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Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 6:06 am
by DNatagal
There are a ton of high priced NBA stars that are playing like hot garbage right now, and most of them are NOT Wolves!!!! LeBron isn't even in the playoffs. The Nets imploded.
I will give DLo the slack he needs to get into the groove. When he is on, really on, the Wolves can beat anyone.

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 7:46 am
by Q-is-here
I think the issue with DLO isn't whether he is a negative asset (i.e. addition by subtraction), because he has definitely been a big plus this season. The issue is capital allocation and whether we ultimately want $30+ million allocated to a guy that may end up being a 3rd option on offense with shaky defensive chops. Wouldn't it be nice to dedicate a big chunk of those $ to a legit starting 4?

On the other hand, Ant isn't quite ready to be a our primary perimeter lead guard. May be next year? May be in two years? DLO is without question a better floor general. But can a defensive-oriented game manager type PG that doesn't cost us an arm and a leg work next to Ant?

IDK, but when we talk about big trades and moves for this team, KAT and Ant are really the only two guys that should be off the table.

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 7:52 am
by Q-is-here
D'Natagal wrote:There are a ton of high priced NBA stars that are playing like hot garbage right now, and most of them are NOT Wolves!!!! LeBron isn't even in the playoffs. The Nets imploded.
I will give DLo the slack he needs to get into the groove. When he is on, really on, the Wolves can beat anyone.


Fair point. I think the thing that has disappointed me the most with the "big three" is that theoretically they would be synergistic and get each other more open/easier looks. That certainly hasn't worked out for DLO, who continues to struggle with a very mediocre TS% and had a near career low % from 3. I mean, he's just got to make more shots.

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:17 am
by Monster
Q-was-here wrote:I think the issue with DLO isn't whether he is a negative asset (i.e. addition by subtraction), because he has definitely been a big plus this season. The issue is capital allocation and whether we ultimately want $30+ million allocated to a guy that may end up being a 3rd option on offense with shaky defensive chops. Wouldn't it be nice to dedicate a big chunk of those $ to a legit starting 4?

On the other hand, Ant isn't quite ready to be a our primary perimeter lead guard. May be next year? May be in two years? DLO is without question a better floor general. But can a defensive-oriented game manager type PG that doesn't cost us an arm and a leg work next to Ant?

IDK, but when we talk about big trades and moves for this team, KAT and Ant are really the only two guys that should be off the table.


Q I think it's worth considering if Russell will have the market value to get a 30+ million contract. Objectively he is a 26 year old starting NBA PG. He isn't really a star and the idea of him blowing up into one isn't really there at this point. He has injury history and despite team success some of his this year aren't very impressive. He hasn't exactly been awesome in the playoffs overall either. What team out there in a little over a year is gonna be like yes Russell is our missing piece let's pay him over 30 million? Ok sure it could happen (maybe Russell has a fantastic season next year) but right now I don't think there are a lot of spots and another draft may not help that.

Of course a lot of this is up to Russell himself. Does he think he is worth a lot more than I am suggesting? Will he value staying in MN than moving on to another team? Parts of 3 seasons with the Wolves is the longest Russell has played with any franchise. Maybe he will feel it's time to move on at some point to another spot but maybe he decides he is done with that and ready to stick somewhere and be a part of a winning team. Will Finch as his coach make a difference?

I do agree at some point maybe a different type of player might be better than Russell at his cost even if it's lower like I am suggesting and Cam has made a case for previously. Still what if the Wolves are able to solve the PF spot in somewhat the same way you are suggesting at PG? That spot doesn't need to be a star they just need to be an offensive upgrade from Vanderbilt. Yes PFs in the league right now are hard to find so yeah maybe it might be tough to make that work but the Wolves have some ways of helping to fill that role with assets to trade and actual financial flexibility this summer even if that's just the mid-level. I don't think it needs to be Russell or an upgrade at PF especially since I think it's unlikely he is going anywhere before next season starts not because he is untouchable but it doesn't seem likely.

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 8:38 am
by Wolvesfan21
I would look to trade DLO and his expiring contract for a solid defensive 5. I like Vando but he does struggle simply size wise getting boards against bigger players, he's just outmatched by weight and height. His energy and effort are second to none, but if you sub in a bigger body, better rebounding defender I think we see a positive upgrade.

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 9:11 am
by Lipoli390
WolvesFan21 wrote:I would look to trade DLO and his expiring contract for a solid defensive 5. I like Vando but he does struggle simply size wise getting boards against bigger players, he's just outmatched by weight and height. His energy and effort are second to none, but if you sub in a bigger body, better rebounding defender I think we see a positive upgrade.


Good points, WolvesFan. I think the biggest question for the Wolves this off-season will be what to do with DLO. At this point, I'd be inclined to keep him at least until the trade deadline, at which point he'd have substantial value simply as an expiring contract if nothing else. DLO has performed well overall for the Wolves this season. He's been a significant net positive contributor and he also seems connected well to the head coach. Moreover, like Q, I don't see anyone on our current roster who could step in to replace what DLO brings as our starting lead guard. I agree with your that we definitely need to add a starting big with more size, but trading DLO for that player would take our backcourt back a step and likely negate much if not all the value we'd get from the big we obtain to replace Vando in the starting lineup. I do think the Wolves should explore the possibility of moving DLO this summer. But I'd be reluctant to pull the trigger.

I think Lonzo Ball would be the perfect fit for the Wolves at PG. He's an excellent defender and terrific playmaker who has developed into a descent low-volume shooter. He's the guy I would have gone after last summer if we didn't have DLO. Is there a potential realistic deal with the Bulls (maybe a 3-team) that would include giving up DLO and getting Ball? Not sure.

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 11:15 am
by Q-is-here
Great call out on Lonzo Ball, Lip. He would be a near PERFECT fit next to Ant if Edwards truly blows up into a lead guard. They'd make for a hell of a defensive backcourt too, especially when Ant is dialed in on that end.

The problem is Lonzo plays next to a guy on the Bulls that also really needs him - Zach LaVine. I don't see Lonzo going anywhere at the moment....

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:51 pm
by Monster
Q-was-here wrote:Great call out on Lonzo Ball, Lip. He would be a near PERFECT fit next to Ant if Edwards truly blows up into a lead guard. They'd make for a hell of a defensive backcourt too, especially when Ant is dialed in on that end.

The problem is Lonzo plays next to a guy on the Bulls that also really needs him - Zach LaVine. I don't see Lonzo going anywhere at the moment....


Yes Lonzo Ball would be nice but yeah I do t think achicago is going to look at dealing him. I thought it was a terrific move for them to get him on board and they kinda helped save their season by also adding a player that is sorta Lonzo light in Caruso.

Obviously Lonzo brings a lot of size and to the position and that can mean you can do a lot of switching. What I think should also be considered is there are quite a few 2way PGs in the league that could be a complimentary player next to Edwards at PG so it's possible there will be other guys like that.

Heck Pat Beverly ain't a big guy and he has basically played a lot of SG as a starter in his career. Kyle Lowry ain't big. Fred Van Vliet is smaller than both. None of those guys were top picks. Patty Mills isn't really a PG but a younger version of him wouldn't be the worst player to have next to Edwards with the right roster construction. Imagine having Seth Curry a guy that's a decent size for a PG but more of a combo guy in terms of size. Morris from Denver is a good player that was a 2nd round pick.

I hope the Wolves continue to look at guards that are talented and not just their size and or athleticism although Bolmaro has size with plenty of athletic ability along with a theoretical skill set to fit around a lot of players. Nowell isn't a true PG but maybe if the backup PG was a true PG (which McLaughlin is) and Edwards does really progress to being an elite offensive player Nowell might be a possible answer too. McKinley Wright had a really nice g-league season can he continue to develop?

Good teams find worthwhile players outside of the lottery. It feels like the Wolves are one of those franchises that do that now...assuming Rosas wasn't the only smart guy making these decisions.

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 4:21 pm
by D-Mac [enjin:19736340]
I don't know why everyone is so down on Dlo.

Re: Not a Knee Jerk Reaction

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 5:29 pm
by Monster
I sorta stumbled across this article today. Maybe I totally forgot about this or I never heard about it at the time. Somehow 2016 seems like kind of a long time ago...

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18066071/dangelo-russell-patterns-game-manu-ginobili