How do we take the next step?

[jake_elwood [enjin:6673175]]

This season was supposed to have potential. Building off of our first playoff appearance in 38.7 years, with Jimmy hopefully being healthy 70+ games, better cohesion with the core having a year together under their belts, Rose, Okogie. There was reason for optimism. And then Jimmy happened...

Now, once we got that albatross off our neck, we're a 12-9 team, 2 games under .500 still and trailing 6th place by 3 games. We don't suck in the west at this point, but I doubt we can hang with the big boys by just developing our young stars.

So, looking to the future, what do we need to do to take the next step? Developing our young players is a start, but you have to imagine Rose is gone after this year, and he's kept us afloat at times this season. So:

1: Thibodeau has to go. He hasn't properly developed Wiggins and Towns. His play calling can be enough to make you reach through the screen to choke him.

2: We need somebody else. Even if Towns and Wiggins develop and are coached to the team's strengths, I don't think that would be enough to bump the Warriors or Westbrook/George in a 7 game series.

So, crazy? idea: how available is Wall? Could we get him for Teague and first-rounder(s)? Teague takes 19 mil off the books for them after this season, and 19 more after next even if he opts in. Bradley Beal is 25 years old, so would salary relief and picks to build around him be enough to get Wall? When health, he's an all-star every season. Otherwise, I don't know who we add to this squad.

Now, the coaching situation, I have no idea. Thibs pretty much tied his horse to Jimmy when he made that trade. What do you guys think?

[Coolbreeze44]

I think we need to keep Rose. Let's see how well this talented group is playing in the 2nd half of the season. Problem is Thibs isn't going anywhere, so our potential is limited.

[thedoper]

This season was supposed to have potential. Building off of our first playoff appearance in 38.7 years, with Jimmy hopefully being healthy 70+ games, better cohesion with the core having a year together under their belts, Rose, Okogie. There was reason for optimism. And then Jimmy happened...

Now, once we got that albatross off our neck, we're a 12-9 team, 2 games under .500 still and trailing 6th place by 3 games. We don't suck in the west at this point, but I doubt we can hang with the big boys by just developing our young stars.

So, looking to the future, what do we need to do to take the next step? Developing our young players is a start, but you have to imagine Rose is gone after this year, and he's kept us afloat at times this season. So:

1: Thibodeau has to go. He hasn't properly developed Wiggins and Towns. His play calling can be enough to make you reach through the screen to choke him.

2: We need somebody else. Even if Towns and Wiggins develop and are coached to the team's strengths, I don't think that would be enough to bump the Warriors or Westbrook/George in a 7 game series.

So, crazy? idea: how available is Wall? Could we get him for Teague and first-rounder(s)? Teague takes 19 mil off the books for them after this season, and 19 more after next even if he opts in. Bradley Beal is 25 years old, so would salary relief and picks to build around him be enough to get Wall? When health, he's an all-star every season. Otherwise, I don't know who we add to this squad.

Now, the coaching situation, I have no idea. Thibs pretty much tied his horse to Jimmy when he made that trade. What do you guys think?

I think getting wall for Teague would be a great play. But there is no way Taylor pays the luxury tax, especially after the negative heat the organization took for Butler. Taylor is already notoriously risk averse, exposing that much capital for a perceived malcontent in this market just wont add up. But I think Wall even with his outrageous salary has flipped to an undervalued commodity.

I like where you are going though, our only shot is to look at undervalued players who other teams won't touch for whatever reason be it attitude, pay, etc since we're not winning the lottery and we're not getting a top tier free agent. The other high risk play I look at is trading for Walker as soon as he's made available.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

Wall is worse than Jimmy when it comes to team chemistry. He's not the piece to put us over the top. Quite frankly the best chance we have to add that piece is just to get lucky in the draft. That's about it.

[jake_elwood [enjin:6673175]]

Wall is worse than Jimmy when it comes to team chemistry. He's not the piece to put us over the top. Quite frankly the best chance we have to add that piece is just to get lucky in the draft. That's about it.

Maybe, but if we have the opportunity, I don't see how we could pass it up. I don't trust us to properly develop new talent before our max contracts run out. And Wall is signed for 4 more years... at 40 mil per. He's not in a Jimmy position of being able to realistically demand a trade or walk after a year, and he's being paid top money. Money can't be an issue. Plus, our defense with RoCo, Saric, Okogie developing, Wig playing with effort, KAT if he puts it together even a little. Plus having Wig, Karl, and Wall able to carry on offense any given night... if we can do it and don't, I guess we don't want to try to win big.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I'd stay away from John Wall, myself. That salary (with the trade kicker) is a cap killer and he's just not much of a needle mover despite his talent level. I would rather throw a legitimate trade offer at the Hornets for Kemba Walker and roll the dice with him on an expiring.

This is all speculation on my part, but I think Walker's got a loyal personality. I could see a strong run at the playoffs-- and with the max contract -- being enticing enough for him to stick around and play/build with Towns. Would be somewhat similar to the Paul George in OKC situation.

[ItsJustSoSab]

I'd stay away from John Wall, myself. That salary (with the trade kicker) is a cap killer and he's just not much of a needle mover despite his talent level. I would rather throw a legitimate trade offer at the Hornets for Kemba Walker and roll the dice with him on an expiring.

This is all speculation on my part, but I think Walker's got a loyal personality. I could see a strong run at the playoffs-- and with the max contract -- being enticing enough for him to stick around and play/build with Towns. Would be somewhat similar to the Paul George in OKC situation.

Agreed. Kemba over Wall. A legit shot creator who can make things happen off the dribble at a superior level would be great. What to give up for him though? I assume KAT, Wiggins (I'd be for this just doubt Thibs would), Saric and Roco are off the table. Doesn't leave much to offer.

[Wolvesfan21]

Wall is a good player, but he's absolute trash when you consider his contract and attitude. They would have to throw in 1st round picks for anyone to take him. Negative value.

Kemba is a player I like a lot. I just don't think Glen want to go into the Lux cap, so our chance of resigning him would be slim.

Beal is a player I like also. He's on a reasonable contract too, I proposed a possible Wiggins plus a 1st for him. That frees up more cap for us and gives us a slight upgrade too. I just don't think they do that even if they are blowing it up. Maybe two 1sts with Wiggins could get it done.

What we need is a new GOOD coach and a lot of luck in the draft. We tied ourselves to KAT (good) and Wiggins (bad) with max contracts. So we need both of them to step up with a new coach and a lucky drafty or two selection.

[crazy-canuck [enjin:18955461]]

First thing is to figure out is a direction or identity.

Are we going to build around the players or a system?

Because right now, we are doing neither.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Isn't John Wall's trade kicker another 15%...? That basically makes him next-to-impossible to move. I can see the Wizards being one of the teams possibly accepting Wiggins as part of a return package though.

Wall is a near-elite talent. But as noted, chemistry issues have been there. And he's not known for his work on his game or body. He relies on athleticism. Do you want to risk that for several more years at $40M per year?

Unfortunately, free agency is largely out with the way the new NBA works. Third-tier guys will be available... but at an overpay? Will that sort of move really move the needle? The draft is obviously where the Wolves need to strike gold. But, that's a very boring and unpredictable and longer way to go.

They need A RUN of quality draft picks. And not just late in the round where they can land a Gobert or Siakum every once in awhile, but even in the 2nd round where they can get a Monte Morris type.



[Note: As for the Canuck's last post about "identity"... I've always been a big identity guy. And he's right... this team STILL has neither. You have the gruff Thibs in charge, but it's not like his team plays anything like what he's allegedly best at teaching. The Wolves aren't a high-flying bunch. They don't run. They don't play slow and focus on defense. They aren't original in any sort of meaningful way. If anything, they're sorta known for being predictable in a way, right? Meh.]