DLO Trades

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

By the way, there are numerous Miami Heat fans on Twitter and Reddit giddy about the speculation of trading Kyle Lowry for D'Angelo Russell. I've seen a number of posts even willing to include a first-round pick. That could be nothing... Or it's indicative of a fan base wanting to jettison the near 37-year old before he becomes further depreciated.

The temperature of a fan base doesn't always mean their feelings are right -- certainly not. However, I will be very disappointed if acquiring Lowry is the panic move that's made this season. I'm actively rooting against that.

[Q-is-here]

By the way, there are numerous Miami Heat fans on Twitter and Reddit giddy about the speculation of trading Kyle Lowry for D'Angelo Russell. I've seen a number of posts even willing to include a first-round pick. That could be nothing... Or it's indicative of a fan base wanting to jettison the near 37-year old before he becomes further depreciated.

The temperature of a fan base doesn't always mean their feelings are right -- certainly not. However, I will be very disappointed if acquiring Lowry is the panic move that's made this season. I'm actively rooting against that.

I could see why Miami fans would want a more dynamic playmaker and shotmaker versus the aging Lowry. They are really good defensively and not good offensively, so they probably don't care as much about DLO's defensive weaknesses. Plus the vaunted Heat Culture fixes all of that, right???

For Minnesota, I see the value only if it's truly the case that DLO, his coaches, and the front office are all mutually unhappy with each other. Why continue the pain? And I don't think the gap between Lowry and DLO - if there is one - is big enough to make a big difference in terms of on court performance.

[FNG]

The Russell/Lowry discussion is interesting because they are such different style point guards. Russell is clearly the better scorer and shot creator and prefers the label "guard" rather than "point guard". But Lowry, despite his 6-0 frame, is the better rebounder, and by any statistical measure (and especially the eye test), the far better defender. So the question for me is: which PG fits better on which team. What do the Wolves need more- more shot creation and scoring, or better rebounding and defense...especially on the perimeter? And what do the Heat need more?

Well, the Heat rank dead last in scoring and top 3 in defense...they just might consider Russell an upgrade at PG considering their needs.

On the other hand, the combination of Gobert's inside presence and poor perimeter defense results in Wolves' opponents taking the 3rd most 3-pointers in the Association with the 4th best accuracy. This creates two huge problems: 1) the Wolves give up more points on 3-pointers than any team other than Hapless Houston, and 2) 3-point misses create long rebounds, and you need guards who are good rebounders. Lowry would immediately upgrade our perimeter defense and our guard rebounding...two huge needs for this team.

I can see why Windhorst is talking about this...it's a deal both fan bases would embrace, and that's something that interests front offices.

Um...and I have to admit it would be fun to see how Jimmy Butler responded to DLo's defense ;-) .

[Wolvesfan21]

If Miami throws in a 1st rounder I pull the trigger. Lowry is a real risk of declining and we would need compensation for his potential decline and large salary next year.

[thedoper]

Cap is expected to spike 8% and the luxury tax to 162 million. If Dlo walks for nothing it's just bad business. If we are not signing him and he is not a fit for this team we better trade him. An extra 30 million dollar slot moving into next year gives us a ton of options to retool if we decide to move on from KAT. I would prefer a player that has a bigger cap figure than two 15 mil type players but that could work too. I honestly don't care if it's Lowry but I think that deal is fine as his salary at the new cap figure is manageable and his theoretical fit is good for this team despite his age. We have zero heady, experienced, perimeter players who give there all to win. Hence the gap in leadership. Lowry doesn't solve that but I see the team fit better than where we are at right now.

[KiwiMatt]

I've never been a huge DLO fan, but I must admit he has grown on me this season and I think it's unfair to point the finger at him for this seasons short comings. Any trade sending him out would creating an even bigger hole at PG and likely not yield the expected return. I would have a good look at Lowry + MIA 2023 1st for DLO, but even then Lowry's age and contract is far from ideal with the younger age of our core and our 2023 cap situation.

Resigning DLO to a 4 year / 100 mil deal is a fair deal for all parties and I doubt he would get offered more from another franchise. I'm certainly not interested in resigning him for 30 mil + he is likely to ask for, even with the salary cap increase.

[Lipoli390]

If Miami throws in a 1st rounder I pull the trigger. Lowry is a real risk of declining and we would need compensation for his potential decline and large salary next year.

There's no way I'd deal DLO for Lowry without also getting draft compensation in return. Miami's unprotected 2023 1st and I'd so the deal. Otherwise, I'd pass.

[Lipoli390]

I've never been a huge DLO fan, but I must admit he has grown on me this season and I think it's unfair to point the finger at him for this seasons short comings. Any trade sending him out would creating an even bigger hole at PG and likely not yield the expected return. I would have a good look at Lowry + MIA 2023 1st for DLO, but even then Lowry's age and contract is far from ideal with the younger age of our core and our 2023 cap situation.

Resigning DLO to a 4 year / 100 mil deal is a fair deal for all parties and I doubt he would get offered more from another franchise. I'm certainly not interested in resigning him for 30 mil + he is likely to ask for, even with the salary cap increase.

No team in the League is going to give DLO a 4-year $100M contract ($25M per year). I'm not a DLO basher so I'm not rigidly opposed to re-signing him. But the case for re-signing him in my mind turns largely on how inexpensive re-signing him is likely to be. The rest of the League sees what we see and his market value will align with that perception. At age 27, DLO no longer offers the the promise of upside. Every front office knows exactly what he is and what he isn't. I'd peg his value around $15 million per year on a 2 year deal. I don't think any team will offer more money or more years. At that price, the Wolves would have to seriously consider re-signing him.

[Lipoli390]

Minnesota Timberwolves: Markelle Fultz, Gary Harris

Orlando Magic: D'Angelo Russell

Verdict: I would be open to this trade, but there is moderate risk involved.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: Monte Morris, Delon Wright, Will Barton (expiring)

Washington Wizards: D'Angelo Russell

Verdict: I would make this trade, assuming the Timberwolves are not going to extend or re-sign Russell.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: D'Angelo Russell

San Antonio Spurs: Doug McDermott, Josh Richardson (expiring)

Verdict: I would NOT make this trade under any circumstances. This trade does not move the needle positively.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: D'Angelo Russell

Dallas Mavericks: Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock

Verdict: I would reluctantly make this trade, assuming the Timberwolves are not going to extend or re-sign Russell.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: D'Angelo Russell

Miami Heat: Kyle Lowry

Verdict: I would NOT make this trade. This is essentially a lateral move with significant risk for the remainder of this season and the following season.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: D'Angelo Russell, Bryn Forbes

Los Angeles Clippers: Luke Kennard, Robert Covington

Verdict: I would reluctantly make this trade, assuming the Timberwolves are not going to extend or re-sign Russell.

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Minnesota Timberwolves: D'Angelo Russell, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, Bryn Forbes

Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr.

Verdict: I would be open to this trade, but there is significant risk involved. VanVleet has a player option for next year so any trade involving him would be contingent on him signing an extension or agreeing to re-sign after the season.

Among the hypotheticals you listed, the only deals I would do are the Orlando and Washington deals. I'd do the Lowry deal if we also received Miami's unprotected 2023 first. Miami seems desperate to do a deal. DLO and Naz for Lowry along with Miami's unprotected 2023 1st and their top-ten protected 2027 pick.

[Q-is-here]

Very interesting to see DLO on the bench to end the first half and the 4th quarter. I think they are beginning to phase him out in preparation for a trade. Perhaps him, his agent, and the front office have agreed that he'd play nice in order to help facilitate the best deal possible for him. In the meantime, he'll still start and give a good effort, but the writing is on the wall.

(speculating of course)