Timberwolves Roster

[FNG]

Wow, it looks like I'm way in the minority here with my projected starting lineup. Barring injury, i see us starting the season with Rubio/Russell/Edwards/Juancho/KAT. Here are my reasons:

Edwards was the #1 pick in the draft, and I would estimate that #1 picks begin their careers as starters at least 90% of the time. Except for picks that were injured, offhand I can only name Anthony Bennett as a #1 pick this century that didn't start- and draft analysts were stunned when AB was selected (and they weren't when Edward was). Although Edwards was a guard in college (in fact, he was a PG much of the time because Georgia was so weak in the backcourt), he has SF size in the NBA- and our glut of 1's and 2's makes me think he will spend most of his time at the 3. Josh Okogie and Jake Layman are serviceable NBA players at best, and they are only going to start in front of the #1 pick in the draft if Edwards is either hurt or an AB-like bust.

I also don't see Rubio coming off the bench. Our coaching staff is analytics driven, and they certainly are aware of Ricky's on/off numbers and how he makes potent scorers better. And Ryan, like him or not, is probably a Rubio advocate because Flip was a Rubio advocate. Rubio is a classic pass-first PG, and exactly what this team needs out there with three explosive offensive players like KAT, D-Lo and Edwards. This starting lineup also gives Ryan an explosive scorer off the bench in Beasley.

While I see those 5 as the starting five and I acknowledge Juancho's adequate end of last season, I still have concerns about our defense if he is in the starting lineup. We already have defensively-challenged D-Lo out there paired with an inconsistent defender in KAT, and Edwards will likely struggle defensively early in his career. So my fondest hope is that Jarred Vanderbilt demonstrates in pre-season and early season games that he can provide the rebounding and defense this team sorely needs. He was a top ten recruit out of high school and a likely lottery pick before injuries limited him at Kentucky. But his G League play has shown that he can rebound, defend and pass at an NBA level. His offensive game is a work in process, and I don't see him becoming an effective 3-point shooter unless he changes his mechanics, but what he has the potential to bring to the table is exactly what this team needs.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Wow, it looks like I'm way in the minority here with my projected starting lineup. Barring injury, i see us starting the season with Rubio/Russell/Edwards/Juancho/KAT. Here are my reasons:

Edwards was the #1 pick in the draft, and I would estimate that #1 picks begin their careers as starters at least 90% of the time.

Since 1978, these are the only #1 healthy picks not to be regular starters:

Anthony Bennett
Markelle Fultz
Andrea Bargnani
Kwame Brown

That's a very telling list.


[Note: So, 90% was pretty damn accurate.]

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The Jarred Vanderbilt optimism is exciting, but I'm not sure how realistic it is. I think you guys might be getting ahead of yourselves. Proceed with caution.

[FNG]

Wow, it looks like I'm way in the minority here with my projected starting lineup. Barring injury, i see us starting the season with Rubio/Russell/Edwards/Juancho/KAT. Here are my reasons:

Edwards was the #1 pick in the draft, and I would estimate that #1 picks begin their careers as starters at least 90% of the time.

Since 1978, these are the only #1 healthy picks not to be regular starters:

Anthony Bennett
Markelle Fultz
Andrea Bargnani
Kwame Brown

That's a very telling list.

Good research, AVL- that's about what I would have thought. While I like some of our role players (Okogie, Culver, Layman, etc.), if they prove to be more talented than our #1 pick, I will lead the tar and feathering of Gersson Rosas. But I don't think I will have to. My prediction is Edwards will struggle in the early going...my God, he's only 19 after all. But he already has an NBA-ready body and enormous athletic skills. Ryan needs to give him a chance to grow into his potential, but it may not be pretty at first- especially on defense. But I'm excited to see what this kid can do as a third option on offense paired with a true PG...it could be a lot of fun.

[FNG]

The Jarred Vanderbilt optimism is exciting, but I'm not sure how realistic it is. I think you guys might be getting ahead of yourselves. Proceed with caution.

I don't disagree at all, Camden. Right now we only know Vanderbilt as a high school star and a gritty G League PF without a reliable shot- unfortunately we learned little from his injury-riddled 14 games at Kentucky. So my hopeful stance is nothing more than that- hope. But by all reports he is a hard-working good kid who has added a lot of muscle in the off season on a roster desperately in need of a lunch-pail PF- and still only 21 years old I'm going to keep hoping he is what Calipari thought he was when he targeted him just a few short years ago. Fingers crossed.

[DNatagal]

I agree that Edwards might be slated as a 3 in the Wolves future. Starting might not be as much of an issue with a coach that rotates players in and out of the game. Hopefully our young coach is willing to make changes to keep players fresh. This team looks like it should get out and run on every possession. It is a very young team...which hopefully translates to being in great shape.
I would love to see the 3 sec rule instituted like my HS coach had. It doesn't matter if the opponent makes a basket or we get the rebound, the ball needs to be across the timeline in 3 seconds. Look to force the other team to get back on defense and in a stance (which takes energy) as fast as possible. Then if there isn't a layup/dunk or an open corner 3, run 18 seconds of offense looking for the same. Rotate players as needed to keep this up. It would be HELLA fun to watch!

[Monster]

Current Depth Chart:

Russel / Rubio / McLaughlin (TBD)
Beasley / Okogie / Nowell
Edwards / Culver / Layman
Hernangomez / Vanderbilt / McDaniels
Towns / Reid / Davis

I just don't think that can be the depth chart at the end of the day. That has all 3 primary offensive guards playing together and all 3 primary defensive guards playing together off the bench. Unless you are pulling Beasley or Edwards super early there's just no balance to that depth chart. I think we'll probably end up with Russell/Culver/Edwards starting with Ricky/Beasley/Okogie as the backups. Or Russell/Beasley/Culver starting with Ricky/Edwards/Okogie as the backups. We need a defensive presence in that starting unit and an offensive presence coming off the bench.

I seriously doubt the 19-year old Edwards is going to be in the starting lineup on day one. I also have a hard time seeing a starting lineup that doesn't have Russell and Beasley in the backcourt. The interesting battle will be for the starting SF spot. My money would be on Okogie. Have you seen any of the "Tracking the Wolves" episodes on youtube? Okogie seems to be standing out and taking a leadership role.

I agree Tim. I think DLO, Beasley, and Okogie start, with Rubio and Edwards coming off the bench fairly early.

I agree. I see a starting lineup of DLO, Beasley, Okogie, Hernangomez and Towns. But i also agree that we'll see Ricky coming off the bench early. I'm not sure about Culver and Edwards. I think the role and minutes for each of those two will be determined in practice and then over the course of the season. They can take their time with Edwards. The really need to see what they have in Culver and whether he can pick up where he left off the last few weeks of the season when he seemed to be putting it all together and shooting much better.

As for Layman, he'll probably be the main backup for Juancho. I honestly don't expect much from Vanderbilt or McDaniels. In fact, I can see McDaniels spending at least the first half of the season in the G-League.

Agreed on all accounts.

I really want to see us bring back Jmac. Sick of shoving a square peg in round holes when it comes to trying to force 1st and 2and year players into handling the ball more than they are capable of or comfortable with. Did it to LaVine, then Wiggins, then Culver, and I pray it doesn't happen to Edwards, as I think that hampered the rest of their development on areas they should be focused on. With DLO, Rubio, and Jmac it wouldn't happen.

I am not exactly knowledgeable on Jmacs contract situation. Can he get offered something we cant match? I know there were still some teams looking for another PG, and the pickings were getting slim, Clippers come to mind.

Assuming the Wolves offered J-Mac a qualifying offer which is pretty likely since it's a 2nd two-way contract then the most any other team can offer is a vet min deal. The Wolves can bring him if they want him which seems highly likely since they don't have a 3rd PG at the moment and everyone reports that the Wolves like him. I think the only question is whether or not they get him for dirt cheap or if J-mac believes he is either worth more Than the vet min or wants a shorter term contract so he bets on himself. The wolves have left themselves enough money now they can give him a little more Meaningful money than the vet min if they want. If it takes a little bit to sign him it's likely just about the contract details sorta like how it took a while to get Nowell's deal done last year. Like I said I'll be happy and relieved when it's announced he is done. It seems that's probably about all there is left to do at this point unless some other deal presents itself but I doubt that will have any influence on bringing back McLaughlin.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

J-Mac can receive more than that if it's a multi-year deal. The two-way player status can be an unfair cycle of one-year deals, but J-Mac should be a good bet to see two and three year deals.

[Monster]

J-Mac can receive more than that if it's a multi-year deal. The two-way player status can be an unfair cycle of one-year deals, but J-Mac should be a good bet to see two and three year deals.

That's right you corrected me on this before if I remember right but what team is going to offer something the Wolves won't or can't match? They would have to offer what like 4-5 million a year?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

J-Mac can receive more than that if it's a multi-year deal. The two-way player status can be an unfair cycle of one-year deals, but J-Mac should be a good bet to see two and three year deals.

That's right you corrected me on this before if I remember right but what team is going to offer something the Wolves won't or can't match? They would have to offer what like 4-5 million a year?

Considering I don't see Minnesota putting themselves in the luxury this season, anything over three-million a year probably puts us at risk of losing him.