Around the league thread

[AbeVigodaLive]

I have no problem with the Rubio trade or the $17M... IF... he's used more than a usual backup.

He should be getting minutes with Russell... and at least 30 mpg. Less than that, and I understand that it seems like an overpay or unnecessary move.

[KiwiMatt]

I agree with Qs take.

The problem isn't Ricky. It's the severely underwhelming start to the season from Hernangomez. He looks seriously out of shape after his Hollywood gig, and a lack of playing time and preseason games. I'm not defending him or his contract as I didn't want him to be resigned, but I am hopefully he can at least contribute. Thankfully his 3rd season is a team option so next year he can be considered an expiring contract. The fact that we are starting Layman shows the lack of confidence our coaching staff currently have in Juancho.

[60WinTim]

I have no problem with the Rubio trade or the $17M... IF... he's used more than a usual backup.

He should be getting minutes with Russell... and at least 30 mpg. Less than that, and I understand that it seems like an overpay or unnecessary move.

Well, so far, he has played with Russell, he has played the 5th most minutes on the team, and he has been included to close out games. I really see nothing to complain about here.

[Lipoli390]

I agree with Cam on Rubio. And I'm a huge Rubio fan. But giving up a first round pick for a back-up point guard at $17M per year for two years seems way out of wack for a team that desperately needs help in the front court and on the boards and that already has DLO and JMac as well as a bevy of SGs. I might think differently if the Wolves didn't intent to re-sign Beasley, which might have meant sliding DLO over to SG most of the time. But Rosas clearly intended to re-sign Beasley. And he drafted Edwards. And he kept Culver (thankfully).

While I've had doubts about Gersson's decisions to draft Culver and Edwards, I'm on the road to becoming a believer and ultimately praising him for those picks. But I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that re-signing Juancho at $7M per year and trading for Rubio were mistakes. More than anything, these two moves had opportunity costs in the form of foregoing the signing or acquisition of quality front-court players this team needs. So far so good, but the lack of quality front-court players will catch up with this team over the long haul. We saw some of that last night in the huge rebounding discrepancy. It will really show if KAT goes down for a stretch with his write injury.

With all that said I just went through every player who gets minutes on the Wolves through 2 games and lineups that have had Ricky Rubio in them have been our best lineups. Outscoring opponents by 22.1 pts per 100 possessions, what is a team best (second best is Culver at +20). Obviously these numbers can be extremely noisy and its such a small sample size but Rubio through 2 games has done what he has done for the rest of his career. The Wolves have been better with him on the court. In my opinion that is worth moving back a couple of spots in the draft.

Interesting stat, kek. As you acknowledged, it's a small sample. However, I think it's a fair (although exaggerated) account of Ricky's contribution to the team thus far. I just don't think he's worth what we gave up AND his $17 million per year salary as a backup PG given the opportunity costs involved - i.e., the front court alternatives we could have acquired for the same or less. But the bigger mistake, in my view, was signing Juancho to a $7M per year deal instead of signing a better alternative like Bobby Portis for less.

[60WinTim]

Even more minutes for Wiseman:


Shams Charania @ShamsCharania 13m
Warriors center Marquese Chriss has suffered a broken right leg (fibula) and will miss remainder of the season, sources tell

[kekgeek]

I agree with Cam on Rubio. And I'm a huge Rubio fan. But giving up a first round pick for a back-up point guard at $17M per year for two years seems way out of wack for a team that desperately needs help in the front court and on the boards and that already has DLO and JMac as well as a bevy of SGs. I might think differently if the Wolves didn't intent to re-sign Beasley, which might have meant sliding DLO over to SG most of the time. But Rosas clearly intended to re-sign Beasley. And he drafted Edwards. And he kept Culver (thankfully).

While I've had doubts about Gersson's decisions to draft Culver and Edwards, I'm on the road to becoming a believer and ultimately praising him for those picks. But I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that re-signing Juancho at $7M per year and trading for Rubio were mistakes. More than anything, these two moves had opportunity costs in the form of foregoing the signing or acquisition of quality front-court players this team needs. So far so good, but the lack of quality front-court players will catch up with this team over the long haul. We saw some of that last night in the huge rebounding discrepancy. It will really show if KAT goes down for a stretch with his write injury.

With all that said I just went through every player who gets minutes on the Wolves through 2 games and lineups that have had Ricky Rubio in them have been our best lineups. Outscoring opponents by 22.1 pts per 100 possessions, what is a team best (second best is Culver at +20). Obviously these numbers can be extremely noisy and its such a small sample size but Rubio through 2 games has done what he has done for the rest of his career. The Wolves have been better with him on the court. In my opinion that is worth moving back a couple of spots in the draft.

Interesting stat, kek. As you acknowledged, it's a small sample. However, I think it's a fair (although exaggerated) account of Ricky's contribution to the team thus far. I just don't think he's worth what we gave up AND his $17 million per year salary as a backup PG given the opportunity costs involved - i.e., the front court alternatives we could have acquired for the same or less. But the bigger mistake, in my view, was signing Juancho to a $7M per year deal instead of signing a better alternative like Bobby Portis for less.

Rubio might start the game on the bench but he has been in our closing lineup each of the 1st 2 games and to me that is more important. Is Rubio overpaid of course but I still think he is not a negative asset even with his contract and in my opinion he is a positive player and a slight positive trade asset. I think we have to remember not trading for Rubio didn't just get rid of the 17 million contract we would still would have to pay Johnson 15 million. I will not argue with you on Hernangomez because in my opinion that was the mistake. Hopefully Hernangomez plays better but at the moment he has been trash and I didn't like him last year. I think we need to look at Hernangomez as the mistake and not Rubio who is still a plus player.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

The thing about Ricky is you know exactly what you are getting. The beauty of Ricky in these first two games is how he can be a key cog in a closing lineup but without the expectation of having to hit the winning bucket. He makes all the winning plays around the edges, but needs shot makers to really close things out. Is that worth $17M? I think it is for THIS team at THIS time. What he brings to our team may not be needed as much by another team and may be we won't need it as much in another season or two. But I think he fits like a glove for now.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I have no problem with the Rubio trade or the $17M... IF... he's used more than a usual backup.

He should be getting minutes with Russell... and at least 30 mpg. Less than that, and I understand that it seems like an overpay or unnecessary move.

Well, so far, he has played with Russell, he has played the 5th most minutes on the team, and he has been included to close out games. I really see nothing to complain about here.

Over the course of the season... 26.0 mpg won't be enough to get optimal value from him.

[60WinTim]

I have no problem with the Rubio trade or the $17M... IF... he's used more than a usual backup.

He should be getting minutes with Russell... and at least 30 mpg. Less than that, and I understand that it seems like an overpay or unnecessary move.

Well, so far, he has played with Russell, he has played the 5th most minutes on the team, and he has been included to close out games. I really see nothing to complain about here.

Over the course of the season... 26.0 mpg won't be enough to get optimal value from him.

Even if we go 72-0?!? :) (I know you hate the emojis!)

[thedoper]

The problem isnt Ricky as a basketball player taking the 3rd or 4th guard in the rotation. The problem is that Ricky and Jancho are accounting for 24million dollars that could have gone to filling a much bigger gap in our roster at PF. Ricky is a back up PG, should have been for a long time and is worth back up PG money. We are the only fanbase out there that would have celebrated the idea of giving up a first round pick for him at 17 million.