Minnesota had a good trade. You have to get rid of Lavine, Wiggins or Shabazz. If you can do it and get Jimmy Butler. You've made your team about 12 wins better. Butler is a self made bust his ass talented player. Coach Thib is got to be ecstatic

yea Thibs cant wait to shave more years off Butlers career as the only guy that might play defense on the Wolves next season to get them a 7th seed

As a fellow Magic fan I feel your pain.

Love Frank Mason going #34, but hate that he's going to Sacramento. Perhaps that team has some pieces though. Lots of young talent, but it doesn't seem to fit together at this point. Just a mishmash of guys. Will be interesting to see Buddy and Mason playing together.

If Collison, Lawson, and Evans are not retained, I believe they are UFA's then their depth chart could look like this?
PG - De'Aaron Fox
SG - Buddy Hield
SF - Aaron Afflalo
PF - Rudy Gay
C - Willie Cauley-Stein
---------
PG - Frank Mason
SG - Justin Jackson
SF - Langston Galloway
PF - Harry Giles
C - Kosta Koufos/Skal Labissierre

If they retain 2 of their UFAs, doesn't look like a great chance for Frank to get PT. Was hoping he would fall to a handful of other teams with better situations. But keep doubting Frank Mason!

ESPN had him 0% to be a star, and only like 4.5% to be a role player in the NBA. GTFO

That roster sucks

The problem is when one of them goes to the bench. It's what killed us last year in games.

Nemanja Bjelica, Cole Aldrich, and Tyus Jones ain't gonna win you games when you have to put them in at some point for minutes at a time.

Thibs will be really tempted to overplay that starting lineup. Just like he did in Chicago.

But hey, as a fan of the Cleveland Browns of the NBA, it's clear progress.

I really don't like Shabazz (and much prefer Lavine), but I get that they had to give up some value to get Butler. Great trade either way.

What do you think they should do to strengthen the bench? Are there any deals out there to be made?

Again, I know it sucks, but Wolves fans STILL have to be patient. I'm not sure spending $$$ on bench player free agents is the answer. At least this year, anyway.

Enjoy the incredible upgrade that Butler will give the team. They'll win a lot more games this year, and they might or even probably will be in the playoffs. It's the first time in forever that's happened.

We can figure out long term stuff next season. Hopefully Butler will be willing to re-sign at the end of his two remaining years. And we also have to account for new deals upcoming for Wiggins and Towns in the approximate near future. We've got the money, but that also means being smart with how we build a consistent team that can and will legitimately compete.

Wolves would be smart to trade Wiggins.

For what? More draft picks?

We're done with that.

I honestly think I would have kept Lavine over Wiggins, and I'm sure they probably could have swung another player with Butler if they did that. I think Wiggins is a tad overrated, too much of a volume shooter, isn't that efficient(and I'm a KU fan). Lavine has the potential to be a more well rounded player, as well as a scorer.

Great trade for the Bulls.

Could really pay off in 2-3 years.

No issue with being patient and saving the money for legitimate paydays. I was more asking if there was a Brogdon or Jordan Bell type player (not those players specifically) out there to be had for minimal cost.

A bit overrated? Isn't that efficient? Understatements. Wiggins is pure shit defensively, which is weird since his rep all along was he could guard anyone (and he did at KU, quite well). The times I've watched him he's lazy as f*** unless the ball is in his hands.

The Wolves defensive rating is 27/30 teams and nobody on the team is a plus-defender by the metrics. I don't follow any of this trash outside of KU players in the league, so maybe they're actually better than the data. Either way, it suggests Butler is going to add about 10 wins to their record. That implies they'll eke in, so they can get swept by G.S.

Anybody gonna get caught up with this Big3 league Ice Cube put together? It's weird they're going to air the games the night after they take place. First games happen tomorrow, but will be shown on FS1 Monday night. I'll check out atleast one week of games to give it a shot.

Three way trade between Cleveland, Indiana and Denver for Paul George and Kevin Love being discussed. Cleveland gets George. Denver gets Love is the main parts.

Denver is absolutely stupid if they got baited into giving up either Gary Harris or Jamal Murray

Draymond had the most votes for First Team All Defense and total voting points. Could very well win DPOY

but hey according to CP hes just average

People think he's average? :shake:

Why would the wolves want to trade Rubio at this point?

That's what the 1-on-1 stats show

the non factor 4th piece of the Warriors won DPOY.

He's not relevant though, doesn't count when talking about their talent, just average.

I still say he is overrated. Saying he is not relevant is taking it too far but I don't believe anyone here ever posted that.

Dray is good but I'd take Durant, Curry and Klay over him in a heartbeat and it isn't close. Like I said before he benefits from playing with a lot of talent but put Dray on a bad team and I bet barely anyone talks about him.

He still might get DPOY but lets face it there are not that many good defensive basketball players in the league anymore. Not downplaying the award he got, it's an impressive award to get but face it today's NBA is pretty much all about scoring..

That's why they call him a glue guy, not someone who elevates the team, but fits in and does all of the dirty work.

Yep. Reminds me of Rodman.

He's the Alex Smith of PGs, and he just had a career year in scoring categories, especially his efficiency.

That's one thing if you're a contending team, but the Wolves are still the Wolves. Playoffs first. They could use Rubio more than Reggie Jackson in my opinion

Well 2 of those guys are MVPs and the other is really damn good so that isn't really saying anything.

Rodman was a HOF basketball player and pretty easily at that (which is how this entire discussion about Draymond Green began). Draymond will be the same.

draymond will not be the same lol. He's an excellent role player.

He can't shoot. They need somebody who can knock down a 3.

Green, if he gets there, it'll be due to the fact that he played with Curry, Thompson, and Durant. There are plenty of NBA players who are better than Green at his position. They just don't have the luxury of playing in a system that allows them to shine and dominate like the Warriors do.

Cavs about traded Kyrie to the Suns for Eric Bledsoe and the 4th overall pick. LeBron nixed the deal. Bledsoe's agent is also LeBron's.

GS looked the same against Cleveland last year without Draymond Green.

You put him on a normal team and he's just a solid player as his offensive scoring and 1-on-1 defensive stats show.

Nothing more than a solid role player.

I think that's stupid; that helps the Cavs long term if Lebron decides to burn them again in a year.

Bledsoe + Josh Jackson is a good package for Kyrie

They won't get that for him when the ship is sinking next offseason and they all want out.

Chris Paul to rockets

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">After Chris Paul agreed to opt-in on contract, Clippers are trading All-Star guard to the Houston Rockets, league sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/TheVertical">@TheVertical</a></p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/880087788242083841">June 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: After Paul informed Clippers he&#39;d sign w/ HOU in FA, teams agreed to deal sending Beverley, Decker, Williams and 2018 FRP for Paul. <a href="https://t.co/9Lk9FPEPbu">https://t.co/9Lk9FPEPbu</a></p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/880088294700331008">June 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

So now harden moves off the ball? I'm not sure how that's gonna work out.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Chris Paul and James Harden were determined to play together, and found a way with Rockets-Clippers trade agreed upon today.</p>&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WojVerticalNBA/status/880089874094841856">June 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I saw that.

I'm still not sure how it works out.

If they could pull Paul George in there too that would be interesting I guess

Blake Griffin is probably leaving the Clippers now.

I see Jerry West is doing wonders for the Rockets!

GTFO of Houston, Pat Beverley. Most overrated player/defender of this generation.

What odds do you guys give the Celtics on completing that blockbuster combo move for Hayward and George?

Phil and New York part ways. What a disaster that was.

Yeah, it doesn't seem like a real natural fit.

Paul goes to PG. He is probably the best PG in the game. He will eat Harden the ball. It will work

It should work out fantastic. Harden's TO per game went up from 4.0 to 5.7 once he became a "PG". Paul is a fantastic player, even though he is getting on the edge of his prime. Gets steals, plays defense, makes the smart play. Very good move by the Rockets to move Harden back to an SG who can still make plays.

Hope he goes to the Thunder, but realistically they don't have the cap space to pay him without a sign-and-trade with the Clippers while taking in some of the Thunder's jagoffs.

lol Doc Rivers, leaves Boston cause he didnt want to "rebuild" and now hes in a rebuild again

The Lakers should be worried IMO if George is traded to Houston, because I think there is a good chance he would stay there long term to play with Harden and CP3.

****

Agreed. Not sure where he would go though.

Boston or Miami would be my guess.

Or OKC

He is from there

OKC has no salary cap room is my understanding, so they'd have to get creative and work out a sign and trade.

I texted with one of Blake's agents this morning and if he leaves, Boston is his preferred destination.

That said, he loves Los Angeles and the Clippers, so we'll see.

Playing with Isaiah would be his first choice if he were to leave

That would at least make a Cavs series interesting depending on who the Cavs add.

How do they not have room with that garbage roster?

I'm a Pacers fan and I'd say pretty low odds. A lot of moving parts would have to fall in place. Hayward has to agree to sign and the Pacers have to A:agree on trade terms and B: not be able to get a better deal elsewhere.

Blake sucks though, I would not want that guy on my team

After signing max extensions in past two offseasons Adams, Kanter and Oladipo make over 60M next year...

i know that Presti wants to crater that franchise, but that's pathetic for even him.

That is not what I meant. I meant Rodman and Green both have specific roles they can play on certain teams and do it well but if they were on crappy teams they'd both be a nightmare to deal with because of their attitudes.

That said there is no way Draymond is anywhere near as good as Rodman. Rodman was the GOAT rebounder, Draymond is the GOAT at nothing. Rodman is better.

Why would you not want a guy who can get you 20+ pts and around 8 rebounds every gm?

He's good. His defense isn't the best but overall he's one of the top PFs out there.

Blake Griffin = Amare Stoudemire back in the day IMO.

Someone is going give Blake a big contract and then he'll miss his usual 20-30 games a season with various injuries and then vanish in the playoffs.

Jimmy Butler taking FaceTime calls from fans is the best thing I have seen in awhile. He has over 4000 text messages and over 1000 FaceTime calls he says he has to get back to

Agreed. Shawn Kemp too

Kemp's injuries were weight, alcohol and coke.

Yep.

My favorite dunk of all time was Kemp over Alton Lister:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AMSBqO9E5BU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And 60 fatherless children.

Rubio about to be traded to Utah.
Posted via Mobile Device

Ugh, I don't love this. With Towns, Butler, and Wiggins, the Wolves need a pass-first point that can play D. Rubio is that.

Wolves are targeting Jeff Teague according to Brian Windhorst

That would be fine; just don't give me Lowry.

Yea Windhorst said that's the second option if they can't land Teague. Said they might focus on George Hill as well

Oh goody, a protected first round pick. Just what I always wanted.

I get that this move is more about getting Rubio away and finding Thibs' actual preferred PG, and I'm glad the rumors about Rubio being traded are finally going to end, but I'm still just kind of "meh" about this move. The cap space to sign a PG needs to be ACTUALLY used and used well. I'm not sure Jeff Teague is THE player who's going to fix all of our problems unless he comes cheaper.

Rubio's hardly a scoring PG, but his 3FG% had improved to the 30s for two consecutive seasons. Teague is what... like 35? 36? percent from 3?

I'm also not sure what the obsession is with having our PG be the go-to guy from downtown. There are four other spots and an entire array of bench guys. Why not find some specialty 3 shooters and mix-and-match them on the court? Saves on overextending our big 3 (which Thibs is prone to do) while still taking advantage of what those guys can do as ball handlers and shot creators. Rubio was ineffective as a shooter (that's putting it nicely), but he did everything else pretty damn well on the court. That's worth something, and I'm not sure the payoff is that much better if we score something in free agency.

That is of course IF we score something in free agency. It has to happen at this point. Jimmy at PG ****s us over hard and puts us back at square 1.

What's the thought on Blake Griffin at this state in his career?

Talking about Suns and I'm trying to determine if Booker, Josh Jackson and Griffin would get me excited enough to start watching. Eric Bledsoe is good too but they are thinking of trading him?

Looks like Teague is signing with the Wolves

Again, better than Lowry, although I'm curious to see what he gets.