Yes, the team's main problem is its core. But that was going to be this team's main problem for several years anyway, because that's what you get when your core is so damn young. But TC is doing his best to accelerate that young core's development by putting championship pieces around that young core now. Even if it doesn't lead to a championship or deep playoff run this year, I believe TC will have successfully shaved a year or two or more years off the young core's development timeline. So while we have a short Conley-Gobert championship window now, we hopefully have a longer ANT-Jaden championship window in the future, that starts sooner than it might normally have begun.
So you can lament the growing process our young core is going through. Or you can enjoy the process of developing them on an accelerated pace. Which happens to be working quite well, sitting atop the Western Conference well past the midway point of the season!
I’m definitely enjoying the season. I’m just pointing out why this team isn’t a true championship contender and will likely get bounced well before the NBA finals. My point is we’re not a tweak away.
I don’t buy this “accelerated growth” theory. Players grow together at their natural pace. Jordan, Pippen and Horace Grant grew together. So did Curry, Thompson and Green. So did Duncan, Parker and Manu. We see it happening now with the young group in OKC. Rudy’s presence has clearly elevated the team’s performance this season, but Ant won’t develop any faster or better as a result. Same for Jaden.
We'll have to agree to disagree. I can't help but think the success the Wolves have had thus far, coupled with the hard knocks of losing games they should have won, will only add to the learning process for ANT and Jaden (and others). My hope is these hard knocks now will help prepare them for what will happen in the playoffs. And any sort of playoff run will be proof of that.
It’s been a while so sorry if this has already been brought up but the Wolves do have 2024 2nd round pick the worst of Memphis or Washington which they received back from the Russell trade. That’s a reasonably nice asset. Kudos to Connelly for that trade which looks even better now.
I also agree that the Wolves seem like they are going to make a move. I read a couple articles that said some players might be had for not much including Tyus . The Wolves do have a couple young players they could deal the issue is with the players usually tossed around is they are on expiring contracts. Will the Wolves want to or be able to keep them past this year? It would be pretty awesome if they could keep both Tyus and Conley for a couple years. I don’t think that’s impossible.
Shake Milton hasn’t done much the past few games to inspire confidence going forward that he can help. His struggles are an example of a player a team acquired that seems like should be at least decent…can go awry. Hopefully the Wolves can bring in someone that works out. Troy Brown Jr hasn’t exactly looked awesome when getting minutes although he at least brings defense and energy.
If the Wolves can’t pull off a reasonable deal for Tyus or Delon Wright, they should pursue Lowry if he becomes a free agent. We have an open roster spot. Here’s a recent rumor:
The 76ers, Lakers and Magic are among the teams known to possess interest in Lowry if he becomes an unrestricted free agent — with Orlando also in the mix as a team that has expressed exploratory trade interest in the former NBA championship-winning point guard as well.
Source: marcstein.substack.com
Why on earth would Lowry sign with the Sixers, Lakers or Magic for the balance of this season if the Wolves make him an offer??! First, the Wolves are far better positioned than any of those three teams to advance in the playoffs and potentially get a ring this season. Second, Lowry would likely get substantial playing time with the Wolves as a backup to Conley. The Wolves need him more than any of those three teams.
If the Wolves are going to make a move by the deadline, my first choice would be trading for Tyus. My second choice would be trading for Delon Wright. My third and final choice would be trading for Bones.
I think the price for Tyus will be too high. The Wizards are in full rebuild mode so they’ll want picks and high-end young talent. The Wolves have a scarcity of draft assets and precious few high end young players in their system they can’t afford to spare given the organization’s depleted draft coffers. Moreover, to match salaries, the Wolves would likely have to part with Kyle Anderson. Even assuming there’s a net gain for the Wolves swapping Kyle for Tyus, the gain will likely be small because Kyle does a not of important things for the Wolves. In addition, I think it would be highly imprudent to give up any of the few young talented players and draft assets (would likely require both) we have for a player who would likely be a three or four month rental.
I think the best move would be a deal for Delon Wright. He provides good three-point shooting and scoring without significantly compromising our defense. I’m certain we could get him without giving up Kyle, Miller or Minott. I’d offer Moore, and Shake.
Let's see if this is like an episode of Pawn Stars and this is just start of the haggle.
Anthony, NBA Radio had a long segment yesterday talking about the Wolves getting Jones. I've been dismissing it for a long time, but Mitchell and Geltzeiler made it sound like a possibility. They said the Wizards might value expiring contracts more than we think.
Let's see if this is like an episode of Pawn Stars and this is just start of the haggle.
Anthony, NBA Radio had a long segment yesterday talking about the Wolves getting Jones. I've been dismissing it for a long time, but Mitchell and Geltzeiler made it sound like a possibility. They said the Wizards might value expiring contracts more than we think.
...but Tyus is an expiring contract himself, so us offering them an equivalent in salaries of expiring contracts does nothing for them. We would need to include assets. This is where I hope Washington values Leonard Miller as a 1st round talent and that's what the haggling is about!
The Wolves would then need to have to figure out what the hell to do about a new contract for Tyus after this season. There might be some teams out there that would be willing to throw quite a lot of money at him, as he has clearly grown into a legit starting NBA PG.
AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 9:11 am
Monte Morris has done next-to-nothing in 6 games with the Pistons since returning from injury.
Is that a sign that he's still struggling with the injury? Or, an opportunity for the Wolves to nab a Tyus Jones-lite type player for a discount?
Remember, the guy spent years in Denver (Connelly) as the backup PG and was even compared to Jones.
Yeah, I think he is definitely on their radar, but I wonder if they have higher value targets that they are going after first and then he's in that second tier of options.
He's only played 68 minutes in those 6 games, so it's understandable that he's still rusty. The thing that gives me comfort is that if you look at his prior 5 or 6 seasons, "Consistency" should be his middle name. It's ridiculous how consistently solid he's been year to year. Feels like putting him in a well-defined role on a good team like the Wolves would allow him to put up those kinds of numbers again once he gets his sea legs.
AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Mon Feb 05, 2024 9:11 am
Monte Morris has done next-to-nothing in 6 games with the Pistons since returning from injury.
Is that a sign that he's still struggling with the injury? Or, an opportunity for the Wolves to nab a Tyus Jones-lite type player for a discount?
Remember, the guy spent years in Denver (Connelly) as the backup PG and was even compared to Jones.
Yeah, I think he is definitely on their radar, but I wonder if they have higher value targets that they are going after first and then he's in that second tier of options.
He's only played 68 minutes in those 6 games, so it's understandable that he's still rusty. The thing that gives me comfort is that if you look at his prior 5 or 6 seasons, "Consistency" should be his middle name. It's ridiculous how consistently solid he's been year to year. Feels like putting him in a well-defined role on a good team like the Wolves would allow him to put up those kinds of numbers again once he gets his sea legs.
Yeah. There's a very Being John Malkovich ceiling with Morris, but at least the floor has been very solid. And he brings a lot of Mike Conley vibes.
And yes... he's definitely a second-tier guy to get. I just don't think the Wolves have enough to land better gets.
