The D'Angelo Russell Thread

[winforlose]

I give Russell a lot of credit for going on Dane’s show. He didn’t have to do that.

Two things bothered me though:

1. Dane seemed to be overly-excited, and didn’t give DLo a chance to respond to many long winded questions. I like Dane, but having DLo on was an opportunity, and I would have liked to hear more from Russell.

2. I wish DLo had been more committed to being a Timberwolf. He’s a smart guy, and I think that since he was traded so much, he definitely realizes the NBA is a business, and he doesn’t take it personally when he keeps getting traded. But of all the people who should be excited about adding Gobert, DLo should be at the top of the list, for team success as well as his own in a contract year. I expected to hear him ranting about how excited he was for this opportunity, and he didn’t do that. Maybe that’s leverage for a guy looking for an extension, or maybe he’s just being honest. However, I think going on a fan-show and telling the fans how much he loves the team and wants to be here would play well with the public, particularly the segment of fans who don’t like him.

1. I noticed that as well. Dlo seemed annoyed at times. Also, some of Dane’s points were a little insulting, and Dlo seemed to notice them too. I don’t mean to say that Dane was insulting Dlo, but the matter of fact way he suggested that Dlo was moved before teams went all in had some biting implications. Overall, it wasn’t a bad interview, but at times felt a little awkward.

2. I think Dlo is committed to being a Wolf. He came out and said he wants to extend here. The problem is, he thinks he is more valuable than he is. Streaky shooting and a need to get a lot of shots up is a major problem for a starting PG on a playoff team. Worse still, he is the fourth option now that Ant, KAT, and Rudy are the big 3. The real question for Dlo is whether he cares enough that he is willing to sign a short term extension or a discounted long term extension to keep the band together. I think on the pod he was just trying to keep his cards close to the vest for negotiating purposes.

I didn't notice #1 at all or see any of that.

Are we talking about the same thing? You cannot see the Dane Moore podcast. Are you talking about media day?

[Klomp]

1. I noticed that as well. Dlo seemed annoyed at times. Also, some of Dane’s points were a little insulting, and Dlo seemed to notice them too. I don’t mean to say that Dane was insulting Dlo, but the matter of fact way he suggested that Dlo was moved before teams went all in had some biting implications. Overall, it wasn’t a bad interview, but at times felt a little awkward.

2. I think Dlo is committed to being a Wolf. He came out and said he wants to extend here. The problem is, he thinks he is more valuable than he is. Streaky shooting and a need to get a lot of shots up is a major problem for a starting PG on a playoff team. Worse still, he is the fourth option now that Ant, KAT, and Rudy are the big 3. The real question for Dlo is whether he cares enough that he is willing to sign a short term extension or a discounted long term extension to keep the band together. I think on the pod he was just trying to keep his cards close to the vest for negotiating purposes.

I didn't notice #1 at all or see any of that.

Are we talking about the same thing? You cannot see the Dane Moore podcast. Are you talking about media day?

He made his post on Aug. 8, he's not talking about media day.

[winforlose]

I didn't notice #1 at all or see any of that.

Are we talking about the same thing? You cannot see the Dane Moore podcast. Are you talking about media day?

He made his post on Aug. 8, he's not talking about media day.

Your right it is my bad. I didn’t notice it was old. Thanks for catching that

[Klomp]

Fans have talked a lot about Finch's propensity to run two PG lineups. Even Finch has talked about it, saying it may have contributed to some of Russell's struggles, especially in the playoffs. And I think moves we made this summer have reflected that. Yeah the Gobert trade, but even guys like Rivers, Forbes, Anderson and Moore along with the development of Edwards and McDaniels. These are all guys who can be capable in secondary actions, but you aren't necessarily taking the ball out of Russell's hands by putting them in the game with him.

Honestly, at this point, I wouldn't rule out Russell being in the secondary MIP discussion.

[casteral]

I think with the current roster, the great fit of Gobert and DLO in the pick and roll game as well as lob game, and what we've heard and seen after like one day of preseason practice confirming some of that potential, DLO is sitting on a HUGE year and in the end the Wolves will extend him. Possibly at a price point a bit above what many would care to stomach after the last few years. If DLO shows out like he quite likely could this year, there is not option for the wolves BUT to extend him at nearly any cost... and that would mean a great season for the Wolves!

[Mamba4Goat]

Anyone else a little scared about Tyler Herro and CJ McCollum setting a market for Russell? That could be a pretty penny and very tough decision.

[winforlose]

Anyone else a little scared about Tyler Herro and CJ McCollum setting a market for Russell? That could be a pretty penny and very tough decision.

It is a weak free agent year next year. That is much more concerning. We cannot afford to lose Dlo’s salary slot for nothing. Worst case we might overpay for a 1 or 2 year extension just to sure up the window.

[minimus]

Fans have talked a lot about Finch's propensity to run two PG lineups. Even Finch has talked about it, saying it may have contributed to some of Russell's struggles, especially in the playoffs. And I think moves we made this summer have reflected that. Yeah the Gobert trade, but even guys like Rivers, Forbes, Anderson and Moore along with the development of Edwards and McDaniels. These are all guys who can be capable in secondary actions, but you aren't necessarily taking the ball out of Russell's hands by putting them in the game with him.

Right now we have two big uncertain situations. DLo and Nowell extension, starting PG and backup SG positions. I wonder if we can afford both extensions. I recently watched some PJ Dozier, AJ Lawson and Moore reports, and they all are good candidates to improve and take that backup SG slot. Dozier is better help positional defender, Lawson is better shooter/scorer, Moore is better passer. But they all are big, tall athletic SG. I wonder if our offense will gradually morph into more DEN type of offense, with many plays running through bigs, while in defense we will have big comboguards taking both SG/PG positions. I also wont completely rule out possibility of re-signing only one of DLo/Nowell and let young players take backup SG slot next year. CJ McCollum, Herro contracts scary me.

Lets say we let Nowell go and give Dozier NBA contract
Gobert-Towns-MCD-Edwards-DLo - starting
Towns-Anderson-TP-Dozer/Moore-JMac - bench

Lets say we let DLo go and give Dozier NBA contract
Gobert-Towns-MCD-Edwards-Nowell - starting
Towns-Anderson-TP-Dozer/Moore-JMac - bench

We also will have some flexibility and can offer Lawson contract next year:
Towns-Anderson-TP-Moore/Lawson-JMac - bench

[Biff Cooper]

Anyone else a little scared about Tyler Herro and CJ McCollum setting a market for Russell? That could be a pretty penny and very tough decision.

If DLo earns a multi year contract starting at a pay increase from his current salary, can we assume the Timberwolves have won the 22-23 NBA title? Not scared by this at all.

[KGdaBom]

Anyone else a little scared about Tyler Herro and CJ McCollum setting a market for Russell? That could be a pretty penny and very tough decision.

It is a weak free agent year next year. That is much more concerning. We cannot afford to lose Dlo’s salary slot for nothing. Worst case we might overpay for a 1 or 2 year extension just to sure up the window.

Something that has always bugged me. Do you shore up the situation or do you sure up the situation?

[winforlose]

Anyone else a little scared about Tyler Herro and CJ McCollum setting a market for Russell? That could be a pretty penny and very tough decision.

It is a weak free agent year next year. That is much more concerning. We cannot afford to lose Dlo’s salary slot for nothing. Worst case we might overpay for a 1 or 2 year extension just to sure up the window.

Something that has always bugged me. Do you shore up the situation or do you sure up the situation?

I checked, shore is the correct version (dating back sometime between 1300-1500.) However, people do say sure as well. I always heard it as sure up, but either works. It’s kinda like how people use literally wrong so they changed the definition of literally to include it’s common misuse.

[KGdaBom]

It is a weak free agent year next year. That is much more concerning. We cannot afford to lose Dlo’s salary slot for nothing. Worst case we might overpay for a 1 or 2 year extension just to sure up the window.

Something that has always bugged me. Do you shore up the situation or do you sure up the situation?

I checked, shore is the correct version (dating back sometime between 1300-1500.) However, people do say sure as well. I always heard it as sure up, but either works. It’s kinda like how people use literally wrong so they changed the definition of literally to include it’s common misuse.

That one REALLY BUGS me. They changed the meaning of literally to mean not literally.

[winforlose]

Something that has always bugged me. Do you shore up the situation or do you sure up the situation?

I checked, shore is the correct version (dating back sometime between 1300-1500.) However, people do say sure as well. I always heard it as sure up, but either works. It’s kinda like how people use literally wrong so they changed the definition of literally to include it’s common misuse.

That one REALLY BUGS me. They changed the meaning of literally to mean not literally.

I know right. The Newsroom really made a meal of that one .

Watch on YouTube

[BlacJacMac]

It is a weak free agent year next year. That is much more concerning. We cannot afford to lose Dlo’s salary slot for nothing. Worst case we might overpay for a 1 or 2 year extension just to sure up the window.

Something that has always bugged me. Do you shore up the situation or do you sure up the situation?

I checked, shore is the correct version (dating back sometime between 1300-1500.) However, people do say sure as well. I always heard it as sure up, but either works. It’s kinda like how people use literally wrong so they changed the definition of literally to include it’s common misuse.

AFAIK, I've never heard anyone use "sure up", but it makes a lot of sense to me. Probably more-so than the actual term.

[Biff Cooper]

I also have never heard sure up. Shore up makes more sense to me. Sure up isn't non-sensical however. I wouldn't think any less of someone using either term.

If DLo has a good year and helps us win an NBA Championship, I guess I don't have a problem running it back and extending him with a deal starting at ~$34M, (and also extending anyone else that helped us win, regardless of luxury tax costs).

If DLo and Nowell both have good years, but we still lose in the first three rounds of the playoffs, then we'll have decisions to make.

[winforlose]

I also have never heard sure up. Shore up makes more sense to me. Sure up isn't non-sensical however. I wouldn't think any less of someone using either term.

If DLo has a good year and helps us win an NBA Championship, I guess I don't have a problem running it back and extending him with a deal starting at ~$34M, (and also extending anyone else that helped us win, regardless of luxury tax costs).

If DLo and Nowell both have good years, but we still lose in the first three rounds of the playoffs, then we'll have decisions to make.

Just Google sure up. All your questions will be answered .

[KGdaBom]

I also have never heard sure up. Shore up makes more sense to me. Sure up isn't non-sensical however. I wouldn't think any less of someone using either term.

If DLo has a good year and helps us win an NBA Championship, I guess I don't have a problem running it back and extending him with a deal starting at ~$34M, (and also extending anyone else that helped us win, regardless of luxury tax costs).

If DLo and Nowell both have good years, but we still lose in the first three rounds of the playoffs, then we'll have decisions to make.

Just Google sure up. All your questions will be answered .

I could have just done that, but it's more fun bringing it up with the board and getting participation.

[mplsfonz23]

Guess I always used Shore up. Pretty sure I am wrong about where I think it came from. But I figured sailors would say it as they were going into shore. Which meant, get your sh*t and meet on shore.

[Klomp]

I'm going to present a possible timeline for the franchise.

In discussing D'Angelo Russell's contract status, it's been brought up that if we don't re-sign Russell we have no way to recoup his salary slot, but also that he will bring us into luxury tax status once we bring him back. And I totally understand the logic behind this and also I don't necessarily disagree with it either.

However, let me lay out another option. It may upset some basketball purists, but it is something I think could happen.'

Russell has a fine season, but it's clear by the trade deadline that the two sides cannot come to a compromise. At the same time, Jaylen Nowell breaks out, even to the point of Finch wanting him alongside Edwards and playing with Gobert as much as possible, despite not being a true PG. Nowell and the team come to an extension agreement for a healthy amount, but still far below what Russell wants.

Connelly decides to ship off Russell to make room for Nowell in the starting lineup. However, instead of worrying about preserving a massive salary slot, he breaks it up into two or three smaller chunks, getting a young prospect and/or late 1st in the deal. This recoups the more tradeable salary slots lost in the Gobert trade, and also doesn't overload the books for when Edwards and McDaniels are due extensions. Essentially, our young guys are the ones preserving the large salary slot once extended.

[KGdaBom]

I'm going to present a possible timeline for the franchise.

In discussing D'Angelo Russell's contract status, it's been brought up that if we don't re-sign Russell we have no way to recoup his salary slot, but also that he will bring us into luxury tax status once we bring him back. And I totally understand the logic behind this and also I don't necessarily disagree with it either.

However, let me lay out another option. It may upset some basketball purists, but it is something I think could happen.'

Russell has a fine season, but it's clear by the trade deadline that the two sides cannot come to a compromise. At the same time, Jaylen Nowell breaks out, even to the point of Finch wanting him alongside Edwards and playing with Gobert as much as possible, despite not being a true PG. Nowell and the team come to an extension agreement for a healthy amount, but still far below what Russell wants.

Connelly decides to ship off Russell to make room for Nowell in the starting lineup. However, instead of worrying about preserving a massive salary slot, he breaks it up into two or three smaller chunks, getting a young prospect and/or late 1st in the deal. This recoups the more tradeable salary slots lost in the Gobert trade, and also doesn't overload the books for when Edwards and McDaniels are due extensions. Essentially, our young guys are the ones preserving the large salary slot once extended.

My preference is signing Russell 4 years under $100 million, but that probably won't get it done.