. He's the pure defensive big who probably isn't in high demand around the League, but could fit well here because of KAT's uniquely diverse offensive skill set. I'd also be interested in Okongwu. He won't help right away, especially with his surgery causing him to miss the first few months of the season. But his youth and injury might make put the asking price for Okongwu within range of the Wolves. I'm not particularly interested in trading for Collins because I think he'll require a max salary and will carry the highest asking price of all the bigs on these three teams.

Kleber would be my first choice in a deal with the Mavs. I think he'd be a good fit here next to KAT and the asking price shouldn't be too high.

Myles Turner would be my target in a deal with the Pacers. But the asking price for him will be pretty high and, as Monster has pointed out a number of times, he has significant durability issues.

Hawks then traded Thompson to the kings for Delon Wright. Just letting you know

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Apparently, Tristen Thompson is on his way to Atlanta in exchange for Kris Dunn and a 2023 2nd round pick. When will the Hawks conclude that they have enough bigs? They now have Capela, Collins, Okongwu, Fernando and now Thompson. Oh, they also have two PF/SFs in Gallo and Hunter.

The Hawks, Mavs and Pacers are loaded with a lot of bigs. And as we know, Rosas is hunting for bigs in the trade market. I think it's likely the Wolves will end up doing a deal with one of these three teams for a big.

Capela would be my first choice in a deal with the Hawks. I remember when Capela dominated KAT in the playoffs a few years ago. He's the pure defensive big who probably isn't in high demand around the League, but could fit well here because of KAT's uniquely diverse offensive skill set. I'd also be interested in Okongwu. He won't help right away, especially with his surgery causing him to miss the first few months of the season. But his youth and injury might make put the asking price for Okongwu within range of the Wolves. I'm not particularly interested in trading for Collins because I think he'll require a max salary and will carry the highest asking price of all the bigs on these three teams.

Kleber would be my first choice in a deal with the Mavs. I think he'd be a good fit here next to KAT and the asking price shouldn't be too high.

Myles Turner would be my target in a deal with the Pacers. But the asking price for him will be pretty high and, as Monster has pointed out a number of times, he has significant durability issues.

Hawks then traded Thompson to the kings for Delon Wright. Just letting you know

I just saw that, Kek. Also, apparently Bruno Fernando is headed to Boston as part of that deal. So I'd say the Hawks are no longer overloaded with bigs. They have Capela, Collins and Okongwu, but Okongwu is hurt. But I'd still like the Wolves to make a run at Capela. But I'm not sure I'd give up Beasley to get him. And other than Beasley, I'm not sure what we have that the Hawks might be interested in.

Lebron is getting old . I think the addition of Westbrook will allow James to shoulder less of the play making and scoring responsibilities thru 3/4s of the game. Then he'll be fresh for crunch time. He also have more in the tank come playoff time.

PorkChop wrote:Lebron is getting old . I think the addition of Westbrook will allow James to shoulder less of the play making and scoring responsibilities thru 3/4s of the game. Then he'll be fresh for crunch time. He also have more in the tank come playoff time.

I think that's right, Pork. Westbrook is a great player with an Iverson mentality. He was still at the top of his game at the end of this past season. Adding him to LeBron and AD will create a tremendous core three. And as you said, Westbrook's presence will help keep LeBron fresh by taking some of the offensive burden off his shoulders.

Apparently DeRozan is going to take a discount to chase a ring with the Lakers. Another rotation player who doesn't shoot 3s

Portis is going to decline his player option. I think he would be a great PF option for the Wolves Well worth the exception. Would be a good fit next to KAT

I agree 100% offer him as much as we can to pressure the bucks to move on. Also offer him a starting role to make it worth leaving a contender.

I still think its a longshot though