Dejounte Murray deletes Spurs from bio on Instagram

[Dhbsr555]

I can’t understand what is going on. If anyone knows why let me know. Dj first says spurs for life and now doesn’t want to be known as one..

[TheRemix]

He recognizes white is the superior player and is going to be traded

[Leetonidas]

The fuck is wrong with you people and your obsession with social media. He's still got a bunch of pics in his uni up. He's just showing love to whoever the fuck John Williams is

[Dhbsr555]

Just looked he also deleted it from Twitter

[TheRemix]

Pretty sure he took it off his Myspace too

[Degoat]

Say what you will but social media is a big deal to athletes and millennials, it’s like a relationship status on Facebook you change whenever some stuff goes down lol

[benefactor]

Pretty sure he took it off his Myspace too
He's in my top 8 on MySpace so I can confirm

[Spurs fever]

Probably doesn't like not starting.

[Ron Swanson]

He just posted a clip on Vine and said "Fuck the Spurs".

[Dennis the Menace]

He’s obviously upset about not starting. Body language hasn’t been the same with rejoicing good moments, pumping up teammates with the same intensity, and generally looks displeased on the bench. Removing spurs bio on social media is just icing on the cake

[Joseph Kony]

probably just fans looking too much into it. if he really is butthurt then fuck murray tbh. dude has played like garbage all year, White earned the starting PG role last year playing 10x better than Murray ever had. if anything he was lucky Pop let him start to begin with. In reality he should be starting with White, but if he really is so asshurt after all his talk about bleeding silver and black and being all about the team then IB can gtfo too

[313]

He’s gone

[Spurs fever]

I can't get mad at him. He was probably told he was the future and then gets benched when struggling. Today's players are hell of sensitive. Pop should've started White from the beginning to avoid this.

[Dr. John R. Brinkley]

Hopefully he just moved over to Friendster and we’re all overreacting.

[daslicer]

He's just young and immature. He has to have perspective on how fortunate he is that the Spurs set him up for a life by giving him the 64 mil contract.

[timtonymanu]

I wanna give him the benefit of the doubt until there’s actual reports that he’s upset with his role. But truth be told, he is struggling right now and just needs to build on it. He’s been a little high on himself and some of his diehard fans on here have overrated him to the point of bringing down White, who is more proven and makes the Spurs better when he’s on top of his game.

If these unfollow on social media talks are legit, then Murray has no one to blame but himself and quite frankly, needs to grow up. I’m not convinced he’s different from LeBron and all those other Klutch/star player types who want to bail when things don’t go their way. Time to step up or shut up, DJ, if you’re all about loyalty like you claim.

[ZeusWillJudge]

If these unfollow on social media talks are legit, then Murray has no one to blame but himself and quite frankly, needs to grow up. I’m not convinced he’s different from LeBron and all those other Klutch/star player types who want to bail when things don’t go their way. Time to step up or shut up, DJ, if you’re all about loyalty like you claim.


"I'm not sure it's even true. But if it is, I'm sure this is what it means:" :lol

[Dejounte]

Disappointing if DJ doesn't bounce back from this. But we have backup plans if he doesnt have pan out. See: Lonnie, Quinndary.

[UZER]

He gets benched, but Bryn is still starting.

[Play Boban]

It feels good to have been right about this overrated pos all along tbh.

[timtonymanu]

"I'm not sure it's even true. But if it is, I'm sure this is what it means:" :lol

He’s friends with LeBron, the guy known for bailing on all his teams. He loves the social media attention, and today’s NBA stars leave every team that drafts them. It’s not gonna surprise me if he’s in that same fold. If he can prove me wrong, I’ll eat crow. But it isn’t a far fetched theory.

[313]

He gets benched, but Bryn is still starting.
I’d want out too. Bryn is the worst starter in the league. Imagine playing behind the worst starter in the league.

[RGMCSE]

It feels good to have been right about this overrated pos all along tbh.

Still no superstars in this team but half of Spurs talk insisted this dude was one in the making. Not even fringe all star level.

[duncan2k5]

U shouldnt bench players that are supposed to be a significant part of ur future simply because theyre struggling...especially young players...theyre supposed to be given the chance to figure it out...

And if we are benching players for struggling, why are we constantly kissing LMA's ass? Dude can have a string of horrible games and never be benched...

Besides,even us fans get mad at what we are seeing from afar...imagine the players going thru it

[spurs1990]

Murray is still on minutes restrictions though right? He should wait until he's fully cleared to judge his standing With the Spurs.

[SpurSpike]

Murray is still on minutes restrictions though right? He should wait until he's fully cleared to judge his standing With the Spurs.

Maybe he is mad at the minutes restrictions? Wansnt he supposed to be cleared for more than 25 after 10 games? Did that ever happen?

[Dhbsr555]

Maybe he is mad at the minutes restrictions? Wansnt he supposed to be cleared for more than 25 after 10 games? Did that ever happen?
Very well could be . He injured it about 14 months ago. Acl is a 9-12 month recovery. Kinda seems like the spurs are babying him

[itzsoweezee]

What a shitshow. This organization has no plan. They have no idea what they're doing.

[gospursgojas]

What a shitshow. This organization has no plan. They have no idea what they're doing.

Bc they should care about immature players and their social media cryptic activity?

[spurs10]

If he deletes his Tinder account it might mean he has a new girlfriend. If he deletes Snapchat someone call the paramedics.

[JPB]

Did he delete pornhub?

[DJR210]

I like Murray, but we don't need an immature player treating his career the same way he does his Instagram gold diggers.. The Spurs signed him to a contract not knowing who he would return as and gave him and his family a ton of long term security. He's on a team friendly deal and has a lot of upside. Not the worst scenario to be in with him IMO

[DJR210]

Bc they should care about immature players and their social media cryptic activity?

Damn right.. Real hell would be catering the team to pussy ass players who haven't proven a god damn thing in this league yet

[TDMVPDPOY]

lol the overrated pos who opens his mouth but doesnt back it up...

still hasnt improve shit, just another pos who says he work on his jumper, but cant shoot for shit...

[r0drig0lac]

I would also be upset to have a scrub like Forbes with a guaranteed starter spot

[barakz21]

U shouldnt bench players that are supposed to be a significant part of ur future simply because theyre struggling...especially young players...theyre supposed to be given the chance to figure it out...

And if we are benching players for struggling, why are we constantly kissing LMA's ass? Dude can have a string of horrible games and never be benched...

Besides,even us fans get mad at what we are seeing from afar...imagine the players going thru it

I agree, I don’t get why he’s being benched. Of course he’ll struggle. A season without playing, lost development etc. He’s a young dude who’s raw, obviously he’ll struggle. This season is looking like a lost one thus far, might as well let him figure it out. It’ll help in the long run.

[EasyMoney]

Pop is being stubborn, thinking this team will actually do anything. Sure there is a chance they will make the playoffs. But I would gladly blow it up and develop the young guys than just get bounced out in the 1st round again

[acoelho1]

I haven’t looked at his social media accounts but even before the season started I said Murray doesn’t have the makeup to accept coming off the bench. Also, why alienate a player that you just heavily invested in the offseason. Pop needs to learn the subtleties of dealing with the modern NBA player. He’s still acting as if the big 3 is on the team and allowed him to do whatever he wanted no matter if it was a detriment to the player’s minutes or stats.

[MoSpur02]

This is dumb. He's acting very immature. What do you expect though from a young player in this league who had a YouTube show with some his girlfriend and "social media drama" with that same girl? It surpume at first because all last season and during the off-season he was all about the Spurs, but then I realized just how immature he really is.

He needs to accept his current role and focus on getting better. Players now of days are soft.

[Chomag]

I'm an old fart so I would pass this on all a nothing burger, however social media drama is a huge part of their life and is serious business to the younger crowed so there might actually be merit to this all that we older people see as non-sense.

We may not like it but this is what the younger generation of players will be like now, this is how the younger generation is and unless we go back to teaching them old school (which I know that isn't happening) this is our future.

I'm not sure if we have to accept it but I guess we will eventually have to expect this from the social media drama culture and hope for the best:lol

[lmbebo]

I'd say we got him until 2023-2024, but in these days, that means nothing

[Prime BEEF]

If he doesn’t get traded this year, I bet he ultimately asks for a trade prior to his contract running out

[Play Boban]

Cut him

[Play Boban]

I was correct about kawhitter and now I'm correct about Instagram Baller. Some might say I am the smartest person in the room. :wow

[Russ]

U shouldnt bench players that are supposed to be a significant part of ur future simply because theyre struggling...especially young players...theyre supposed to be given the chance to figure it out...



It's just a difference in philosophy. Some organizations agree with you.

Pop believes that young players are a long-term investment. If you play them before they learn how you want them to play, they will learn bad habits. The Spurs call it "skipping steps." Even Kawhi credited Pop for never letting him skip steps.

There are pluses and minuses for both approaches.

[cd021]

Murray is still on minutes restrictions though right? He should wait until he's fully cleared to judge his standing With the Spurs.

Are we still sure that he will be cleared? We're 23 games into the season and he's actually playing fewer minutes over the last five games. He should've been up to to 28 mpg by now, with him coming off the bench and Pop not wanting to play the two together its hard to see that happening now.

[Dex]

I just checked and he is not online on ICQ or MSN Messenger.

This is bad.

[KobesAchilles]

Made no sense to start Murray to begin with. Bad decision by Pop. The dude has t played in over a year, was rusty as hell, had no chemistry with his teammates, and was on a minutes restriction. He was set up to fail tbh and that’s on Pop.

Had Pop done the smart thing and bring Murray off the bench to begin with, learn about ball movement with the second unit and learn how to move off ball as well, then I think Murray would’ve been ok with it. But by benching him and him seeing Forbes starting doesn’t do us any good when the locker room is already close to falling apart bc of all the losing.

[Mugen]

I would also be upset to have a scrub like Forbes with a guaranteed starter spot

[Dverde]

New Balance is in his ear...

[TimDunkem]

He gets benched, but Bryn is still starting.
Imagine losing DJ because of Bryn Forbes (who is getting that contract, btw).

[offset formation]

Dumb post is dumb.

[FutureMan]

Are we talking about the player who has no room to talk until he fixes his turnover ratio, free throw %, and 3 point shot? It’s mind blowing that people complain about Forbes but at least he can do these incredible important (no point in starting in you can’t) things.

[Dennis the Menace]

Are we talking about the player who has no room to talk until he fixes his turnover ratio, free throw %, and 3 point shot? It’s mind blowing that people complain about Forbes but at least he can do these incredible important (no point in starting in you can’t) things.

Forbes is an undersized traffic cone on defense. He’s like an airlines employee out on the tarmac inviting the opposition to score at will. Doesn’t matter how offensively gifted you are if you can’t play defense. He was undrafted for a reason

Playing defense allows some cushion for offensive deficincies and time for improvement. Forbes can’t play defense because he’s too short and lacks the athleticism. You can’t teach someone to grow taller

[Degoat]

I’m still hopeful Dejounte develops but all this talk of him attending all the coaches meeting/film sessions last season while rehabbing and he still can’t run the offense without all the turnovers is pretty discouraging

[GAustex]

Murray seems like he should be better than has been.
Defensively he is good but not great.
Offense-yuk- he needs to start off making 15’ and in jumpers
And he run the offense by being constantly focused on looking for and talking advantage of opportunities.
Just not getting it from him yet.

[Play Boban]

He was signed by Klutch Sports. That's all I need to know. He is cancerous as I've always said.

[FutureMan]

Forbes is an undersized traffic cone on defense. He’s like an airlines employee out on the tarmac inviting the opposition to score at will. Doesn’t matter how offensively gifted you are if you can’t play defense. He was undrafted for a reason

Playing defense allows some cushion for offensive deficincies and time for improvement. Forbes can’t play defense because he’s too short and lacks the athleticism. You can’t teach someone to grow taller

So to be clear I don’t think Forbes should be starting either but he has way more right to start than the way Murray is playing.

[offset formation]

He was signed by Klutch Sports. That's all I need to know. He is cancerous as I've always said.

You might be right. As I recall, all this started right after we played the Lakers. I recall Bron being in his ear after the game, too.

[duncan2k5]

So to be clear I don’t think Forbes should be starting either but he has way more right to start than the way Murray is playing.

No he doesnt...thats like sayung gallinari deserves to start over giannis because he is a better shooter and turns the ball over less...FORBES DOESNT PASS!!! He cant even run a fast break! The guys dribble moves consist of pump faking and straight line driving if the guy bites ..he is a one trick pony, and even when that trick works well, the numbers indicate he is a detrement to the team...

One player shooting jumpers is overrated its all about team construction...giannis cant shoot for shit but he is tje mvp because of how tje team was built around him...

If giannis was drafted by the spiñurs,, u guys would have called for him to be traded for kyle korver

[Chinook]

Can't know Murray's mind, but if he's looking at Forbes as the guy who's keeping him out of the SL, he's doing it wrong. DJM's unwillingness to shoot threes combined with his sketchy offense and mistakes on defense is what made him unable to play with DeRozan and Aldridge. Some fans didn't and still don't want to hear this, but those guys are and likely will always be better than Murray is, and there isn't a path to winning that involves them deferring to Murray or even moving on from one or especially both of them for worse players that "fit" better with Murray. Simply put, he's a skinnier and less skilled version of Draymond Green right now, and that is not the type of guy who is going to lead your team to anything.

At least with White, you feel like him playing at a borderline All-Star level is a matter of him becoming more consistent rather than him gaining skills. He's not as dynamic of a defender as Murray is, especially off the ball, but he's more solid and versatile in terms of the players he can guard. Offensively, of course, it's not a contest, though I do think Murray's length and burst gives him a legit chance to develop into a really strong finisher. I agree Derrick should have started, with Murray working through his minutes restriction and recovery off the bench. If DeJounte earned the nod, that's fine. But if he didn't, you can spin it as him rounding back into form for at least this whole season. White may well have been hurt by the team not taking the chance to keep their SL together.

With Forbes struggling, I think the door is open for someone else to start, but it wouldn't be DJM. Mills would be the easiest transition in terms of skill-set, and if Bryn was going to stay in the rotation, then avoiding having him and Patty as the second-unit back court is necessary. Beli makes sense for a similar reason, though I'd rather him drop from the rotation/roster. Carroll starting and moving DeRozan to the two has a high upside in the sense that the Spurs would have a big lineup with a lot of switchability, but it would also end up being a unit that gets exploited because of the relative lack of footspeed from four out of the five guys. Walker starting would avoid that potential pitfall, but it presents the more immediate concern of Lonnie not showing consistent positive play. On paper, he's a great fit with a lineup that needs some slashing and energy. But he's not a proven shooter and may not understand the team concepts on either side of the ball well enough to handle his business against starting opponents. In that same vein, Keldon Johnson has an ideal skill-set on paper to be the starting 2.5 for the team, but he's shown a major lack of shooting thus far in Austin, and he didn't seem to really get the Spurs defensive concepts in the pre-season.

I think there are more possible solutions on the roster here that don't involve DJM starting along with White, and I think Pop should explore at least a couple of those before going with that option. In the meantime, Murray needs to work on being a better role-player first and not worry about being a star. He focused way too much on pull-up long-twos (probably with Pop's blessing) and not nearly enough on catch-and-shoot threes. He needs to avoid getting into trouble in the half-court by trying to beat guys to the basket in traffic. He needs to play fundamental defense rather than diving at balls so often. On the bench, his game should work better due to better spacing and worse competition. But the issues that are plaguing him (the recklessness and lack of shooting) won't really go away without him improving as a player. His limitations aren't Pop's fault. They aren't LMA's or DMDR's fault. They aren't even necessarily Murray's fault. But they're there all the same.

[JPB]

Everything's fine, he's still on Tinder.

[FutureMan]

No he doesnt...thats like sayung gallinari deserves to start over giannis because he is a better shooter and turns the ball over less...FORBES DOESNT PASS!!! He cant even run a fast break! The guys dribble moves consist of pump faking and straight line driving if the guy bites ..he is a one trick pony, and even when that trick works well, the numbers indicate he is a detrement to the team...

One player shooting jumpers is overrated its all about team construction...giannis cant shoot for shit but he is tje mvp because of how tje team was built around him...

If giannis was drafted by the spiñurs,, u guys would have called for him to be traded for kyle korver

Your response is all over the place.. I’m talking about two specific players on a specific team with a specific starting lineup.

No need to post any other players names.

[weebo]

IGB needs to stop being a bitch and play better...what is this shit

[Yogatti]

This is your franchise PG? A guy who starts drama on instagram? :lmao

[slick'81]

Good thing spurs rewarded his loyalty with a big extension

[acoelho1]

Pop can't have it both ways. You give Murray 64M contract and you publicly state he's the future but now because DDR's limitation from the 3pt line, we alienate the player that we have heavily invested for the future. Sorry, doesn't make any sense to me. Either you believe in Murray or you don't. I think part of the issue with the starting line-up under Murray was the pace we were playing with was far too slow. Add Walker next to Murray and speed up the pace and you will see him thrive. The issue is not Murray but DDR and LMA with the latter disappearing for a few games. Also, people seem to disregard the fact that he was on a minutes restriction and not playing back-to-backs and we are still losing. It remains to be seen if starting White will result in a different outcome.

[TD 21]

I knew he was this type. White, a superior player, helps to save the season last season, then by all accounts takes going back to the bench in stride for a largely unproven player, but this punk is going to throw a fit when it happens to him?

These guys do this for a living, yet he couldn't figure out that him and DeRozan wouldn't work unless he became a credible volume 3-point shooter?

Things change so fast in this league. Already that $64M ($70M with incentives) went form looking solid to they might have committed that to a rich man's Dunn/Ntilikina.

Better move DeRozan and with a presumably better fitting roster, find out which one it is fast, before it becomes an albatross.

[slick'81]

I knew he was this type. White, a superior player, helps to save the season last season, then by all accounts takes going back to the bench in stride for a largely unproven player, but this punk is going to throw a fit when it happens to him?

These guys do this for a living, yet he couldn't figure out that him and DeRozan wouldn't work unless he became a credible volume 3-point shooter?

Things change so fast in this league. Already that $64M ($70M with incentives) went form looking solid to they might have committed that to a rich man's Dunn/Ntilikina.

Better move DeRozan and with a presumably better fitting roster, find out which one it is fast, before it becomes an albatross.


Seems the spurs went the anti kawhi route and ponied up even with the injury concern.Kinda ironic if murray still ends up unhappy and bolts

[Spur|n|Austin]

Everything's fine, he's still on Grinder.

FTFY

[spurs10]

Everything's fine, he's still on Tinder. Thank God!!

[Coach X]

Can't know Murray's mind, but if he's looking at Forbes as the guy who's keeping him out of the SL, he's doing it wrong. DJM's unwillingness to shoot threes combined with his sketchy offense and mistakes on defense is what made him unable to play with DeRozan and Aldridge. Some fans didn't and still don't want to hear this, but those guys are and likely will always be better than Murray is, and there isn't a path to winning that involves them deferring to Murray or even moving on from one or especially both of them for worse players that "fit" better with Murray. Simply put, he's a skinnier and less skilled version of Draymond Green right now, and that is not the type of guy who is going to lead your team to anything.

At least with White, you feel like him playing at a borderline All-Star level is a matter of him becoming more consistent rather than him gaining skills. He's not as dynamic of a defender as Murray is, especially off the ball, but he's more solid and versatile in terms of the players he can guard. Offensively, of course, it's not a contest, though I do think Murray's length and burst gives him a legit chance to develop into a really strong finisher. I agree Derrick should have started, with Murray working through his minutes restriction and recovery off the bench. If DeJounte earned the nod, that's fine. But if he didn't, you can spin it as him rounding back into form for at least this whole season. White may well have been hurt by the team not taking the chance to keep their SL together.

With Forbes struggling, I think the door is open for someone else to start, but it wouldn't be DJM. Mills would be the easiest transition in terms of skill-set, and if Bryn was going to stay in the rotation, then avoiding having him and Patty as the second-unit back court is necessary. Beli makes sense for a similar reason, though I'd rather him drop from the rotation/roster. Carroll starting and moving DeRozan to the two has a high upside in the sense that the Spurs would have a big lineup with a lot of switchability, but it would also end up being a unit that gets exploited because of the relative lack of footspeed from four out of the five guys. Walker starting would avoid that potential pitfall, but it presents the more immediate concern of Lonnie not showing consistent positive play. On paper, he's a great fit with a lineup that needs some slashing and energy. But he's not a proven shooter and may not understand the team concepts on either side of the ball well enough to handle his business against starting opponents. In that same vein, Keldon Johnson has an ideal skill-set on paper to be the starting 2.5 for the team, but he's shown a major lack of shooting thus far in Austin, and he didn't seem to really get the Spurs defensive concepts in the pre-season.

I think there are more possible solutions on the roster here that don't involve DJM starting along with White, and I think Pop should explore at least a couple of those before going with that option. In the meantime, Murray needs to work on being a better role-player first and not worry about being a star. He focused way too much on pull-up long-twos (probably with Pop's blessing) and not nearly enough on catch-and-shoot threes. He needs to avoid getting into trouble in the half-court by trying to beat guys to the basket in traffic. He needs to play fundamental defense rather than diving at balls so often. On the bench, his game should work better due to better spacing and worse competition. But the issues that are plaguing him (the recklessness and lack of shooting) won't really go away without him improving as a player. His limitations aren't Pop's fault. They aren't LMA's or DMDR's fault. They aren't even necessarily Murray's fault. But they're there all the same.
Pretty much agree

I believe DJ is a point guard if anything. A PG doesn't necessarily need to have a wide shooting range but he must play solid defense, not to turn the ball over and to lead the offensive execution. Murray is failing in all of the main PG duties so he doesn't deserve to start. He was given the keys of the team but this is professional sport, the team starts losing and changes are a matter of time.

I think Forbes could be removed from the starting line-up going back to Liles in the PF. Trey is taking more 3s, shooting with confidence and accuracy and definately plays better defense than Gay. Aldridge is shooting 1.6 threes per game, that helps to the spacing as well. That would open up a spot in the 2-3 as you suggest, being Carroll, Marco, Walker interesting options to fill it. Murray's lack of three point shooting wouldn't be a problem as long as he plays solid D, stops losing the ball and follows the game plan through the play-calling.

DJ's playtime it's on his own hands. It's not about talent, he has the physical tools and the basic skillset. It's about disciplne and concentration. Everything else are excuses.

I believe Murray can be the Spurs starting PG and a very good NBA player. This situation will tell us if he becomes the man we expect him to be. Otherwise, well... bye. It's up to him now.

[Mugen]

Paragraphs and paragraphs trying to justify Pop's bullshit :lol

[tmtcsc]

Murray should aspire to be Rajon Rondo...that's pretty much his ceiling if he can reach it. Right now, he should be in Austin.

[duncan2k5]

U guys are so stupid...so unless a young player can shootz he doesnt deserve to start? So he isnt allowed ro make mistakes? He and white has similar statistical offensive contributions this season while he was MUCH better defensively...but all ppl can think of is that white was good LAST year...

And its not even about white starting...we ALL know murray is a better fir for the SL than Forbes...forbes barelt belongs in the league...

Lastly whats more worrisome is that we are striving for mediocrity be trykng to see who fits better around DDR and LMA...wtf are we doing trying to appease them? Those two players will NEVER bring us CLOSE to a ring...why are we shunning our young players just to see who fits better with those two? Get them the fuck outta here and get ppl who complement our young guys... we are becoming the teams we used ro laugh at...

On another note, we are mad at murray for PRESUMABLY being mad at the decision making of the team and how things have been handled...ALMOST ALL OF US WERE MAD AT THE SAME THINGS! so he isnt allowed to see the same thing we are seeing and not lile it?

We all know how divaish parker was...imagine if he had social media when Pop benched him for speedy claxton and had him in trade talks for jason kidd

[DJR210]

You might be right. As I recall, all this started right after we played the Lakers. I recall Bron being in his ear after the game, too.

I'm guessing LeBron had his hand over his mouth as they spoke?

[offset formation]

I'm guessing LeBron had his hand over his mouth as they spoke?

No need, he leaned in and spoke right into his ear.

[SequSpur]

WGAF

[Dancelot]

Would trading Murray for kuz be good or bad? I’ve seen nothing from kuzman this season but he can’t be doing any worse than IB.

[Sugus]

Would trading Murray for kuz be good or bad? I’ve seen nothing from kuzman this season but he can’t be doing any worse than IB.

Absolutely bad. Kuzma is trash, overrated to hell and back like every Lakers player ever. Besides, he doesn't seem to like small market teams, Orlando kinda hates him for saying stupid shit about it being better to be losing in LA than winning there, or any small market team. Won't even go into details on DJ, just straight no.

[sasaint]

Absolutely bad. Kuzma is trash, overrated to hell and back like every Lakers player ever. Besides, he doesn't seem to like small market teams, Orlando kinda hates him for saying stupid shit about it being better to be losing in LA than winning there, or any small market team. Won't even go into details on DJ, just straight no.

Yep. Zero chance of retaining Kuz. For that reason alone - pass.