u/temple-of-the-dog

I've seen lots of comparisons or analogies of the LaMelo trade, including a recent post about how the LaMelo trade is similar to the Rudy trade.

To me, there's one be-all, end-all trade comparison, though. I mean this unironically (although the irony cannot be ignored) - it reminds me far more of the Knicks acquiring KAT, solely from the Knicks perspective.

Both KAT/LaMelo had generally poor reputations and got frequently clowned on, despite their skillset and production. Yet the respective local fanbases were heartfully scorned by the trade.

Both KAT/LaMelo joined a team with a bona fide and unarguable #1 option, where they were heading to be the clear, offensive-oriented #2.

Both KAT/LaMelo joined a team with good preexisting defensive backbone (Knicks had OG/Bridges, Wolves have Rudy/Jaden).

Both KAT/LaMelo were arguably traded in part from their lifelong teams due to big picture salary reasons - with an almost callous or cold disregard to the prior season success each of them had just had.

I could go on and on but I'll leave it there. Hopefully, it works out as good or better for Minnesota as it did for NYK.

There was a time during the season when Finch was dabbling with McDaniels as a rim protecting small ball 5. It's possible I'm misremembering, but Britt Robson was all about it, and I believe he or Dane even asked Jaden what he likes better, protecting the rim or guarding the other team's best player on the perimeter. I think he said protecting the rim, because constantly guarding the other team's best perimeter player out past the 3 pt line is understandably more work.

Does anyone remember it this way, or are my wires crossed here?

Anyway, I'm constantly thinking about this quote lately amid the panic of not having a starting power forward etched in stone. What if Jaden would actually appreciate moving the to 4 because it may ease up his defensive burden and workload? The rim protection of Jaden and Rudy would be insane. It would naturally stretch and space the floor offensively as well.