Around the League 2022-23

[60WinTim]

Okay, FNG, I am off the Lowry bandwagon (knee issues) and on your Kyrie bandwagon.

[FNG]

Okay, FNG, I am off the Lowry bandwagon (knee issues) and on your Kyrie bandwagon.

Ha, it's not a comfortable bandwagon to be on, but I have one foot on it nonetheless!

I guess I'm still straddling the Lowry bandwagon too, even though he has been shooting poorly recently as Russell has been going the other way. I still think what he brings to the table would be more valuable to a healthy Wolves team than what DLo brings. I'm not too concerned about the knee...it's described as knee soreness. The Bucks are 22-5 at home and the Heat mediocre on the road, so this could be "load management" as much as anything,

[Lipoli390]

Okay, FNG, I am off the Lowry bandwagon (knee issues) and on your Kyrie bandwagon.

Ha, it's not a comfortable bandwagon to be on, but I have one foot on it nonetheless!

I guess I'm still straddling the Lowry bandwagon too, even though he has been shooting poorly recently as Russell has been going the other way. I still think what he brings to the table would be more valuable to a healthy Wolves team than what DLo brings. I'm not too concerned about the knee...it's described as knee soreness. The Bucks are 22-5 at home and the Heat mediocre on the road, so this could be "load management" as much as anything,

Please stop the Lowry talk! :). Seriously, I want no part of any deal for Lowry. Kyrie is a different story. I don't like him. He's a selfish head case, but he's an elite talent who is still producing at an elite level. He'd probably be a 3-4 month rental and you never know for sure what you'll get from him. So if we're talking DLO and Nowell for Kyrie, I'm interested. But I wouldn't want to give up much more for him.

[Lipoli390]

The Knicks and Jazz have had exploratory conversations surrounding Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, and draft pick compensation for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, league sources told HoopsHype.

Danny Ainge plays chess while others, including Connelly, play checkers.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Okay, FNG, I am off the Lowry bandwagon (knee issues) and on your Kyrie bandwagon.

Ha, it's not a comfortable bandwagon to be on, but I have one foot on it nonetheless!

I guess I'm still straddling the Lowry bandwagon too, even though he has been shooting poorly recently as Russell has been going the other way. I still think what he brings to the table would be more valuable to a healthy Wolves team than what DLo brings. I'm not too concerned about the knee...it's described as knee soreness. The Bucks are 22-5 at home and the Heat mediocre on the road, so this could be "load management" as much as anything,

Please stop the Lowry talk! :). Seriously, I won't no part of any deal for Lowry. Kyrie is a different story. I don't like him. He's a selfish head case, but he's an elite talent who is still producing at an elite level. He'd probably be a 3-4 month rental and you never no for sure what you'll get from him. So if we're talking DLO and Nowell for Kyrie, I'm interested. But I wouldn't want to give up much more for him.

Agreed, Lip. I think the Kyle Lowry chatter needs to be put to bed or at least expounded upon with convincing logic that I'm not sure actually exists given the current circumstances. We also have several reports that indicate the Timberwolves aren't all that interested in making a one-for-one swap of point guards, which means the Heat would need to seriously up the ante to make it worthwhile and I'm not sure they have the disposable assets/players to get a deal done, and that's without Minnesota adding anything of additional value. Credit to Tim Connelly for exploring the possibilities, but I think it's a dead deal.

I would actually be willing to trade D'Angelo Russell and Naz Reid for Kyrie Irving if I could get the latter to sign his two-year max extension that he's eligible for if I had any feeling that winning basketball games was his top priority. That's the big unknown with him recently and the key reason Brooklyn was unwilling to commit to him long-term. He's one of the most skilled players of all-time in my view and absolutely box office entertainment. Very few players can fill it up quite like he can and he has an impressive playoff resume to boot. I don't think that trade ever materializes, but it would be very intriguing based on talent alone.

Also, the "we need a pass-first guard" crowd would be outraged. He's no Tyus Jones or whatever suboptimal point guard that gets thrown around here as an "ideal" backcourt partner to Anthony Edwards. That's something else to consider.

[Phenom]

The Knicks and Jazz have had exploratory conversations surrounding Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, and draft pick compensation for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, league sources told HoopsHype.

Danny Ainge plays chess while others, including Connelly, play checkers.

Would Wolves fans want to make that trade if we still had Beasley and Vandy? I'd personally be underwhelmed.

[Wolvesfan21]

I was driving all day yesterday on my way to Tucson, so I had plenty of time to listen to the chatter on the radio about Kyrie. It was interesting to me that the Wolves were mentioned in almost every discussion. I'm mixed, like most are. But I guess if the Nets were interested in one of the deals I heard discussed (Irving for Russell, Reid, Moore Jr), I would take it. I'm convinced that none of the main three players involved aren't likely to be Wolves in 2023-4, and I'm not interested in Moore Jr., so the question is does this make us better this season. And while I acknowledge the contributions DLo and Naz have made this year, Irving is a completely different level player. A starting five of Rudy/KAT/Jaden/Ant/Kyrie with a bench led by SloMo, Prince, JMac and Rivers challenges for a championship given any semblance of health (obviously either Garza or Knight would have to step up in an elevated role). And maybe, just maybe, Lore and ARoid are willing to pony up for the lux tax to keep Kyrie after we win the NBA championship!

Kyrie stated a preference to be traded to Minnesota in 2017. His mom was half Lakota Indian, and Kyrie is a standing member of the Lakota people...he even has been given a Lakota name that translates to Little Mountain. And the deal makes some sense for each team. With Ben Simmons handling most of the PG duties when healthy (he's averaging 8.5 assists per 36) DLo is freed up to do what he does best...makes shots as an off guard, and defend the weakest offensive player. And Kyrie gets to play a true PG role, unlike the role he has in Brooklyn. Pipe dream? Probably. But it could be fun...

If they take DLO + Naz for Kyrie it's a no brainer. Kyrie is still a legit top 15 player in the NBA. He even rebounds decently for his position, which DLO has been terrible at. As great as DLO has been, Kurie has been a Finals winner (MVP? I forget and am too lazy to look it up) but he has been huge in the biggest moments. I would trust both him and Ant to carry the load on offense EASY. Now you still have KAT and Kyrie can no doubt pick and roll with Rudy.

You get that deal done and you have the best starting lineup (for sure most talented) in the NBA. Now how quickly they gel and stay healthy is the question. Yes it would matter if they want to extend him and go into Lux tax.

[FNG]

Okay, FNG, I am off the Lowry bandwagon (knee issues) and on your Kyrie bandwagon.

Ha, it's not a comfortable bandwagon to be on, but I have one foot on it nonetheless!

I guess I'm still straddling the Lowry bandwagon too, even though he has been shooting poorly recently as Russell has been going the other way. I still think what he brings to the table would be more valuable to a healthy Wolves team than what DLo brings. I'm not too concerned about the knee...it's described as knee soreness. The Bucks are 22-5 at home and the Heat mediocre on the road, so this could be "load management" as much as anything,

Please stop the Lowry talk! :). Seriously, I want no part of any deal for Lowry. Kyrie is a different story. I don't like him. He's a selfish head case, but he's an elite talent who is still producing at an elite level. He'd probably be a 3-4 month rental and you never know for sure what you'll get from him. So if we're talking DLO and Nowell for Kyrie, I'm interested. But I wouldn't want to give up much more for him.

Can't stop, won't stop!

I'd prefer Kyrie obviously too, but Sean Marks isn't picking up the phone for the deal you suggest...I don't think Nowell is much of an asset. More likely he would want Russell and Jaden, and I don't do that deal. But I would pull the trigger on DLo/Naz/MooreJr./2nd round pick. I just don't think that's enough though.

Unfortunately, think the market for Russell is more at the Lowry level. I don't know, maybe Conley, but probably not. Maybe TC can find a POBO out there who craves a PG with a consistent negative on/off and net rating but who has the ability to heroically cut 22 point 4th quarter deficits to 7. We can only hope. But if not, I think we need to set our sights on more reasonable targets.

[FNG]

The Knicks and Jazz have had exploratory conversations surrounding Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, and draft pick compensation for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, league sources told HoopsHype.

Danny Ainge plays chess while others, including Connelly, play checkers.

What do you have against checkers, Lip? I like checkers.

More importantly, when are you going to end your self-imposed Target Center boycott? Rudy keeps looking over his shoulder to see if you've returned...he misses you. Granted you wouldn't have had much fun last night, but the two overtime games earlier in the week were terrific...especially the Golden State win.

[Lipoli390]

The Knicks and Jazz have had exploratory conversations surrounding Obi Toppin, Evan Fournier, and draft pick compensation for Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt, league sources told HoopsHype.

Danny Ainge plays chess while others, including Connelly, play checkers.

Would Wolves fans want to make that trade if we still had Beasley and Vandy? I'd personally be underwhelmed.

It depends on the draft compensation. That's the hook for me. If it's just one or two second-round picks, then never mind. I wanted to keep Vando and Beasley.