Minnesota Sports Forum

60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 7:47 am

BloopOracle wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 7:26 am Kevin Durant

I thought the "KD talk" was cute earlier in the season. But I don't see him being a difference maker at his age.

I agree, Tim. I don't know if everyone recalls our game in early March in Phoenix. I was fortunate to be at that game in good seats, and Durant was nothing short of an embarrassment. At almost 37, he still is an enormously talented scorer. But it's clear that he is mailing in his performances now. His indifferent defense makes Naz Reid look like Rudy Gobert. He's had a great career, but it's clear he just doesn't care any more. He'll go somewhere and score a lot of points, but he will give up more on the other end, and I don't think he will be a good role model for young players. I don't want him here.

FNG wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 7:59 am

60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 7:47 am

BloopOracle wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 7:26 am Kevin Durant

I thought the "KD talk" was cute earlier in the season. But I don't see him being a difference maker at his age.

I agree, Tim. I don't know if everyone recalls our game in early March in Phoenix. I was fortunate to be at that game in good seats, and Durant was nothing short of an embarrassment. At almost 37, he still is an enormously talented scorer. But it's clear that he is mailing in his performances now. His indifferent defense makes Naz Reid look like Rudy Gobert. He's had a great career, but it's clear he just doesn't care any more. He'll go somewhere and score a lot of points, but he will give up more on the other end, and I don't think he will be a good role model for young players. I don't want him here.

He is a huge risk because of his lack of care on defense. There is a slight chance a change of scenery helps him bring back some fire but honestly, I doubt it. I think we have to look at history and just say he doesn't want to sacrifice the effort to win with his recent post GSW years.

I wouldn't gamble on Durant at this point either.

Agreed that Durant isn't the answer. Big game hunting doesn't seem like the right approach, although we shouldn't rule out moves that bring in a tier 2 talent like how Milwaukee and then Boston acquired Jrue Holiday prior to winning titles.

I also think the Clark/Shannon/Dillingham trio could be a huge part of the answer next season and beyond.

KD's defensive fire will be relit by playing beside his favorite player to watch Ant man. He would be punishing OKC's scheme right now, I'm clearly in the minority here but I strongly want us to trade for him.

You need one of Randle or Naz to take a team friendly deal like Brunson did for New York to keep everyone. Even if you keep NAW, Randle, and Naz, I still think you need a few tweaks unless Rob hits and you get a legit talent/fit at pick 17 in the draft.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 9:39 am Agreed that Durant isn't the answer. Big game hunting doesn't seem like the right approach, although we shouldn't rule out moves that bring in a tier 2 talent like how Milwaukee and then Boston acquired Jrue Holiday prior to winning titles.

I also think the Clark/Shannon/Dillingham trio could be a huge part of the answer next season and beyond.

I think Dillingham gets traded.

I think Dillingham SHOULD get traded.

My thoughts on him are clear. But even if he does break through and becomes a real NBA player, heck even an all star... he's so small and slight. There are rumblings with Garland right now in Cleveland and that guy is a pipe dream for what Dillingham could possibly become IF everything broke perfectly.

I love small guards. But the modern NBA is not suited for them.

I'm a no on Durant as well. It would just be an attempt to chase the past.

AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 11:28 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 9:39 am Agreed that Durant isn't the answer. Big game hunting doesn't seem like the right approach, although we shouldn't rule out moves that bring in a tier 2 talent like how Milwaukee and then Boston acquired Jrue Holiday prior to winning titles.

I also think the Clark/Shannon/Dillingham trio could be a huge part of the answer next season and beyond.

I think Dillingham gets traded.

I think Dillingham SHOULD get traded.

My thoughts on him are clear. But even if he does break through and becomes a real NBA player, heck even an all star... he's so small and slight. There are rumblings with Garland right now in Cleveland and that guy is a pipe dream for what Dillingham could possibly become IF everything broke perfectly.

I love small guards. But the modern NBA is not suited for them.

I feel like Rob's ceiling might be a Malik Monk's 6th man role. I hope I'm wrong if we keep him long term.

So here are some recent thoughts:

NAW - As most here have assumed, he is gone. He's done enough over his 2 years here that he will get some decent money from some where. The Wolves have ZERO extra cap money to spend on yet another guard/wing, especially with Dilly, Clark and Shannon itching for rotational minutes. And he has not proven that he can be a reliable, consistent shooter, especially in the playoffs.

Randle - Maybe this was obvious before to others, but just became obvious to me that he will be back, and he'll be back at roughly the 31 mil. He's not going to find more than that on the FA market, so he will either A) negotiate an extension where he has little reason to accept a starting salary less than the 31 mil, or B) simply opt in to his 31 mil player option. I suppose he becomes a trade chip at that point, but I am not going down that rabbit hole just, yet.

NAZ - He is the dilemma! If he opts in on his 15 mil player option, then you become a 1st apron team. I believe the taxpayer MLE can be used and still remain under the 2nd apron. But DAMN, that is an expensive team with the luxury tax! If he opts out and is looking for more money, now they are closing in on the 2nd apron with no MLE to work with. But letting NAZ walk gets them under the luxury tax and makes them a bigger player in the FA MLE market.

The draft could give us a clue as to how this might play out. Drafting an older, ready-to-play big makes the NAZ departure all that more likely. Anyway, first things first -- we have a do-or-die game tonight!

Something I was thinking about before game 3 was what if the Wolves could resign NAW and deal Donte for some sort of value? I'm a fan of both guys and I think Donte is the better player. This is assuming NAW leaves for nothing and you could resign him and deal Donte for at least a protected first? Idk NAW at this point helps the PG position more than Donte.

Naz getting 30 million seems unlikely. If he gets that congrats to him I don't think the Wolves would give him that. 25ish million? Maybe but not 30.

Gobert's salary is gonna be more than spending money on another established player but how much more? Starting centers are gonna get paid 20 million at least. Now if the Wolves can find a young guy in the draft or unearth some guy in FA like a Hartenstien etc great but I'm not really concerned with paying Gobert.

After a good game 3 Randle to sort of putting to bed the idea of adding Durant. I mean if the Wolves can add Durant for not a whole lot sure I guess but I don't see it making sense to give up a ton to get him although I think he is still a very good player. I think it's fair to wonder what the fuck happened there in Pheonix last year where they massively underachievers and Durant was part of it.