FNG wrote:thedoper wrote: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.
It's a fair point, Doper. But didn't his contract basically just get swapped for JJ's in the trade, so it isn't really using up cap space? But still, it's more than fair to analyze the merits of the trade. A lot of us wanted Precious at 17, so which is preferable if we want to win now?
Ricky and Jaden Mcdaniel, or
JJ and Precious.
I think D-Lo running the point with KAT and a bunch of guys in their teens and early 20's would have been a disaster. I reserve the right to change my mind if Ricky proves to be a disaster, but right now having a true PG on this team has a lot to do with our fast start.
I get where you're coming from FNG, but disagree on the value of Ricky to this team relative to his contract, what we gave up to get him, and the opportunity cost associated with acquiring and paying him - especially in conjunction with what I see as a ridiculous overpay for Juancho. Behyond that, I have three thoughts in response to your post:
1. JJ's contract was set to expire at the end of this season while Ricky has two years left on his deal. That alone, makes JJ a better deal from a salary cap standpoint.
2. JJ plays a position of need on this team and could provide interior defense and rebounding - two things in short supply on this team. Interestingly, he can also hit threes, which fits the Rosas system, and he's actually a better shot maker than Ricky. Moreover, by all accounts, he was a great veteran presence on the floor, the bench and the locker room.
3. If we're not comfortable with DLO running the point, then we never should have traded for him as a max-contract cornerstone who cost us both of our 2021 draft picks. DLO and KAT have each played 5 seasons in the NBA. Beasley has been in the League for 4 seasons. The Warriors won 47 games and made their first playoff appearance in the Steph Curry era in the 2012-13 season when Steph (their star and starting PG) was 24 years old. Klay Thompson and Draymond Green were 22 years old that season. Harrison Barnes was 20. They had some vets like Jefferson and Carl Landry, but they were a young team build around a very young core. Having said all that, I do see Ricky's value to the Wolves right now. I just don't think his value matches the combination of what we gave up, his contract and the opportunity costs associated with getting him.
