Iowa Wolves vs Nets

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Lip, The problem is that Nowell plays the same position as Culver and Okogie. Based on your assessment that the only way a player can develop is by getting NBA minutes, doesn't that apply to those two as well given their age and potential upside? So who are you sitting?

The good news is that unlike Kelan Martin, Nowell was drafted by us and there is no huge sense of urgency in the short term to "see what we've got". And yes, he can stil keep working on his game in the G League. In fact, he's going to get featured more down there assuming Reid and Martin stay up.

[Lipoli390]

Lip, The problem is that Nowell plays the same position as Culver and Okogie. Based on your assessment that the only way a player can develop is by getting NBA minutes, doesn't that apply to those two as well given their age and potential upside? So who are you sitting?

The good news is that unlike Kelan Martin, Nowell was drafted by us and there is no huge sense of urgency in the short term to "see what we've got". And yes, he can stil keep working on his game in the G League. In fact, he's going to get featured more down there assuming Reid and Martin stay up.

Q - Who am I willing to sit fo get Nowell more playing time? I'd sit Teague (hopefully trade him) and play Culver at PG, which is what the Wolves coaching staff was initially attempting to do. I could also see trimming back Okogie's minutes. He's regressing, even on the defensive end, and I'm losing patience with him. My rotation at the PG and SG positions would include Napier, Culver, Nowell and some Okogie. I'd give Martin minutes at SF behind Wiggins and KBD minutes at both the 3 and 4 positions. Martin could also get some minutes at SG. I'd like to give more minutes to KBD, Reid and Vonleh, but Covington and Gorgui are playing so well right now that I can't see cutting back their minutes. However, I'd be looking to trade RoCo and Wiggins right now for picks and prospects, foregoing a possible 8th playoff seed this season. But that's just me.

Yes, Nowell can continue to get lots of court time in the G-League. But he's already shown what he can do down there. We need to develop and evaluate him at the NBA level, especially given our need for shooters.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Lip, The problem is that Nowell plays the same position as Culver and Okogie. Based on your assessment that the only way a player can develop is by getting NBA minutes, doesn't that apply to those two as well given their age and potential upside? So who are you sitting?

The good news is that unlike Kelan Martin, Nowell was drafted by us and there is no huge sense of urgency in the short term to "see what we've got". And yes, he can stil keep working on his game in the G League. In fact, he's going to get featured more down there assuming Reid and Martin stay up.

Q - Who am I willing to sit fo get Nowell more playing time? I'd sit Teague (hopefully trade him) and play Culver at PG, which is what the Wolves coaching staff was initially attempting to do. I could also see trimming back Okogie's minutes. He's regressing, even on the defensive end, and I'm losing patience with him. My rotation at the PG and SG positions would include Napier, Culver, Nowell and some Okogie. I'd give Martin minutes at SF behind Wiggins and KBD minutes at both the 3 and 4 positions. Martin could also get some minutes at SG. I'd like to give more minutes to KBD, Reid and Vonleh, but Covington and Gorgui are playing so well right now that I can't see cutting back their minutes. However, I'd be looking to trade RoCo and Wiggins right now for picks and prospects, foregoing a possible 8th playoff seed this season. But that's just me.

Yes, Nowell can continue to get lots of court time in the G-League. But he's already shown what he can do down there. We need to develop and evaluate him at the NBA level, especially given our need for shooters.

I'm not so sure about Culver at PG. He seems like the classic secondary ball-handler and playmaker versus a true lead guard/point guard. With Napier playing well of late, you can see what a huge difference it makes offensively to have a PG that can both score and distribute. Heck, even Jordan McLaughlin looks like a breath of fresh air at times and he's not even played particularly well on the big league team.

I think it's only a matter of time before Nowell gets regular playing time. Teague is already being phased out gradually and Okogie is playing himself to the end of the bench. In the meantime, I'm perfectly fine seeing him build his confidence and get a ton of shots in the G League. Regardless of what happens this year, you have to believe he will be on the big league roster next season on Day One given all the free agents leaving after this season.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Nowell's last two games in Iowa:
Game 1: 24 points, 9-16 FG, 2-5 3PT, 3 Rebs, 5 Assts, +8
Game 2: 23 points 9-16 FG, 3-6 3PT, 4 Rebs, 8 Assts, +10

The dude is incredibly consistent. He's never NOT hit a 3-pointer in a game. He's never NOT scored 12 or more points. He's willing to make the extra pass. On the other hand, he's never scored more than 30 or put up any type of huge "do shit" type game.

I certainly don't see a star in the making here. He doesn't have elite quickness or explosiveness, which limits his trips to the FT line (averages only around 3 FTAs per game). He much prefers floaters and soft bank shots when he gets into the lane. He also doesn't have an elite release with his jumper ala Steph Curry, JJ Redick or Kyle Korver. This limits the volume of 3's he can get up. But it's a smoooooth looking shot and he's making 45% of them and shooting 50% overall from the field.

I have to believe that once he does get consistent minutes in the NBA, his shot will eventually come around and he can potentially be part of the solution for this team when it comes to outside shooting. Okogie is going to need to watch his back.....