So What Now?

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I personally think Beasley will be a potential 6th man of the year Finalist next season. He's perfectly suited for that role given his ability to get 3's up in bunches and shaky defense. He's also entering his prime. We'll need his scoring pop off the bench assuming we start DLO and Ant in the backcourt.

I also like Beasley off the bench as a heat-check scorer... BUT... there's one caveat with him...

He's not great creating for others... or even himself. Some of the best bench gunners are valuable because they can take over games, possession after possession. And in a league STILL owned by those who can run a pick-and-roll... Beasley hasn't shown any sort of sustainable chops in doing so.

Until he does... it limits him a bit, even off the bench.

Right, he's not a PnR ball handler like Manu or OKC Harden. But, his release is fast and he's developed a 'tweener game with a pretty reliable runner which allows him to score off the bounce without getting all the way to the rim. I just think if he stays healthy, he could be poised for a big year off the bench.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

From what I've seen, he's a pretty good, but not great, ball handler. He's got a bit of a crossover and can dribble himself into a shot, but he doesn't have a lot of "shake" with the ball, so I don't see him becoming a Lou Williams type of guy who you can lean on in ISO or PnR sets down the stretch.

That said, I agree he does have some offensive versatility. I think he's a good off-ball guy who can run the floor, hit open threes, and bail you out of broken possessions when needed. I'd actually like to see us run some curl plays or picks to spring him off ball like the Pistons always used to do with Rip Hamilton. He's not really a primary shot creator, which is why I think he's a good fit with the other guys (KAT, Ant, DLO) on the offensive end, because he can play off of them in a variety of ways.

Having those four on the floor at the same time though, doesn't exactly give us a stout defense.

[Lipoli390]

From what I've seen, he's a pretty good, but not great, ball handler. He's got a bit of a crossover and can dribble himself into a shot, but he doesn't have a lot of "shake" with the ball, so I don't see him becoming a Lou Williams type of guy who you can lean on in ISO or PnR sets down the stretch.

That said, I agree he does have some offensive versatility. I think he's a good off-ball guy who can run the floor, hit open threes, and bail you out of broken possessions when needed. I'd actually like to see us run some curl plays or picks to spring him off ball like the Pistons always used to do with Rip Hamilton. He's not really a primary shot creator, which is why I think he's a good fit with the other guys (KAT, Ant, DLO) on the offensive end, because he can play off of them in a variety of ways.

Having those four on the floor at the same time though, doesn't exactly give us a stout defense.

I agree, Drew. Here's a list of Beasley's positive attributes:

1. Terrific three-point shooter off the catch and the bounce
2. Very good mid-range shooter with good floater
3. Fast and athletic, which he uses effectively to put pressure on the defense and score on the break
4. Excellent rebounder at his position
5. Consistently high energy and aggressive - has an edge and toughness in his game
6. Still young with upside
7. Relatively good, team-friendly contract

All of those attributes make him valuable as a very good off-ball guy who can run the floor, rebound and help put some fire in his teammates. As you mentioned, his skill set makes him a great fit with DLO, Ant, KAT. I would add Ricky as a good fit with Beasley. You're right about defense being a problem if all those guys are on the court together. That's why Beasley should be worked into the rotation so that he's on the court with only one or two of them, which is very doable using Beasley in a 6th-man role.

[Monster]

I personally think Beasley will be a potential 6th man of the year Finalist next season. He's perfectly suited for that role given his ability to get 3's up in bunches and shaky defense. He's also entering his prime. We'll need his scoring pop off the bench assuming we start DLO and Ant in the backcourt.

I also like Beasley off the bench as a heat-check scorer... BUT... there's one caveat with him...

He's not great creating for others... or even himself. Some of the best bench gunners are valuable because they can take over games, possession after possession. And in a league STILL owned by those who can run a pick-and-roll... Beasley hasn't shown any sort of sustainable chops in doing so.

Until he does... it limits him a bit, even off the bench.

Right, he's not a PnR ball handler like Manu or OKC Harden. But, his release is fast and he's developed a 'tweener game with a pretty reliable runner which allows him to score off the bounce without getting all the way to the rim. I just think if he stays healthy, he could be poised for a big year off the bench.

Beasley doesn't create his own shot but the positive is he doesn't need the ball to do his thing. JJ Redick was a very effective player for years and didn't handle the ball much. Of course Reddick did actually play some defense which Beasley hasn't accomplished yet. Another positive about Beasley is he has already stated he is willing to come off the bench and many Denver Fans and Media that watched him there said that's likely his best role.

Ideally Nowell becomes the Lou Williams More efficient Jamal Crawford 6th man or even better player but will he get an opportunity here? He is a reason I would be willing to deal Beasley for a good player (preferably one that stays healthy) to pair with Towns in the front court. Nowell might not be even an NBA player but I'd be willing to hope he is the answer as at least a bench guy more than what we have available right now (other than maybe Naz) starting next to Towns especially next season and Juancho hurting the depth there being injured.

[FNG]

I don't disagree with the consensus here that Beasley is best cut out for the 6th man role, and it's good that he seems willing to take that role. But I will add that a 6th man still needs to defend to really help his team, and we all know that the jury is in on Malik's defense...lots of activity, no effectiveness. That's why I still am hoping that Rosas can find a way to move him once he gets out of the Wright County jail...either as part of a Simmons deal, or as a means to bring in an effective defensive center. I know it's risky because Malik has shown in his past three seasons that he is a very good 3-point shooter, but I'm intrigued by Monster's thought that perhaps Nowell can become our 6th man if Beas is gone. Jaylen was a lights out 3-point shooter in college (much better than Beasley) and also in the G League, but I think many of our impressions of him as a shooter are colored by his rookie horrible shooting season. Maybe I'm hiding my head in the sand, but I'm choosing to ignore that forgettable season and instead focus on what a sharpshooter he was in college and the G League...not to mention his enormous improvement last season as he brought his average up to 33%, a rate comparable to Beasley's in his second season. Nowell's previous success and nice stroke tells me that he has a future in this league as a scorer, and I would feel comfortable moving on from Beasley. In addition, he shows much more promise than Malik on defense, and also has demonstrated an ability to create his own shot...something Malik cannot do. Jaylen wasn't Beasley last year, but he was at least as good as Beasley was in his second year. I'm ready to give Beasley's minutes to Jaylen if Rosas can find a profitable way to move him.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I personally think Beasley will be a potential 6th man of the year Finalist next season. He's perfectly suited for that role given his ability to get 3's up in bunches and shaky defense. He's also entering his prime. We'll need his scoring pop off the bench assuming we start DLO and Ant in the backcourt.

I also like Beasley off the bench as a heat-check scorer... BUT... there's one caveat with him...

He's not great creating for others... or even himself. Some of the best bench gunners are valuable because they can take over games, possession after possession. And in a league STILL owned by those who can run a pick-and-roll... Beasley hasn't shown any sort of sustainable chops in doing so.

Until he does... it limits him a bit, even off the bench.

Right, he's not a PnR ball handler like Manu or OKC Harden. But, his release is fast and he's developed a 'tweener game with a pretty reliable runner which allows him to score off the bounce without getting all the way to the rim. I just think if he stays healthy, he could be poised for a big year off the bench.

Beasley doesn't create his own shot but the positive is he doesn't need the ball to do his thing. JJ Redick was a very effective player for years and didn't handle the ball much. Of course Reddick did actually play some defense which Beasley hasn't accomplished yet. Another positive about Beasley is he has already stated he is willing to come off the bench and many Denver Fans and Media that watched him there said that's likely his best role.

Ideally Nowell becomes the Lou Williams More efficient Jamal Crawford 6th man or even better player but will he get an opportunity here? He is a reason I would be willing to deal Beasley for a good player (preferably one that stays healthy) to pair with Towns in the front court. Nowell might not be even an NBA player but I'd be willing to hope he is the answer as at least a bench guy more than what we have available right now (other than maybe Naz) starting next to Towns especially next season and Juancho hurting the depth there being injured.

I really liked Nowell going back to his G-league stint and thought the same about him possibly becoming a much cheaper and more well rounded player than Beasley. But he has got to get that 3-ball to fall more consistently. We can't have these stints where he is getting open shots and practically hitting the side of the backboard. It's just so odd considering how deadly he was in college and the G-League. Like he was a 40%+ shooter on decent volume. He shoots more like Rubio at the NBA level.

[Monster]

I personally think Beasley will be a potential 6th man of the year Finalist next season. He's perfectly suited for that role given his ability to get 3's up in bunches and shaky defense. He's also entering his prime. We'll need his scoring pop off the bench assuming we start DLO and Ant in the backcourt.

I also like Beasley off the bench as a heat-check scorer... BUT... there's one caveat with him...

He's not great creating for others... or even himself. Some of the best bench gunners are valuable because they can take over games, possession after possession. And in a league STILL owned by those who can run a pick-and-roll... Beasley hasn't shown any sort of sustainable chops in doing so.

Until he does... it limits him a bit, even off the bench.

Right, he's not a PnR ball handler like Manu or OKC Harden. But, his release is fast and he's developed a 'tweener game with a pretty reliable runner which allows him to score off the bounce without getting all the way to the rim. I just think if he stays healthy, he could be poised for a big year off the bench.

Beasley doesn't create his own shot but the positive is he doesn't need the ball to do his thing. JJ Redick was a very effective player for years and didn't handle the ball much. Of course Reddick did actually play some defense which Beasley hasn't accomplished yet. Another positive about Beasley is he has already stated he is willing to come off the bench and many Denver Fans and Media that watched him there said that's likely his best role.

Ideally Nowell becomes the Lou Williams More efficient Jamal Crawford 6th man or even better player but will he get an opportunity here? He is a reason I would be willing to deal Beasley for a good player (preferably one that stays healthy) to pair with Towns in the front court. Nowell might not be even an NBA player but I'd be willing to hope he is the answer as at least a bench guy more than what we have available right now (other than maybe Naz) starting next to Towns especially next season and Juancho hurting the depth there being injured.

I really liked Nowell going back to his G-league stint and thought the same about him possibly becoming a much cheaper and more well rounded player than Beasley. But he has got to get that 3-ball to fall more consistently. We can't have these stints where he is getting open shots and practically hitting the side of the backboard. It's just so odd considering how deadly he was in college and the G-League. Like he was a 40%+ shooter on decent volume. He shoots more like Rubio at the NBA level.

Nowell shoots well from 2 and is a pretty good FT shooter. He isn't proven but let's be a little honest about Beasley...he isn't actually proven either. He has played in 257 regular season games in 5 seasons. Obviously he is more proven than Nowell but we don't know for sure he is actually even a high level of 6th man. That's what he has looked like here but that's a 60 something game sample over 2 seasons. I'm a fan of Beasley's potential but I also recognize there is some legit possible downside to his game aside from his defense...and maybe not staying healthy.

Meanwhile on the other end Nowell looks like a guy that's at least not a liability. That adds to his value (compared to Beasley) plus he might actually be able to run a team as a backup PG.That all adds to his value. I'm thinking of a guy like Will Barton that has been able to do bring up the ball kinda start the offense at times after breaking out and becoming a good player a few years ago.

Meanwhile if Beasley was moved it would make more sense to keep Culver around (who may also be able to run an offense) and hope he can turn into something worthwhile if called upon although I think it's unlikely especially if they add Balmaro. At this point even Culver becoming a Torry Craig type would be nice. I know Craig is a better shooter (and much stronger) but I'd take Craig on my team for a few minutes a night even if he couldn't make 3's. This is also why I like the idea of having Okogie around long term if he can be retained relatively cheaply.

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think there's something there with Nowell. But I'm not seeing the backup PG chops.

He has not made better-than-average decisions for his team with the ball very often. He's just been a guy who can score some off the bench. But a NEGATIVE player overall both seasons. I don't see how making him into something he's not (PG) helps with that any.

[Monster]

I think there's something there with Nowell. But I'm not seeing the backup PG chops.

He has not made better-than-average decisions for his team with the ball very often. He's just been a guy who can score some off the bench. But a NEGATIVE player overall both seasons. I don't see how making him into something he's not (PG) helps with that any.

I agree Abe I don't see at this him being an actual PG but I do see him as a guy that can fill in there as part of an offense. I could also see him possibly growing and being a guy that makes plays out of 2 man game etc. I'm not suggesting he is a true PG or even the level of McLaughlin at that position but I do think he has enough skills to help out if there were injuries etc. Beasley? No...he would help spacing the floor though which does matter and for the Wolves might actually matter more than a guy that can handle the ball well enough to hand it off...so yeah. I do think Nowell has a chance to be more of a shot creator than Beasley which does have value.

I've been saying things about coaching improving Russell's play as a facilitator picking his spots and helping the offense and players around him but I think it could extend to some extent guys like Nowell and even more obviously a player like Edwards. Its more up to the players (especially for a talent like Edwards) but I do think coaching matters and can help. I think the guards on this team if Finch and his staff are good in that area have potential to take a nice jump offensively. Oh and there there is Bolmaro also. I remember years ago having confidence Flip could bring out good things in guards with talent.

Also just to be clear Nowell is really unproven and I recognize that. Like I said though if Beasley is dealt Nowell just has to succeed as a bench player. If Vanderbilt who is also unproven just had to succeed as a bench guy and there was already a good option next to Towns I would feel solid about that working out...or being able to find another option if it didn't. The Wolves don't have that at that position right now. The best PF C other than Towns on the roster is Naz Reid.

[kekgeek]

Obviously things can change but Kat and Dlo are hanging with Vando and Ant is a special guest for Vando basketball camp. I'm guessing Vando wants to come back to Minnesota