The D'Angelo Russell Thread

[thinktank]

You can’t trade him now.

It’s working.

[kidfozzy]

Keep him. If extended, nothing less than $23M a season.

I’d trade D’Lo if Wolves’ PG depth was not so garbage. Wtf is JMac returning btw?

[minimus]

Wtf is JMac returning btw?

According to Doogie JMac is two weeks away from being two weeks away.

[MN7725]

I don't see his style of play ever doing well in a high intensity playoff series, he's too deliberate and not athletic enough to really create consistently when the defense is ramped up

He played well in the play-in game vs. Clips, but was horrific in the Memphis series to the point that he was benched for JMAC, and he was pretty bad for Brooklyn in their series against Philly

So if his playmaking, creation are nullified, what are you really getting out of him when it matters

I just think that has to be the overwhelming consideration when you are committing the salary and minutes to any player

[urinesane]

Sell high.

[Neeva]

Yep , get him out of here. Hope his attitude and overall laziness hasn’t rubbed off on Ant.

[wolves_89]

I've been critical of DLO at various points, and I don't believe he's been worth his contract. With that said, I have to admit he has been really good this season and extending him for something in the ballpark of $100M/4 years would be a decent deal. Based on the trade rumors I've seen I think I'd prefer to keep DLO and see how an extension or offseason re-signing works out.

[m2002brian]

I've been critical of DLO at various points, and I don't believe he's been worth his contract. With that said, I have to admit he has been really good this season and extending him for something in the ballpark of $100M/4 years would be a decent deal. Based on the trade rumors I've seen I think I'd prefer to keep DLO and see how an extension or offseason re-signing works out.

It’s good to remember… Just because we extend him doesn’t mean he won’t get traded later. Maybe lowering his cap hit as multiple years of team control would be enticing to another team down the road.

[thinktank]

I don't see his style of play ever doing well in a high intensity playoff series, he's too deliberate and not athletic enough to really create consistently when the defense is ramped up

He played well in the play-in game vs. Clips, but was horrific in the Memphis series to the point that he was benched for JMAC, and he was pretty bad for Brooklyn in their series against Philly

So if his playmaking, creation are nullified, what are you really getting out of him when it matters

I just think that has to be the overwhelming consideration when you are committing the salary and minutes to any player

Finch blamed himself for how he was used in that Memphis playoff series.

How DLo is being used now is 180 degrees different from then.

Now he’s off-ball, spot-up mostly, and focus on D and rebounding.

[Danimals]

I don't see his style of play ever doing well in a high intensity playoff series, he's too deliberate and not athletic enough to really create consistently when the defense is ramped up

He played well in the play-in game vs. Clips, but was horrific in the Memphis series to the point that he was benched for JMAC, and he was pretty bad for Brooklyn in their series against Philly

So if his playmaking, creation are nullified, what are you really getting out of him when it matters

I just think that has to be the overwhelming consideration when you are committing the salary and minutes to any player

Finch blamed himself for how he was used in that Memphis playoff series.

How DLo is being used now is 180 degrees different from then.

Now he’s off-ball, spot-up mostly, and focus on D and rebounding.

His RB% is down, TOV% is up, and Drtg is up. Compared to both career and last season.

[thinktank]

I don't see his style of play ever doing well in a high intensity playoff series, he's too deliberate and not athletic enough to really create consistently when the defense is ramped up

He played well in the play-in game vs. Clips, but was horrific in the Memphis series to the point that he was benched for JMAC, and he was pretty bad for Brooklyn in their series against Philly

So if his playmaking, creation are nullified, what are you really getting out of him when it matters

I just think that has to be the overwhelming consideration when you are committing the salary and minutes to any player

Finch blamed himself for how he was used in that Memphis playoff series.

How DLo is being used now is 180 degrees different from then.

Now he’s off-ball, spot-up mostly, and focus on D and rebounding.

His RB% is down, TOV% is up, and Drtg is up. Compared to both career and last season.

Those are all fair points.

I still say this is his best overall year.

The refrain is now “sell high, sell high”.

[MN7725]

I don't see his style of play ever doing well in a high intensity playoff series, he's too deliberate and not athletic enough to really create consistently when the defense is ramped up

He played well in the play-in game vs. Clips, but was horrific in the Memphis series to the point that he was benched for JMAC, and he was pretty bad for Brooklyn in their series against Philly

So if his playmaking, creation are nullified, what are you really getting out of him when it matters

I just think that has to be the overwhelming consideration when you are committing the salary and minutes to any player

Finch blamed himself for how he was used in that Memphis playoff series.

How DLo is being used now is 180 degrees different from then.

Now he’s off-ball, spot-up mostly, and focus on D and rebounding.

https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/20/timberwolves-need-dangelo-russells-playoff-numbers-to-improve/

Finch noted Russell is going to have to be able to play off the catch more in this series, versus having the ball in his hands, given the way Memphis is playing him.

“Hey, they’re going to get into you. They’re going to make it uncomfortable, no matter whether they deny or get it and pressure you,” Finch said. “We gotta find a way to get him some easy looks.”

As Brooklyn’s primary offensive option, Russell struggled mightily from the field in the Nets’ first-round loss to Philadelphia in 2019.

Not sure what else Finch can do

[Danimals]

How much can we afford to pay Russell next season and stay out of the tax?

[minimus]

How much can we afford to pay Russell next season and stay out of the tax?

Read on Twitter

Depends on other things, for instance Nowell (backup SG), Reid (backup C) situation. And honestly I'd keep Rivers and bring another backup PG

[wolves_89]

How much can we afford to pay Russell next season and stay out of the tax?

I believe the guys under contract (Edwards, McDaniels, Towns, Gobert, Anderson, Prince, McLaughlin, Knight, Moore, and Minott) are owed $120M. That leaves around $42M under the currently estimated $162M luxury tax line. Signing DLO for next season poses absolutely no issues, the potential problem comes when the Edwards/McDaniels new contracts kick in in 2024-25 (KATs contract also bumps up then from the extension he signed).

[shrink]

How much can we afford to pay Russell next season and stay out of the tax?

I believe the guys under contract (Edwards, McDaniels, Towns, Gobert, Anderson, Prince, McLaughlin, Knight, Moore, and Minott) are owed $120M. That leaves around $42M under the currently estimated $162M luxury tax line. Signing DLO for next season poses absolutely no issues, the potential problem comes when the Edwards/McDaniels new contracts kick in in 2024-25 (KATs contract also bumps up then from the extension he signed).

Good post. If we were to tighten it up a bit, that’s 10 players, and we need to eventually get to 13 players roster minimum size, so the bare minimum would be $40 for DLo and two, $1 mil minimum rookies.

However, realistically, MIN isn’t playing with 13 signed players, or signing all rookies (although one may come from using the 2022 NYK pick) for those spots. It would also be wise to keep the MLE ($11.4) available to add talent. Also, most teams want to start the season with a little wiggle room under the lux for 10-day signings etc. Let’s say $2 mil. So realistically, let’s say the five spots are NYK pick $1, MLE $11, two vet mins $2, $2, and DLo. That puts him at $24.

As you can see, the big factor is how much of the MLE MIN wants to use to add talent, or put that money in a DLo contract.

[Danimals]

Thanks for all the great info/analysis. My goal next year would be to stay under the tax, because we are definitely going into it when Kat, Ant, and McDaniels extensions kick in. So if we go the Dlo route $24 is the top number, and I prefer a 3 year deal. We need the full mid-level to add talent, preferably another guard. Then we get Dlo for 2 years and can still trade him before the extensions kick in.

[wolves_89]

How much can we afford to pay Russell next season and stay out of the tax?

I believe the guys under contract (Edwards, McDaniels, Towns, Gobert, Anderson, Prince, McLaughlin, Knight, Moore, and Minott) are owed $120M. That leaves around $42M under the currently estimated $162M luxury tax line. Signing DLO for next season poses absolutely no issues, the potential problem comes when the Edwards/McDaniels new contracts kick in in 2024-25 (KATs contract also bumps up then from the extension he signed).

Good post. If we were to tighten it up a bit, that’s 10 players, and we need to eventually get to 13 players roster minimum size, so the bare minimum would be $40 for DLo and two, $1 mil minimum rookies.

However, realistically, MIN isn’t playing with 13 signed players, or signing all rookies (although one may come from using the 2022 NYK pick) for those spots. It would also be wise to keep the MLE ($11.4) available to add talent. Also, most teams want to start the season with a little wiggle room under the lux for 10-day signings etc. Let’s say $2 mil. So realistically, let’s say the five spots are NYK pick $1, MLE $11, two vet mins $2, $2, and DLo. That puts him at $24.

As you can see, the big factor is how much of the MLE MIN wants to use to add talent, or put that money in a DLo contract.

Giving DLO a new contract (or extension) starting at $24M would pretty much be the same starting money as the Wiggins extension. Another option would be to only use part of the MLE and start a new DLO deal at $30M with decreasing salary (over 4 years that would be the exact same money as the Wiggins extension but with the money progression reversed).

[Danimals]

I’d really like to keep the full mid-level. We need another guard that we can count on for 24 mins a game. To replace Nowell, cover for injuries, and ideally move Rivers farther down the depth chart. I’m not sure how much people will get on the market, but there will be a lot of guys available who could fill that role: Hart, Richardson, Brown, DiVincenzo, etc.

[shrink]

I’d really like to keep the full mid-level. We need another guard that we can count on for 24 mins a game. To replace Nowell, cover for injuries, and ideally move Rivers farther down the depth chart. I’m not sure how much people will get on the market, but there will be a lot of guys available who could fill that role: Hart, Richardson, Brown, DiVincenzo, etc.

I agree. If you trade to find a player to fit your needs, you have to give up trade assets. If you sign a player in free agency (including DLo), you are just giving up payroll space under the lux. Teams only get one MLE each year - it’s use it or lose it - and it’s a valuable asset to preserve.

This is what makes a DLo extension so tricky. Is it MIN’s best interest to pay DLo if he requires biting into the MLE? But if you don’t pay him and keep the MLE, you are $40 mil under the lux, so you won’t get your payroll up to levels of most teams you compete this? Then on top of that, you are at the mercy of what DLo will accept.

I still think it’s better odds than 50/50 we trade him, but I used to think it was a much higher number. If he’s still here on Friday, February 10, and we’re still far apart (DLo re-unfollows the Timberwolves), it’s very dangerous for the franchise. Maybe we forgo most of the MLE one year to offer him a big, one year payday without any money in additional years when we are far in the lux with KAT and Ant’s maxes kick in. A declining contract makes sense. But it’s a worry.