CoolBreeze44 wrote:We have to improve. Some of that improvement can be organic, but to jump a tier we need more than internal growth Edwards is probably the only untouchable player in my mind. I hope Gupta does whatever possible to come back stronger.
You raise an important point, Cool. I'll frame it as a question: How much can this team improve organically? I honestly don't have an answer to that question right now. I think there's a risk in relying completely on organic improvement. You mentioned the need for more than internal growth to jump up a tier. I'll add that we might need more than internal growth just to hold our position given the likelihood that the Pelicans, Clippers and Blazers will be significantly better next season. Right now, I'm unable to see realistic deals that would significantly improve the Wolves. So we'll have to depend on the MIT genius of Gupta I guess. :)
When it comes to considering possible trades, I'd consider both KAT and Edwards untouchable, but otherwise we're in sync on that question. Otherwise, in Gupta we trust.
Lip, our organic growth has to come from Ant and Jaden. They have the most room between their current ability and their ceiling. KAT and Dlo are pretty close to what they are going to be for the next few years. It would be nice to find a gem in the first round again, but we should use the entire array of options to try and improve.
I agree, Cool, although I still see more significant growth potential from Nowell because his playing time has been limited do date. But totally agree with your fundamental point about the limits of our organic growth potential.
I agree that a lot rides on Ant and McDaniels improving. I also think we can get a legit big man either via trade or free agency. The ability to play more drop coverage and have a more effective screen setter, finisher, and defensive rebounder would really help this squad. Vando can become a change-of-pace energy big off the bench.
As for Nowell, I think his ceiling is somewhat capped due to his size and defensive shortcomings. But having a scorer off the bench is practically table stakes for a playoff-caliber team. Think Jordan Clarkson, Grayson Allen, Tyler Herro, Cam Johnson. I'm not sure he can be as effective as someone like Herro, but I certainly think Nowell could be comparable to Clarkson or Allen.
I like how Beasley really came on for us late in the season, but he's probably more of a trade asset thanks to Nowell. The other thing I like about Nowell is that he's a 3-level scorer. He really thrives with those awkward distances that NBA defenses often force - long 2's, short mid-rangers, etc.
Kilborn says the organization is open to getting DLo out citing attitude problems. You think Craig is talking out of his ass? He is a comedian. Not sure how to take it. He does seem connected to the organization on some level. Wonder where he heard this?
Kilborn says the organization is open to getting DLo out citing attitude problems. You think Craig is talking out of his ass? He is a comedian. Not sure how to take it. He does seem connected to the organization on some level. Wonder where he heard this?
Yes, Kilborn does have some close connections to the team, but my guess is there isn't much here. Sure, I think most of us expect Gupta to be open to trading DLo, but I don't think attitude is the reason. He was very open with the media about being unhappy about being benched in Game 6, but who wouldn't be? And we're kidding ourselves if we don't think he hasn't had some candid conversations with Finchy about that matter, and I don't suspect they had a meeting of the minds. But I think that's all there is to this. I still think Gupta will actively try to find a move involving DLo that will help the team, but I don't believe his attitude will be the reason. He seems to be a good team guy, and he has every right to be unhappy about not getting critical 4th quarter minutes.
But yeah, I also wonder if there's more to this. Kilborn is a comedian, but he generally doesn't try to be funny when he's talking about his Wolves.
Kilborn says the organization is open to getting DLo out citing attitude problems. You think Craig is talking out of his ass? He is a comedian. Not sure how to take it. He does seem connected to the organization on some level. Wonder where he heard this?
Yes, Kilborn does have some close connections to the team, but my guess is there isn't much here. Sure, I think most of us expect Gupta to be open to trading DLo, but I don't think attitude is the reason. He was very open with the media about being unhappy about being benched in Game 6, but who wouldn't be? And we're kidding ourselves if we don't think he hasn't had some candid conversations with Finchy about that matter, and I don't suspect they had a meeting of the minds. But I think that's all there is to this. I still think Gupta will actively try to find a move involving DLo that will help the team, but I don't believe his attitude will be the reason. He seems to be a good team guy, and he has every right to be unhappy about not getting critical 4th quarter minutes.
But yeah, I also wonder if there's more to this. Kilborn is a comedian, but he generally doesn't try to be funny when he's talking about his Wolves.
Kilborn is a big Wolves fan who used to play high school ball. He's not unlike many of the posters here, but due to his celebrity he might have the opportunity to be a bit more connected to the organization than most of us (except for Lip). As far as his comment on DLO's attitude, that doesn't surprise me. Early in his career DLO was pretty cocky and didn't endear himself with the Laker's coaches. I think DLO had ruffled some feathers with the old coaching staff under Ryan Saunders. I thought DLO had become a better soldier under the Finch regime, but with the the benching by Finch, I am not sure if that will affect the relationship going forward.
Kilborn says the organization is open to getting DLo out citing attitude problems. You think Craig is talking out of his ass? He is a comedian. Not sure how to take it. He does seem connected to the organization on some level. Wonder where he heard this?
I'm in the middle of listening to this podcast. Finished the first half on my drive to work, will get to the second half on the drive home. Kilborn is somewhat plugged in, but I think it's a very casual connection. I doubt he's got serious scoops on players.
Kilborn says the organization is open to getting DLo out citing attitude problems. You think Craig is talking out of his ass? He is a comedian. Not sure how to take it. He does seem connected to the organization on some level. Wonder where he heard this?
I'm in the middle of listening to this podcast. Finished the first half on my drive to work, will get to the second half on the drive home. Kilborn is somewhat plugged in, but I think it's a very casual connection. I doubt he's got serious scoops on players.
I just thought it was interesting that Dane didnt refute it when Kilborn brought up execs feeling that way and they kept talking Dlo trade scenarios as seemingly real possibilities.
Kilborn says the organization is open to getting DLo out citing attitude problems. You think Craig is talking out of his ass? He is a comedian. Not sure how to take it. He does seem connected to the organization on some level. Wonder where he heard this?
I'm in the middle of listening to this podcast. Finished the first half on my drive to work, will get to the second half on the drive home. Kilborn is somewhat plugged in, but I think it's a very casual connection. I doubt he's got serious scoops on players.
I just thought it was interesting that Dane didnt refute it when Kilborn brought up execs feeling that way and they kept talking Dlo trade scenarios as seemingly real possibilities.
Yeah, Dane didn't refute a trade possibility, but he also didn't pour gasoline on the fire IMO and in fact mentioned that it's entirely possible the Wolves do some things to try to further bolster DLO's effectiveness next year.
Kilborn was more vociferous about it but that's based on how he feels about DLO - he appreciates his craftsmanship and floor game, but ultimately feels like the Wolves need to move on from him and get a more "pure" PG. He cited Mike Conley as the ideal archetype. I didn't for one second believe he was representing what ownership or the front office believes.
They both definitely talked about what we all here generally agree on - they need a new starting big next to KAT.
Interesting info about Kilborn's comments on DLO. Right now, I'll take his comments with a grain of salt. We were a much better team during the regular season with DLO on the floor than when he wasn't - in spite of DLO's highly inconsistent shooting and other flaws. And that's what matters most. So I hope the Wolves explore trade opportunities involving DLO as well as Beasley and Naz Reid. But I wouldn't be anxious to jettison any of those three either.
I think we can fill this team's most important need - a better big next to KAT - via free agency. I still believe that Nurkic will be gettable with a multi-year contract offer at the top of the mid-level range. In the alternative, I'm certain we could sign Hartenstein for less than the entire MLE - maybe for the BAE. Either one would be a significant upgrade as our starting big next to KAT.
