Trade Talk (Part 17): Early Offseason Planning

[Guest84]

I would rather just bring in Westbrook at this point

[Neeva]

If wolves need to go trade for a PG they need to go big, no sense trading for a pg that won’t move the needle at all. Go get Lamelo Ball, or Fox or whovever will be available.

[Domejandro]

If wolves need to go trade for a PG they need to go big, no sense trading for a pg that won’t move the needle at all. Go get Lamelo Ball, or Fox or whovever will be available.

Issue is that I don’t think any big targets are available, for a price that Minnesota can afford.

[shrink]

Here's my issue with this idea....

Right now, the team has two different identity focuses it is working on - defense and transition offense. Does Russell fit into either of them?

If we focus on defense and transition offense, doesn’t that mean we aren’t focusing on playmaking?

I’ve never been a fan of the “identity” line of thinking that even the front office and coaching staff has, because if one or two factors are overly prioritized, it leaves holes elsewhere. Here, you miss out on the low-hanging fruit of a playmaker.

[shrink]

I would rather just bring in Westbrook at this point

If Westbrook is considering the Kings, he wouldn’t immediately dismiss a Wolves offer, right?

Yeah, he’s a dangerous experiment, but he has the talent to win a team some games (and lose some too!).

[Guest84]

I would rather just bring in Westbrook at this point

If Westbrook is considering the Kings, he wouldn’t immediately dismiss a Wolves offer, right?

Yeah, he’s a dangerous experiment, but he has the talent to win a team some games (and lose some too!).

Curious as to what makes him a dangerous experiment? Have we ever heard of him being a bad teammate in the locker room? I know he’s fiery and plays with passion and it can rub some guys the wrong way…but with all his faults, I’d take Russ anyway cause he’s not going to cheat you.

At minimum, he gives you playmaking, rebounding, effort and applies pressure consistently. I’m ok with a 1-2 year deal…

[shrink]

I would rather just bring in Westbrook at this point

If Westbrook is considering the Kings, he wouldn’t immediately dismiss a Wolves offer, right?

Yeah, he’s a dangerous experiment, but he has the talent to win a team some games (and lose some too!).

Curious as to what makes him a dangerous experiment? Have we ever heard of him being a bad teammate in the locker room? I know he’s fiery and plays with passion and it can rub some guys the wrong way…but with all his faults, I’d take Russ anyway cause he’s not going to cheat you.

At minimum, he gives you playmaking, rebounding, effort and applies pressure consistently. I’m ok with a 1-2 year deal…

Some people call it the “Russell Westbrook Experience.” He’s a little bit of the Anti-Conley. Mike won’t wow you with physical athleticism or a spectacular box score, but he is extremely consistent and very rarely makes a bad play. Russ can make you gasp with an amazing play one second, and immediately follow it up with a play so bad that you gasp again, as he did by handing the Wolves a victory over the Nuggets last year.

Watch on YouTube

[KGdaBom]

I would rather just bring in Westbrook at this point

If Westbrook is considering the Kings, he wouldn’t immediately dismiss a Wolves offer, right?

Yeah, he’s a dangerous experiment, but he has the talent to win a team some games (and lose some too!).

Curious as to what makes him a dangerous experiment? Have we ever heard of him being a bad teammate in the locker room? I know he’s fiery and plays with passion and it can rub some guys the wrong way…but with all his faults, I’d take Russ anyway cause he’s not going to cheat you.

At minimum, he gives you playmaking, rebounding, effort and applies pressure consistently. I’m ok with a 1-2 year deal…

I agree, but I still believe in Dilly.

[Domejandro]

One note is that Minnesota cannot afford Russell Westbrook without dipping into the Second Apron, so they would probably have to pay to dump Leonard Miller on someone. That aside, Russell Westbrook wants consistent, guaranteed minutes (above twenty a night, at least), which I think can be problematic for fielding a winning squad (and for fostering development through playtime).

[minimus]

TJ Shannon can already give us everything that Russell Westbrook can give.

[Note30]

TJ Shannon can already give us everything that Russell Westbrook can give.

Completely different players.

[minimus]

TJ Shannon can already give us everything that Russell Westbrook can give.

Completely different players.

I didn't say that they are similar players.

[KGdaBom]

TJ Shannon can already give us everything that Russell Westbrook can give.

Completely different players.

I didn't say that they are similar players.

If they are not similar players than Shannon can't give us everything Westbrook would.

[Guest84]

Completely different players.

I didn't say that they are similar players.

If they are not similar players than Shannon can't give us everything Westbrook would.

I think he’s referring to the pressure at the rim. Which I agree with. However, the playing making aspect is TBD with TJ.

In regards to shrink’s earlier response, you def get the Westbrook experience on the court but you also get someone who’s been in tons of high pressure situations.

I’m not giving up on Rob and understand it’ll take time for him to become a consistent threat. I’m just not opposed to finding a better long term solution.

[minimus]

Westbrook was playmaking when he could drive and finish at rim. When defense commited, he had a passing lane. He is not a facilitator nor pick-n-roll wizard, and he never was. TJ is already a better player for MIN than current Westbrook.

[Note30]

I didn't say that they are similar players.

If they are not similar players than Shannon can't give us everything Westbrook would.

I think he’s referring to the pressure at the rim. Which I agree with. However, the playing making aspect is TBD with TJ.

In regards to shrink’s earlier response, you def get the Westbrook experience on the court but you also get someone who’s been in tons of high pressure situations.

I’m not giving up on Rob and understand it’ll take time for him to become a consistent threat. I’m just not opposed to finding a better long term solution.

I was thinking he just meant motor and athleticism for transition offense.

[KGdaBom]

I didn't say that they are similar players.

If they are not similar players than Shannon can't give us everything Westbrook would.

I think he’s referring to the pressure at the rim. Which I agree with. However, the playing making aspect is TBD with TJ.

In regards to shrink’s earlier response, you def get the Westbrook experience on the court but you also get someone who’s been in tons of high pressure situations.

I’m not giving up on Rob and understand it’ll take time for him to become a consistent threat. I’m just not opposed to finding a better long term solution.

This is what Minimus said
TJ Shannon can already give us everything that Russell Westbrook can give.
I take everything to mean everything. If there's an aspect of Westbrook's game that Shannon does not give than Minimus was wrong. Yes I'm picking nits.

[BlacJacMac]

Westbrook was playmaking when he could drive and finish at rim. When defense commited, he had a passing lane. He is not a facilitator nor pick-n-roll wizard, and he never was. TJ is already a better player for MIN than current Westbrook.

Westbrook can also bring the ball up court against pressure. Something that has absolutely haunted us the past few years.

[Klomp]

Westbrook was playmaking when he could drive and finish at rim. When defense commited, he had a passing lane. He is not a facilitator nor pick-n-roll wizard, and he never was. TJ is already a better player for MIN than current Westbrook.

Westbrook can also bring the ball up court against pressure. Something that has absolutely haunted us the past few years.

Honestly, this is probably the strongest argument for a PG right now.....but is it enough?

[minimus]

Westbrook was playmaking when he could drive and finish at rim. When defense commited, he had a passing lane. He is not a facilitator nor pick-n-roll wizard, and he never was. TJ is already a better player for MIN than current Westbrook.

Westbrook can also bring the ball up court against pressure. Something that has absolutely haunted us the past few years.

In this case it is a role, not a skill.