lipoli390 wrote: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.
All good points. Would they rather pay Spencer Dinwiddie? Are they going after Lowry? What kind of money do those guys end up getting is FA? Idk who saw J. Grant getting 20 million a year last offseason? Maybe they throw some money at available RFA guards this offseason...of course they might not be able to get any of them. I have no idea if the Knicks value Russell highly. I COULD see them feeling that way especially if they could get him for just taking him back. It's all theoretical anyway.
Think about this situation. The Hornets had a terrific guard in Kemba walker and he left them in FA and they brought back Rozier on what a lot of people thought was an overpay in terms of contract. They drafted Devonte Graham in the 2nd round and his 2nd year he turned into a nice player. This year they draft Lemelo Ball. Graham is a RFA but that's a team with 3 pretty good guards on their roster after losing a very good PG in FA.
When the Wolves made the deal for Russell they had a giant hole at that guard spot. At the moment I don't see many teams with that type of hole to move Russell to. There have been some unexpected success stories around the league with guards like Graham FVV and Nunn turning into possible or clear starters. This last draft had a nice amount of lead/PG types. Some of them won't work out and so that may lead a team to be interested in Russell. Ultimately I think Cool is right we are stuck with Russell for now but you never know what could happen. Personally I still have some hope keeping Russell around will turn out to be a good thing. At the very least it would be nice to see him stay healthy and play well next year to raise his value higher in case other players on the roster make it seem like it would be good to move on. That would actually be an excellent problem.
BloopOracle wrote:Lamelo is picking a really bad time to have one of the worst games of his young career, good Lord
He put up a few poor games since his return. What's crazy is the W-L record without Gordon Hayward is very unimpressive. I'm still not convinced he's an all star let alone the revolutionary player the media proclaimed him to be.
Regarding the possibility of a DLO deal with the Knicks, I don't see it happening. Everyone on this board knows I'm not a big DLO fan. But I've come to accept that he'll be on this team for at least the remaining two years of his contract. The arrival and development of our two rookies has given me hope that this thing can work with DLO. As frustrated as I sometimes get with DLO, it's worth noting that he's not a stiff. He's a very talented guard who excels as a scorer and passer. His defense has been terrible over the course of his career, but it's shown improvement in this recent stretch of games. This team will ultimately go as far as KAT, Edwards and McDaniels can take them. I'm including McDaniels in this core three because of his defense. I see him as the missing defensive link for this team. I like Vando and Okogie defensively, but McDaniels is our one player who seems destined to become an elite defender but who also has high offensive upside. Ant also has the chance to become a very good defender. With KAT and Ant as our top two options, DLO becomes a third option and more of a facilitator. That can work really well. With McDaniels, Vando and potentially Ant on the defensive end, DLO isn't nearly the defensively liability he would otherwise be. And he recently improved play on the defensive end is a bonus.
Is DLO worth a max contract? In my view, no. Was he worth what we gave up to get him. Again, in my view, no. But I've become comfortable with DLO as part of the mix over the next two seasons and possibly beyond. This current roster with Finch at the helm should be in the playoff mix next season.
lipoli390 wrote:Regarding the possibility of a DLO deal with the Knicks, I don't see it happening. Everyone on this board knows I'm not a big DLO fan. But I've come to accept that he'll be on this team for at least the remaining two years of his contract. The arrival and development of our two rookies has given me hope that this thing can work with DLO. As frustrated as I sometimes get with DLO, it's worth noting that he's not a stiff. He's a very talented guard who excels as a scorer and passer. His defense has been terrible over the course of his career, but it's shown improvement in this recent stretch of games. This team will ultimately go as far as KAT, Edwards and McDaniels can take them. I'm including McDaniels in this core three because of his defense. I see him as the missing defensive link for this team. I like Vando and Okogie defensively, but McDaniels is our one player who seems destined to become an elite defender but who also has high offensive upside. Ant also has the chance to become a very good defender. With KAT and Ant as our top two options, DLO becomes a third option and more of a facilitator. That can work really well. With McDaniels, Vando and potentially Ant on the defensive end, DLO isn't nearly the defensively liability he would otherwise be. And he recently improved play on the defensive end is a bonus.
Is DLO worth a max contract? In my view, no. Was he worth what we gave up to get him. Again, in my view, no. But I've become comfortable with DLO as part of the mix over the next two seasons and possibly beyond. This current roster with Finch at the helm should be in the playoff mix next season.
If it makes you feel even a tiny bit better Russell (61.4 million) makes almost 4 million less the next 2 years than Wiggins (65.2 million). :)
AbeVigodaLive wrote:That might have been the best game I've ever seen a guy who went 0 - 5 fg with 6 TOs play... Draymond Green was incredible on defense.
[Note: Alex Caruso was impressive in his own way.]
Yeah Draymond was all over the place defensively. Somehow those good instincts just arent enough for him to be super helpful offensively in the same capacity he used to be. Caruso made huge timely plays for LA. That guy is a winner for sure.
AbeVigodaLive wrote:That might have been the best game I've ever seen a guy who went 0 - 5 fg with 6 TOs play... Draymond Green was incredible on defense.
[Note: Alex Caruso was impressive in his own way.]
Yeah Draymond was all over the place defensively. Somehow those good instincts just arent enough for him to be super helpful offensively in the same capacity he used to be. Caruso made huge timely plays for LA. That guy is a winner for sure.
They still use him as Curry's release valve and he still makes some great passes... but with no threat to score anymore...
AbeVigodaLive wrote:That might have been the best game I've ever seen a guy who went 0 - 5 fg with 6 TOs play... Draymond Green was incredible on defense.
[Note: Alex Caruso was impressive in his own way.]
Yeah Draymond was all over the place defensively. Somehow those good instincts just arent enough for him to be super helpful offensively in the same capacity he used to be. Caruso made huge timely plays for LA. That guy is a winner for sure.
They still use him as Curry's release valve and he still makes some great passes... but with no threat to score anymore...
Yeah hes smart in the system. But his inability to shoot is a problem for them without Klay. It was a really fun game. Lebron was ok until he needed to be great. That shot was insane.
