Wolves Draft and Free Agency Grades

[Q-is-here]

Assuming Dillingham holds onto that #2 PG spot as Conley's main backup (although I think we will see a regular dose of NAW/Ant backcourts where they share PG duties), I really can't find another reference point comparable to this situation. I just can't think of past situations where a lead guard got picked in the lottery and went to a contending team.

There have certainly been rookies that have contributed to NBA Championships. Christian Braun is a recent example of a rookie that played regular minutes off the bench in Denver's title run two years ago (he also came into the NBA with three years of college under his belt).

Then you have Derek Lively II who was arguably Dallas's 3rd best player throughout the playoffs. And while they didn't win the title, it was truly remarkable to me that someone his age became absolutely pivotal to their playoff run...even more so than their vet Center Daniel Gafford!

But neither of those guys were even close to being primary ball handlers. Braun especially had a very narrowly defined role.

I expect a very rocky start to Dillingham's regular season. Our hope should be that he sticks with it and eventually finds a rhythm after the first 30 or 40 games.

[Carlos Danger]

Assuming Dillingham holds onto that #2 PG spot as Conley's main backup (although I think we will see a regular dose of NAW/Ant backcourts where they share PG duties), I really can't find another reference point comparable to this situation. I just can't think of past situations where a lead guard got picked in the lottery and went to a contending team.

There have certainly been rookies that have contributed to NBA Championships. Christian Braun is a recent example of a rookie that played regular minutes off the bench in Denver's title run two years ago (he also came into the NBA with three years of college under his belt).

Then you have Derek Lively II who was arguably Dallas's 3rd best player throughout the playoffs. And while they didn't win the title, it was truly remarkable to me that someone his age became absolutely pivotal to their playoff run...even more so than their vet Center Daniel Gafford!

But neither of those guys were even close to being primary ball handlers. Braun especially had a very narrowly defined role.

I expect a very rocky start to Dillingham's regular season. Our hope should be that he sticks with it and eventually finds a rhythm after the first 30 or 40 games.

I agree with your assessment. I don't expect them to throw him directly into Jmac's role to start last year (primary backup). But (at the risk of becoming a broken record) I just hope Finch finds a way to mix in these young guys so they can get meaningful minutes with professional NBA players. The G league didn't turn out to be the development league I had hoped - not sure what happened there. But it seemed to turn into an exhibition league (think every pick up game at the gym) vs. developmental.

[rapsuperstar31]

Assuming Dillingham holds onto that #2 PG spot as Conley's main backup (although I think we will see a regular dose of NAW/Ant backcourts where they share PG duties), I really can't find another reference point comparable to this situation. I just can't think of past situations where a lead guard got picked in the lottery and went to a contending team.

There have certainly been rookies that have contributed to NBA Championships. Christian Braun is a recent example of a rookie that played regular minutes off the bench in Denver's title run two years ago (he also came into the NBA with three years of college under his belt).

Then you have Derek Lively II who was arguably Dallas's 3rd best player throughout the playoffs. And while they didn't win the title, it was truly remarkable to me that someone his age became absolutely pivotal to their playoff run...even more so than their vet Center Daniel Gafford!

But neither of those guys were even close to being primary ball handlers. Braun especially had a very narrowly defined role.

I expect a very rocky start to Dillingham's regular season. Our hope should be that he sticks with it and eventually finds a rhythm after the first 30 or 40 games.

Tyrese Maxey seems like a similar case, although he was drafted 21st. As a rookie he played 15 minutes off the bench averaging 8pts, 2 assists, 1.7 rebounds shooting 46% and 30% from 3. I could see Dillingham getting a few more minutes, and hopefully shoots a lot better from 3.

[TheFuture]

Assuming Dillingham holds onto that #2 PG spot as Conley's main backup (although I think we will see a regular dose of NAW/Ant backcourts where they share PG duties), I really can't find another reference point comparable to this situation. I just can't think of past situations where a lead guard got picked in the lottery and went to a contending team.

There have certainly been rookies that have contributed to NBA Championships. Christian Braun is a recent example of a rookie that played regular minutes off the bench in Denver's title run two years ago (he also came into the NBA with three years of college under his belt).

Then you have Derek Lively II who was arguably Dallas's 3rd best player throughout the playoffs. And while they didn't win the title, it was truly remarkable to me that someone his age became absolutely pivotal to their playoff run...even more so than their vet Center Daniel Gafford!

But neither of those guys were even close to being primary ball handlers. Braun especially had a very narrowly defined role.

I expect a very rocky start to Dillingham's regular season. Our hope should be that he sticks with it and eventually finds a rhythm after the first 30 or 40 games.

I agree with your assessment. I don't expect them to throw him directly into Jmac's role to start last year (primary backup). But (at the risk of becoming a broken record) I just hope Finch finds a way to mix in these young guys so they can get meaningful minutes with professional NBA players. The G league didn't turn out to be the development league I had hoped - not sure what happened there. But it seemed to turn into an exhibition league (think every pick up game at the gym) vs. developmental.

To both of your guys' point; I still hope we're looking to add a league average PG somehow someway. We're one lengthy injury to Mike away from a bad ripple effect.

Dillingham is an unknown. You hope he can take on that kind of pressure and thrive, but we're a contender. We can't really stomach him not being able to. NAW hasn't shown to be able to shoulder a primary ball handler role. Dozier hasn't played in the NBA for awhile and wasn't exactly established when he was. Ant can iso, and he'll playmake enough to rack up some assists. But he doesn't have a PG, get everyone set, run the offense type mindset. And less wear and tear on him during the regular season is pretty necessary.

As for the G-League, players have talked about how it is hard for young players to develop there because it is a pack of wolves mentality league wide. Older guys aren't necessarily trying to help you improve to take a NBA roster slot when their window to eat is constantly narrowing. Which makes perfect sense.

[Q-is-here]

Assuming Dillingham holds onto that #2 PG spot as Conley's main backup (although I think we will see a regular dose of NAW/Ant backcourts where they share PG duties), I really can't find another reference point comparable to this situation. I just can't think of past situations where a lead guard got picked in the lottery and went to a contending team.

There have certainly been rookies that have contributed to NBA Championships. Christian Braun is a recent example of a rookie that played regular minutes off the bench in Denver's title run two years ago (he also came into the NBA with three years of college under his belt).

Then you have Derek Lively II who was arguably Dallas's 3rd best player throughout the playoffs. And while they didn't win the title, it was truly remarkable to me that someone his age became absolutely pivotal to their playoff run...even more so than their vet Center Daniel Gafford!

But neither of those guys were even close to being primary ball handlers. Braun especially had a very narrowly defined role.

I expect a very rocky start to Dillingham's regular season. Our hope should be that he sticks with it and eventually finds a rhythm after the first 30 or 40 games.

I agree with your assessment. I don't expect them to throw him directly into Jmac's role to start last year (primary backup). But (at the risk of becoming a broken record) I just hope Finch finds a way to mix in these young guys so they can get meaningful minutes with professional NBA players. The G league didn't turn out to be the development league I had hoped - not sure what happened there. But it seemed to turn into an exhibition league (think every pick up game at the gym) vs. developmental.

To both of your guys' point; I still hope we're looking to add a league average PG somehow someway. We're one lengthy injury to Mike away from a bad ripple effect.

Dillingham is an unknown. You hope he can take on that kind of pressure and thrive, but we're a contender. We can't really stomach him not being able to. NAW hasn't shown to be able to shoulder a primary ball handler role. Dozier hasn't played in the NBA for awhile and wasn't exactly established when he was. Ant can iso, and he'll playmake enough to rack up some assists. But he doesn't have a PG, get everyone set, run the offense type mindset. And less wear and tear on him during the regular season is pretty necessary.

As for the G-League, players have talked about how it is hard for young players to develop there because it is a pack of wolves mentality league wide. Older guys aren't necessarily trying to help you improve to take a NBA roster slot when their window to eat is constantly narrowing. Which makes perfect sense.

Maxey is a solid example, although I'd argue Philly weren't legit contenders the year they drafted him. He did average 19 points and 5 assists per 36 minutes though off the bench. So while he wasn't particularly efficient in that first year, he did flash some scoring and playmaking prowess right away.

Here is another reference point I just thought of: Tony Parker.

The summer Parker was drafted, the Spurs were coming off a Western Conference Finals loss where their two PGs were the 37-year old Terry Porter and 35-year old Avery Johnson. The 19-year old Parker was taken with the 28th pick (granted, not a lottery pick like Dillingham, but Parker fit the super young "lead guard" description).

As a rookie, Parker came off the bench for the first 4 games of the regular season and then took over the reigns from Antonio Daniels and became the Spurs permanent starter. This is as a 19-year old, but playing with the likes of Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Steve Smith, and Bruce Bowen. They went on to lose in the Conference Semis that year with Parker as their second leading scorer after Duncan. He started all of their playoff games. The next year they won the Finals.

[Sundog]

Parker is a great comp! He looked to be 6’2” 170lbs as a rookie …

[Monster]

I agree with your assessment. I don't expect them to throw him directly into Jmac's role to start last year (primary backup). But (at the risk of becoming a broken record) I just hope Finch finds a way to mix in these young guys so they can get meaningful minutes with professional NBA players. The G league didn't turn out to be the development league I had hoped - not sure what happened there. But it seemed to turn into an exhibition league (think every pick up game at the gym) vs. developmental.

To both of your guys' point; I still hope we're looking to add a league average PG somehow someway. We're one lengthy injury to Mike away from a bad ripple effect.

Dillingham is an unknown. You hope he can take on that kind of pressure and thrive, but we're a contender. We can't really stomach him not being able to. NAW hasn't shown to be able to shoulder a primary ball handler role. Dozier hasn't played in the NBA for awhile and wasn't exactly established when he was. Ant can iso, and he'll playmake enough to rack up some assists. But he doesn't have a PG, get everyone set, run the offense type mindset. And less wear and tear on him during the regular season is pretty necessary.

As for the G-League, players have talked about how it is hard for young players to develop there because it is a pack of wolves mentality league wide. Older guys aren't necessarily trying to help you improve to take a NBA roster slot when their window to eat is constantly narrowing. Which makes perfect sense.

Maxey is a solid example, although I'd argue Philly weren't legit contenders the year they drafted him. He did average 19 points and 5 assists per 36 minutes though off the bench. So while he wasn't particularly efficient in that first year, he did flash some scoring and playmaking prowess right away.

Here is another reference point I just thought of: Tony Parker.

The summer Parker was drafted, the Spurs were coming off a Western Conference Finals loss where their two PGs were the 37-year old Terry Porter and 35-year old Avery Johnson. The 19-year old Parker was taken with the 28th pick (granted, not a lottery pick like Dillingham, but Parker fit the super young "lead guard" description).

As a rookie, Parker came off the bench for the first 4 games of the regular season and then took over the reigns from Antonio Daniels and became the Spurs permanent starter. This is as a 19-year old, but playing with the likes of Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Steve Smith, and Bruce Bowen. They went on to lose in the Conference Semis that year with Parker as their second leading scorer after Duncan. He started all of their playoff games. The next year they won the Finals.

Maxey Shot under 30% his one year in college so it wasn't a surprise he didn't shoot better his rookie year.

Damn Q you just unlocked a whole new level of possible hope!!! Anyone know what Tony Parker's wingspan was!?!!

[Monster]

If you are bored you can start looking through NBA.com antho measurement data for draft classes.

https://www.nba.com/stats/draft/combine ... T_WO_SHOES

There are more guys with similar weight height and wingspans. Jeff Teague is close. Dennis Schroeder has a longer wingspan but very similar weight. Seth Curry very similar measurements and he played a lot of SG minutes and for a few years was not considered a liability on defense. Avery Bradley was a good defender against guards and while he was longer than Dillingham it looks like he never reached anywhere near 200lbs. Darren Collision had a solid career. We obviously hope for more than some of these guys but there have been guys who had success in one way or another despite being fairly short and weighing well under 200lbs much of if not all of their career.

If Dillingham is really talented offensively and puts in effort on defense I like his chances of being a really good player. Physical characteristics matter but talent and the player putting in the effort to get the most out of everything they have matters more.

[Monster]

Assuming Dillingham holds onto that #2 PG spot as Conley's main backup (although I think we will see a regular dose of NAW/Ant backcourts where they share PG duties), I really can't find another reference point comparable to this situation. I just can't think of past situations where a lead guard got picked in the lottery and went to a contending team.

There have certainly been rookies that have contributed to NBA Championships. Christian Braun is a recent example of a rookie that played regular minutes off the bench in Denver's title run two years ago (he also came into the NBA with three years of college under his belt).

Then you have Derek Lively II who was arguably Dallas's 3rd best player throughout the playoffs. And while they didn't win the title, it was truly remarkable to me that someone his age became absolutely pivotal to their playoff run...even more so than their vet Center Daniel Gafford!

But neither of those guys were even close to being primary ball handlers. Braun especially had a very narrowly defined role.

I expect a very rocky start to Dillingham's regular season. Our hope should be that he sticks with it and eventually finds a rhythm after the first 30 or 40 games.

I agree with your assessment. I don't expect them to throw him directly into Jmac's role to start last year (primary backup). But (at the risk of becoming a broken record) I just hope Finch finds a way to mix in these young guys so they can get meaningful minutes with professional NBA players. The G league didn't turn out to be the development league I had hoped - not sure what happened there. But it seemed to turn into an exhibition league (think every pick up game at the gym) vs. developmental.

McLaughlin wasn't the primary backup to start the season last year that was Shake Milton getting those minutes.

[TheFuture]

I agree with your assessment. I don't expect them to throw him directly into Jmac's role to start last year (primary backup). But (at the risk of becoming a broken record) I just hope Finch finds a way to mix in these young guys so they can get meaningful minutes with professional NBA players. The G league didn't turn out to be the development league I had hoped - not sure what happened there. But it seemed to turn into an exhibition league (think every pick up game at the gym) vs. developmental.

To both of your guys' point; I still hope we're looking to add a league average PG somehow someway. We're one lengthy injury to Mike away from a bad ripple effect.

Dillingham is an unknown. You hope he can take on that kind of pressure and thrive, but we're a contender. We can't really stomach him not being able to. NAW hasn't shown to be able to shoulder a primary ball handler role. Dozier hasn't played in the NBA for awhile and wasn't exactly established when he was. Ant can iso, and he'll playmake enough to rack up some assists. But he doesn't have a PG, get everyone set, run the offense type mindset. And less wear and tear on him during the regular season is pretty necessary.

As for the G-League, players have talked about how it is hard for young players to develop there because it is a pack of wolves mentality league wide. Older guys aren't necessarily trying to help you improve to take a NBA roster slot when their window to eat is constantly narrowing. Which makes perfect sense.

Maxey is a solid example, although I'd argue Philly weren't legit contenders the year they drafted him. He did average 19 points and 5 assists per 36 minutes though off the bench. So while he wasn't particularly efficient in that first year, he did flash some scoring and playmaking prowess right away.

Here is another reference point I just thought of: Tony Parker.

The summer Parker was drafted, the Spurs were coming off a Western Conference Finals loss where their two PGs were the 37-year old Terry Porter and 35-year old Avery Johnson. The 19-year old Parker was taken with the 28th pick (granted, not a lottery pick like Dillingham, but Parker fit the super young "lead guard" description).

As a rookie, Parker came off the bench for the first 4 games of the regular season and then took over the reigns from Antonio Daniels and became the Spurs permanent starter. This is as a 19-year old, but playing with the likes of Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Steve Smith, and Bruce Bowen. They went on to lose in the Conference Semis that year with Parker as their second leading scorer after Duncan. He started all of their playoff games. The next year they won the Finals.

Other than playing with those 2 HoFers, Parker had been playing professionally over in France since he was a teen. So it's a bit different.

I know it's a possibility that he takes off running and potentially relegates Conley to the bench sooner rather than later. Obviously I hope that is the case. But Parker and Maxey stories are the anomalies, not the norms. I just err on the side of caution, or just seen too many Wolves flubs not to be very cautiously optimistic.