SO_MONEY wrote:Perhaps, but what I find most interesting and very telling is that if a player is available and they were a true star the debate would be more about where the franchise is and if it is the right timing to go for it, rather than the polarized takes on that players actual talent level, value, worth and if you can build with him or not ect... Most times if a star can be had you have a heck of a lot more excitement, in the case of Simmons, I think there is a lot of skepticism, indifference and even disinterest where you would expect the opposite should he be in demand in some collective sense. If fans have that sinking feeling, just think where a GM is at who's job depends on it and needs to justify it to management financially and to fans from a marketing perspective. I don't think the takes from MN fans or other teams in the mix who only want him if the cost is low is far off of what the league thinks in comparison to the thinking of more emotionally attached fans to a player.
I think there's one big reason why Minnesota fans are skeptical.
James. Butler.
I think that's an underlying reason why fans were skeptical about the Russell trade (and haven't really even given it a chance yet) and why they're skeptical about Simmons.
Jimmy burned us. But let's not forget where he got us to as well. He was a huge reason we snapped the playoff streak. We were 29-17 going into the game he first got hurt and 36-25 when he went out the second time, both times in fourth place. We got up to third shortly after with games against poor competition.
Would Karl, Ant, D'Angelo and Ben be the foursome to take us all the way to the Finals? It might not be. But I don't want to be wondering 'what if' about a reasonably realistic opportunity to acquire an all-NBA player if it gives us a similar infusion in talent. Do I want to give up McDaniels? No, not really. Would I if push came to shove? I'd be foolish to not at least consider making the deal if that's the piece I'm most worried about losing.
As for trading "most of our future" in picks as someone mentioned a page back, with the Stepien rule we're only talking about every other year losing a 1st.