Nassir Little or Romeo Langford to the rescue

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

It's just really hard seeing any of Okogie, Saric, KBD, or Tyus turning into stars. In terms of physical profile and mentality, Okogie probably has the best chance, but man, he's got a loooooong ways to go skills-wise. And our franchise is probably the worst-drafting team in sports history. The odds are not good here!

[Monster]

The Wolves have had 4 coaches in 4 seasons.

Kinda tough to implement a strong development program with that much turnover.

If the Wolves go the development route... the fans and owner and KAT have to be patient to pull it off.

I agree. It's just unfortunate the Wolves organization didn't show patience before hiring Thibodeau and trading for Butler. But fortunately KAT is still only 23 and will be in the first year of a new five year contract next season. Okogie is 20, very talented and on the front end of the NBA's rookie deal. Meanwhile, Tyus Jones is slightly younger than KAT with good enough upside and accomplishment so far to keep as a relatively inexpensive building block. Add the 25 year old Saric and 28 year old Covington with 3 years left on a fairly team-friendly contract and there is still some time for patience with one last window of opportunity to retool.

Patience? Flip had died. Let's not forget a real human element and a real tragedy was a factor in the organization and likely let to what may have been some poor decisions in making that hire.

[Monster]

It's just really hard seeing any of Okogie, Saric, KBD, or Tyus turning into stars. In terms of physical profile and mentality, Okogie probably has the best chance, but man, he's got a loooooong ways to go skills-wise. And our franchise is probably the worst-drafting team in sports history. The odds are not good here!

As we saw from the Sixers and other teams in other situations it's not just about developing players for your own team it's about having assets to make the next move if needed or comes along. Meanwhile having depth is pretty important and is a reason why some of these teams are overachieving around the league. The Wolves should be in the development game even if it doesn't work. That doesn't mean all young guys either but we can't have vets and the established young players basically completely road blocking anyone else from playing. We have yet to see what Ryan Saunders would donwuth a full roster but it looks like he would be willing to experiment quite a bit more than Thibs...ok that's a pretty low bar. lol

[AbeVigodaLive]

If the Wolves are building toward the future with Tyus Jones and Josh Okogie as two of the most important "building blocks"... we're fucked.

Now don't get me wrong, I like both of them for various reasons.

But look around the league and find me another team with any sort of promise whatsoever that's pointing to players like Tyus Jones and Josh Okogie as key building blocks.

PER 36:
12.0 ppg / 36.4% fg
9.6 ppg / 38.0% fg

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

If the Wolves are building toward the future with Tyus Jones and Josh Okogie as two of the most important "building blocks"... we're fucked.

Now don't get me wrong, I like both of them for various reasons.

But look around the league and find me another team with any sort of promise whatsoever that's pointing to players like Tyus Jones and Josh Okogie as key building blocks.

PER 36:
12.0 ppg / 36.4% fg
9.6 ppg / 38.0% fg

Don't disagree, but we've talked often about team defense being a bit of a wildcard that can lift a seemingly "meh" roster to relevancy (e.g. Indiana). Tyus is a plus team defender and Okogie looks to be on his way. For that reason alone, they can contribute to a winning organization without putting up a bunch of sexy numbers. But yeah.....you need to squint REALLY hard to see any two-way stars in the offing.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

So our experts here are already writing off Okogie after one half of a season and really not that many overall minutes?

[AbeVigodaLive]

So our experts here are already writing off Okogie after one half of a season and really not that many overall minutes?

You're creating a false narrative.

I don't think a single person has written off Okogie.

Some people, however, are tempering expectations just a bit... just like they've done with about 395 other Wolves players over the years.

[kekgeek]

So our experts here are already writing off Okogie after one half of a season and really not that many overall minutes?

You're creating a false narrative.

I don't think a single person has written off Okogie.

Some people, however, are tempering expectations just a bit... just like they've done with about 395 other Wolves players over the years.

Yep. I like Okogie, think he is solid, I just don't see star like some people. Hope I'm wrong.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

So our experts here are already writing off Okogie after one half of a season and really not that many overall minutes?

You're creating a false narrative.

I don't think a single person has written off Okogie.

Some people, however, are tempering expectations just a bit... just like they've done with about 395 other Wolves players over the years.

How is it false? To say someone won't become a star is to write him off. And as a first round pick, we should give him at least a couple seasons.

[Lipoli390]

If the Wolves are building toward the future with Tyus Jones and Josh Okogie as two of the most important "building blocks"... we're fucked.

Now don't get me wrong, I like both of them for various reasons.

But look around the league and find me another team with any sort of promise whatsoever that's pointing to players like Tyus Jones and Josh Okogie as key building blocks.

PER 36:
12.0 ppg / 36.4% fg
9.6 ppg / 38.0% fg

Don't disagree, but we've talked often about team defense being a bit of a wildcard that can lift a seemingly "meh" roster to relevancy (e.g. Indiana). Tyus is a plus team defender and Okogie looks to be on his way. For that reason alone, they can contribute to a winning organization without putting up a bunch of sexy numbers. But yeah.....you need to squint REALLY hard to see any two-way stars in the offing.

I don't see Tyus or Saric becoming stars or elite 2-way players. But both can be very good and important building blocks for the Wolves going forward. I don't have a hard time seeing Okogie becoming a star. His athleticism, freakish length and competitive drive give him the basic tools to become great. He's actually a good ballhandler and good passer as well. And what gets overlooked sometimes is appears to be a high basketball IQ. Yes, he makes rookie mistakes that sometimes flow from his high-octane motor. But he has a good feel for the game. His Achilles so far is his shooting. But I just harken back to his college shooting stats, which are nearly identical to Donovan Mitchell's college shooting stats, except that Okogie was a better 3-point shooter. Don't get me wrong. I'm not predicting Okogie will become a star. Based on his stats this season, I wouldn't bet a lot of money on him becoming a star. But I can still envision him becoming one and I don't think that's too much of a stretch.

Bottom line is this. The Wolves will go nowhere and KAT will be pushing for a trade in 3-4 years if the Wolves don't pair him with another star. Wiggins will NEVER be that second star. If Okogie doesn't develop into a star, then the Wolves will have to draft one because we'll never land one in a trade or free agency. As much as I think Okogie CAN become a star, I wouldn't put all my marbles in that bucket. That's why it's imperative that the Wolves stop striving to make the playoffs this season and focus on playing the young guys, including Okogie, Tyus, Saric and even KDB. Not only will that give us a better sense of what we have in our young guys, it will likely improve our draft position.