Thoughts in General, Rumors, etc 3.0

[pacers33granger]

I see the tax MLE as the max for Dipo at this point. MAYBE some team gets desperate and offers him a 2/20, but I'd see him getting the min as equally as likely.

I think this locks him into Miami. Can’t see him signing a small money deal elsewhere AND giving up his full bird rights by changing teams. Even a vet minimum 1 year deal in Miami would make more sense than a taxpayer MLE, as he’d re-enter free agency with Miami having the ability to give him anything up to the max, or S&T him out for anything up to the max. Obviously, Miami would have to be interested, though.

I'm sure Miami will still be interested as the reward could be great and the risk likely low. But they very well may have a limit on that interest. They're built to win now and already have a number of guards that deserve minutes. They may not want to deal with the will he, won't he with Vic other than burning a roster spot and monitoring his rehab.

[Texas Chuck]

too basketball drunk right now to track down the crow thread, but allow this to be my public apology to all Memphis Grizzlies role players and Memphis posters here, especially to JV, Brooks, and Kyle Anderson.

[Colbinii]

too basketball drunk right now to track down the crow thread, but allow this to be my public apology to all Memphis Grizzlies role players and Memphis posters here, especially to JV, Brooks, and Kyle Anderson.

Brooks has been great the last 2 games plus the first half of the Utah Game.

[nzahir]

What teams could legit use Dennis or Trez?

I feel like a Trez for Graham sign and trade makes some sense

Not so sure about Dennis

[zimpy27]

What teams could legit use Dennis or Trez?

I feel like a Trez for Graham sign and trade makes some sense

Not so sure about Dennis

Just let Dennis go

[nzahir]

[instagram][/instagram]

What teams could legit use Dennis or Trez?

I feel like a Trez for Graham sign and trade makes some sense

Not so sure about Dennis

Just let Dennis go

If we could get graham or even a guy like Lowry in a sign and trade, sure

Or try to even get a trade exception for him, include a 2nd to incentivize other team

[zimpy27]

[instagram][/instagram]

What teams could legit use Dennis or Trez?

I feel like a Trez for Graham sign and trade makes some sense

Not so sure about Dennis

Just let Dennis go

If we could get graham or even a guy like Lowry in a sign and trade, sure

Or try to even get a trade exception for him, include a 2nd to incentivize other team

Even just the space to bring in a 10m MLE would be enough.

I personally like the idea of trading Kuzma for Rubio straight up. No scoring efficiency loss from Kuzma to Rubio but far better playmaking and defense at the guard spot would be elite between him and Caruso

[nzahir]

[instagram][/instagram]

Just let Dennis go

If we could get graham or even a guy like Lowry in a sign and trade, sure

Or try to even get a trade exception for him, include a 2nd to incentivize other team

Even just the space to bring in a 10m MLE would be enough.

I personally like the idea of trading Kuzma for Rubio straight up. No scoring efficiency loss from Kuzma to Rubio but far better playmaking and defense at the guard spot would be elite between him and Caruso

Ehh idk if I want another pg who can’t shoot

Not awful if we have to

But Mills or Graham would be nice

Lowry slowing down a bit but still an upgrade over Dennis

We already have Dennis to do that and AC

[zimpy27]

[instagram][/instagram]
If we could get graham or even a guy like Lowry in a sign and trade, sure

Or try to even get a trade exception for him, include a 2nd to incentivize other team

Even just the space to bring in a 10m MLE would be enough.

I personally like the idea of trading Kuzma for Rubio straight up. No scoring efficiency loss from Kuzma to Rubio but far better playmaking and defense at the guard spot would be elite between him and Caruso

Ehh idk if I want another pg who can’t shoot

Not awful if we have to

But Mills or Graham would be nice

Lowry slowing down a bit but still an upgrade over Dennis

We already have Dennis to do that and AC

Graham would be great but feels unlikely for price. Rubio is just very attainable and underrated for playmaking, his impact stats say a positive even though he's not a perimeter great shooter.

Melton would be great.

Kemba is underrated right now and might be gettable.

[shrink]

In their season-ending Wolves interviews, Rosas and Finch said two important things people here should know.

1. “A playoff team has 7-8 edit “core pieces” and we have 5.” (Towns, DLo, Ant, Beasley, McDaniels, right?)

2. “We need a PF that can protect the rim, defend pick-and-roll, and rebound.”

(I would add that a credible three point shooter allows MIN to maintain an advantage with KAT. Who can do these 4?)

[zimpy27]

In their season-ending Wolves interviews, Rosas and Finch said two important things people here should know.

1. “A playoff team has 7-8 rotation guys and we have 5.” (Towns, DLo, Ant, Beasley, McDaniels, right?)

2. “We need a PF that can protect the rim, defend pick-and-roll, and rebound.”

(I would add that a credible three point shooter allows MIN to maintain an advantage with KAT. Who can do these 4?)

Juancho seemed pretty decent next to KAT in a few games. I'd keep trying that out. Vanderbilt not bad also.

Would you guys have any interest in Kuzma as a big wings defender off the bench? Plays at SF now

[nzahir]

Even just the space to bring in a 10m MLE would be enough.

I personally like the idea of trading Kuzma for Rubio straight up. No scoring efficiency loss from Kuzma to Rubio but far better playmaking and defense at the guard spot would be elite between him and Caruso

Ehh idk if I want another pg who can’t shoot

Not awful if we have to

But Mills or Graham would be nice

Lowry slowing down a bit but still an upgrade over Dennis

We already have Dennis to do that and AC

Graham would be great but feels unlikely for price. Rubio is just very attainable and underrated for playmaking, his impact stats say a positive even though he's not a perimeter great shooter.

Melton would be great.

Kemba is underrated right now and might be gettable.

Melton isn’t a starter on a contender

Kembas injuries worry me, and would require Boston to want to reset things, maybe best for them tbh though with age of Tatum and Brown.

Graham would need to be in a sign and trade, but not sure if that is allowed since he will also be a FA

If indi blows it up, would love Brogdon

Just don’t think we have enough: Dennis, 1st, 2nds

[zimpy27]

Ehh idk if I want another pg who can’t shoot

Not awful if we have to

But Mills or Graham would be nice

Lowry slowing down a bit but still an upgrade over Dennis

We already have Dennis to do that and AC

Graham would be great but feels unlikely for price. Rubio is just very attainable and underrated for playmaking, his impact stats say a positive even though he's not a perimeter great shooter.

Melton would be great.

Kemba is underrated right now and might be gettable.

Melton isn’t a starter on a contender

Kembas injuries worry me, and would require Boston to want to reset things, maybe best for them tbh though with age of Tatum and Brown.

Graham would need to be in a sign and trade, but not sure if that is allowed since he will also be a FA

Kemba would be for Kuzma and Schroeder (SnT).
Kemba, KCP, LeBron, Davis, Gasol
Caruso, THT, Matthews, Markieff, Harrell

He is a risk but more a risk Lakers should take than Celtics given the youth of Celtics.

[babyjax13]

In their season-ending Wolves interviews, Rosas and Finch said two important things people here should know.

1. “A playoff team has 7-8 rotation guys and we have 5.” (Towns, DLo, Ant, Beasley, McDaniels, right?)

2. “We need a PF that can protect the rim, defend pick-and-roll, and rebound.”

(I would add that a credible three point shooter allows MIN to maintain an advantage with KAT. Who can do these 4?)

I bet saying #1 is going to be pretty great for moral if they bring any of those guys back lol

[HartfordWhalers]

In their season-ending Wolves interviews, Rosas and Finch said two important things people here should know.

1. “A playoff team has 7-8 rotation guys and we have 5.” (Towns, DLo, Ant, Beasley, McDaniels, right?)

2. “We need a PF that can protect the rim, defend pick-and-roll, and rebound.”

(I would add that a credible three point shooter allows MIN to maintain an advantage with KAT. Who can do these 4?)

Rubio?

[Godaddycurse]

In their season-ending Wolves interviews, Rosas and Finch said two important things people here should know.

1. “A playoff team has 7-8 rotation guys and we have 5.” (Towns, DLo, Ant, Beasley, McDaniels, right?)

2. “We need a PF that can protect the rim, defend pick-and-roll, and rebound.”

(I would add that a credible three point shooter allows MIN to maintain an advantage with KAT. Who can do these 4?)

Every team wants someone like that.

[shrink]

In their season-ending Wolves interviews, Rosas and Finch said two important things people here should know.

1. “A playoff team has 7-8 rotation guys and we have 5.” (Towns, DLo, Ant, Beasley, McDaniels, right?)

2. “We need a PF that can protect the rim, defend pick-and-roll, and rebound.”

(I would add that a credible three point shooter allows MIN to maintain an advantage with KAT. Who can do these 4?)

I bet saying #1 is going to be pretty great for moral if they bring any of those guys back lol

You’re both right. Rubio’s numbers next to Russell for the first half of the season were very bad, and he said he struggled with what his role was. He was never a match with DLo, and when he played with the bench and Ant, his ability to make players better had a very low ceiling.

When DLo got hurt and Rubio played with the starters, we saw the old Rubio again. His numbers went right back to the old Rubio numbers, KAT came back and did well, and he was especially helpful to Ant. Edwards credits Rubio for everything, and Edwards numbers (24/6/3 on above average TS% .567, even with a high usage 28.3) probably have a lot to do with Ricky being an “Ant-whisperer.” When DLo came back, he and Rubio finally put up some ok numbers when they shared the floor - I credit Chris Finch for having more impact, so DLo couldn’t just do whatever he wanted, Also, Rubio is the strongest voice in the locker room - team first and honest.

So the Chris Finch comment about only five players is a little disconcerting to the many Rubio fans in MIN. It’s true that MIN needs to cut some salary to get under the lux, especially if they keep their pick (26% chance). Rubio struggled with an uncertain role, and I think we can cement DLo into this line up, so Rubio or Beasley needs to come off the bench, even if MIN plays Edwards as a SF.

The question of whether Rubio is one of the five may depend on their view of who they are. Is the priority wins next year? Or is the biggest factor continuing to develop Edwards? But I brought the line here because I thought it would say a lot to you guys about what MIN’s future looks like.

[shrink]

One last tidbit.

For the first 1.5 years under Saunders, the Wolves have followed Rosas’ plan to play a big SF as their PF. This failed spectacularly against some of the larger teams in the NBA, but they stuck with this plan. However, with Finch at the helm, a lot of different line ups have been tried. For example, KAT and Naz Reid never shared the court before, but now they’ve played together a significant number of minutes.

Now, this might be just a little evidence that Finch was allowed to try multiple combinations, and he has found some interesting sets that have seemed to work well offensively. MIN was 16th in Offense in the second half, but 29th in defense. (I suppose since I’m saying what’s changed, I should mention KAT’s defense has looked good, but DLo, Beasley and Edwards are very bad). I just wanted to say that for the previous 1.5 years I have been reminding people here that Rosas doesn’t play two bigs, but I think that restriction may be gone.

[MoneyTalks41890]

In their season-ending Wolves interviews, Rosas and Finch said two important things people here should know.

1. “A playoff team has 7-8 rotation guys and we have 5.” (Towns, DLo, Ant, Beasley, McDaniels, right?)

2. “We need a PF that can protect the rim, defend pick-and-roll, and rebound.”

(I would add that a credible three point shooter allows MIN to maintain an advantage with KAT. Who can do these 4?)

I bet saying #1 is going to be pretty great for moral if they bring any of those guys back lol

You’re both right. Rubio’s numbers next to Russell for the first half of the season were very bad, and he said he struggled with what his role was. He was never a match with DLo, and when he played with the bench and Ant, his ability to make players better had a very low ceiling.

When DLo got hurt and Rubio played with the starters, we saw the old Rubio again. His numbers went right back to the old Rubio numbers, KAT came back and did well, and he was especially helpful to Ant. Edwards credits Rubio for everything, and Edwards numbers (24/6/3 on above average TS% .567, even with a high usage 28.3) probably have a lot to do with Ricky being an “Ant-whisperer.” When DLo came back, he and Rubio finally put up some ok numbers when they shared the floor - I credit Chris Finch for having more impact, so DLo couldn’t just do whatever he wanted, Also, Rubio is the strongest voice in the locker room - team first and honest.

So the Chris Finch comment about only five players is a little disconcerting to the many Rubio fans in MIN. It’s true that MIN needs to cut some salary to get under the lux, especially if they keep their pick (26% chance). Rubio struggled with an uncertain role, and I think we can cement DLo into this line up, so Rubio or Beasley needs to come off the bench, even if MIN plays Edwards as a SF.

The question of whether Rubio is one of the five may depend on their view of who they are. Is the priority wins next year? Or is the biggest factor continuing to develop Edwards? But I brought the line here because I thought it would say a lot to you guys about what MIN’s future looks like.

Is Minny still trying a scheme where there are shooters at every position? What does team shooting look like with a Rubio/Ant backcourt? I really like Rubio as a stabilizing player, and I don't like the idea of wasting another year of Towns, but I feel like the quick fixes always kind of implode (Bulls, Magic). If the pick conveys this year, I'd like to see Minny go for one more high pick, intentionally or not, by playing the team that never really got a chance to play together with Dlo/Ant/?/McDaniels/Towns. If the pick doesn't convey, and Minny gets a star-level prospect this year and owes their first next year, then I'd like to see them consolidate around, let's say Cade/Ant/?/?/Towns and get some veteran forwards in there to try to at least make the play in. Same if the get Suggs, and I think the same with Mobley, except he goes to PF, and then the Rubio/DLo question persists.

[VCfor3]

too basketball drunk right now to track down the crow thread, but allow this to be my public apology to all Memphis Grizzlies role players and Memphis posters here, especially to JV, Brooks, and Kyle Anderson.

Appreciate the acknowledgement but it still is hard to see teams giving up a ton for any of them ha. Melton is in a funk right now which is unfortunate. Need him (and honestly Tyus) to step up or I'll have my own crow to eat.