Around the League 2022-23

[Monster]

The 4-team trade between the Warriors, Portland, Detroit and Atlanta trade could fall thru. Gary Payton II (going to the Warriors) failed his physical, and there is concern he could be out for 3 months.

I suspect the Warriors still want the trade to go through for salary cap purposes, but maybe they try for some extra draft competition...

That seemed like a bit of a weird trade. Maybe I'm missing something but it's like Detroit has like 5 centers. Nothing wrong with getting them and sorting it out later but it was kinda strange. It's too bad that Payton is hurt. I like seeing that guy play.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This didn't get much attention during the trade deadline discussion, but the Raptors re-acquired Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs to anchor their middle. While he's on an expiring contract, they did give up some meaningful draft capital to get him, and I think they have plans to re-sign him this summer.

Why is that somewhat significant? Toronto was one of a few teams that had significant interest in trading for Rudy Gobert last summer. The Raptors inevitably held firm, retained their players and assets, and didn't pay the ultimate price for Gobert. They pivoted to Poeltl mid-season -- one of my favorite gettable bigs last summer -- and now look like a team that would have zero interest in Gobert if Minnesota were to explore moving him in the near future. That's one less team and the list was short already.

[Lipoli390]

This didn't get much attention during the trade deadline discussion, but the Raptors re-acquired Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs to anchor their middle. While he's on an expiring contract, they did give up some meaningful draft capital to get him, and I think they have plans to re-sign him this summer.

Why is that somewhat significant? Toronto was one of a few teams that had significant interest in trading for Rudy Gobert last summer. The Raptors inevitably held firm, retained their players and assets, and didn't pay the ultimate price for Gobert. They pivoted to Poeltl mid-season -- one of my favorite gettable bigs last summer -- and now look like a team that would have zero interest in Gobert if Minnesota were to explore moving him in the near future. That's one less team and the list was short already.

Yep. I noticed that trade with interest because I knew we could get him for a lot less than we gave up for Rudy. And with Toronto off the list of teams interested in Gobert's, it means a return of even fewer pennies on the dollar for Rudy if the Wolves trade him. I still think the Knicks would be a good potential suitor for Rudy this summer. They have a lot of extra first round picks and a guy named Randle who they would probably swap for Rudy. Can you think of a realistic Rudy trade with the Knicks?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

This didn't get much attention during the trade deadline discussion, but the Raptors re-acquired Jakob Poeltl from the Spurs to anchor their middle. While he's on an expiring contract, they did give up some meaningful draft capital to get him, and I think they have plans to re-sign him this summer.

Why is that somewhat significant? Toronto was one of a few teams that had significant interest in trading for Rudy Gobert last summer. The Raptors inevitably held firm, retained their players and assets, and didn't pay the ultimate price for Gobert. They pivoted to Poeltl mid-season -- one of my favorite gettable bigs last summer -- and now look like a team that would have zero interest in Gobert if Minnesota were to explore moving him in the near future. That's one less team and the list was short already.

Yep. I noticed that trade with interest because I knew we could get him for a lot less than we gave up for Rudy. And with Toronto off the list of teams interested in Gobert's, it means a return of even fewer pennies on the dollar for Rudy if the Wolves trade him. I still think the Knicks would be a good potential suitor for Rudy this summer. They have a lot of extra first round picks and a guy named Randle who they would probably swap for Rudy. Can you think of a realistic Rudy trade with the Knicks?

I can't imagine New York trading Julius Randle, especially for Rudy Gobert. I think there have been multiple windows to acquire Randle in the past, but now he's a two-time All-Star with an All-NBA selection, and a very important cog on a solid Knicks team. They just keep on building over there.

For the record, I think New York would be much more interested in trading for Karl-Anthony Towns, but my optimistic-yet-realistic, hypothetical trade involving the Knicks taking back Gobert would be Mitchell Robinson (productive young big + salary), Evan Fournier (salary), Immanuel Quickley (productive young guard), and three of their future first-round picks (two to compensate for Gobert, one for taking back Fournier).

That wouldn't be a bad deal in my view if both sides had interest in getting it done, and you could switch out Quickley with Quentin Grimes depending on how they're both evaluated, but that would be an idea that could make some sense for both teams down the road.

[FNG]

Irving/Doncic went 55/16/12 in their debut, but still lost to the Kings. For those of us (like me) who were holding on to some hope of a top 4 finish after a KAT return (and return to form), I don't see either of these two teams fading sown the stretch. Further the Suns are playing well, and now get to replace Okogie in the starting lineup with Durant...a move that many would label and upgrade. News flash...the West is tough.

[Coolbreeze44]

I'm watching the Grizz-Celts game and something has jumped out at me. Is Morant as bad at defense as it appears so far in this game? I'm not much in to defensive metrics, but what is his reputation as a defender?

[Phenom]

The 4-team trade between the Warriors, Portland, Detroit and Atlanta trade could fall thru. Gary Payton II (going to the Warriors) failed his physical, and there is concern he could be out for 3 months.

I suspect the Warriors still want the trade to go through for salary cap purposes, but maybe they try for some extra draft competition...

That seemed like a bit of a weird trade. Maybe I'm missing something but it's like Detroit has like 5 centers. Nothing wrong with getting them and sorting it out later but it was kinda strange. It's too bad that Payton is hurt. I like seeing that guy play.

Imagine the uproar if the Wolves had drafted Wiseman and traded him in year 3 for a mid-level type player that they let go of 7 months prior.

[Lipoli390]

Irving/Doncic went 55/16/12 in their debut, but still lost to the Kings. For those of us (like me) who were holding on to some hope of a top 4 finish after a KAT return (and return to form), I don't see either of these two teams fading sown the stretch. Further the Suns are playing well, and now get to replace Okogie in the starting lineup with Durant...a move that many would label and upgrade. News flash...the West is tough.

After Dallas acquired Kyrie I knew the Wolves had no chance of passing the Mavs in the standings, but I still held out hope the Kings would fade. I finally have to accept that I've been grossly underrating the Kings.The Wolves have no chance of passing them in the standings either. I can't imagine the Wolves passing the Suns unless Durant is sidelined most of the rest of the season. The Clippers will likely finish strong with a healthy Kawhi and Paul George.

So the Wolves will have to battle for a finish in the 7-10 range and a play-in opportunity. The Wolves will be one of seven teams battling those four play-in positions. The other six are:

1. Pelicans
2. Warriors
3. Jazz
4. Blazers
5. Thunder
6. Lakers

The Wolves are in 8th, just behind the Pelicans now. We're a half-game ahead of the Warriors, one game ahead of the Thunder, 1.5 games ahead of the Jazz and Blazers, and 2.5 games ahead of the Lakers. The Wolves's schedule puts the Wolves at a relative disadvantage. Ultimately, the where the Wolves finish in this battle of seven will ultimately turn to a large degree on the health of various players who currently have injury issues:

Wolves: Towns. When will he come back? How long for him to ramp up? Will he stay healthy?
Pelicans: Zion. When will he come back, etc.?
Warriors: Steph Curry. When will Curry come back, etc.?
Lakers: LeBron and AD. How healthy will LeBron and AD be down the stretch?

LeBron's injury seems minor and AD seems healthy now. So I think they'll surge and pass the Wolves. I think the Blazers, Jazz and Thunder will all subtly tank for the lottery. I don't see the Wolves passing the Pelicans. So I see this turning into a three way battle between the Wolves, Warriors and Lakers for the 8, 9 and 10 spots. However, if OKC, the Jazz or Blazers compete rather than tank, the Wolves could miss the play-in. Either way, I think the Wolves end up in the lottery because I don't see them playing their way into the playoffs.

[60WinTim]

Well, this could be helpful to the Wolves cause...


Shams Charania @ShamsCharania 31m
Pelicans All-Star Zion Williamson - sidelined since Jan. 2 with hamstring strain - re-aggravated the injury and is expected to miss additional weeks after All-Star break, David Griffin says.

[Coolbreeze44]

Well, this could be helpful to the Wolves cause...


Shams Charania @ShamsCharania 31m
Pelicans All-Star Zion Williamson - sidelined since Jan. 2 with hamstring strain - re-aggravated the injury and is expected to miss additional weeks after All-Star break, David Griffin says.

Talk about sitting on a dead asset. Wow.