Around the league thread

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

OMG, if Glen Taylor can use whatever influence he still has to move the Wolves to the Eastern Conference, then that would complete the full trifecta of momentous events that could finally turn the tides for this godforsaken franchise:

1. Get some rare luck in the draft lottery and actually make the right pick
2. Sell team to young-ish, forward-thinking business people
3. Move to the Eastern Conference

[BloopOracle]

Lamelo is picking a really bad time to have one of the worst games of his young career, good Lord

[Lipoli390]

OMG, if Glen Taylor can use whatever influence he still has to move the Wolves to the Eastern Conference, then that would complete the full trifecta of momentous events that could finally turn the tides for this godforsaken franchise:

1. Get some rare luck in the draft lottery and actually make the right pick
2. Sell team to young-ish, forward-thinking business people
3. Move to the Eastern Conference

I'm assuming the two expansion franchises would be Vegas and Seattle. If so, then there should be no doubt about the Wolves moving to the East. Obviously that would be great for the Wolves. it's not only an easier conference; it's also better aligned with Minnesota's time zone and will lend itself to regional rivalries with Milwaukee and Chicago.

[Lipoli390]

My only concern with expansion is the expansion draft. I think each team can protect up to 8 players. The rest of the roster would be available and we could potentially lose two players, one to each of the two new franchises. Here are the eight I'd protect:

1. KAT
2. DLO
3. Ant
4. McDaniels
5. Beasley
6. Naz
7. Vando
8. Nowell or Okogie

[AbeVigodaLive]

My only concern with expansion is the expansion draft. I think each team can protect up to 8 players. The rest of the roster would be available and we could potentially lose two players, one to each of the two new franchises. Here are the eight I'd protect:

1. KAT
2. DLO
3. Ant
4. McDaniels
5. Beasley
6. Naz
7. Vando
8. Nowell or Okogie

The rub is that we're still years out from that, right?

I bet more than 1/2 of those players won't even be Timberwolves players by the time of the expansion draft.

[Coolbreeze44]

My only concern with expansion is the expansion draft. I think each team can protect up to 8 players. The rest of the roster would be available and we could potentially lose two players, one to each of the two new franchises. Here are the eight I'd protect:

1. KAT
2. DLO
3. Ant
4. McDaniels
5. Beasley
6. Naz
7. Vando
8. Nowell or Okogie

I would use the opportunity to see if an expansion team would bite on DLO, thus ridding ourselves of that contract.

[Monster]

My only concern with expansion is the expansion draft. I think each team can protect up to 8 players. The rest of the roster would be available and we could potentially lose two players, one to each of the two new franchises. Here are the eight I'd protect:

1. KAT
2. DLO
3. Ant
4. McDaniels
5. Beasley
6. Naz
7. Vando
8. Nowell or Okogie

I would use the opportunity to see if an expansion team would bite on DLO, thus ridding ourselves of that contract.

Cool I've wondered if the Knicks would take Russell in basically a salary dump. It's all theoretical (Rosas wouldn't sell that low) but as much as I still have some faith in Russell I would actually consider it especially if the wolves could get any type of decent asset back in the deal. I wouldn't mind getting Toppin even though there is a chance he isn't going to be all that great.

Also I would say that expansion would be good news in terms of the Wolves staying in Minnesota. Having them play more eastern conference teams just makes so much more sense in terms of natural regional competition. It all is going to be a while before this happens (if it actually happens) though.

[Coolbreeze44]

My only concern with expansion is the expansion draft. I think each team can protect up to 8 players. The rest of the roster would be available and we could potentially lose two players, one to each of the two new franchises. Here are the eight I'd protect:

1. KAT
2. DLO
3. Ant
4. McDaniels
5. Beasley
6. Naz
7. Vando
8. Nowell or Okogie

I would use the opportunity to see if an expansion team would bite on DLO, thus ridding ourselves of that contract.

Cool I've wondered if the Knicks would take Russell in basically a salary dump. It's all theoretical (Rosas wouldn't sell that low) but as much as I still have some faith in Russell I would actually consider it especially if the wolves could get any type of decent asset back in the deal. I wouldn't mind getting Toppin even though there is a chance he isn't going to be all that great.

Also I would say that expansion would be good news in terms of the Wolves staying in Minnesota. Having them play more eastern conference teams just makes so much more sense in terms of natural regional competition. It all is going to be a while before this happens (if it actually happens) though.

Monster, I don't see DLO as being a Thibs type of player. And I really don't see anyone taking DLO off our hands unless it was one of these expansion teams. But by the time the expansion draft rolls around DLO's contract will be just about finished and it probably won't matter anyway.

[Monster]

My only concern with expansion is the expansion draft. I think each team can protect up to 8 players. The rest of the roster would be available and we could potentially lose two players, one to each of the two new franchises. Here are the eight I'd protect:

1. KAT
2. DLO
3. Ant
4. McDaniels
5. Beasley
6. Naz
7. Vando
8. Nowell or Okogie

I would use the opportunity to see if an expansion team would bite on DLO, thus ridding ourselves of that contract.

Cool I've wondered if the Knicks would take Russell in basically a salary dump. It's all theoretical (Rosas wouldn't sell that low) but as much as I still have some faith in Russell I would actually consider it especially if the wolves could get any type of decent asset back in the deal. I wouldn't mind getting Toppin even though there is a chance he isn't going to be all that great.

Also I would say that expansion would be good news in terms of the Wolves staying in Minnesota. Having them play more eastern conference teams just makes so much more sense in terms of natural regional competition. It all is going to be a while before this happens (if it actually happens) though.

Monster, I don't see DLO as being a Thibs type of player. And I really don't see anyone taking DLO off our hands unless it was one of these expansion teams. But by the time the expansion draft rolls around DLO's contract will be just about finished and it probably won't matter anyway.

Cool think about all the PGs Thibs has had over the years. He seems to LOVE offensive scoring guards that don't play defense. Lol plus Russell is a guy that can play off the ball to some extent allowing them to continue to let Randle and I assume Barrett handle the ball. I assume the bring back Rose also. The Knicks are succeeding but I'm not sure they have a star. Not that I'm suggesting Russel is a potential star but they may see Russell as a shot maker and at the very least his 3 point shooting (shot a career high over 38% this year) would give them a floor spacer. Maybe they think Quickly will eventually be able to fill that role. Like I said it's purely theoretical but I think the Knicks would be a team that would be interested (not many other teams have a need for a lead guard now) if Russell was available for basically nothing. They have the cap space to do a deal where the Wolves won't have to take anything back. It will be interesting to see what happens in FA this year. It's not an inspiring FA class if I remember right.

Like you said at this point Russell only has 2 more years on his deal if he really isn't the answer he will be gone soon enough. I think for the Wolves to actually consider moving Russell they would need to have a guy they felt like was an long term answer as a PG. Edwards might actually be that guy but right now that's too much to ask. If the Wolves say end up drafting say Suggs...they may need to start considering life after Russell...although Rubio getting moved would be an easier thing to do.

The Knicks are in a really interesting spot. They have a team that's pretty good made the playoffs but going into next season the only guy making any significant money is Randle at 19 million. They have space to make some moves add some players or maybe even acquire assets for their space. And possibly rehabbing a guy's value. Will they make the right moves? It will be interesting to see what happens. They have to make a decision on some of the guys that are FAs from their own roster. Will they pay them too much to bring them back?

[AbeVigodaLive]

My only concern with expansion is the expansion draft. I think each team can protect up to 8 players. The rest of the roster would be available and we could potentially lose two players, one to each of the two new franchises. Here are the eight I'd protect:

1. KAT
2. DLO
3. Ant
4. McDaniels
5. Beasley
6. Naz
7. Vando
8. Nowell or Okogie

I would use the opportunity to see if an expansion team would bite on DLO, thus ridding ourselves of that contract.

Cool I've wondered if the Knicks would take Russell in basically a salary dump. It's all theoretical (Rosas wouldn't sell that low) but as much as I still have some faith in Russell I would actually consider it especially if the wolves could get any type of decent asset back in the deal. I wouldn't mind getting Toppin even though there is a chance he isn't going to be all that great.

Also I would say that expansion would be good news in terms of the Wolves staying in Minnesota. Having them play more eastern conference teams just makes so much more sense in terms of natural regional competition. It all is going to be a while before this happens (if it actually happens) though.

Monster, I don't see DLO as being a Thibs type of player. And I really don't see anyone taking DLO off our hands unless it was one of these expansion teams. But by the time the expansion draft rolls around DLO's contract will be just about finished and it probably won't matter anyway.

Cool think about all the PGs Thibs has had over the years. He seems to LOVE offensive scoring guards that don't play defense. Lol plus Russell is a guy that can play off the ball to some extent allowing them to continue to let Randle and I assume Barrett handle the ball. I assume the bring back Rose also. The Knicks are succeeding but I'm not sure they have a star. Not that I'm suggesting Russel is a potential star but they may see Russell as a shot maker and at the very least his 3 point shooting (shot a career high over 38% this year) would give them a floor spacer. Maybe they think Quickly will eventually be able to fill that role. Like I said it's purely theoretical but I think the Knicks would be a team that would be interested (not many other teams have a need for a lead guard now) if Russell was available for basically nothing. They have the cap space to do a deal where the Wolves won't have to take anything back. It will be interesting to see what happens in FA this year. It's not an inspiring FA class if I remember right.

Like you said at this point Russell only has 2 more years on his deal if he really isn't the answer he will be gone soon enough. I think for the Wolves to actually consider moving Russell they would need to have a guy they felt like was an long term answer as a PG. Edwards might actually be that guy but right now that's too much to ask. If the Wolves say end up drafting say Suggs...they may need to start considering life after Russell...although Rubio getting moved would be an easier thing to do.

The Knicks are in a really interesting spot. They have a team that's pretty good made the playoffs but going into next season the only guy making any significant money is Randle at 19 million. They have space to make some moves add some players or maybe even acquire assets for their space. And possibly rehabbing a guy's value. Will they make the right moves? It will be interesting to see what happens. They have to make a decision on some of the guys that are FAs from their own roster. Will they pay them too much to bring them back?

NY is a prized destination for FA. Theoretically. But the team's crappy play kept them off the radar for many years.

So now that they are winning and more attractive to free agents... I don't know why they'd put $30M down for the likes of D. Russell. And as for Thibs point guards... is it offensive scoring guards... or Derrick Rose? Russell and Rose are very different types of players.