Guitarsoup said:

---

Enzo The Baker said:

---

West Texan said:

---

How does everyone feel about nephew coming back? Apparently us and Toronto are the only places he'd sign any kind of extension. From a purely basketball standpoint, he'd be an amazing fit. But also, **** Kawhi.

---

I'd do it in a vacuum. But unfortunately uncle Dennis is part of it, so I'd likely pass. Unless Kawhi had a come to Jesus moment.

---

If his contract is voided and he would sign with us for the MLE and publicly admit he was wrong with how he handled everything in SA, absolutely would hold my nose and deal with him at PF. I wouldn't give up assets for him and I still won't like him, just like Chris Paul.

---

lol no way he gives up 35 mil to sign for the MLE.

Guitarsoup said:

---

Enzo The Baker said:

---

West Texan said:

---

How does everyone feel about nephew coming back? Apparently us and Toronto are the only places he'd sign any kind of extension. From a purely basketball standpoint, he'd be an amazing fit. But also, **** Kawhi.

---

I'd do it in a vacuum. But unfortunately uncle Dennis is part of it, so I'd likely pass. Unless Kawhi had a come to Jesus moment.

---

If his contract is voided and he would sign with us for the MLE and publicly admit he was wrong with how he handled everything in SA, absolutely would hold my nose and deal with him at PF. I wouldn't give up assets for him and I still won't like him, just like Chris Paul.

---

This is where I am too. Giving up any assets for an older player with a genetic deterioration in the knees would be dumb.

Earth Rider said:

---

Guitarsoup said:

---

Enzo The Baker said:

---

West Texan said:

---

How does everyone feel about nephew coming back? Apparently us and Toronto are the only places he'd sign any kind of extension. From a purely basketball standpoint, he'd be an amazing fit. But also, **** Kawhi.

---

I'd do it in a vacuum. But unfortunately uncle Dennis is part of it, so I'd likely pass. Unless Kawhi had a come to Jesus moment.

---

If his contract is voided and he would sign with us for the MLE and publicly admit he was wrong with how he handled everything in SA, absolutely would hold my nose and deal with him at PF. I wouldn't give up assets for him and I still won't like him, just like Chris Paul.

---

lol no way he gives up 35 mil to sign for the MLE.

---

You misunderstand. The NBA can decide to void his contract due to his involvement in the Aspiration Cap Circumvention scandal. He doesn't have a choice if that is what Silver decides to do. The only punishments Kawhi can get are voided contract, minor fine (like 350k or so) and be forced to pay back anything of value received in the cap circumvention.

I am surprised that we haven't heard ANYTHING on it by now. I thought they would be done with it in March.

Wolves are so stuck. They are 11M from the 2nd apron hard cap.

They can't use their exceptions except for the TP-MLE of $6M and vet min. They own one single 2nd round pick and can't trade any 1sts. All their firsts are traded, frozen or swapped. So they can reswap (like they did with the 2030.)

The roster construction is just awful.

G: LaMelo, Ayo, Ant, TSJ, Josh Green, Isaiah Evans (2nd rounder), Zion Pullin (2nd rounder), DDV (IR)
F: McDaniels, Julian Phillips, Trey Kaufman-Renn (59th pick in 2nd round)
C: Gobert, Beringer, Rocco (two-way)

Maybe they have Collins on the line for the TPMLE of $6M? That makes it look somewhat better on paper. They need to add 4 players for 11M, but the 2nd rounders don't count against the cap/aprons, I believe.

How are they going to field a good team around Ant? I'm just so lost on this. Randle+Ant+26 1st, 4 swaps, 2033 1st for Ball, Josh Green and a 2nd?

Enzo The Baker said:

---

Guitarsoup said:

---

Wolves are so stuck. They are 11M from the 2nd apron hard cap.

They can't use their exceptions except for the TP-MLE of $6M and vet min. They own one single 2nd round pick and can't trade any 1sts. All their firsts are traded, frozen or swapped. So they can reswap (like they did with the 2030.)

The roster construction is just awful.

G: LaMelo, Ayo, Ant, TSJ, Josh Green, Isaiah Evans (2nd rounder), Zion Pullin (2nd rounder), DDV (IR)
F: McDaniels, Julian Phillips, Trey Kaufman-Renn (59th pick in 2nd round)
C: Gobert, Beringer, Rocco (two-way)

Maybe they have Collins on the line for the TPMLE of $6M? That makes it look somewhat better on paper. They need to add 4 players for 11M, but the 2nd rounders don't count against the cap/aprons, I believe.

How are they going to field a good team around Ant? I'm just so lost on this. Randle+Ant+26 1st, 4 swaps, 2033 1st for Ball, Josh Green and a 2nd?

---

Ant is going to be gone in the next two years. This deal reeked of desperation from the Wolves. Kind of reminds me Giannis. Digging a deeper and deeper hole until you don't contend and the star asks out.

---

Yeah, it feels almost exactly like the Dame Lilliard trade to Milwaukee. Only Minn has even fewer draft assets than Milwaukee now.

Guitarsoup said:

---

Earth Rider said:

---

Guitarsoup said:

---

Enzo The Baker said:

---

West Texan said:

---

How does everyone feel about nephew coming back? Apparently us and Toronto are the only places he'd sign any kind of extension. From a purely basketball standpoint, he'd be an amazing fit. But also, **** Kawhi.

---

I'd do it in a vacuum. But unfortunately uncle Dennis is part of it, so I'd likely pass. Unless Kawhi had a come to Jesus moment.

---

If his contract is voided and he would sign with us for the MLE and publicly admit he was wrong with how he handled everything in SA, absolutely would hold my nose and deal with him at PF. I wouldn't give up assets for him and I still won't like him, just like Chris Paul.

---

lol no way he gives up 35 mil to sign for the MLE.

---

You misunderstand. The NBA can decide to void his contract due to his involvement in the Aspiration Cap Circumvention scandal. He doesn't have a choice if that is what Silver decides to do. The only punishments Kawhi can get are voided contract, minor fine (like 350k or so) and be forced to pay back anything of value received in the cap circumvention.

I am surprised that we haven't heard ANYTHING on it by now. I thought they would be done with it in March.

---

Wow had no. Idea. Interesting development.

It is actually illegal for Kawhi to void his contract or even renegotiate it to take less money.

They had to make a move though, they were staring up at us and OKC as immovable objects. They have needed an actual pressure release for Ant on the perimeter his entire career and now they have one. It's obviously a huge gamble given Lamelo's injury history and general aloofness. But let's say that gamble works and you get a healthy Lamelo. You've got a lineup of:

PG: Lamelo - Ayo - Bones or equivalent minimum

SG: Ant - Donte - Evans

SF: McDaniels - Green/TSJ

PF: Someone at the $6MM MLE - Minimum - Minimum

C: Gobert - Beringer - Rocco

They obviously have a huge gaping hole at the 4, but honestly a John Collins type signing would have them looking pretty good. Green is an expiring and Gobert will probably extend at a friendlier number, and all their guys that need to get paid are already being paid. Their top 4 is solid, Ayo is a solid bench leader, and I imagine McDaniels is going to get a lot more run at the 4. If Beringer takes a step they will be formidable.

If Collins takes the $6M deal, it looks better. But remember that Gobert got played off the court against us. Other than 19yo Joan Beringer, their next bigger player is 6'9 185lb Jaden McDaniels. It's just wild roster building. They gave us fits because of their size and physicality. And then they trade two firsts, 4 swaps, 3 seconds, Naz and Randle for Ball and Josh Green. Rudy is already 34yo and has 1 year left after this season. I don't know how many guaranteed years you want to give a 7'1 guy that is often a liability beyond age 35. I think the plan is for Beringer to take over after next year.

It just doesn't make sense.

I think the deal looks a lot worse on paper. Those 3 swaps should be inconsequential, they are 2028-2030 where if Lamelo stays healthy then they should be better or in the same range as Charlotte. You also went ahead and added another 1st in there to make it look worse, when really they moved back 5 spots with that trade. So it's actually:

Naz, Randle, 1 far future 1st, 5 spots in draft positioning, 3 2nds

for

Ball, Green

And I'd argue, as was born out on draft night, that Randle was a slightly negative value contract. They absolutely had to move on from him as his presence was an albatross around their neck. It's a very risk move but if it works out then they will be in better shape. The bully ball method took them as far as it was going to take them, and now they are deciding to bet on talent. We will see if it pays off. Charlotte was substantially better with Ball on the court vs off, it's no coincidence that they had one of their best years ever as soon as he has a healthy season. Again it's a high risk move, but I get why they felt they needed to shake it up. They were never going to beat us without an upgrade in the backcourt.

I have a question for you experts. Assuming someone outside the top 20 players, who is the best fit to add to our team next season? I don't care about salary or cap scenarios, but if you're playing 2K who would you add to the team to play with Wemby and guarantee a title

They traded a 1st for a 2nd. I didn't add anything.

Those swaps are hugely consequential if Ant demands out when this team falls apart, and I think that is what Charlotte and the Spurs were thinking when they traded for their picks.

But the swaps are also consequential because they remove firepower from trading to upgrade the roster. They have 1 future 2nd round pick and that is kind of it. They went from a physical, intimidating team to extremely small team with bad rebounding.

LaMelo averages 50 games per season, is injury prone and a defensive liability. There is a lot to be excited about with him, but a lot to be scared of as well.

We will see how it all plays out. Like I said, if they have Collins on the line, it looks somewhat better, but I am not a believer in Collins either.

If we are turning off injuries, give me Porzingis.

"And then they trade two firsts, 4 swaps, 3 seconds, Naz and Randle for Ball and Josh Green."

They didn't give up 2 1sts straight up as is implied here, they gave up 1 and moved back 5 spots with the other. You didn't include Evans in the received part of the equation, who was a guy many had going in the mid-20s himself. And you added an extra swap, they only sent out 3.

But it totally could crash and burn. It was already kind of crashing and burning with Julius Randle though. Good on Charlotte for cashing in on Ball when he finally has positive value, but I'd say Naz Reid probably gets a little overhyped himself. He's making 25/yr as a career bench player, I'm curious to see how that contract looks in a year now that he's presumably going to be a starter.

I'm beyond shocked at this trade.

LaMelo Ball is one of the actual dumbest players in league history. Several times last year he did things on the court that had announcers saying that he's not a serious basketball player.

He's got the talent, but not the mental side at all, and somehow the Wolves think he's going to be the one that gets them over the hump? He's going to melt faster than Chet when the pressure ramps up. Also it creates the same hilarious situation from the Durant era Thunder where your 2nd best player is taking stupid ass shots instead of feeding your best player. I'm sure the Wolves at least talked to Ant about this, but how could he be happy knowing he's going to watch Ball take 10 3s a game, many of them wild.

And then there is the big rotation, that now consists of the aging Rudy Gobert, who can only really stay on the floor if the matchup is right.

This is going to be fun to watch this explode in their faces.

Yeah all the reasons I listed for Minny doing this trade being said, I think the value of our swap just increased. Because if it does go bad then Ant is gonna want out and we will be sitting pretty.

I'd also throw Bam into that discussion.

In Ball's best and smartest season of his career, he jacked up 10 threes a game. In their close out game in the play-in, he went 7-17 with 5 assists and 3 turnovers as they lost by 31. But still rather have him than Ja, so I guess there is that.

I don't mind the Hornets selling high at all. I think the Wolves will regret it.

Guitarsoup said:

---

Agzonfire said:

---

I have a question for you experts. Assuming someone outside the top 20 players, who is the best fit to add to our team next season? I don't care about salary or cap scenarios, but if you're playing 2K who would you add to the team to play with Wemby and guarantee a title

---

OG Anunoby or Aaron Gordon and turn off injuries on 2k.

---

The correct answer is Scottie Barnes as long as he's still outside the top 20.

AggieEP said:

---

Guitarsoup said:

---

Agzonfire said:

---

I have a question for you experts. Assuming someone outside the top 20 players, who is the best fit to add to our team next season? I don't care about salary or cap scenarios, but if you're playing 2K who would you add to the team to play with Wemby and guarantee a title

---

OG Anunoby or Aaron Gordon and turn off injuries on 2k.

---

The correct answer is Scottie Barnes as long as he's still outside the top 20.

---

He's 17 according to the ringer.

AggieEP said:

---

Guitarsoup said:

---

Agzonfire said:

---

I have a question for you experts. Assuming someone outside the top 20 players, who is the best fit to add to our team next season? I don't care about salary or cap scenarios, but if you're playing 2K who would you add to the team to play with Wemby and guarantee a title

---

OG Anunoby or Aaron Gordon and turn off injuries on 2k.

---

The correct answer is Scottie Barnes as long as he's still outside the top 20.

---

I went by All-NBA voting and took out guys like Giannis.

For long term, Cooper Flagg is the choice.

Definitely Flagg, and we were so close to that being a reality

Could probably make an argument for Evan Mobley also. That version of the twin towers would be a defensive nightmare on steroids.

And Mobley's biggest weakness is his passivity on offense which would matter less if he were a Spur.

AggieEP said:

---

Could probably make an argument for Evan Mobley also. That version of the twin towers would be a defensive nightmare on steroids.

And Mobley's biggest weakness is his passivity on offense which would matter less if he were a Spur.

---

Mobley would work, but I do really like the physicality and strength from AG and OG. Plus Mobley is on a stupid 30% contract.

AggieEP said:

---

I wouldn't trade Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk for LaMelo Ball. He's basically a ticking time bomb between the injuries, the reckless driving and the low IQ basketball.


I'm always reminded by moves like we've seen this week (Trae Young deal, AR15 deal, Lonzo trade) that many of these teams are still run by low IQ jocks that don't seem to be able to separate emotion from team and roster building. I'm sure they all had an analytics geek in the room, but they probably gave him a swirly and told him to shut up while they burned their franchises to the ground.

---

When you look at the bad contracts in the NBA, so many of them (Fox included) were made by teams that were not bidding against other people.

Quickley
Poeltl
Ingram
Fox
Trae
AR15
Bradley Beals NTC
Christian Braun
Jerami Grant
Patrick Williams
Joel Embiid
Paul George
Jamal Murray
Zach Lavine

This is why I am pretty steadfast on Julian for 4/45-50 or let him test the market next year to bring it back around.

Guitarsoup said:

---

AggieEP said:

---

I wouldn't trade Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk for LaMelo Ball. He's basically a ticking time bomb between the injuries, the reckless driving and the low IQ basketball.


I'm always reminded by moves like we've seen this week (Trae Young deal, AR15 deal, Lonzo trade) that many of these teams are still run by low IQ jocks that don't seem to be able to separate emotion from team and roster building. I'm sure they all had an analytics geek in the room, but they probably gave him a swirly and told him to shut up while they burned their franchises to the ground.

---

When you look at the bad contracts in the NBA, so many of them (Fox included) were made by teams that were not bidding against other people.

Quickley
Poeltl
Ingram
Fox
Trae
AR15
Bradley Beals NTC
Christian Braun
Jerami Grant
Patrick Williams
Joel Embiid
Paul George
Jamal Murray
Zach Lavine

This is why I am pretty steadfast on Julian for 4/45-50 or let him test the market next year to bring it back around.

---

I had to do a double take because my brain processed AR15 as AK47. Would be nice to have prime AK-47 on this team...

Enzo The Baker said:

---

I still can't believe the wolves traded a 1st and swap for dillingham.

---

It never stops being funny.

Did we not consider Buzelis or Kel'el Ware with that pick?

I would 100% take Kawhi back. I would trade Fox for him in a heartbeat. Kawhi gets a prove it year to show he's a good teammate and can stay healthy before we talk extension.

Championships are more important than grudges. Would be a good redemption story, which he desperately needs and gets the Fox contract off the books much earlier. Ironically our training staff might be able to squeeze a couple more years out of his knee and plenty of rest on this squad.


OG is my pick for non top 20. We would be insane with him.

Gotta hand it to the Wolves and Hornets. They somehow put together a trade that made both teams worse.