A couple more things to consider. In 2022 games for his national team Vit shot 50% in 5 games playing 12 mpg and taking 2 3’s a game. Small sample size but that’s not low volume. Just for fun Let’s go to his junior Fiba stats and she shot over 38% across 5 years which is worst campaign was .333% in 2018. His one season I could find stats for that he played any significant minutes in international leagues for the season he shot .34.3% and he was playing limited minutes as a 19 or 20 year old. Meanwhile a few months ago in summer league he shot 38.1% from 3 over 6 games.
Connelly has said a few times that one strategy they are using to get talent is get guys a year early. Vit MIGHT be another one of those guys. Keep in mind his rookie year with the Thunder he was coming off a knee surgery and hadn’t played basketball for over a year. Connelly has acquired these type of guys multiple times over his career and has had success. Vit might be just another guy but if you watch some video of him it’s worth wondering if he can be something. Finding guys that can give you the possible ability to play minutes 1-4 seems valuable. I don’t think he should be dismissed as a worthwhile player.
Meanwhile I think it’s interesting they showed interest in Kennedy Chandler. That goes against what seems like a decision to go for bigger guards. I think they should be looking at Kennedy chandler but if we are talking about shooting he has shown little since college of being able to make a 3 and he shot extremely poorly from the FT line. And sure this was all in a relatively small sample. It’s a weird thing to knock one player for a thing but still be like oh we should be looking at another player and not discuss their flaws some of which are similar or possibly even worse. And if we are gonna talk about low volume of 3’s Chandler simply isn’t a high volume 3 point shooter.
Two things. First, unlike Vic, Chandler has a significant sample size of converting a high percentage of his threes. He hit over 38% of his threes in college through 31 games, averaging 31 minutes and nearly 4 three-point attempts per game. Vic has nothing close to that sample size shooting higher than the low 30s from behind the arc. Second, Chandler is a a pure PG. He’s a hyper-quick playmaking guard who averaged over 2 steals per game in college. I look at him as a potential successor to Conley as our PG, not as a SG off the bench. If we’re signing a SG to back up Edwards he had better be a really good perimeter shooter. If we’re signing a potential successor to Conley, then shooting is secondary albeit still important. We’re talking about a two-way contract here. I’ll live with uncertainty surrounding Chandler’s shooting as he develops into a possible future PG. But I’d look for proven shooters if using the 2-way slot on a player at the wing positions backing up Edwards or McDaniels.
But note I’m not opposed to signing Vic to several 10-day deals and giving him a long look and see if he’s really impressive.
Your significant sample size for chandler is 34 college games?
I’m gonna just go a on record here and just say that Kennedy Chandler sucks. Of course I’m joking a bit but I’m also baffled at how this guy continues to be thought of as some sort of legit prospect. He got cut before his first season was even over despite basically having the contract of a first round pick. Nobody has signed him. He couldn’t his the broadside of a barn from 3 or from the FT his first professional season. He was worse than Jarrett Culver on both areas. YIKES. What does he do well as an undersized guy that can only play PG?
Nix isn’t a SG he is at the very least a combo guard. That’s the possible value he has is he has size defensively. If I had to pick between Nix, TyTy and Chandler I would pick TyTy but honestly Im not sure there is much of a gap between any of those guys…and possibly for that matter Wendell Moore. Although what Moore has going for him is he actually has wing size. Oh that’s also what Vit has going for him as well except he is modern day NBA PF sized but has some guard skills.
Ultimately all these guys we are discussing we can likely agree are G-league guys that need to prove they are more and improve to become more fringe NBA players or get NBA contracts. The Wolves haven’t signed anyone to these deals that has anywhere new an inside track on a roster spot. If someone gets any kind of spot it will be because they really balled out…and probably accept a non-guaranteed deal or 2-way deal which until I hear otherwise Matt Ryan has the inside track on that spot. I don’t think any of these guys have the resume that say Garza did last year and because how well he did he was somewhat surprisingly easily able to wrestle away a 2-way deal from a guy that was an NBA player before but couldn’t hold onto a roster spot. I’m hoping we still have a more interesting signing still that has more of an inside track on a roster spot. Some of these guys are more CJ Elleby than a Garza type.
Yes, 34 college games at over 30 minutes per game is significant. It’s silly to suggest otherwise and it’s certainly far more telling than a five-game stretch Vic had shooting in the upper 30s from behind the arc. But let’s be clear, I wasn’t among those advocating for the Wolves to draft Kennedy Chandler and I’ve mentioned several times that the Grizzlies’ decision to simply cut him after barely one season gives me further pause. Because he’s a pure PG who was highly successful as a starting PG for a full season in college, Chandler strikes me as a more intriguing prospect for the Wolves than Vic.
This is really a pretty meaningless debate. I’ll suggest you not get to attached to Vic. I guarantee you he won’t be with the Wolves under any sort of contract when the regular season starts. . I don’t think Chandler will be either, but I think he has a better chance than Vic. Neither player excites me.
Last edited by Lipoli390 on Tue Sep 19, 2023 9:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
KG4Ever wrote: ↑Mon Sep 18, 2023 7:20 pm
I like Vit and I like Chandler. Vit I like for his size, long wingspan and inside/outside scoring and hustle. KC, I like for his passing, his basketball IQ, his ballhawking. Do they both need work? Heck yeah! But given how young they are, I'd like to see how they do in our system for a year, before we decide whether they have long term potential. Send them to Iowa on two way or G League contracts. Nix is interesting too. He wasn't loved in Houston, but his G League stats look respectable and he has received compliments for his passing skills, rebounding and defense. His detractors called him doughy and fat, but TC did well with a fat out of shape Serbian. I've seen enough glimmers of high end potential in all three, and think TC has a good eye for talent. Sometimes consistent shooting takes a few years to develop and so I prefer some projects with upside over veterans who don't move the needle.
That’s a reasonable summation.
Speaking of Nix being doughy…coming out of the draft his body fat was 11.8 next was Garza at 11.7 and then Austin Reaves at 11.0. Nix is in good company right? lol Watching videos he does look like he is a guy that might be able to shed some weight but maybe not. Either way even if he dropped 10 pounds he looks like he would still be a pretty stout dude. He kinda reminds me of another guy on the Rockets roster a weird/unique guy Jae'Sean Tate who ended up making his way into the league as an undersized forward with some guard skills. It will be interesting to see if he plays much this season if he is useful on a team actually trying to win games.
Garza has apparently been following a rigorous fitness program this summer that will probably get his body fat percentage down substantially. No NBA player should have a body fat percentage of nearly 12%. Heck, my body fat percentage is 12.7% and these days I just work out on a treadmill, do some resistance exercises and play pickleball. I saw a video of Garza recently and he looked pretty cut. There’s no reason Nix can’t get his body fat down to around 7%, which should make him significantly quicker and bouncier.
Two things. First, unlike Vic, Chandler has a significant sample size of converting a high percentage of his threes. He hit over 38% of his threes in college through 31 games, averaging 31 minutes and nearly 4 three-point attempts per game. Vic has nothing close to that sample size shooting higher than the low 30s from behind the arc. Second, Chandler is a a pure PG. He’s a hyper-quick playmaking guard who averaged over 2 steals per game in college. I look at him as a potential successor to Conley as our PG, not as a SG off the bench. If we’re signing a SG to back up Edwards he had better be a really good perimeter shooter. If we’re signing a potential successor to Conley, then shooting is secondary albeit still important. We’re talking about a two-way contract here. I’ll live with uncertainty surrounding Chandler’s shooting as he develops into a possible future PG. But I’d look for proven shooters if using the 2-way slot on a player at the wing positions backing up Edwards or McDaniels.
But note I’m not opposed to signing Vic to several 10-day deals and giving him a long look and see if he’s really impressive.
Your significant sample size for chandler is 34 college games?
I’m gonna just go a on record here and just say that Kennedy Chandler sucks. Of course I’m joking a bit but I’m also baffled at how this guy continues to be thought of as some sort of legit prospect. He got cut before his first season was even over despite basically having the contract of a first round pick. Nobody has signed him. He couldn’t his the broadside of a barn from 3 or from the FT his first professional season. He was worse than Jarrett Culver on both areas. YIKES. What does he do well as an undersized guy that can only play PG?
Nix isn’t a SG he is at the very least a combo guard. That’s the possible value he has is he has size defensively. If I had to pick between Nix, TyTy and Chandler I would pick TyTy but honestly Im not sure there is much of a gap between any of those guys…and possibly for that matter Wendell Moore. Although what Moore has going for him is he actually has wing size. Oh that’s also what Vit has going for him as well except he is modern day NBA PF sized but has some guard skills.
Ultimately all these guys we are discussing we can likely agree are G-league guys that need to prove they are more and improve to become more fringe NBA players or get NBA contracts. The Wolves haven’t signed anyone to these deals that has anywhere new an inside track on a roster spot. If someone gets any kind of spot it will be because they really balled out…and probably accept a non-guaranteed deal or 2-way deal which until I hear otherwise Matt Ryan has the inside track on that spot. I don’t think any of these guys have the resume that say Garza did last year and because how well he did he was somewhat surprisingly easily able to wrestle away a 2-way deal from a guy that was an NBA player before but couldn’t hold onto a roster spot. I’m hoping we still have a more interesting signing still that has more of an inside track on a roster spot. Some of these guys are more CJ Elleby than a Garza type.
Yes, 34 college games at over 30 minutes per game is significant. It’s silly to suggest otherwise and it’s certainly far more telling than a five-game stretch Vic had shooting in the upper 30s from behind the arc. But let’s be clear, I wasn’t among those advocating for the Wolves to draft Kennedy Chandler and I’ve mentioned several times that the Grizzlies’ decision to simply cut him after barely one season gives me further pause. Because he’s a pure PG who was highly successful as a starting PG for a full season in college, Chandler strikes me as a more intriguing prospect for the Wolves than Vic.
This is really a pretty meaningless debate. I’ll suggest you not get to attached to Vic. I guarantee you he won’t be with the Wolves under any sort of contract when the regular season starts. . I don’t think Chandler will be either, but I think he has a better chance than Vic. Neither player excites me.
I’m far from attached from any of these guys and I’m glad you aren’t either. I will point out that if Chandler’s 34 college games is significant than adding up all his professional stats where he has overall shot poorly in every single spot must be considered too.
In your previous post you said you considered Chandler a possible Conley replacement. Thats the kind of thing I was speaking to. At this point Chandler is more of a guy that could be more reasonably considered for McLaughlin’s future replacement.
What do I get if Vit makes the roster? Lol Just curious did you watch any video of the guy play? If any of these guys make the roster let’s agree to get a pizza and celebrate. Or…maybe we shouldn’t celebrate. Lol
Your significant sample size for chandler is 34 college games?
I’m gonna just go a on record here and just say that Kennedy Chandler sucks. Of course I’m joking a bit but I’m also baffled at how this guy continues to be thought of as some sort of legit prospect. He got cut before his first season was even over despite basically having the contract of a first round pick. Nobody has signed him. He couldn’t his the broadside of a barn from 3 or from the FT his first professional season. He was worse than Jarrett Culver on both areas. YIKES. What does he do well as an undersized guy that can only play PG?
Nix isn’t a SG he is at the very least a combo guard. That’s the possible value he has is he has size defensively. If I had to pick between Nix, TyTy and Chandler I would pick TyTy but honestly Im not sure there is much of a gap between any of those guys…and possibly for that matter Wendell Moore. Although what Moore has going for him is he actually has wing size. Oh that’s also what Vit has going for him as well except he is modern day NBA PF sized but has some guard skills.
Ultimately all these guys we are discussing we can likely agree are G-league guys that need to prove they are more and improve to become more fringe NBA players or get NBA contracts. The Wolves haven’t signed anyone to these deals that has anywhere new an inside track on a roster spot. If someone gets any kind of spot it will be because they really balled out…and probably accept a non-guaranteed deal or 2-way deal which until I hear otherwise Matt Ryan has the inside track on that spot. I don’t think any of these guys have the resume that say Garza did last year and because how well he did he was somewhat surprisingly easily able to wrestle away a 2-way deal from a guy that was an NBA player before but couldn’t hold onto a roster spot. I’m hoping we still have a more interesting signing still that has more of an inside track on a roster spot. Some of these guys are more CJ Elleby than a Garza type.
Yes, 34 college games at over 30 minutes per game is significant. It’s silly to suggest otherwise and it’s certainly far more telling than a five-game stretch Vic had shooting in the upper 30s from behind the arc. But let’s be clear, I wasn’t among those advocating for the Wolves to draft Kennedy Chandler and I’ve mentioned several times that the Grizzlies’ decision to simply cut him after barely one season gives me further pause. Because he’s a pure PG who was highly successful as a starting PG for a full season in college, Chandler strikes me as a more intriguing prospect for the Wolves than Vic.
This is really a pretty meaningless debate. I’ll suggest you not get to attached to Vic. I guarantee you he won’t be with the Wolves under any sort of contract when the regular season starts. . I don’t think Chandler will be either, but I think he has a better chance than Vic. Neither player excites me.
I’m far from attached from any of these guys and I’m glad you aren’t either. I will point out that if Chandler’s 34 college games is significant than adding up all his professional stats where he has overall shot poorly in every single spot must be considered too.
In your previous post you said you considered Chandler a possible Conley replacement. Thats the kind of thing I was speaking to. At this point Chandler is more of a guy that could be more reasonably considered for McLaughlin’s future replacement.
What do I get if Vit makes the roster? Lol Just curious did you watch any video of the guy play? If any of these guys make the roster let’s agree to get a pizza and celebrate. Or…maybe we shouldn’t celebrate. Lol
Point guards take time to develop. Fred VanVleet wasn't even drafted. Kyle Lowry struggled early on in his career. Same could be said for Chauncey Billups. Isaiah Thomas was the last pick of the draft. Jamal Murray missed like his first 17 shots in NBA. Tre Jones and Monte Morris are second rounders. DeJounte Murray and Derrick White were both pick 29. Pat Bev was a second rounder who had a long career as a pesky defender. So whoever are the best young point guards available, I'm all for giving them a look. I'd say Maledon and Chandler have to be at or near the top of that list.
Jon K tweeted that we signed Trevor Keels to a training camp deal:
The Timberwolves have reached agreement with Trevor Keels on a contract for training camp, sources tell @TheAthletic. Keels is a former McDonald's All-American from Duke. He had a 2-way deal with the Knicks last season.
KG4Ever wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 6:43 pm
Wolves trade a 2024 first round pick for Trevor Keels.
To be clear, KG, this was a G League pick (owned by the Iowa Wolves) that was traded. The Timberwolves still own their 2024 pick (somewhere in the very late 20s ).
KG4Ever wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 6:43 pm
Wolves trade a 2024 first round pick for Trevor Keels.
To be clear, KG, this was a G League pick (owned by the Iowa Wolves) that was traded. The Timberwolves still own their 2024 pick (somewhere in the very late 20s ).
FNG, yeah I know. I purposely left that info out. Iowa Wolves traded pick. I was just seeing if I could get a reaction from someone first before providing the full details.
KG4Ever wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 6:43 pm
Wolves trade a 2024 first round pick for Trevor Keels.
To be clear, KG, this was a G League pick (owned by the Iowa Wolves) that was traded. The Timberwolves still own their 2024 pick (somewhere in the very late 20s ).
FNG, yeah I know. I purposely left that info out. Iowa Wolves traded pick. I was just seeing if I could get a reaction from someone first before providing the full details.
Shams: Free agent G/F Matt Ryan is signing a two-way NBA deal to return to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Ryan shot 38.1 percent from 3-point land across 34 games for the Lakers and T'Wolves last season.
. I don’t think Chandler will be either, but I think he has a better chance than Vic. Neither player excites me.
).
