Next Moves for the Wolves

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

The Timberwolves are among the teams who have interest in trading for Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr., per sources.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ianbegley/status/1207323414530347008

[mjs34]

The Timberwolves are among the teams who have interest in trading for Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr., per sources.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ianbegley/status/1207323414530347008

Perfect, another player that can't shoot!

He can't even make free throws.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

The Timberwolves are among the teams who have interest in trading for Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr., per sources.

https://mobile.twitter.com/ianbegley/status/1207323414530347008

Gross. Dennis Smith Jr. is another case of "looks the part, but doesn't play the part." He has all the tools in the world, but just doesn't produce. I don't get why there would be interest here.

[KG4Ever]

Seriously, Dennis Smith sucks. Just say no. If Rosas is truly chasing DLO and Dennis Smith, then I will have to question my faith in him. The only guys I want to avoid more than those two are Lonzo Ball and Dion Waiters. I view this year as a developmental year, so I'm fine with Point Wiggins and Culver and perhaps giving Nowell a shot too. Would like to see us go after Monte Morris if we look to acquire a point guard. Lowry is too old for my liking. He's 33. Jrue Holiday is 29 and is a two way player, so if we don't have to give up a boatload for him, he probably is the best option being talked about.

[KiwiMatt]

Depends what they would want for DSJ. If it's a couple of future 2nds I'd be happy to give him a shot.

Would not be willing to part with any of our rookie / sophomores.

[Monster]

Depends what they would want for DSJ. If it's a couple of future 2nds I'd be happy to give him a shot.

Would not be willing to part with any of our rookie / sophomores.

I've been as high on him as anyone here and I'd have some interest in bringing him in but he makes over 5 million next year and then you have to decide what to do with him the next season with over 7 million as a qualifying offer. Can you find a similar talent next year in FA? How much would it cost to just sign Mudiay? So yeah a couple 2nd round picks...nah I'd probably do a 2nd round pick and that's it. The guy's stats really do suck. The Wolves would have to trade a couple guys for salary matching like Graham and Napier or Bell or send Vonleh back to the Knicks. Lol That could open up a roster spot to add a different young player. If Rosas is remotely serious about DSJ you wonder if he thinks it's not really worth trying to hoard as much flexibility going into next offseason as it seemed like he wanted a couple months ago. The more I think about it the more I'm like...nah I'll pass. Honestly I could see the Knicks just moving him to get more gingival space and a team could get DSJ for just the price of having to pay him. I would be more likely to do it then.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

When has giving a talented, but under-achieving player a shot ever worked out for this franchise? The answer is never. They inevitably continue to underachieve and then move on.

[thedoper]

Rosas really trying to put his scout/player development balls on the table. If we got Smith and Randle out of it I'd be interested. I'd rather talent and potential any day than watching Shabazz turn the ball over.

[Monster]

When has giving a talented, but under-achieving player a shot ever worked out for this franchise? The answer is never. They inevitably continue to underachieve and then move on.

Wiggins???? Lol

[AbeVigodaLive]

I've seen Rockets/Warriors comparisons mentioned.

I can't think of many teams that play(ed) more contrasting styles...

Is Rosas digging the Houston model? Or the GSW one? Big difference. Personally, I hate watching Houston play. It's ugly basketball to me.

I'm using them as a comparison in that they are the trendsetters for the "space and pace" era. It's essentially the style that Rosas wants to replicate probably because it's what he knows. Those teams get up an absurd amount of threes and have essentially turned the game of basketball into an analytic practice.

Also, I don't see a big difference between the two models. You could argue that the Warriors played a style that incorporated more ball movement, but they were both extremely annoying to watch.

I disagree. And the stats seem to showcase quite bit of a difference, too.

GSW 3FGA + FTA (league rank)
2019: 34.4 (8.) ... 28th in free throws
2018: 28.9 (16) ... 22nd in free throws
2017: 31.2 (5)... 17th in free throws
2016: 31.6 (1)... 23rd in free throws
2015: 27.0 (4)... 26th in free throws

vs.

HOUSTON
2019: 45.4 (1)... 7th in free throws... 8 fewer apg than GSW
2018: 42.3 (1)... 3rd in free throws ... 8 fewer apg than GSW
2017: 40.3 (1)... 1st in free throws ... 5 fewer apg than GSW
2016: 30.9 (2)... 1st in free throws ... 7 fewer apg than GSW
2015: 32.7 (1)... 2nd in free throws ... 5 fewer apg than GSW

GSW largely stayed the same offensively, and went from a top three point shooting team to a mostly average one. They never shot a lot of free throws. But they did pass... leading the league in assists for 5 straight seasons, by multiple assists per game.

These numbers alone reveal that Houston plays a much more isolation style of game, much more reliant on three pointers... and free throws.

The eye test is just as stark.