Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:

I also like the moves that Sacramento made today. I still think trading Tyrese Haliburton was a mistake, but they got better in the present.

We're both pretty big Haliburton fans as you've made clear in this thread and I made clear before the draft... but one thing to note about the Kings: Is Davion Mitchell legit?

It's a small sample size (8 games), but going back to January 26... Mitchell has gotten more run and ran with it.

34 mpg
17.5 ppg
5.2 apg
1.8 TO
47.5% fg
38% 3fg

Even more impressive -- making me think it might be more legit -- is that he's been super consistent. His worst game by far was the first one vs. the Wolves. It's the only game he shot less than 43%fg or scored fewer than 15 ppg.

His defense is impressive. But I also dug how he forced his will on the defense and kept getting into the lane time and time again.

IF Mitchell really is closer to what we've seen over the past couple of weeks, I like the trade more. It gives the Kings a clear identity with two super fast guards who teams will struggle to contain surrounded by a very good big who can pass as the hub, Barnes as the steady vet and piece parts.

My biggest question, as it was for many prior to the draft and early in the season, is whether he's legit on those three pointers. He's taking 7+ per game during this stretch at a solid percentage.

Imagine how excited Wolves fans would be with a defensive-minded rookie doing what he's been doing...

Davion Mitchell's very promising, no doubt about it. I think he still has a lot of improvement needed in his outside shot and ability to set up his teammates, but he's also shown some growth in both aspects this year.

My biggest gripe with the Kings is them not finding a way to make a trade package centered on De'Aaron Fox work for Domantas Sabonis, which is what was initially reported, instead of involving Tyrese Haliburton. Surely they could have hammered that out.

In any event, their decision to cut bait on Marvin Bagley and get Donte DiVincenzo in return was a savvy move, especially if the latter can get healthy and find his three-point shot.

Camden wrote:Davion Mitchell's very promising, no doubt about it. I think he still has a lot of improvement needed in his outside shot and ability to set up his teammates, but he's also shown some growth in both aspects this year.

My biggest gripe with the Kings is them not finding a way to make a trade package centered on De'Aaron Fox work for Domantas Sabonis, which is what was initially reported, instead of involving Tyrese Haliburton. Surely they could have hammered that out.

In any event, their decision to cut bait on Marvin Bagley and get Donte DiVincenzo in return was a savvy move, especially if the latter can get healthy and find his three-point shot.

You need two to tango.

Obviously, Indiana was frightened by that contract, Fox's inconsistency, regression and terrible perimeter shooting.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

Camden wrote:Davion Mitchell's very promising, no doubt about it. I think he still has a lot of improvement needed in his outside shot and ability to set up his teammates, but he's also shown some growth in both aspects this year.

My biggest gripe with the Kings is them not finding a way to make a trade package centered on De'Aaron Fox work for Domantas Sabonis, which is what was initially reported, instead of involving Tyrese Haliburton. Surely they could have hammered that out.

In any event, their decision to cut bait on Marvin Bagley and get Donte DiVincenzo in return was a savvy move, especially if the latter can get healthy and find his three-point shot.

You need two to tango.

Obviously, Indiana was frightened by that contract, Fox's inconsistency, regression and terrible perimeter shooting.

Somehow I missed that that's where Donte D went. So they traded Bagley and got him and some other guys? Wow.

My friend that's a Kings fan said that they wanted to to trade Fox instead but Indiana wouldn't budge. Abe Beings up a good point that they have Mitchell also. They finally moved some of those guards and then ended up with another worthwhile young player than could fit with some of the guys they have. Kinda impressed really.

Claim or sign Moses Brown after he's waived and I'll be happy. Apparently, Minnesota has enough room under the luxury tax threshold to fit his (or someone else's) pro-rated vet minimum contract. Brown is super raw and unrefined, but you can't teach his size, length, mobility, and athleticism.

Hoping the Bucks get Dragic after he's bought out.

Camden wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

Jester1534 wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:Wolves are standing pat. A lot of discussions but never could land on the right fit. Good team chemistry, now they will finish this season out and see how far they can go.

Per Jon K

I'm going to assume Gupta didn't have the power to make moves. Probably the best trade of the day for wolves was the mavs trade. That sure felt we need to retool this team and were not a top 6 team type trade.

I do have one question though. Didn't we have get rid of some salary to be under the tax line? As I'm trying to learn I don't know how that stuff works.

The Wolves are like 600k under the lux tax line. That is why it was hard to make a trade for a big Center. Layman for either Lopez or Len would of put us over the tax line. Then for Harrell, either Prince, Bev or Beasley would of needed to be in the trade to keep us under that number. I don't know if I would of liked trading any of those guys for Harrell.

Like I know people will be disappointed Gupta didn't do anything but it was really hard for him to make a move if he wasn't allowed to go over the tax line (There are punishments for going over this line)

Reid, Okogie, and Layman for Harrell worked and kept Minnesota below the luxury tax. I'm not championing for that trade, but it wouldn't have required Beverley, Beasley, or Prince.

Similarly, Minnesota could have offloaded Layman and a second-round pick to Oklahoma City and then swapped Okogie and a second to Orlando for Lopez, hypothetically.

There were avenues to take if they wanted to get a deal done. I'm not interested in excuses for Gupta, though, especially considering he's auditioning for the job moving forward.

Cam - I'm with you in not cutting Gupta any slack. I won't judge him harshly for failing to make any moves since I was content to stand pat. But I would have preferred to see us swap Layman for a big or the cap space to sign a big like Monroe. And I think a Layman deal to accomplish that was feasible. The three-way you suggested with OKC and Orlando would have been a good one and I can't see either team turning that one down. Second round picks tend to have more value at the deadline than they do on draft day. We have three second round picks this year. I think one of those three plus Layman would have been enough to end up with Lopez or Monroe. Not a big deal, but every little thing matters when your battling for a playoff spot and your within a couple games of those above and blow you.

Camden wrote:Claim or sign Moses Brown after he's waived and I'll be happy. Apparently, Minnesota has enough room under the luxury tax threshold to fit his (or someone else's) pro-rated vet minimum contract. Brown is super raw and unrefined, but you can't teach his size, length, mobility, and athleticism.

I was a little surprised that he didn't get more run and Chriss basically took his spot. I actually wasn't surprised Chriss found some success it seemed like his career was tending towards being useful last season.

I don't think they can claim Brown it would be like trading for him his whole salary would go against the Cap. Honestly as long as they can sign someone big with that vet min I think most people would be happy. There will likely be a few options. I like Brown but I will not be sad if we end up with Monroe.

I'm cutting Gupta slack. We are playing our best ball in a long time, and lets be honest, no one is giving anything for Jake Layman. At worst, we have a team that can beat anyone at home, and just about every team on the road. The chemistry is awesome. Relax. Enjoy the ride.

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:

Jester1534 wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:Wolves are standing pat. A lot of discussions but never could land on the right fit. Good team chemistry, now they will finish this season out and see how far they can go.

Per Jon K

I'm going to assume Gupta didn't have the power to make moves. Probably the best trade of the day for wolves was the mavs trade. That sure felt we need to retool this team and were not a top 6 team type trade.

I do have one question though. Didn't we have get rid of some salary to be under the tax line? As I'm trying to learn I don't know how that stuff works.

The Wolves are like 600k under the lux tax line. That is why it was hard to make a trade for a big Center. Layman for either Lopez or Len would of put us over the tax line. Then for Harrell, either Prince, Bev or Beasley would of needed to be in the trade to keep us under that number. I don't know if I would of liked trading any of those guys for Harrell.

Like I know people will be disappointed Gupta didn't do anything but it was really hard for him to make a move if he wasn't allowed to go over the tax line (There are punishments for going over this line)

Reid, Okogie, and Layman for Harrell worked and kept Minnesota below the luxury tax. I'm not championing for that trade, but it wouldn't have required Beverley, Beasley, or Prince.

Similarly, Minnesota could have offloaded Layman and a second-round pick to Oklahoma City and then swapped Okogie and a second to Orlando for Lopez, hypothetically.

There were avenues to take if they wanted to get a deal done. I'm not interested in excuses for Gupta, though, especially considering he's auditioning for the job moving forward.

Cam - I'm with you in not cutting Gupta any slack. I won't judge him harshly for failing to make any moves since I was content to stand pat. But I would have preferred to see us swap Layman for a big or the cap space to sign a big like Monroe. And I think a Layman deal to accomplish that was feasible. The three-way you suggested with OKC and Orlando would have been a good one and I can't see either team turning that one down. Second round picks tend to have more value at the deadline than they do on draft day. We have three second round picks this year. I think one of those three plus Layman would have been enough to end up with Lopez or Monroe. Not a big deal, but every little thing matters when your battling for a playoff spot and your within a couple games of those above and blow you.

I disagree with you about 2nd rounders being more valuable now than on draft day. It wasn't a knock the ball out of the park but remember the Wolves moved three 2nd round picks to move up into the 1st round to take Tyus. That Wizards 2nd we got in the Rubio deal is likely gonna be pretty good and another 2nd could be a nice sweetener. Meanwhile we could still have a 2nd rounder to take a flyer on a guy on a dirt cheap contract or maybe even someone who agrees to a 2-way deal if we draft them.

If The Wolves are able to sign a vet min guy anyway (as Dane Moore suggests) then all will be well.