Thibs and Layden pre-draft Press conference

[Monster]

I just watched what they had available on Timberwolves.com I didn't find anything too earth shattering but did anyone else watch it?

Layden said they like the draft and feel really good at #5. They have had a lot of calls about the pick offering "D. All of the above" when it comes to what team want to give up to get it. They feel that it's a pretty good sign that so many teams are calling that means it's a good draft and they are in a good spot.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

They seem absolutely willing to trade that pick, but it's all about finding the right fit and trade partner....easier said than done.....especially on a message board!

[Lipoli390]

I listened to it twice.

TRADING THE PICK

It seemed clear they're not closed to the idea of trading th pick. But I don't pick up any sense that they are "absolutely willing" to trade the pick to the extent that phrase means they would like or prefer to trade it. I get the sense that they have their eye on players they like who they expect to be available at #5. For example, Layden said "this is a very good draft in our area..." He also said the following: "We like the range we're in." We have a "high pick in a strong draft." If anything, listening to this press conference reduced my sense that the Wolves will trade the pick.

COMMENTS ON CURRENT ROSTER

A few interesting comments on this topic. Among other things, Thibs said, "the thing that makes this team and organization appealing are the players that are here - Andrew Wiggins, Karl Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Gorgui, Ricky, Shabazz and the other players." I don't want to read to much into this comment, but I don't think you can ignore the fact that he referred to these guys by name. And I was also struck by the order in which he named them. It's not alphabetical and it's not by age. Thibs is a smart guy who doesn't seem to say anything without a lot of thought behind it. It don't think it's too much of a stretch to conclude that the order in which he named these guys reflects to some degree Thibs' ranking of their importance to the team. Seems like he sees Wiggins and KAT as his top two although not necessarily in that order. He also seems to view Zach as his number 3 with Gorgui #4. Interesting that he named Ricky after Gorgui. He didn't mention Belly, Payne or even Tyus Jones. Nor did he mention Pekovic who Thibs referred to as "done" according to someone in an earlier report on this message board.

Another interesting comment was Thibs' statement that "the team will probably be different in terms of the draft, free agency and how the roster unfolds." That doesn't necessarily mean he's going to trade any of the core young guys. I think it reflected the reality that the roster around our young core will change via the draft and free agency. When asked about conversations with KG, Thibs' answer was very guarded: "I'm going to keep those conversations private." My sense is he's trying to encourage KG to retire and accept a coaching role. A subtle comment Thibs' made was his reference to having "veterans who can contribute." The comment echoed in my head as a clear signal that he doesn't want veterans on the roster who don't do much more than mentor.

So when Thibs talked about the roster changing, I think he meant at a minimum replacing Prince, KG, Payne and Rudez. I don't see them trading any of our core young guys except maybe Shabazz. But I do think Scott and Thibs intend to make significant use of free agency.

FREE AGENCY

Scott and Thibs mentioned free agency a number of times. Among other comments, I recall Thibs commenting that they had to "factor free agency" into their draft decision-making. What that says to me is that Scott and Thibs clearly have free agent targets in mind who can fill needs and part of their draft decision will turn on whether the draft prospect can fill a need that one of our free agent targets wouldn't fill as well.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

Scott and Thibs were very careful to avoid comment on any specific draft prospects. However, they were asked specifically about Jamal Murray. The question was whether Murray was a PG or SG. I thought Thibs' answer was very interesting in some subtle ways. Thibs responded by saying that "Murray is a basketball player." Thibs, who rarely has much good to say about any specific player, then went on to almost gush (by Thibs's standard) over Murray, talking about his international experience and saying he's "a very good player..." Does this mean Thibs will draft Murray if he's available at #5? Who knows. But after hearing Thibs comment on Murray, I think I'd lean towards saying yes.

TEAM NEEDS

Scott and Thibs both referred to mental toughness and shooting as the main characteristics they were looking for in players. Thibs specifically said they were looking for "work ethic, intelligence and drive, putting a premium on shooting." That last phrase was revealing: "a premium on shooting." Thibs also said, "you can never have enough shooting." Makes me think Murray or Hield. Also makes me think it's highly unlikely the Wolves trade LaVine in a package for Butler.

OVERALL

These guys really play it tight to the vest. So it's hard to draw any reliable conclusions from today's press conference or anything else they've said. My biggest take-away was that Thibs seems really smart and solid. When he's done talking you feel confident that this guy's going to make good decisions. Of course, proof will be in the pudding. Thibs has never been a basketball executive before, but I have a good feeling about his judgment.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Thanks for the breakdown, Lip. Haven't had a chance to watch it as I've been busy as of late, but I like everything you noted in the post above. I too think it's important that he named our current guys by name. To me, that indicates that he values them. And the ones that he didn't name, as you say, are players that I'm more than okay with trading or letting go as soon as this off-season.

I'm feeling more and more confident -- and excited -- that Jamal Murray will be our pick Thursday night if he is indeed available, but I don't want to get my hopes up too high in case they decide to make a different move.

PS: Stein reported that Boston has been completely unsuccessful in finding a worthy veteran to trade the No. 3 pick for. Reportedly, Utah and Milwaukee shut down all talks revolving around Gordon Hayward and Khris Middleton and Jabari Parker, respectively. They are "unavailable," though that really means "unavailable for what's being currently offered." I also expect Los Angeles to shut them down when it comes to Blake Griffin if they haven't done so already. Things can obviously change in 48 hours, but as I said in that "Whose situation would you rather have" thread, acquiring All-Star talent is not and will not ever be an easy thing to do. Boston could -- and likely will -- strike out yet again in that regard.

[TheFuture]

Thanks for the report.

I always view anything front offices talk about before a draft as smoke. No reason to lay your cards out there which can allow a team to move up in front of you, or take them to extract value from you, etc. I also have to say you're reading a bit too far into him calling those players by name. I agree that it means he values those 5 players the most (they are also our current starters), but I don't think you can say he values Gorgui more than Ricky because of the order he said them in.

I hope you're correct with how Thibs views the KG situation. Rather see him coaching/front office in some capacity than to see him warm the bench most of the year. Oh and after dealing with Sam last season, the shooting thing ismusic to my ears every time. As for free agency, i'm excited to see what this roster and Thibs can attract. I still don't want to see a max player or even 15mil+ on one player, but 2 for 15ish would be great.

[Monster]

Lip had a very good break down. The video on Timberwolves.com is like 18 minutes and its well worth a few minutes to make you feel good about these guys IMO. Like Lip said watching that I felt really confident these guys have a plan know what they are doing and are not looking to do anything rash. Layden did seem very high on this draft.

A few things to add but Lip cover most everything.

Lip how did you listen to this twice and forget that Thibs said Shabazz at the end of naming those other players? This isn't the first time I have heard him mention Bazz as part of the young group. I think Thibs actually values Bazz.

On young players Thibs basically said if a young guy can play he will play. It was all about production. If the young guy isn't ready yet he needs to practice well then then when he practices well he will likely play well. Its all about a process of development. It didn't seem like he was concerned about taking a young guy in the draft but said it was a tough question if they would have too many young guys and ideally you would have a good mix of young guys young vets and some older guys that can still play. It seemed to me they are gonna take the best player they can get and they aren't going to take a guy just because he is older and more ready unless they think that guy is gonna be better overall and or for the team.

I think Thibs saying he was going to keep his conversations between KG and him private could be out of respect for KG who is a private person going through some loss right now (did KG even have time to process Flip's loss during the season?). It also is a smart thing to do because saying anything right now about KG would open up a HUGE can of worms/questions.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Hmm...so Thibs specifically mentioned Bazz, but not Belly? I hope that was just an oversight, and not any indication that Bazz is in his plans more than Belly.

I appreciate the thorough breakdown by Lip of the press conference, because I didn't intend to listen to it. One thing that has become crystal clear about Thibs is that he is a mirror opposite of Flip...he's going to be very guarded in everything he says. I mentioned a couple weeks ago that a good friend of mine spent an hour with Thibs (Thibs was condo hunting), and while he found Thibs to be a smart, engaging guy, he got absolutely nothing significant out of the hour other than the infamous "Pek is done" comment.

I will also tell you that people very high up in the organization have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow night, or in free agency. This is 180 degrees from the Saunders era when many people knew the direction Flip was going in...as Lip can attest to. My summary is that while the Flip era was more fun, the Thibs/Leydon veil of secrecy is a more effective way of running a team.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Yeah, it doesn't sound like Thibs is going to be taking Lip out to lunch anytime soon!

My conclusion from the press conference is.....absolutely NOTHING! We'll just hang on and enjoy the ride on Thursday.

[Monster]

Hmm...so Thibs specifically mentioned Bazz, but not Belly? I hope that was just an oversight, and not any indication that Bazz is in his plans more than Belly.

I appreciate the thorough breakdown by Lip of the press conference, because I didn't intend to listen to it. One thing that has become crystal clear about Thibs is that he is a mirror opposite of Flip...he's going to be very guarded in everything he says. I mentioned a couple weeks ago that a good friend of mine spent an hour with Thibs (Thibs was condo hunting), and while he found Thibs to be a smart, engaging guy, he got absolutely nothing significant out of the hour other than the infamous "Pek is done" comment.

I will also tell you that people very high up in the organization have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow night, or in free agency. This is 180 degrees from the Saunders era when many people knew the direction Flip was going in...as Lip can attest to. My summary is that while the Flip era was more fun, the Thibs/Leydon veil of secrecy is a more effective way of running a team.

LST I don't think Thibs is gonna rattle off everyone on the team so I don't know if I would take him not mentioning Belly as significant or not. I think generally when Thibs has mentioned the Wolves players he has named guys that would be young players. He has talked a bout Tyus as well. Bjelica turned 28 in May so that kinda puts him outside being a young guy and he was a rookie so...yeah I wouldn't be concerned that Thibs doesn't like him. Personally I would think Bjelica would be a guy that brings a lot of what Thibs said he is wanting since talking over the team.

[60WinTim]

As for the smoke Future mentioned... Thibs has consistently mentioned shooting. He is doing this so a team that wants Dunn will not feel the urgency to move up ahead of the Wolves! We will see tomorrow night.