Great News!
Great News!
I love this trade today! Sure, I would have preferred getting VanVleet, but getting any positive return for DLO is a great trade. Three second rounders in the hands of Connelly might be valuable and give us a reason to follow the upcoming drafts. I didn't enjoy watching DLO play and watching a guy that gives effort on both sides of the ball and cares more about winning will be a plus. While DLO did have some impressive shooting lately, he still was a big albatross for the playoffs as someone who can be game-planned and exploited in a seven game series. I'm fine with rolling with Conley for now and hopefully, we can get a guard in that will be more complimentary with the other starters.
Re: Great News!
I like your optimism KG. I'm ready to go find some pitch forks!
-
Coolbreeze44
- Posts: 13192
- Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:00 am
Re: Great News!
We got his ass out of here KG!
-
D-Mac [enjin:19736340]
- Posts: 790
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2018 12:00 am
Re: Great News!
Yes! Didn't hate the player, just the contract and the potential future contract
Re: Great News!
The 2nd round picks are fine, but I would have been satisfied with a straight-up PG deal. And the reason is this: As much as I enjoyed those moments when DLo got hot, only one player in this deal is a WINNER, and only one player makes his teammates better.
Winner: Mike Conley joined a dreadful Memphis team as a teenager, but after two awful seasons, his teams have gone 505-361 in his last 14 seasons. And while Memphis and Utah had some decent players, he wasn't playing with many hall of famers. A .583 winning percentage playing for two small market clubs not capable of attracting elite free agents is pretty remarkable. And he was the quarterback of those winning teams, just like he is this season at age 35 playing next to a collection of non all stars.
Makes teammates better: Several posters here mock on/off stats, and even advocates like me admit they can be deceiving in small sample sizes. But when one player in a deal has consistently had positive on/off numbers throughout his entire career, and one hasn't, it's pretty easy for me to determine who won the deal. Conley's teams have performed better with him on the court as opposed to off in every season since his rookie year except his first year in Utah when he was a -.7. In contrast, Russell's teams have performed better with him OFF the court rather than ON in almost every season. I like players who make their teammates better, and I like players who consistently outscore their opponent when they're on the court. Because I like winning.
Have you wondered why after a lackluster career, Lauri Marrkenen is suddenly playing like an All star? Hmm...
Beyond those two factors, Conley has always had a reputation as a great teammate and leader. I love what he has done with the collection of misfits Ainge left him with in Utah this year. Just think what he will do with the likes of Ant, Jaden, Nowell, JMac, Naz, Garza and Minott. Over the next two years they are going to get a crash course in how to play winning basketball that they just couldn't get with DLo.
This is a great trade. Way to go, TC!
Winner: Mike Conley joined a dreadful Memphis team as a teenager, but after two awful seasons, his teams have gone 505-361 in his last 14 seasons. And while Memphis and Utah had some decent players, he wasn't playing with many hall of famers. A .583 winning percentage playing for two small market clubs not capable of attracting elite free agents is pretty remarkable. And he was the quarterback of those winning teams, just like he is this season at age 35 playing next to a collection of non all stars.
Makes teammates better: Several posters here mock on/off stats, and even advocates like me admit they can be deceiving in small sample sizes. But when one player in a deal has consistently had positive on/off numbers throughout his entire career, and one hasn't, it's pretty easy for me to determine who won the deal. Conley's teams have performed better with him on the court as opposed to off in every season since his rookie year except his first year in Utah when he was a -.7. In contrast, Russell's teams have performed better with him OFF the court rather than ON in almost every season. I like players who make their teammates better, and I like players who consistently outscore their opponent when they're on the court. Because I like winning.
Have you wondered why after a lackluster career, Lauri Marrkenen is suddenly playing like an All star? Hmm...
Beyond those two factors, Conley has always had a reputation as a great teammate and leader. I love what he has done with the collection of misfits Ainge left him with in Utah this year. Just think what he will do with the likes of Ant, Jaden, Nowell, JMac, Naz, Garza and Minott. Over the next two years they are going to get a crash course in how to play winning basketball that they just couldn't get with DLo.
This is a great trade. Way to go, TC!
Re: Great News!
I was kind of ho hum on the picks, and I still am on the 2024 second rounder. But the Utah second rounders in 2025 and 2026 are likely to be similar to late first rounders. I think Utah is going to be a mess for a few seasons (but perhaps very good in 5-6 years).
Re: Great News!
So...the Athletic gave the only A on today's trade to the Wolves (although they didn't slam the other two teams). I think we may have to put those pitchforks back in the barn.
Edit: Most outlets I'm reading say everyone won...but Utah probably cam out best. Kind of nice to have a 3-team deal that the experts say was good for all three teams.
Edit: Most outlets I'm reading say everyone won...but Utah probably cam out best. Kind of nice to have a 3-team deal that the experts say was good for all three teams.
Re: Great News!
I agree, FNG....
Say does anyone know when Conley/NAW join the team?
Say does anyone know when Conley/NAW join the team?
Re: Great News!
I too am content with this trade. A few comments.
*2024/2025 cap space is vital in resigning both Edwards and McDaniels who come off their rookie contracts then. Signing DLO to a multi year deal at his likely asking price just wasn't an option, and the front office knew this. Conley's contract is only partially guaranteed next year and expires after next season, in time for Edwards and McDaniel's extensions
*Also clearing a bit of salary for next season by not resigning DLO will free up the likely cap space required to resign Naz and potentially Nowell, whilst also leaving a bit over to fill out the roster. I believe resigning Naz may be a priority of TC's. It is likely DLO was asking more than 24 mil per year that Conley will be paid next season.
*Mike Conley is no scrub. Yes he's 35, but he's averaging a career high 7.7 assists and only 1.7 turnovers. Over an assist more and a turnover less per game than DLO. Turnovers have killed us this year and Conley will help a lot in this department.
*Don't sleep on Nickeil Alexander-Walker who was picked 17th in the 2019 draft. Liked him at the Pelicans. Combo guard whose been fairly efficient scoring on low volume this season and is a competent defender. Definitely helps our backcourt depth. Worst case he's an expiring 5 mil expiring if we don't extent or take up his 7 mil qualifying offer.
*Getting three 2nd round picks are pretty handy trade chips to have. Maybe TC was acquiring them for another move before deadline. Bones Hyland? Maybe Wendell Jr and a 2nd or two is enough to land him. And Bones would be a good understudy to groom behind Conley. Watch this space.
*Chemistry. It quite frankly hasn't worked between Russell and Gobert. Sure this isn't all DLO's fault but he was the likely scapegoat. Conley has a proven track record playing with Gobert. Also his veteran leadership will without a doubt help this team. He has been the ultimate professional his entire career.
*2024/2025 cap space is vital in resigning both Edwards and McDaniels who come off their rookie contracts then. Signing DLO to a multi year deal at his likely asking price just wasn't an option, and the front office knew this. Conley's contract is only partially guaranteed next year and expires after next season, in time for Edwards and McDaniel's extensions
*Also clearing a bit of salary for next season by not resigning DLO will free up the likely cap space required to resign Naz and potentially Nowell, whilst also leaving a bit over to fill out the roster. I believe resigning Naz may be a priority of TC's. It is likely DLO was asking more than 24 mil per year that Conley will be paid next season.
*Mike Conley is no scrub. Yes he's 35, but he's averaging a career high 7.7 assists and only 1.7 turnovers. Over an assist more and a turnover less per game than DLO. Turnovers have killed us this year and Conley will help a lot in this department.
*Don't sleep on Nickeil Alexander-Walker who was picked 17th in the 2019 draft. Liked him at the Pelicans. Combo guard whose been fairly efficient scoring on low volume this season and is a competent defender. Definitely helps our backcourt depth. Worst case he's an expiring 5 mil expiring if we don't extent or take up his 7 mil qualifying offer.
*Getting three 2nd round picks are pretty handy trade chips to have. Maybe TC was acquiring them for another move before deadline. Bones Hyland? Maybe Wendell Jr and a 2nd or two is enough to land him. And Bones would be a good understudy to groom behind Conley. Watch this space.
*Chemistry. It quite frankly hasn't worked between Russell and Gobert. Sure this isn't all DLO's fault but he was the likely scapegoat. Conley has a proven track record playing with Gobert. Also his veteran leadership will without a doubt help this team. He has been the ultimate professional his entire career.