Super Controversial Idea

[thedoper]

If the Brunson contract is the new standard for PGs why not just extend DLo at something similar? It would still be a tradeable asset. There will always be teams that need a primary ball-handler who can score.

I'm still fine to extend DLo. If anything it may increase his trade value.

[KG4Ever]

What market? What trade value? I don't want DLO back at all. I don't believe there is a market for DLO at anywhere near Brunson's contract. Just let his contract expire unless someone offers something positive for him.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I would be fine with extending D'Angelo Russell to four-years, $110-million. The terms are slightly higher than I'd like them to be, or what I'd consider his on-court value to be, but still acceptable as we move towards a higher cap in 2024.

However, if last year's version of Jalen Brunson can command $110-million, what can Russell get if he puts it all together in a literal contract year? Rather, what if Russell maintains or even improves as a facilitator while regressing (in a good way) as a perimeter shooter, and continues to produce as a quality team defender? I have to imagine that player would be viewed very differently [than he is now] and could expect significantly more than $110-million over four years.

At this point, I think Russell plays out his final year in Minnesota -- versus taking a lesser long-term deal -- to bet on himself in a "prove it" type campaign.

[Coolbreeze44]

Goodness gracious Doper, are you kidding me? DLO isn't even tradeable now. Extending him at what Brunson is going to get would be the dumbest thing this new regime could do. I have to admit it would be something the Wolves would do in the past, let's hope we finally have the right team in place to not make this tragic mistake.

[FNG]

Doper, I'm not opposed to extending DLo if it's an avenue to finding a suitable trade partner, but extending him at Brunson's level wouldn't be a good move. My sense is Connelly is struggling to find a deal without giving up much draft capital, and he would struggle equally I think at Brunson's salary.

Here's the reality check. The average NBA starting PG makes $11 million per year (and that of course is distorted a little by Curry), and it's a stretch objectively to rank DLo in the top half of current starting PG's. I searched "NBA PG's ranked", and here were the first three relatively current rankings I found:

Sporting News: DLo ranks 25th out of 30 starting PGs.
USA Today: 17th out of 22
CBS Sports: DLo does not appear in the top 15 PGs.

In addition to the opinions of analysts outside the Minnesota area, DLo's advanced stats also don't put him in the top half of PGs. Frankly speaking, the most compelling factor to make a case for DLo being a top half PG is salary. TC knows this, and as a guy able to take an objective fresh look at our personnel, has to know where NBA analysts rank Russell. I don't know why he would be inclined to offer an extension at anything more than the league average, and we all know that is nowhere near what Russell will be looking for. I would be enormously disappointed in TC if he extended DLo at anything more than $15 million per year, so I would say an extension this summer is extremely unlikely. And I see the chances of a deal (that unfortunately likely involves giving up draft pick(s)) or letting him play out his contract as being relatively even.

But doper, maybe I'm missing your reasoning. Can you make a case statistically for DLo being in the top half of NBA PGs (or find a reputable source that ranks him top half)? If not, I think moving him at $27 million per year when the average PG makes $11 million would require TC to give up draft or other assets he would prefer to keep.

[thedoper]

I knew it would be controversial. I think in the next cba 25-30 will be a moveable contract. DLo is far from untradeable as an expiring.

[Sundog]

I was thinking the same question, Doper -- is there a $ figure and length that would work for an extension, both for the team and for Dlo? I don't know that there is... I think the Brunson contract is too much, but could Dlo accept $22 million for three years? I don't know... maybe it's a fool's errand, but he's going to have to take a pay cut from his current salary -- even he has to know that.

it wouldn't be my first choice, though -- I'd continue to try to move him.

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

I was thinking the same question, Doper -- is there a $ figure and length that would work for an extension, both for the team and for Dlo? I don't know that there is... I think the Brunson contract is too much, but could Dlo accept $22 million for three years? I don't know... maybe it's a fool's errand, but he's going to have to take a pay cut from his current salary -- even he has to know that.

it wouldn't be my first choice, though -- I'd continue to try to move him.

A lot of otherwise decent posters have a blind spot for Dlo and its not a good look

[D-Mac [enjin:19736340]]

Heres my controversial response... Dlo should be getting the same next contract as Taurean Prince just got. Tell me where I'm wrong? I'd argue that decent bench wings are actually harder to come by than backup PGs. I don't want this guy back. It'll be interesting to see what some team pays him next summer... it won't be much and it won't be a good organization.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Here's the reality check. The average NBA starting PG makes $11 million per year (and that of course is distorted a little by Curry), and it's a stretch objectively to rank DLo in the top half of current starting PG's. I searched "NBA PG's ranked", and here were the first three relatively current rankings I found:

If not, I think moving him at $27 million per year when the average PG makes $11 million would require TC to give up draft or other assets he would prefer to keep.

Where'd you get that $11m from? It's not accurate.
In fact, if you take out guys on rookie deals... there's only 1 starter making that little money, Reggie Jackson. The real number is probably 3x more than $11M.

That's not to say I want Russell back beyond next season at anything higher than about $20M.

Curry - 48.1
Wall - 47.4
Westbrook - 47.1
Harden - 46.9
Lillard - 42.5
Irving - 36.5
Doncic - 35.7 or Dinwiddie 18.0
Russell - 31.4
Fox - 30.4
Young - 29.8
Paul - 28.4
Lowry - 28.3
Holiday - 32.4
Conley - 22.7
Brogdon - 22.6
VanVleet - 21.3
Ball - 19.5
Smart - 16.6
Murray - 16.6
Rose - 14.5
Jackson - 11.2

Rookie Deals
Morant - 12.2
Graham - 11.6
Cunningham - 10.6
Morris - 9.0
Garland - 8.9
Ball - 8.6
Suggs - 6.9