Around The League - Vogel Out and Bud in with Suns

[RiotPunch]

Hopefully Haslam is watching and thinking Connelly is his next big purchase.

People keep saying this, but isn't Connelly under contract until 2027? No way Glen Taylor lets him get away. I know there were rumors that he was unhappy a year ago, but I'm guessing a title run might change his mind. Besides, even if he wanted to leave, I'm not sure he'd want to come here.

He built a team designed to take down his former franchise. That must feel good.

Yeah, it is not realistic by any means, but Connelly does have an opt-out clause after this season. Would take a combination of Taylor wanting to cut costs and someone making a Godfather offer to Connelly.

[Sigra]

Connelly did his thing there. That team is done.

Its time for him to make another great team around 2 great scorers

[AussieBuck]

Not going to lie, I enjoy the Giannis style, go down swinging approach to what Jokic is doing.

[HKPackFan]

Overall I'm happy to see Donte and his success in NYC. Cool story with the Nova guys. Kinda rooting for them now.

[PG Graveyard]

Everyone has to start asking if Jokic needs to ask out for a trade now. Those are the rules. Also Jokic can never win mvp now. Those are the rules.

[German Athens]

I’m incredibly envious of Minny for having jaden mcdaniels.

I think he may be the only guy in the league at his size who can stick with guards the way he does. He’s a 6’9” blanket, and Murray can’t get any space on him.

Mcdaniels is basically the poster boy for why you draft physical tools on the defensive end. He can take a player completely out of the game that shorter ones just couldn’t due to his length.

He’s fun to watch.

[BUCKnation]

I didn't think this would go longer than 5 in favor of the Wolves, but the Nuggets meltdown last night was unexpected. They are just doing whatever they want.

[BUCKnation]

I’m incredibly envious of Minny for having jaden mcdaniels.

I think he may be the only guy in the league at his size who can stick with guards the way he does. He’s a 6’9” blanket, and Murray can’t get any space on him.

Mcdaniels is basically the poster boy for why you draft physical tools on the defensive end. He can take a player completely out of the game that shorter ones just couldn’t due to his length.

He’s fun to watch.

Having him and NAW, whose improved tremendously at that end, is unfair

[PG Graveyard]

I’m incredibly envious of Minny for having jaden mcdaniels.

I think he may be the only guy in the league at his size who can stick with guards the way he does. He’s a 6’9” blanket, and Murray can’t get any space on him.

Mcdaniels is basically the poster boy for why you draft physical tools on the defensive end. He can take a player completely out of the game that shorter ones just couldn’t due to his length.

He’s fun to watch.

Makes me really interested in Ryan Dunn in the draft this year.

[Ron Swanson]

Not gonna overreact to a couple rough games by Joker, but....

2020: 11.1 points per-100 worse (119.0 ON)
2021: 3.3 points per-100 worse (124.7 ON)
2022: 5.1 points per-100 worse (125.4 ON)
2023: 5.7 points per-100 worse (112.0 ON)
2024: 10.0 points per-100 worse (115.1 ON)

That's his last 5 playoffs defensive on/off. Kinda tired of hearing this "he's a good defender" narrative when it's been a consistent trend his entire career. He's just always gonna be a guy that you have to hide defensively.

[JimmyTheKid]

Hilarious that Minnesota was mocked across the entirety of NBA media and fan forums alike after it didn't immediately click post Gobert trade. Some "I was wrong's" are definitely in order. Not as funny, however, is the player Donte DiVincenzo has turned into. The lone knock on his game here in Milwaukee was his inconsistent shot (even though he was a good shooter at every other level). The rest of his skill set always screamed winner. Godda*mn shame we didn't wait that one out.

[paulpressey25]

Hilarious that Minnesota was mocked across the entirety of NBA media and fan forums alike after it didn't immediately click post Gobert trade.

In fairness though, Gobert didn't even play last night.

And the reality is, Ant has turned into a superstar, top 3 player in the league. He's now elevated the play of all of them. Not sure that was evident when Minnesota gave up all those picks. Not sure even their GM knew that was going to happen.

[Ron Swanson]

Yeah, we're witnessing a 2006 Dwyane Wade run by Ant here. Really hope he can keep it up, cuz this is absolutely special to watch as a basketball fan. I mean, these are kinda the things you hope to expect when you draft a guy #1 overall....

[chonestown]

Hilarious that Minnesota was mocked across the entirety of NBA media and fan forums alike after it didn't immediately click post Gobert trade. Some "I was wrong's" are definitely in order. Not as funny, however, is the player Donte DiVincenzo has turned into. The lone knock on his game here in Milwaukee was his inconsistent shot (even though he was a good shooter at every other level). The rest of his skill set always screamed winner. Godda*mn shame we didn't wait that one out.

White Donte was an injury concern his entire Bucks tenure.

I don't know what Horts could have done to keep him, but I thought it was a foregone conclusion he would have been a cap casualty if the Ibaka trade didn't happen.

Skill-wise, he's a plug-and-play guy. Good to see him ball out.

I'm team Jay Wright Nova guys except for the KING OF NORTH PHILADELPHIA.

[paulpressey25]

Yeah, we're witnessing a 2006 Dwyane Wade run by Ant here. Really hope he can keep it up, cuz this is absolutely special to watch as a basketball fan. I mean, these are kinda the things you hope to expect when you draft a guy #1 overall....

Had the same thoughts last night. Wade 2006.

That said, this is only the Semi's. T-Wolves have a ways to go here.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Hilarious that Minnesota was mocked across the entirety of NBA media and fan forums alike after it didn't immediately click post Gobert trade. Some "I was wrong's" are definitely in order. Not as funny, however, is the player Donte DiVincenzo has turned into. The lone knock on his game here in Milwaukee was his inconsistent shot (even though he was a good shooter at every other level). The rest of his skill set always screamed winner. Godda*mn shame we didn't wait that one out.

White Donte was an injury concern his entire Bucks tenure.

I don't know what Horts could have done to keep him, but I thought it was a foregone conclusion he would have been a cap casualty if the Ibaka trade didn't happen.

Skill-wise, he's a plug-and-play guy. Good to see him ball out.

I'm team Jay Wright Nova guys except for the KING OF NORTH PHILADELPHIA.

Yeah, i can't bridge the gap from the guy who turned down the big 4 year contract and the $4.5m/1 year prove it contract going to an ideal situation in GSW. I don't think he would've returned here after losing out on a ton of money already. I think he wanted a fresh start. Maybe in an alternate universe, he plays great for us the second half of that season after a truly atrocious start (he pretty much sucked on a bad Kings team with a 53%TS).

In hindsight, it was obviously dumb because Serge's 3pt% dropped significantly once he put on a Bucks uni and Pat instantly got hurt. But I'm not sure what the "right" decision would have been at besides locking him up early which would have seemed like a massive overpay at the time considering his performance at the time.

[tydett]

Donte was a restricted free agent guys. We had bird rights. The solution is "go and find your big contract" and when he can't, you offer him something reasonable. There were options, our inept FO that has never understood RFA dating back to Charlie Bell is to blame.

[Ron Swanson]

Yep, as great as Horst has been with veteran player extensions and bargain bin free agent guys, his RFA track record has been rough. Snell extension, botching the Jabari asset, dumping Donte instead of letting him go get an offer.

[PG Graveyard]

Not gonna overreact to a couple rough games by Joker, but....

2020: 11.1 points per-100 worse (119.0 ON)
2021: 3.3 points per-100 worse (124.7 ON)
2022: 5.1 points per-100 worse (125.4 ON)
2023: 5.7 points per-100 worse (112.0 ON)
2024: 10.0 points per-100 worse (115.1 ON)

That's his last 5 playoffs defensive on/off. Kinda tired of hearing this "he's a good defender" narrative when it's been a consistent trend his entire career. He's just always gonna be a guy that you have to hide defensively.

He is awful defensively. I’m not sure how it can be argued otherwise. I want Giannis to get a crack at him in the finals at some point but it probably won’t happen.

[KidA24]

Yeah, we're witnessing a 2006 Dwyane Wade run by Ant here. Really hope he can keep it up, cuz this is absolutely special to watch as a basketball fan. I mean, these are kinda the things you hope to expect when you draft a guy #1 overall....

Had the same thoughts last night. Wade 2006.

That said, this is only the Semi's. T-Wolves have a ways to go here.

Yep, a whole lot of people were saying the same thing about Brooklyn in 2021.