05-31-2024, 12:50 PM
(05-31-2024, 09:54 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I haven't cross checked the ages, but I feel like Dallas is actually YOUNGER than Minnesota, and by a considerable margin.
Kyrie is oldish, but Conley is older.
I feel like KAT, Anderson and Reid are all older than anyone else in the Dallas rotation, but I might be wrong about that. I mean, I know KAT is, but maybe I just feel like Anderson and Reid are because they look older to me, don't know.
Regardless of the direct comparison, it's interesting to me that people (national media, other fan bases, etc) are acting like this is just the fruition of the momentum since Luka was drafted, when in reality they have almost completely remade the team since the WCF run two years ago. Outside of Kyrie and Kleber, I'm not sure they have a rotation player over the age of 26. THE MAVS are a young team.
Yeah, it was interesting to hear people say entering the playoffs that the Timberwolves will be here for a long time. With this new CBA, I think a long time is different from what it used to be. Maybe with OKC being the exception. I think Minny has the right kind of star to build around. They have a good GM and a nicely put together roster. There are issues though. One being the ownership. The current owner is terrible but may have more money. The new owners may not have the money. Their GM may be tied to the new owners too. The GM has an option this offseason.
As far as players go, Kat extensions begins to kick in. Naz Reid has an opt out next year that he will surely take. He is going to get a big pay day. Is that feasible if KAT and Gobert is on the roster?
Age is also a concern. Gobert was very good this year but will be 32 soon. Can he stay at this level for the next 3-4 years? I have always liked Conley but he will be 37 years old soon. Minny currently has not option waiting in the wings. He did sign an extension but you really need to watch his minutes.
The KAT decision is huge. I think he is good. I just don't trust him. Ideally he would be your third guy. Sort of like a better version wildcard that Michael Porter is in Denver. At that salary though, he really needs to be one of your top 2 players. He showed in these playoffs that he did do this for a few series. Just didn't do it vs Dallas.