The D'Angelo Russell Thread

[winforlose]

We have KAT and Gobear locked up, Ant is going to get the rookie max so there is our 3. So I think it comes down to Dlo and MCD. We won't be able to afford both. DLO Is locked up for 1 more and MCD for 2 more. So what's our priority and how can we maximize a return for either one.

I am sorry, but this simply isn’t true. First, the cap is going to explode with new TV money in a few years. Second, if we avoid the tax this year we will have 3 straight years of non tax, which means no repeater tax for another 3. Third, look at the hoopshype team salary page. GSW and the Nets broke every norm and tradition wide open. Big money is the only way to contend, and we are going to contend. We can and will pay whoever gets us a win. Fourth, what kind of money do you think MCD gets? 12-14 seems to be a reasonable range based on other players with similar skill sets. Don’t get me wrong, if he turns into an all star or develops into an all defense player that number could rise, but for now it isn’t a problem, and even then we have bird rights.

P.S look at the aggressive thread in this board, ticket sales are surging. Spending money makes money.

If you think McDaniels is going to settle for $12-14 million, you are in for a rude awakening. I'd set the absolute floor for his next contract at $20 million AAV.

20 mil. Based on what? He might get there if his foul trouble issues are resolved, he hits 40% of his 3s and 45% from the corners, and improves his attacks of the dribble, but is all that going to happen this year? What are you basing 20 on? Or rather who?

[KGdaBom]

I am sorry, but this simply isn’t true. First, the cap is going to explode with new TV money in a few years. Second, if we avoid the tax this year we will have 3 straight years of non tax, which means no repeater tax for another 3. Third, look at the hoopshype team salary page. GSW and the Nets broke every norm and tradition wide open. Big money is the only way to contend, and we are going to contend. We can and will pay whoever gets us a win. Fourth, what kind of money do you think MCD gets? 12-14 seems to be a reasonable range based on other players with similar skill sets. Don’t get me wrong, if he turns into an all star or develops into an all defense player that number could rise, but for now it isn’t a problem, and even then we have bird rights.

P.S look at the aggressive thread in this board, ticket sales are surging. Spending money makes money.

If you think McDaniels is going to settle for $12-14 million, you are in for a rude awakening. I'd set the absolute floor for his next contract at $20 million AAV.

20 mil. Based on what? He might get there if his foul trouble issues are resolved, he hits 40% of his 3s and 45% from the corners, and improves his attacks of the dribble, but is all that going to happen this year? What are you basing 20 on? Or rather who?

Great question. What will McDaniel's next contract be. I can see his agent hanging on his potential and demanding 20 while the Wolves say you haven't got there yet.

[winforlose]

If you think McDaniels is going to settle for $12-14 million, you are in for a rude awakening. I'd set the absolute floor for his next contract at $20 million AAV.

20 mil. Based on what? He might get there if his foul trouble issues are resolved, he hits 40% of his 3s and 45% from the corners, and improves his attacks of the dribble, but is all that going to happen this year? What are you basing 20 on? Or rather who?

Great question. What will McDaniel's next contract be. I can see his agent hanging on his potential and demanding 20 while the Wolves say you haven't got there yet.

He will be an RFA, I don’t know who offers him 20?

[Rookie-Mistake]

You cab be the glue for $15 mil a year and no more.

Read on Twitter

Sent from my SM-G991B using RealGM mobile app

[King Malta]

I think ultimately DLo is going to sign for 2-3 years at 25ish mil per, which at the end of last year I'd have baulked at to be honest, but given the fact that we're essentially committed to a Ant/KAT/Gobert core for at least 4 years it's probably the safest possible move to lock in a guy like DLo as your 4/5th best player.

If DLo was to walk at the end of this season we'd have a difficult time replacing him adequately given our cap and asset situation, so we might as well lock in this core and see how it goes. Having Ant, KAT, Gobert, DLo and McDaniels together for a minimum of 3 years and then working out the fringes from there is a decent position for us to be in IMO.

[Krapinsky]

I think one thing Wolves brass is going to be assessing is Ant’s evolution into a lead facilitator and playmaker, rather than a guy that can just takeover scoring when he wants to. If he shows some early signs that he can become our Lebron, Giannis, Luka, Harden, Cade, etc., then D-Lo suddenly becomes a poor fit with him in the back court and paying so much money for his skill set doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

[Klomp]

I think one thing Wolves brass is going to be assessing is Ant’s evolution into a lead facilitator and playmaker, rather than a guy that can just takeover scoring when he wants to. If he shows some early signs that he can become our Lebron, Giannis, Luka, Harden, Cade, etc., then D-Lo suddenly becomes a poor fit with him in the back court and paying so much money for his skill set doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Russell fits best as a secondary ballhandler. A team's ceiling is capped if he's your dominant playmaker because he lacks upper echelon athleticism and doesn't really attack the basket. So having Edwards take over the primary playmaker role actually suits Russell great, because it allows Russell to be on the back side of the play, where he and Gobert will thrive against the opponents secondary defenders.

[SO_MONEY]

I think ultimately DLo is going to sign for 2-3 years at 25ish mil per, which at the end of last year I'd have baulked at to be honest, but given the fact that we're essentially committed to a Ant/KAT/Gobert core for at least 4 years it's probably the safest possible move to lock in a guy like DLo as your 4/5th best player.

If DLo was to walk at the end of this season we'd have a difficult time replacing him adequately given our cap and asset situation, so we might as well lock in this core and see how it goes. Having Ant, KAT, Gobert, DLo and McDaniels together for a minimum of 3 years and then working out the fringes from there is a decent position for us to be in IMO.

I would think we will sign him for the 4 years we have Gobert.

[Klomp]

Yeah the more I think about it, the more I wonder if the lack of picks makes it more likely we see a longterm extension agreed to.

It's easy to whine if Russell was your first or second option. But he enters the season as third at best and in a season or two could easily be the fifth option in our starting lineup if McDaniels blossoms like we expect. We've conditioned ourselves to be afraid of luxury tax payments and the hard cap, but I can easily see a scenario where this group goes for it and counts the tax as merely a cost of doing business.

[winforlose]

Yeah the more I think about it, the more I wonder if the lack of picks makes it more likely we see a longterm extension agreed to.

It's easy to whine if Russell was your first or second option. But he enters the season as third at best and in a season or two could easily be the fifth option in our starting lineup if McDaniels blossoms like we expect. We've conditioned ourselves to be afraid of luxury tax payments and the hard cap, but I can easily see a scenario where this group goes for it and counts the tax as merely a cost of doing business.

You don’t trade for Rudy while extending KAT unless you plan to be in the tax. All the contenders are going into crazy payroll territory, and we will follow them in.

[younggunsmn]

I think one thing Wolves brass is going to be assessing is Ant’s evolution into a lead facilitator and playmaker, rather than a guy that can just takeover scoring when he wants to. If he shows some early signs that he can become our Lebron, Giannis, Luka, Harden, Cade, etc., then D-Lo suddenly becomes a poor fit with him in the back court and paying so much money for his skill set doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

Russell fits best as a secondary ballhandler. A team's ceiling is capped if he's your dominant playmaker because he lacks upper echelon athleticism and doesn't really attack the basket. So having Edwards take over the primary playmaker role actually suits Russell great, because it allows Russell to be on the back side of the play, where he and Gobert will thrive against the opponents secondary defenders.

I agree with this, but Finch is going to have to convince Russell. And what does that do for his contract value?
Potentially having 3 starters who average 5 assists is more deadly than one guy averaging 8-10.
I really like the Russell/Gobert pick and roll pairing on the 2nd unit with a couple shooters (Forbes/Prince/Slow-Mo?), with KAT/ANT finishing out the 1st and 3rd quarters before resting.
Very few teams have a decent 2nd big or decent 2nd string POA defender, and most are very small on their 2nd units.

I actually hope having Gobert as a rim threat will help KAT spend more time as a facilitator as it will be riskier to help on him from the middle of the floor. KAT turning into an assist machine would be the one thing that would truly raise this team's offensive ceiling.

I would offer Russell a one year extension right now, just as insurance for next year.
I'd wait until February to see how things click before going multiple years on an extension.

[winforlose]

Anyone care to comment on this?

“ D’Angelo Russell: The @nba is full of athletes not Basketball players. #Respectfully 7 hours ago – via Twitter Dloading”

[KGdaBom]

Anyone care to comment on this?

“ D’Angelo Russell: The @nba is full of athletes not Basketball players. #Respectfully 7 hours ago – via Twitter Dloading”

Total agreement. There are many athletes that aren't basketball players.

[Calinks]

Got to think Dlo wants to make it work here. This has to be the best team he has had a chance to be on ever. On top of that that he has his good friend KAT. The only thing that could be missing is big money/location. Other than that, he has a great opportunity here if he can make his game fit.

Two top 5 bigs, a potential top 5 guard. That's a point guard's dream. 3 out of your other potential 4 starters could be elite players at their positions. There are maybe 6 other teams on planet earth that would be clearly better spots to be in and most of those aren't realistic destinations for him to start on.

[winforlose]

Got to think Dlo wants to make it work here. This has to be the best team he has had a chance to be on ever. On top of that that he has his good friend KAT. The only thing that could be missing is big money/location. Other than that, he has a great opportunity here if he can make his game fit.

Two top 5 bigs, a potential top 5 guard. That's a point guard's dream. 3 out of your other potential 4 starters could be elite players at their positions. There are maybe 6 other teams on planet earth that would be clearly better spots to be in and most of those aren't realistic destinations for him to start on.

This, plus the truth is he isn’t consistent enough to be called great. He is a good PG, but he is far from top 10. I saw a hoopshype list that put him at 23. Personally I would put him somewhere around the mid teens, but no where near max money. Dlo wasn’t good enough as a 3rd star to get us past Memphis. Now he only needs to be the 4th best guy. Plus he is a PNR guy and we brought him the PNR king. I think Dlo needs to accept he isn’t worth Kyrie money, but he is worth VanVleet money.

[Calinks]

Got to think Dlo wants to make it work here. This has to be the best team he has had a chance to be on ever. On top of that that he has his good friend KAT. The only thing that could be missing is big money/location. Other than that, he has a great opportunity here if he can make his game fit.

Two top 5 bigs, a potential top 5 guard. That's a point guard's dream. 3 out of your other potential 4 starters could be elite players at their positions. There are maybe 6 other teams on planet earth that would be clearly better spots to be in and most of those aren't realistic destinations for him to start on.

This, plus the truth is he isn’t consistent enough to be called great. He is a good PG, but he is far from top 10. I saw a hoopshype list that put him at 23. Personally I would put him somewhere around the mid teens, but no where near max money. Dlo wasn’t good enough as a 3rd star to get us past Memphis. Now he only needs to be the 4th best guy. Plus he is a PNR guy and we brought him the PNR king. I think Dlo needs to accept he isn’t worth Kyrie money, but he is worth VanVleet money.

Thing for him is, if he can secure a spot on this team, he can absolutely play himself into that top ten position. He still has the potential and youth to do that. It wont be easy but he could really step his game up (particularly defense and decision making) and really increase his stock. He has the talent around him to really look good. Lots of opportunities here.

It's kind of like the Wiggins situation all over again. If he can find the right fit which may be here right now with the addition of Gobert, he can look WAY better and his stock will go way up. Wiggins looked amazing this post-season with his new role and with how he embraced it.

[fattymcgee]

Got to think Dlo wants to make it work here. This has to be the best team he has had a chance to be on ever. On top of that that he has his good friend KAT. The only thing that could be missing is big money/location. Other than that, he has a great opportunity here if he can make his game fit.

Two top 5 bigs, a potential top 5 guard. That's a point guard's dream. 3 out of your other potential 4 starters could be elite players at their positions. There are maybe 6 other teams on planet earth that would be clearly better spots to be in and most of those aren't realistic destinations for him to start on.

This, plus the truth is he isn’t consistent enough to be called great. He is a good PG, but he is far from top 10. I saw a hoopshype list that put him at 23. Personally I would put him somewhere around the mid teens, but no where near max money. Dlo wasn’t good enough as a 3rd star to get us past Memphis. Now he only needs to be the 4th best guy. Plus he is a PNR guy and we brought him the PNR king. I think Dlo needs to accept he isn’t worth Kyrie money, but he is worth VanVleet money.

Thing for him is, if he can secure a spot on this team, he can absolutely play himself into that top ten position. He still has the potential and youth to do that. It wont be easy but he could really step his game up (particularly defense and decision making) and really increase his stock. He has the talent around him to really look good. Lots of opportunities here.

It's kind of like the Wiggins situation all over again. If he can find the right fit which may be here right now with the addition of Gobert, he can look WAY better and his stock will go way up. Wiggins looked amazing this post-season with his new role and with how he embraced it.

You should go look at the list. There is absolutely no way he can make top 10. Not sure if he can even get to top 15.

How much should an average starting PG get paid? $20M?

[winforlose]

This, plus the truth is he isn’t consistent enough to be called great. He is a good PG, but he is far from top 10. I saw a hoopshype list that put him at 23. Personally I would put him somewhere around the mid teens, but no where near max money. Dlo wasn’t good enough as a 3rd star to get us past Memphis. Now he only needs to be the 4th best guy. Plus he is a PNR guy and we brought him the PNR king. I think Dlo needs to accept he isn’t worth Kyrie money, but he is worth VanVleet money.

Thing for him is, if he can secure a spot on this team, he can absolutely play himself into that top ten position. He still has the potential and youth to do that. It wont be easy but he could really step his game up (particularly defense and decision making) and really increase his stock. He has the talent around him to really look good. Lots of opportunities here.

It's kind of like the Wiggins situation all over again. If he can find the right fit which may be here right now with the addition of Gobert, he can look WAY better and his stock will go way up. Wiggins looked amazing this post-season with his new role and with how he embraced it.

You should go look at the list. There is absolutely no way he can make top 10. Not sure if he can even get to top 15.

How much should an average starting PG get paid? $20M?

Hypothetical exercise. Say Dlo is 16, please fill in 18-14 and tell me what they make. It just seems to be the ball park for starting PGs.

[Calinks]

This, plus the truth is he isn’t consistent enough to be called great. He is a good PG, but he is far from top 10. I saw a hoopshype list that put him at 23. Personally I would put him somewhere around the mid teens, but no where near max money. Dlo wasn’t good enough as a 3rd star to get us past Memphis. Now he only needs to be the 4th best guy. Plus he is a PNR guy and we brought him the PNR king. I think Dlo needs to accept he isn’t worth Kyrie money, but he is worth VanVleet money.

Thing for him is, if he can secure a spot on this team, he can absolutely play himself into that top ten position. He still has the potential and youth to do that. It wont be easy but he could really step his game up (particularly defense and decision making) and really increase his stock. He has the talent around him to really look good. Lots of opportunities here.

It's kind of like the Wiggins situation all over again. If he can find the right fit which may be here right now with the addition of Gobert, he can look WAY better and his stock will go way up. Wiggins looked amazing this post-season with his new role and with how he embraced it.

You should go look at the list. There is absolutely no way he can make top 10. Not sure if he can even get to top 15.

How much should an average starting PG get paid? $20M?

I mean I looked at that list , names that hovered around ten were Darious Garland, Trae Young, James Harden, Lamello Ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Fred VanVleet. Is he better than those guys, no, not generally but I think its not impossible he could have a better season than a lot of them if he has an amazing season.

If he makes a great fit, if we are a top 4 seed, and say he averages something like 18, 8. 5 with good defense, I think that will put him in the conversation. Guys like Paul, Lillard, and Harden could fall off. Guys could get hurt or their teams could have bad seasons. There is definitely a window for DLO to have a huge year.

[winforlose]

Thing for him is, if he can secure a spot on this team, he can absolutely play himself into that top ten position. He still has the potential and youth to do that. It wont be easy but he could really step his game up (particularly defense and decision making) and really increase his stock. He has the talent around him to really look good. Lots of opportunities here.

It's kind of like the Wiggins situation all over again. If he can find the right fit which may be here right now with the addition of Gobert, he can look WAY better and his stock will go way up. Wiggins looked amazing this post-season with his new role and with how he embraced it.

You should go look at the list. There is absolutely no way he can make top 10. Not sure if he can even get to top 15.

How much should an average starting PG get paid? $20M?

I mean I looked at that list , names that hovered around ten were Darious Garland, Trae Young, James Harden, Lamello Ball, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, Fred VanVleet. Is he better than those guys, no, not generally but I think its not impossible he could have a better season than a lot of them if he has an amazing season.

If he makes a great fit, if we are a top 4 seed, and say he averages something like 18, 8. 5 with good defense, I think that will put him in the conversation. Guys like Paul, Lillard, and Harden could fall off. Guys could get hurt or their teams could have bad seasons. There is definitely a window for DLO to have a huge year.

I think the better question is can Dlo be consistent? The ups are really great, but the downs are subterranean. In the regular season that doesn’t matter very much, especially when you have a KAT and Ant to pick up the slack (to say nothing of Rudy.) But we saw last year it really hurts in the playoffs. We don’t really need Dlo to raise his ceiling, just to raise his floor.