Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Jarret Allen was tremendous tonight. He and Mobley will be an incredible tandem of bigs for years to come. Cleveland has a true twin tower situation. And Kevin Love was fantastic tonight. Great to see him do well.

I watched a little bit of this game tonight. Kevin Love looked like he had plenty of gas left in the tank. Turned back the clock even! 25 points and nine rebounds with six threes made off the bench. Sheesh.

Love the enthusiasm for this game...I've also enjoyed the Cavs a lot this year, although I didn't catch this game! Part of my enthusiasm is because of the contribution of our guys...Love and (pre-injury) Rubio. But I'm also an Allen fan, and even though some of the ROY articles have Cade Cunningham on top, I still see Mobley as the clear #1. I don't know if Bickerstaff is still using Mobley at the top of a 1-3-1 zone, but it sure has been fun to watch the times I have seen Cleveland using it. Mobley has been a true difference maker...unusual for a rookie... but Allen has had even more of a positive impact on the Cavs this year. How lucky they are to have these two twin towers at only 20 and 23!

What a nosedive the Nets have taken...they've lost seven in a row now, and have dropped from first place to sixth. And they're only 1 1/2 games ahead of 9th place Hornets! With Durant out and Harden either hurt or pouting about being discussed in trade rumors, they're a bad basketball team. I have to believe their freefall has to accelerate any Simmons/Harden trade discussions.

Simmons for Harden would be a trade where both teams lose.

WildWolf2813 wrote:Simmons for Harden would be a trade where both teams lose.

On the contrary, I actually really like that trade for Brooklyn. Ben Simmons isn't a better player than James Harden, but he is turning 26-years old, signed long-term, and theoretically fits well with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. We need to remember that James Harden is an impending free agent and turning 33. Would you really feel comfortable maxing him out? I wouldn't, honestly.

Camden wrote:

WildWolf2813 wrote:Simmons for Harden would be a trade where both teams lose.

On the contrary, I actually really like that trade for Brooklyn. Ben Simmons isn't a better player than James Harden, but he is turning 26-years old, signed long-term, and theoretically fits well with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. We need to remember that James Harden is an impending free agent and turning 33. Would you really feel comfortable maxing him out? I wouldn't, honestly.

I agree Cam. Simmons is a better fit alongside Durant and Irving than Harden. Add to that the possibility Harden will walk at the end of the season and could sign with the 76ers anyway. The Nets could realistically ask for Maxey and a future 1st as well.

The one obstacle is the Nets would be unable to take on Tobias Harris contract as well as Simmons. A third team would likely need to be involved to absorb Harris' contract. Maybe Detroit and Jeremiah Grants contract would make sense as the third team.

Poor Rubio just got jettisoned to the pacers in a deal for Carious Levert

Woj:

Full trade: Indiana sends Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick via Miami to Cleveland for Ricky Rubio, lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick via Houston and a 2027 second-round pick via Utah, per sources.

Good trade for both teams, but I tend to like this more for Indiana. Getting a first-round pick for an underperforming Caris LeVert? Yes please. LeVert is obviously useful in that he's available and Ricky Rubio isn't, but there were better trade targets available, I feel.

After their win against the Pistons, the Wolves are just 2.0 games back of the fifth seed Mavericks who are currently playing the Hawks on ESPN. Atlanta could really help us out with a win.

Camden wrote:

Woj:

Full trade: Indiana sends Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick via Miami to Cleveland for Ricky Rubio, lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick via Houston and a 2027 second-round pick via Utah, per sources.

Good trade for both teams, but I tend to like this more for Indiana. Getting a first-round pick for an underperforming Caris LeVert? Yes please. LeVert is obviously useful in that he's available and Ricky Rubio isn't, but there were better trade targets available, I feel.

That's a good return for LaVert. It still boggles my mind that Houston wanted Dipo instead.

Sounds like CJ McCollum is on his way to the Pelicans