The D'Angelo Russell Thread

[shrink]

Well, DLo himself said a few times last season he was playing for a contract, so …

[jscott]

One additional factor when considering a DLO trade is that next season will be a true contract year for him. I would fully expect him to put in the work to come into camp in great shape and well prepared for a big year. The last time he had a contract year, he had the best season of his career and was an all-star. I'll take a season of contract year DLO (plus having $31M of cap space in 2023) over most of the trades that are out there.

I mean… his all-star appearance means as much to me as Wiggins’ does. Neither of them deserved it and got in under dubious circumstances.

I’d probably still bring him back (unless there is an obvious improvement available) and roll the dice in FA next year.

Focusing on the merits of his all-star appearance misses the point. In his career, DLO has had some pretty massive swings in production based on his contract status. He very much seems like a guy who puts in more work when there is money on the line and coasts in the other years. My point is that I fully expect a career year out of DLO next season and think keeping him will be a better option than the trades that will be available. The danger of that approach is being lured into giving him big money next off-season rather than pursuing better free agents with the cap space.

I dunno. His season two years ago with the Wolves looks a lot like his “all-star” season for the Nets except the Western Conference is much deeper in non-injured guards and the Nets were hovering around .500 at the time (while the Wolves weren’t two years ago)

[Klomp]

It hasn't quite shown in the number of games played, but it's kinda crazy to think he's been here longer than he was at either Los Angeles, Brooklyn or Golden State. His shelf life has basically been two years. Interestingly, it was a similar journey that Chauncey had before he got to Detroit at 26 in his sixth season.

[shrink]

Zach Lowe did an inside look at the DLo - Wiggins deal. I was surprised by a couple things, but I don’t ever want to talk about it again.

The Warriors initially asked Minnesota for two unprotected first-round picks and two second-rounders, sources say. Rosas grew so incensed by what he viewed as overaggressive demands, he briefly cut off talks, sources say.

Some within Golden State’s brain trust would have done the deal straight up; some wanted picks as compensation given the tepid market for Wiggins and the Wolves’ apparent lust for Russell; a few were wary of Wiggins’ contract, sources say

And before the season - the helicopter ride ..

Wolves brass suspected the Warriors were closing in on something with Russell, sources say. They wanted to go through the full recruitment anyway, knowing the Warriors might flip Russell later, sources say

[younggunsmn]

Zach Lowe did an inside look at the DLo - Wiggins deal. I was surprised by a couple things, but I don’t ever want to talk about it again.

The Warriors initially asked Minnesota for two unprotected first-round picks and two second-rounders, sources say. Rosas grew so incensed by what he viewed as overaggressive demands, he briefly cut off talks, sources say.

Some within Golden State’s brain trust would have done the deal straight up; some wanted picks as compensation given the tepid market for Wiggins and the Wolves’ apparent lust for Russell; a few were wary of Wiggins’ contract, sources say

And before the season - the helicopter ride ..

Wolves brass suspected the Warriors were closing in on something with Russell, sources say. They wanted to go through the full recruitment anyway, knowing the Warriors might flip Russell later, sources say

I think what has happened with Wiggins is a case study in being able to honestly and objectively evaluate a player and ignore where they were drafted, contract, and hype. Wiggins is a good complementary player, he never was going to be a franchise guy.
All of that should have been apparent his first couple years when he was so mediocre trying to be an alpha.
The Warriors are able to use him perfectly. Maybe he could have been that 3rd wheel here to Lavine and KAT if we had been more patient. We'll never know.

We need to honestly and objectively evaluate Russell too without the sunk cost fallacy of what we gave up to get him.
I don't think he is a winning player, and to me the bad outweighs the good and I wouldn't want him for anything more than a bench guard to score on the 2nd unit.

[Slim Tubby]

Zach Lowe did an inside look at the DLo - Wiggins deal. I was surprised by a couple things, but I don’t ever want to talk about it again.

The Warriors initially asked Minnesota for two unprotected first-round picks and two second-rounders, sources say. Rosas grew so incensed by what he viewed as overaggressive demands, he briefly cut off talks, sources say.

Some within Golden State’s brain trust would have done the deal straight up; some wanted picks as compensation given the tepid market for Wiggins and the Wolves’ apparent lust for Russell; a few were wary of Wiggins’ contract, sources say

And before the season - the helicopter ride ..

Wolves brass suspected the Warriors were closing in on something with Russell, sources say. They wanted to go through the full recruitment anyway, knowing the Warriors might flip Russell later, sources say

I think what has happened with Wiggins is a case study in being able to honestly and objectively evaluate a player and ignore where they were drafted, contract, and hype. Wiggins is a good complementary player, he never was going to be a franchise guy.
All of that should have been apparent his first couple years when he was so mediocre trying to be an alpha.
The Warriors are able to use him perfectly. Maybe he could have been that 3rd wheel here to Lavine and KAT if we had been more patient. We'll never know.

We need to honestly and objectively evaluate Russell too without the sunk cost fallacy of what we gave up to get him.
I don't think he is a winning player, and to me the bad outweighs the good and I wouldn't want him for anything more than a bench guard to score on the 2nd unit.

Great post. It’s going to be very interesting what type of offers he receives after next season. I think the writing is on the wall for Russell with MIN, whether we trade him or just absorb his cap space for 2023 free agency.


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[Merc_Porto]

LOL

[Dewey]

So… wiggins was able to play a role. Something the FO here never could comprehend. We did take a nice step this and DLo had moments. Either way you look at it, neither player is one that can lead this team. GS got a title and pick out of it, but they had the personnel to make it happen.

DLo said he was playing for a contract, but IMO, he is playing for a contract now. About 12 months he’s gonna be jobless at the pace he’s on. Says ride it out…see how desperate he plays in early 2022-2023

[old school 34]

So… wiggins was able to play a role. Something the FO here never could comprehend. We did take a nice step this and DLo had moments. Either way you look at it, neither player is one that can lead this team. GS got a title and pick out of it, but they had the personnel to make it happen.

DLo said he was playing for a contract, but IMO, he is playing for a contract now. About 12 months he’s gonna be jobless at the pace he’s on. Says ride it out…see how desperate he plays in early 2022-2023

Going back to the trade & most say how lopsided it was....but I'd still argue that it really wasn't that far of a miss? It seems it's becoming clearer that the only guy that maybe had over valued DLo's talents ...was Rosas (speculation sure, but I feel confident enough with some of the breadcrumbs)? If they got the protection right on the pick (& say it was top 10 instead of top 4)....how's everyone view that trade now (we have Kuminga & no pick this year)...GSW still wins rings...Wiggins succeeds in his role & DLo is where he is?

The trade for me was not that Wiggins was a bad player...he just wasn't what we needed & paid him to be on our team & it was clear he wasn't going to be....DLo, I very much had my doubts about him as well, but willing to try a different fit & see if it sparked something more & this is the most important thing but hardest thing to for sure quantify....the BFF thing with KAT....if nothing else...it bought us time of KAT not wanting out, maturing &/or getting him to his super max deal...so he stays here as long as we'd like vs him demanding out.

So for that, DLo & the trade that brought him here...served its purpose & then some--as DLo still helped us get to a playoffs as well? Now trade him for us to make the next jump. DLo nor Wiggins &/or their positive or negative performances bother me per say...Kuminga in the future...may be the one that I'd hoped Rosas would've bowed a little harder on the protection piece of that one?

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[BlacJacMac]

So… wiggins was able to play a role. Something the FO here never could comprehend. We did take a nice step this and DLo had moments. Either way you look at it, neither player is one that can lead this team. GS got a title and pick out of it, but they had the personnel to make it happen.

DLo said he was playing for a contract, but IMO, he is playing for a contract now. About 12 months he’s gonna be jobless at the pace he’s on. Says ride it out…see how desperate he plays in early 2022-2023

Going back to the trade & most say how lopsided it was....but I'd still argue that it really wasn't that far of a miss? It seems it's becoming clearer that the only guy that maybe had over valued DLo's talents ...was Rosas (speculation sure, but I feel confident enough with some of the breadcrumbs)? If they got the protection right on the pick (& say it was top 10 instead of top 4)....how's everyone view that trade now (we have Kuminga & no pick this year)...GSW still wins rings...Wiggins succeeds in his role & DLo is where he is?

The trade for me was not that Wiggins was a bad player...he just wasn't what we needed & paid him to be on our team & it was clear he wasn't going to be....DLo, I very much had my doubts about him as well, but willing to try a different fit & see if it sparked something more & this is the most important thing but hardest thing to for sure quantify....the BFF thing with KAT....if nothing else...it bought us time of KAT not wanting out, maturing &/or getting him to his super max deal...so he stays here as long as we'd like vs him demanding out.

So for that, DLo & the trade that brought him here...served its purpose & then some--as DLo still helped us get to a playoffs as well? Now trade him for us to make the next jump. DLo nor Wiggins &/or their positive or negative performances bother me per say...Kuminga in the future...may be the one that I'd hoped Rosas would've bowed a little harder on the protection piece of that one?

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I'm not the biggest Kuminga fan, but I'll take him over the 19 pick this year every time.

The fair trade always should've been simply Russell for Wiggins. You had 2 guys that were basically the same age, on basically the same contract and had basically the same impact on the court.

[Rookie-Mistake]

Does he get traded on draft day?

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[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Krapinsky]

Read on Twitter

D-Lo is a good dude. I don't love his game but you could have much worse guys in the locker room.

[karch34]

D-Lo is a good dude. I don't love his game but you could have much worse guys in the locker room.

Agreed. Feel like he takes a bit too much heat due to the contract. I can’t say I blame him for taking it or the Warriors for essentially offering it because they needed a contract at that amount or they would have no way to get significant talent if KD left for nothing.

[Nick K]

Read on Twitter

D-Lo is a good dude. I don't love his game but you could have much worse guys in the locker room.

He is a good dude. You have to like that video. I'd ike his game a lot more IF he was consistent.

[Rookie-Mistake]

Everyone saying he's gone.. but where the f to?

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[Krapinsky]

Everyone saying he's gone.. but where the f to?

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Is there a world where Wolves win 50 plus games, get home court, and win a play off series? D-Lo improves his defense, efficiency, and increases his value much the same way Brunson did this past year? It may behoove D-Lo to welcome becoming unrestricted.

Teams that may need a PG this year or next are plenty.

Indiana, Washington, Dallas, Utah (Conley retires?) Miami (Lowry retires?) Phx (Paul retires?), LAC (If Wall is washed?), LAL (Westbrook expires), Brooklyn (Kyries leaves)

[minimus]

Is there a world where Wolves win 50 plus games, get home court, and win a play off series? D-Lo improves his defense, efficiency, and increases his value much the same way Brunson did this past year? It may behoove D-Lo to welcome becoming unrestricted.

Teams that may need a PG this year or next are plenty.

Indiana, Washington, Dallas, Utah (Conley retires?) Miami (Lowry retires?) Phx (Paul retires?), LAC (If Wall is washed?), LAL (Westbrook expires), Brooklyn (Kyries leaves)

It can definitely be the case. But here is my question: can we structure DLo contract that we pay more one year before Towns and Ant extension kick?
For instance,
2023-24 - 35 mil
2024-25 - 30 mil
25-26 - 25 mil
26-27 - 20 mil (team option)

It is still 110 mil / 4 yrs, but feels a bit better

[shrink]

Everyone saying he's gone.. but where the f to?

I posted this yesterday to summarize the most likely destinations

I think the two likely options are

NYK: Russell for Rose, Burks, Noel (or some other expiring) and 2023 DAL 1st. Seems light, but Rose and PatBev together are probably healthy enough to be considered one starter, with McLaughlin eating minutes behind them when needed.

or

WAS: Russell for Kuzma + KCP. Doogie said 3 weeks ago, the Wizards aren’t interested, but options are drying up.
—————-

Lesser chances

Russell and Beasley for Westbrook, a future 1st, and ..? However, I am worried Westbrook would be too disruptive here.

Russell and Beasley for Brogdan and Hield. I think those are bad contracts and would want compensation, but IND just gave Brogdan that extension nine months ago, and says they see him as a positive. I don’t see a way to get Myles Turner.

Russell for Morris and Reggie Jackson. Even adding Wall, they might want to get Jackson out of town for DLo as a more combo scorer. Perhaps add Luke Kennard for a small MIN salary to save LAC more money. But what kind of incentive can LAC give?

In the last 24 hours though, NYK has made moves that makes it seem like a foregone conclusion they will add Brunson and have no use for DLo. However, this leaves a hole for DAL, so maybe

Russell for Dinwiddie and Powell. Feels light - I would add incentive to turn Powell into Maxi Kleber.


EDIT: and just moments ago, WAS acquired Monte Morris and Wil Barton, so the two most likely landing spots for DLo have been eliminated in the last 24 hours! I think the most likely outcome is that Russell starts the season with the team, but may be traded closer to the deadline, only if MIN decides to give up on having max cap space in 2023 free agency.

[Klomp]

I think the most likely outcome is that Russell starts the season with the team, but may be traded closer to the deadline, only if MIN decides to give up on having max cap space in 2023 free agency.

Yeah it sure seems evident that protecting space seems to be top priority so far, unless the value/player is too good to pass up. I bet that's why there hasn't been much traction in trade talks.