Here comes the chatter!

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

So, adding to the chatter. Here is TC's "public" perspective on Dlo. Read it how you will, but I think it points to a desire to trade him...

From Chris Hine's Star & Tribune article:

Q: With D-Lo, he's had a big year offensively. Helped you win a lot of games. Do you think you've seen enough that he can fit in long-term if you want him to be the point guard down the road?

A: What I've seen is the guy put in a huge summer. He was in the gym all the time. I don't think it's coincidental he's having such a good shooting year. Every time I looked up, he's down there working out. He knew the expectations were risen this year. He challenged himself to have a better year. He's such a basketball-obsessed guy. Nobody watches more college or NBA. He's had a great year, a tremendous summer where he worked his tail off and certainly there's plenty of scenarios where he's our point guard not just now but for the future as well.

Oh, wow. Sounds like they're close to waiving him entirely. Get him out of there immediately.

Well, as much as I wouldn't mind seeing a change, I wouldn't waive him... ;-)

Why not? The guy is clearly a cancer with his basketball-obsessed personality, work ethic, and overall productive season. Sounds like they want him gone yesterday. You can just tell from the last sentence. Good riddance.

[60WinTim]

Let's just say the last comment implies there are scenarios where Dlo is not here, which was my only point. But you are right, I could be reading far more into the comment that is there.

"... and certainly there's plenty of scenarios where he's our point guard not just now but for the future as well."

[FNG]

Let's just say the last comment implies there are scenarios where Dlo is not here, which was my only point. But you are right, I could be reading far more into the comment that is there.

"... and certainly there's plenty of scenarios where he's our point guard not just now but for the future as well."

I don't know, Tim...I think maybe you're not reading into it enough. TC is a smart guy, and would never make make a grammatical mistake by pairing a singular verb with a plural direct object, as he did with "there's plenty of scenarios". Obviously the use of the singular verb form implies that there is actually only one scenario in which DLo is our point guard in the future. Now we just have to determine what that one scenario is ;-) .

[Monster]

Let's just say the last comment implies there are scenarios where Dlo is not here, which was my only point. But you are right, I could be reading far more into the comment that is there.

"... and certainly there's plenty of scenarios where he's our point guard not just now but for the future as well."

Hines asked Connelly if he had seen enough. Connelly praised Russell and says he isn't surprised he is having a terrific year. He didn't completely answer the question which probably surprised nobody. You could make an an argument that since Connelly didn't say yes he said no. I think it probably "depends". One of those factors (probably the biggest one) is how much it would cost to resign Russell. It would be interesting to know what numbers were discussed by both sides. A couple months from now both sides could be even more excited about getting something done via extension or...maybe moving on.

[Lipoli390]

Let's just say the last comment implies there are scenarios where Dlo is not here, which was my only point. But you are right, I could be reading far more into the comment that is there.

"... and certainly there's plenty of scenarios where he's our point guard not just now but for the future as well."

I don't know, Tim...I think maybe you're not reading into it enough. TC is a smart guy, and would never make make a grammatical mistake by pairing a singular verb with a plural direct object, as he did with "there's plenty of scenarios". Obviously the use of the singular verb form implies that there is actually only one scenario in which DLo is our point guard in the future. Now we just have to determine what that one scenario is ;-) .

Lol. Hilarious, FNG!

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

To the person who said Dlo will go for Brunson money this off-season, I say you're delusional... lay off the crack pipe. Brunson is twice the player Dlo is. 3/60 will get you Dlo this off-season, if you're willing to play hard ball and wait it out. Dlo is a very flawed player and the league knows that... no way anyone is giving him 4/104. Take your 3/60 that they're probably offering you now and say thank you for the overpay and the offer of goodwill.

Using averages per 100 possessions to nullify pace and create fair grounds for comparison

Jalen Brunson (2021-22):
25.6 PTS, 7.5 AST (2.5 TOV), 6.2 REB, 1.3 STL, 0.1 BLK
54.5 2P%, 37.3 3P% (5.0 3PA), 84.0 FT% (4.2 FTA) -- 54.9 eFG%, 58.3 TS%

RPM: +1.2
EPM: +1.75
eW: 8.1
BPM: +0.9
VORP: 1.9
RAPTOR: +2.6
WAR: 4.8
WS (WS/48): 7.5 (.143)

*79 GP, 61 GS, 31.3 MPG, 21.9 USG%

o Signed a four-year, $104-million contract with the New York Knicks


D'Angelo Russell (2022-23):
25.8 PTS, 8.9 AST (3.9 TOV), 4.4 REB, 1.6 STL, 0.6 BLK
54.5 2P%, 38.9 3P% (10.1 3PA), 85.6 FT% (4.5 FTA) -- 56.5 eFG%, 60.3 TS%

RPM: +2.93
EPM: +1.3
eW: 5.0
BPM: +1.2
VORP: 1.4
RAPTOR: -0.2
WAR: 2.3
WS (WS/48): 4.0 (.109)

*53 GP, 53 GS, 33.2 MPG, 22.8 USG%


This is not to suggest that D'Angelo Russell is performing better than Jalen Brunson did last season, but rather he is performing comparatively well and it's supported by various metrics. They are both in that good-not-great category of players, and a tier or two below the elite guards in this league, and that's not said to be a knock on either one. They're both impactful players. But this is why I keep saying Brunson money makes sense for Russell when we're projecting his next contract.

If you have something better and more informative to say than "lay off the crack pipe" in response I would love to read it, but I won't hold my breath.

[AbeVigodaLive]

To the person who said Dlo will go for Brunson money this off-season, I say you're delusional... lay off the crack pipe. Brunson is twice the player Dlo is. 3/60 will get you Dlo this off-season, if you're willing to play hard ball and wait it out. Dlo is a very flawed player and the league knows that... no way anyone is giving him 4/104. Take your 3/60 that they're probably offering you now and say thank you for the overpay and the offer of goodwill.

Using averages per 100 possessions to nullify pace and create fair grounds for comparison

Jalen Brunson (2021-22):
25.6 PTS, 7.5 AST (2.5 TOV), 6.2 REB, 1.3 STL, 0.1 BLK
54.5 2P%, 37.3 3P% (5.0 3PA), 84.0 FT% (4.2 FTA) -- 54.9 eFG%, 58.3 TS%

RPM: +1.2
EPM: +1.75
eW: 8.1
BPM: +0.9
VORP: 1.9
RAPTOR: +2.6
WAR: 4.8
WS (WS/48): 7.5 (.143)

*79 GP, 61 GS, 31.3 MPG, 21.9 USG%

o Signed a four-year, $104-million contract with the New York Knicks


D'Angelo Russell (2022-23):
25.8 PTS, 8.9 AST (3.9 TOV), 4.4 REB, 1.6 STL, 0.6 BLK
54.5 2P%, 38.9 3P% (10.1 3PA), 85.6 FT% (4.5 FTA) -- 56.5 eFG%, 60.3 TS%

RPM: +2.93
EPM: +1.3
eW: 5.0
BPM: +1.2
VORP: 1.4
RAPTOR: -0.2
WAR: 2.3
WS (WS/48): 4.0 (.109)

*53 GP, 53 GS, 33.2 MPG, 22.8 USG%


This is not to suggest that D'Angelo Russell is performing better than Jalen Brunson did last season, but rather he is performing comparatively well and it's supported by various metrics. They are both in that good-not-great category of players, and a tier or two below the elite guards in this league, and that's not said to be a knock on either one. They're both impactful players. But this is why I keep saying Brunson money makes sense for Russell when we're projecting his next contract.

If you have something better and more informative to say than "lay off the crack pipe" in response I would love to read it, but I won't hold my breath.

I'd say the rub is that Brunson was seen as an up-and-coming player with the best years ahead of him. And the Knicks were rewarded for it... with Brunson reaching a level in 2023 that Russell has never reached.

And perhaps part of the reason the Knicks went for Brunson was because how he played in the 2022 playoffs. While it wasn't all fluffy bunnies and sunny rainbows, he did carry the Doncic-less Mavericks to back-to-back wins while averaging 36.0 ppg on 57% fg to save their season.

After Doncic returned, Brunson went for 24 on 9 - 18 fg in the Game 6 closeout vs. Utah and 24 on 11 - 19 fg in the Game 7 beatdown vs. the favored Suns in Round 2.

VERY few NBA players have done that in the playoffs over the years, especially as 2nd fiddle guys called to take a larger load.

Meanwhile, Russell has a decidedly worse playoff resume, failing to reach 36% shooting in either trips to the playoffs and being benched for unheralded Jordan McLaughlin in his team's closeout game in 2022.

[Coolbreeze44]

Part of the problem with moving Russell is his value is pretty low around the league. I've read that in multiple stories. So, no reason to bid against ourselves if we want to extend him. He's not going to get the motherload from anyone.

[Monster]

To the person who said Dlo will go for Brunson money this off-season, I say you're delusional... lay off the crack pipe. Brunson is twice the player Dlo is. 3/60 will get you Dlo this off-season, if you're willing to play hard ball and wait it out. Dlo is a very flawed player and the league knows that... no way anyone is giving him 4/104. Take your 3/60 that they're probably offering you now and say thank you for the overpay and the offer of goodwill.

Using averages per 100 possessions to nullify pace and create fair grounds for comparison

Jalen Brunson (2021-22):
25.6 PTS, 7.5 AST (2.5 TOV), 6.2 REB, 1.3 STL, 0.1 BLK
54.5 2P%, 37.3 3P% (5.0 3PA), 84.0 FT% (4.2 FTA) -- 54.9 eFG%, 58.3 TS%

RPM: +1.2
EPM: +1.75
eW: 8.1
BPM: +0.9
VORP: 1.9
RAPTOR: +2.6
WAR: 4.8
WS (WS/48): 7.5 (.143)

*79 GP, 61 GS, 31.3 MPG, 21.9 USG%

o Signed a four-year, $104-million contract with the New York Knicks


D'Angelo Russell (2022-23):
25.8 PTS, 8.9 AST (3.9 TOV), 4.4 REB, 1.6 STL, 0.6 BLK
54.5 2P%, 38.9 3P% (10.1 3PA), 85.6 FT% (4.5 FTA) -- 56.5 eFG%, 60.3 TS%

RPM: +2.93
EPM: +1.3
eW: 5.0
BPM: +1.2
VORP: 1.4
RAPTOR: -0.2
WAR: 2.3
WS (WS/48): 4.0 (.109)

*53 GP, 53 GS, 33.2 MPG, 22.8 USG%


This is not to suggest that D'Angelo Russell is performing better than Jalen Brunson did last season, but rather he is performing comparatively well and it's supported by various metrics. They are both in that good-not-great category of players, and a tier or two below the elite guards in this league, and that's not said to be a knock on either one. They're both impactful players. But this is why I keep saying Brunson money makes sense for Russell when we're projecting his next contract.

If you have something better and more informative to say than "lay off the crack pipe" in response I would love to read it, but I won't hold my breath.

I'd say the rub is that Brunson was seen as an up-and-coming player with the best years ahead of him. And the Knicks were rewarded for it... with Brunson reaching a level in 2023 that Russell has never reached.

And perhaps part of the reason the Knicks went for Brunson was because how he played in the 2022 playoffs. While it wasn't all fluffy bunnies and sunny rainbows, he did carry the Doncic-less Mavericks to back-to-back wins while averaging 36.0 ppg on 57% fg to save their season.

After Doncic returned, Brunson went for 24 on 9 - 18 fg in the Game 6 closeout vs. Utah and 24 on 11 - 19 fg in the Game 7 beatdown vs. the favored Suns in Round 2.

VERY few NBA players have done that in the playoffs over the years, especially as 2nd fiddle guys called to take a larger load.

Meanwhile, Russell has a decidedly worse playoff resume, failing to reach 36% shooting in either trips to the playoffs and being benched for unheralded Jordan McLaughlin in his team's closeout game in 2022.

Great points Abe. I'll also say that while Brunson had a nice season and had been building up to it he also was proven to be good. Sometimes guys get that payday and drop off too.

Now the other thing is that last offseason there was only a few teams that could pay anyone over the mid-level. This offseason that number is going to be much higher. It's why Nowell had thoughts of cashing in with a good season. With all that money available will Russell be a top priority of teams with money to spend? No probably now but there is opportunity for some guys to get paid that was much more limited last offseason. What I'm getting at is if the Wolves could sign Russell for Brunson money (ok a couple million less) that might not be all that bad. Should the Wolves hold off and try and get Russell for cheaper maybe much cheaper? Yeah I think that makes sense. I also can see why Russell hasn't accepted a lower offer. What teams will be looking for an upgrade at vet PG that will have money to spend? I'm not feeling like looking it up now especially since we have the trade deadline coming up and that could change things. I'll maybe check that out in a few weeks.

I'll add this last thing about Russell and his contract situation. If I thought the Wolves would be able to resign Russell this offseason to something I would consider a value contract or simply what I think a legit starting level player would get then I would be happy to just keep him instead of trading him for either long term (on the new contract) or till I figure out a better option because he would be a guy that would be able to be moved in a trade.

[Coolbreeze44]

Monster, if he could easily be moved in a trade he would be gone already. When you are talking aging vets like Conley and Lowry as trade possibilities, it's clear he doesn't have much value. You sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal at above market value, I think he would be nearly impossible to trade.