Vandy and Jmac are back!

[Monster]

PG: D'Angelo Russell / Patrick Beverley / Jordan McLaughlin / McKinley Wright IV
SG: Anthony Edwards / Malik Beasley / Jaylen Nowell
SF: Jaden McDaniels / Josh Okogie / Jake Layman
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt / Taurean Prince
C: Karl-Anthony Towns / Naz Reid / Nathan Knight

This is the depth chart as it stands currently. The starting lineup could be different depending on how Chris Finch wants to open games -- Russell, Edwards, McDaniels, Vanderbilt vs. Russell, Beasley, Edwards, McDaniels. Finch has hinted at both being possibilities, for what it's worth.

The Wolves are also expected to sign Leandro Bolmaro before the summer concludes, which would leave Minnesota with one empty roster spot that I would assume remains open moving forward. Obviously, this doesn't account for any Ben Simmons trade.

I think Minnesota improved their roster from last year despite having minimal wiggle room. I like the Beverley and Prince pickups as opposed to having Ricky Rubio, Jarrett Culver, and Juan Hernangomez. It's not a sexy off-season, but they accomplished some things on their to-do list. They failed to get bigger or much better defensively, but maybe they're not done yet. All in all, I like what Minnesota has right now.

I agree, Cam. The Wolves have meaningfully improved their roster. You're right they did not get bigger, but they definitely got better, even slightly better defensively. Rosas deserves credit for what he's done with what you've accurately characterized as minimal wiggle room. Meanwhile, the Wolves still have a legitimate shot at Simmons or perhaps Myles Turner as a secondary target.

I think the Wolves will be significantly better this next season for three reason:
1. Off-season roster improvements
2. Likely better health of/more games played by key players
3. Likely sophomore improvement of the Wolves two talented rookies, Edwards and Jaden
4. Better head coach from the beginning of the season
5. Full training camp, which means more to a young team, especially one whose players haven't been together long

How much better the Wolves will be will obviously depend on the impact of each of those five factors. It will also depend on improvement from our other young players from last season - Vanderbilt, Naz Reid, and Nowell. And it might be depend on what Bolmaro brings to the table.

Yes Rosas didn't make a deal that seems major but in terms of simple dollars he did move over 30 million of salary around this offseason. I think trading Ricky Rubio is not a small deal to have been made. Acquiring Patrick Beverly is not a small deal either. Those guys are on the good end of fringe starting guards. Juancho and Culver very few here cared if those guys were on the team. I thought it might cost us something to move someone this year especially Culver. Rosas was able to add a player like Beverly and dump guys we didn't really need and ended up with a 2nd rounder (instead of paying one) and space to resign 2 young players.

The Wolves didn't squeeze McLaughlin again and so now there are 2 players the Wolves have given NBA contract to who were undrafted guys in Naz and McLaughlin. That might encourage some players to come here because it looks like we might actually give the guys a chance and reward them. That's not a big deal but it's not a bad thing.

Rosas may not blow anyone away with this offseason but I really like it.

I also think that with all the moves that were made it opens up some better opportunities for players to actually get a chance to play. Nowell probably won't get rotation minutes but if a guard goes down he is right in line for minutes. McLaughlin will see minutes when one of the PGs gets hurt. Naz is going to play Vanderbilt is going to play. Knight is likely to get minutes. McDaniels obviously is starting somewhere. Beverly can play with any of the guards and it would make sense. I think he could be a vet that makes a big difference even if it doesn't seem like it based on stats or whatever.

In addition Layman is a deep on the bench but can play ok if he is called upon. In general I just think this roster of players fits together bette than it has for a while. That helps.

[ALLDAYCHRIS [enjin:19712952]]

I'm just doubling down on Beasley starting this year. I think it's funny that everyone thinks he's a 6th man just because that is how they see him

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I just saw Jarred Vanderbilt's latest post on Instagram and read the comments. There's an overwhelming amount of support from teammates -- past and present -- as well as coaches, other prominent NBA players, and even new minority owner Marc Lore. If nothing else, Vando's incredibly liked by his teammates. It's nice to see. I expect him to significantly outplay his contract, for what it's worth.

[ALLDAYCHRIS [enjin:19712952]]

I hope he gets the chance to be a starter and get 30+ minutes a night. I just don't see it happening

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I hope he gets the chance to be a starter and get 30+ minutes a night. I just don't see it happening

You may be right. The Wolves were at their best, though, when Jarred Vanderbilt was on the floor with Karl-Anthony Towns. Unless Minnesota makes a trade for one Ben Simmons, I'd like to see Vando as the starting four. His rebounding and defensive prowess are needed in the starting five.

[FNG]

I'm just doubling down on Beasley starting this year. I think it's funny that everyone thinks he's a 6th man just because that is how they see him

I can't speak for others, Chris, but my belief that Beasley should not start is based on a lot more than just how I see him.

1) Barring a bog trade, it's a foregone conclusion that Dlo will be our starting PG. With Dlo's defensive issues widely noted and agreed upon, we simply cannot put another defensively-challenged next to him in the backcourt and expect to win many games. Beas seems to put more effort into his defense than Dlo, but somehow he just doesn't get it and so often gives up wide open looks.

2) On the positive side, Beasley has proven to be a very good distance shooter for the Wolves. But scorers who struggle with defense are ideally suited to a 6th man role...think Jamal Crawford, Lou Williams and Derrick Rose.

3) Starting Beasley means putting either Ant or Jaden on the bench. I assume you would move Jaden to the bench if Beasley became a starter, and substituting Beasley for Jaden really hurts our defense against the other team's starters.

4) NBA players need to work on their games during the offseason...we celebrate players who show a desire to improve during the offseason, and criticize those who don't. Unfortunately Beasley didn't have much chance to work on his game while he spent his summer as inmate #37234 at the Wright County jail. On top of missing a lot of time last season with a bad hamstring, how good do we think he is going to be when the season starts?

I still hope Rosas can find a way to include Beasley in a deal that brings back Simmons. But if he doesn't, there are multiple reasons he should come off the bench rather than start.

[Tactical unit]

PG: D'Angelo Russell / Patrick Beverley / Jordan McLaughlin / McKinley Wright IV
SG: Anthony Edwards / Malik Beasley / Jaylen Nowell
SF: Jaden McDaniels / Josh Okogie / Jake Layman
PF: Jarred Vanderbilt / Taurean Prince
C: Karl-Anthony Towns / Naz Reid / Nathan Knight

This is the depth chart as it stands currently. The starting lineup could be different depending on how Chris Finch wants to open games -- Russell, Edwards, McDaniels, Vanderbilt vs. Russell, Beasley, Edwards, McDaniels. Finch has hinted at both being possibilities, for what it's worth.

The Wolves are also expected to sign Leandro Bolmaro before the summer concludes, which would leave Minnesota with one empty roster spot that I would assume remains open moving forward. Obviously, this doesn't account for any Ben Simmons trade.

I think Minnesota improved their roster from last year despite having minimal wiggle room. I like the Beverley and Prince pickups as opposed to having Ricky Rubio, Jarrett Culver, and Juan Hernangomez. It's not a sexy off-season, but they accomplished some things on their to-do list. They failed to get bigger or much better defensively, but maybe they're not done yet. All in all, I like what Minnesota has right now.

I agree, Cam. The Wolves have meaningfully improved their roster. You're right they did not get bigger, but they definitely got better, even slightly better defensively. Rosas deserves credit for what he's done with what you've accurately characterized as minimal wiggle room. Meanwhile, the Wolves still have a legitimate shot at Simmons or perhaps Myles Turner as a secondary target.

I think the Wolves will be significantly better this next season for three reason:
1. Off-season roster improvements
2. Likely better health of/more games played by key players
3. Likely sophomore improvement of the Wolves two talented rookies, Edwards and Jaden
4. Better head coach from the beginning of the season
5. Full training camp, which means more to a young team, especially one whose players haven't been together long

How much better the Wolves will be will obviously depend on the impact of each of those five factors. It will also depend on improvement from our other young players from last season - Vanderbilt, Naz Reid, and Nowell. And it might be depend on what Bolmaro brings to the table.

Yes Rosas didn't make a deal that seems major but in terms of simple dollars he did move over 30 million of salary around this offseason. I think trading Ricky Rubio is not a small deal to have been made. Acquiring Patrick Beverly is not a small deal either. Those guys are on the good end of fringe starting guards. Juancho and Culver very few here cared if those guys were on the team. I thought it might cost us something to move someone this year especially Culver. Rosas was able to add a player like Beverly and dump guys we didn't really need and ended up with a 2nd rounder (instead of paying one) and space to resign 2 young players.

The Wolves didn't squeeze McLaughlin again and so now there are 2 players the Wolves have given NBA contract to who were undrafted guys in Naz and McLaughlin. That might encourage some players to come here because it looks like we might actually give the guys a chance and reward them. That's not a big deal but it's not a bad thing.

Rosas may not blow anyone away with this offseason but I really like it.

I also think that with all the moves that were made it opens up some better opportunities for players to actually get a chance to play. Nowell probably won't get rotation minutes but if a guard goes down he is right in line for minutes. McLaughlin will see minutes when one of the PGs gets hurt. Naz is going to play Vanderbilt is going to play. Knight is likely to get minutes. McDaniels obviously is starting somewhere. Beverly can play with any of the guards and it would make sense. I think he could be a vet that makes a big difference even if it doesn't seem like it based on stats or whatever.

In addition Layman is a deep on the bench but can play ok if he is called upon. In general I just think this roster of players fits together bette than it has for a while. That helps.

This Part --> The Wolves didn't squeeze McLaughlin again and so now there are 2 players the Wolves have given NBA contract to who were undrafted guys in Naz and McLaughlin. That might encourage some players to come here because it looks like we might actually give the guys a chance and reward them. That's not a big deal but it's not a bad thing.

You nailed it, but I do think it's a big deal so maybe you half nailed it. Future undrafted players, players out the G-League, coming over from across the pond and anyone trying to prove themselves will definitely look at a teams history. Rosas history shows if you can prove you can ball you can earn a contract.

This is where the franchise can find value contracts and that is a big deal because it allows you to turn nothing into actual assets that you can add up over time to find stars over time. Hell maybe the undrafted guy becomes a star, maybe you trade N. Ried in a package for a star, maybe he's moved for a draft pick and then you hit big on the draft pick and find a star.

This strategy allows you to get the most value out of the salary cap and with most players not interested in playing in MN because it's a cold weather destination, this is a path much needed because getting FA's to naturally come here has been a struggle. Becoming a playoff team would naturally change our ability to land FA's but no matter what stage your team is in being able to find players that are cheap yet can actually play is needed.

Think of the Lakers getting cheap veterans sacrificing pay to contend for a title, every team needs value contracts and finding them free and young and developing is a big deal. I'm happy for J-Mac and think there is room to grow. V8 is one of my favorite players to watch because he has energy and wants to make a play as much or often times more than any player on the court. That R. Covington deal just keeps looking better for the Wolves!

[Monster]

I'm just doubling down on Beasley starting this year. I think it's funny that everyone thinks he's a 6th man just because that is how they see him

I can't speak for others, Chris, but my belief that Beasley should not start is based on a lot more than just how I see him.

1) Barring a bog trade, it's a foregone conclusion that Dlo will be our starting PG. With Dlo's defensive issues widely noted and agreed upon, we simply cannot put another defensively-challenged next to him in the backcourt and expect to win many games. Beas seems to put more effort into his defense than Dlo, but somehow he just doesn't get it and so often gives up wide open looks.

2) On the positive side, Beasley has proven to be a very good distance shooter for the Wolves. But scorers who struggle with defense are ideally suited to a 6th man role...think Jamal Crawford, Lou Williams and Derrick Rose.

3) Starting Beasley means putting either Ant or Jaden on the bench. I assume you would move Jaden to the bench if Beasley became a starter, and substituting Beasley for Jaden really hurts our defense against the other team's starters.

4) NBA players need to work on their games during the offseason...we celebrate players who show a desire to improve during the offseason, and criticize those who don't. Unfortunately Beasley didn't have much chance to work on his game while he spent his summer as inmate #37234 at the Wright County jail. On top of missing a lot of time last season with a bad hamstring, how good do we think he is going to be when the season starts?

I still hope Rosas can find a way to include Beasley in a deal that brings back Simmons. But if he doesn't, there are multiple reasons he should come off the bench rather than start.

Beasley has also said he would be cool with coming off the bench. This is sort of a big deal. Turned down some pretty decent money in Denver partly because he wasn't happy with his role there. I think that was understandable. Here even if he comes off the bench he will probably play starter minutes. Rosas has clearly valued him very highly. I'll also mention that when Beasley was moved her Denver fans and media members said they saw Beasley's best role was a 6th man type. There are some guys I think that get being a 6th man isn't a bad thing. For some guys it means you have more ability to do your thing than if you were off the bench. There have been HOFs that were 6th man guys for chunks of their careers. Guys like Crawford and Lou Williams have had very good careers playing that role. Beasley is getting paid more like a starter and if he is playing a big role which he will if he is here than whether he starts or not isn't too significant. He will likely get some starts but I think the Wolves will go a different direction than having him start. I'm also not completely against it either.

[Lipoli390]

I hope he gets the chance to be a starter and get 30+ minutes a night. I just don't see it happening

You may be right. The Wolves were at their best, though, when Jarred Vanderbilt was on the floor with Karl-Anthony Towns. Unless Minnesota makes a trade for one Ben Simmons, I'd like to see Vando as the starting four. His rebounding and defensive prowess are needed in the starting five.

I'm with you on this, Cam. I can't remember specifically, but I recall that your point about the Wolves being at their best with Vanderbilt on the floor with KAT is supported by some pretty compelling statistics.

[Lipoli390]

FNG -- I have a thought on the following from your last post:

"3) Starting Beasley means putting either Ant or Jaden on the bench. I assume you would move Jaden to the bench if Beasley became a starter, and substituting Beasley for Jaden really hurts our defense against the other team's starters."


I agree with you that the Wolves would be better served by Beasley in a 6th-man role. But I don't think that starting Beasley necessarily puts Ant or Jaden on the bench. I could easily see a starting lineup with Beasley at SG, Edwards at SF and Jaden at PF. However, I'd prefer to start Vanderbilt with Jaden at the 3 and Edwards at the 2. That would ensure two good defenders and good overall size in our starting lineup. Edwards is still a wild card on the defensive end. So far he's been a bad defender, but he has the potential to be a great defender over time.

I will say that a starting lineup of DLO, Beasley, Edwards, Jaden and KAT would be an offensive powerhouse.