Wolves Summer League Player Expectations

[KG4Ever]

Tim or Doug, I didn't say that was what I expected to happen. It was what I wanted to see happen. You are right that Chris Hines probably has more impact with the big club, but if he has a clone, he should be the Iowa coach. I might be in denial about Dozier, but the signing seemed really odd, and hope he's just a placeholder as there are several better names still out there that will presumably take a minimum deal. In any event, I have and I expect others have higher expectations for Nix than Dozier, so Dozier might be sitting rather than Nix. I also think if we don't add another point guard, Nix might have an easier path to minutes than Garza and/or Minott. Despite what Finch says about throwing RD out there, I think it will depend on how he plays. If he is a clear liability, and Nix or whoever they sign as a free agent gives them a better chance of winning, RD might be slowly worked into a rotation spot. (I don't assume that because they had 14 roster spots filled last year, it will necessarily be the same this year as it may have been for cap reasons that no longer exist). Yeah, I agree that they won't sign both Tyus and Kennard but one can still dream.

[Monster]

Over the last two games, Miller is averaging 21.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game on 51.3/20/75 shooting splits. He looks like he has found his rhythm and confidence with the Wolves in Las Vegas.

Summer League veterans Josh Minott and Daishen Nix are also two Timberwolves players who have found a rhythm. Over the last two games, Minott is averaging 16.5 points and 5 rebounds on 47.8% shooting. Nix is averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists on 38% shooting.

We might see one of these two guys (MInott or Miller) in our rotation by the end of next season. I still see Nix as one of our three 2-way contract players, but you never know.

It's great Miller has showed out both as a prospect and also as a possible asset. I still think there is something there but I do think if there was a worthwhile deal I would absolutely consider moving him to improve the team.

I've said this already I think but now I've watched another game and Minott's on ball D is kinda blowing me away. I've been pretty clear I see Minott more of a PF that might be able to play some SF in certain matchups but wasn't really a wing defensively. These last 4 summer league games have been so impressive I'm changing my mind on that. The Houston game kinda showed he might have a chance to be a 3 point shooter he looks like a guy that has a prayer of getting the ball and chucking it up there in rhythm. Minott hasn't made some sort of massive strides into some thrilling prospect but it seems to me he has gotten better at some stuff that matters ina guy that can make some winning plays. This shouldn't be too surprising those were kind of the things he did his freshman year in college. I think he is a little more controlled chaos too so he might be more trustworthy if called upon. The way the Wolves drafted it seems like they might be more willing to actually play younger guys more minutes this year. Who knows we will see. I had hoped Minott had developed into a more well rounded player by now but this summer league he has taken another step and if that defense remotely translates to the next level...he could be useful. Someone on Twitter compared him to Derrick Jones Jr. That's not quite a fair comparison and yet I think it's one with some merit. I watched Jones Jr. a number of times when he was in the G-league when I watched Iowa games. He was intriguing but it wasn't clear what exactly he could do. He was ridiculously athletic played hard and had some skills and just seemed to have something that made him stand out a bit from other guys. I think Minott has a bit of that and while he might not be quite as athletic as Jones Jr he is longer.

Oh wow "Possible Asset". Thanks for the tepid praise of Lenny Miller. I can't imagine a Miller trade that we would win that is based in reality. Sure, I'd do Mikal Bridges in a heartbeat and given that we are lacking a serious backup and replacement to Rudy, I'd give consideration to Walker Kessler. Seriously, who would you trade him for that is a realistic possibility?

Connelly has traded young prospects before and sometimes for profit. I'm not saying I'm dying to move him in a deal partly because at this point I don't really see the need to make one. What if the Wolves can make a move for a younger vet (at a spot that turns out to be a need) and Miller is the sweetener to make it happen? It might be worth it.

I'm not sure why you are going at me I've actually been someone pointing out positives about Miller for the last few months.

[Monster]

Tim or Doug, I didn't say that was what I expected to happen. It was what I wanted to see happen. You are right that Chris Hines probably has more impact with the big club, but if he has a clone, he should be the Iowa coach. I might be in denial about Dozier, but the signing seemed really odd, and hope he's just a placeholder as there are several better names still out there that will presumably take a minimum deal. In any event, I have and I expect others have higher expectations for Nix than Dozier, so Dozier might be sitting rather than Nix. I also think if we don't add another point guard, Nix might have an easier path to minutes than Garza and/or Minott. Despite what Finch says about throwing RD out there, I think it will depend on how he plays. If he is a clear liability, and Nix or whoever they sign as a free agent gives them a better chance of winning, RD might be slowly worked into a rotation spot. (I don't assume that because they had 14 roster spots filled last year, it will necessarily be the same this year as it may have been for cap reasons that no longer exist). Yeah, I agree that they won't sign both Tyus and Kennard but one can still dream.

I would hope something happens with the G-league coaching staff. Maybe they need to add someone to the guys that are already there. Maybe the guys they put in place there weren't quite ready for that role and will be more now. Of course it would help if they actually had some more size other than just Leonard Miller down there. Jesse Edwards even though I'm not exactly thrilled with him as a 2-way guy they shouldn't be playing small ball down there if they are playing with lots of big guys at the NBA level.

My guess is Nix wont be playing a whole lot in Iowa. I think the guy Nix will have to beat out for those minutes that could be available due to injury etc is Dozier.

Tyus or Kennard aren't going to sign here. Sorry it's simply not gonna happen. Those guys will end up getting a nice chunk of money and/or a larger role from another team. I will be happy to be wrong.

[kekgeek]

It's great Miller has showed out both as a prospect and also as a possible asset. I still think there is something there but I do think if there was a worthwhile deal I would absolutely consider moving him to improve the team.

I've said this already I think but now I've watched another game and Minott's on ball D is kinda blowing me away. I've been pretty clear I see Minott more of a PF that might be able to play some SF in certain matchups but wasn't really a wing defensively. These last 4 summer league games have been so impressive I'm changing my mind on that. The Houston game kinda showed he might have a chance to be a 3 point shooter he looks like a guy that has a prayer of getting the ball and chucking it up there in rhythm. Minott hasn't made some sort of massive strides into some thrilling prospect but it seems to me he has gotten better at some stuff that matters ina guy that can make some winning plays. This shouldn't be too surprising those were kind of the things he did his freshman year in college. I think he is a little more controlled chaos too so he might be more trustworthy if called upon. The way the Wolves drafted it seems like they might be more willing to actually play younger guys more minutes this year. Who knows we will see. I had hoped Minott had developed into a more well rounded player by now but this summer league he has taken another step and if that defense remotely translates to the next level...he could be useful. Someone on Twitter compared him to Derrick Jones Jr. That's not quite a fair comparison and yet I think it's one with some merit. I watched Jones Jr. a number of times when he was in the G-league when I watched Iowa games. He was intriguing but it wasn't clear what exactly he could do. He was ridiculously athletic played hard and had some skills and just seemed to have something that made him stand out a bit from other guys. I think Minott has a bit of that and while he might not be quite as athletic as Jones Jr he is longer.

Oh wow "Possible Asset". Thanks for the tepid praise of Lenny Miller. I can't imagine a Miller trade that we would win that is based in reality. Sure, I'd do Mikal Bridges in a heartbeat and given that we are lacking a serious backup and replacement to Rudy, I'd give consideration to Walker Kessler. Seriously, who would you trade him for that is a realistic possibility?

Connelly has traded young prospects before and sometimes for profit. I'm not saying I'm dying to move him in a deal partly because at this point I don't really see the need to make one. What if the Wolves can make a move for a younger vet (at a spot that turns out to be a need) and Miller is the sweetener to make it happen? It might be worth it.

I'm not sure why you are going at me I've actually been someone pointing out positives about Miller for the last few months.

It’s almost theoretically impossible to trade Miller even if they wanted to this season. As a second apron team the wolves can’t acquire more salary and miller makes less than the vet min so only 2nd round players are eligible. Wolves can’t add multiple players to a trade to acquire a player. So he can’t be traded as a throw in. So he pretty much needs to be traded for a pick and realistically I can’t see the wolves just dumping him.

[KG4Ever]

It's great Miller has showed out both as a prospect and also as a possible asset. I still think there is something there but I do think if there was a worthwhile deal I would absolutely consider moving him to improve the team.

I've said this already I think but now I've watched another game and Minott's on ball D is kinda blowing me away. I've been pretty clear I see Minott more of a PF that might be able to play some SF in certain matchups but wasn't really a wing defensively. These last 4 summer league games have been so impressive I'm changing my mind on that. The Houston game kinda showed he might have a chance to be a 3 point shooter he looks like a guy that has a prayer of getting the ball and chucking it up there in rhythm. Minott hasn't made some sort of massive strides into some thrilling prospect but it seems to me he has gotten better at some stuff that matters ina guy that can make some winning plays. This shouldn't be too surprising those were kind of the things he did his freshman year in college. I think he is a little more controlled chaos too so he might be more trustworthy if called upon. The way the Wolves drafted it seems like they might be more willing to actually play younger guys more minutes this year. Who knows we will see. I had hoped Minott had developed into a more well rounded player by now but this summer league he has taken another step and if that defense remotely translates to the next level...he could be useful. Someone on Twitter compared him to Derrick Jones Jr. That's not quite a fair comparison and yet I think it's one with some merit. I watched Jones Jr. a number of times when he was in the G-league when I watched Iowa games. He was intriguing but it wasn't clear what exactly he could do. He was ridiculously athletic played hard and had some skills and just seemed to have something that made him stand out a bit from other guys. I think Minott has a bit of that and while he might not be quite as athletic as Jones Jr he is longer.

Oh wow "Possible Asset". Thanks for the tepid praise of Lenny Miller. I can't imagine a Miller trade that we would win that is based in reality. Sure, I'd do Mikal Bridges in a heartbeat and given that we are lacking a serious backup and replacement to Rudy, I'd give consideration to Walker Kessler. Seriously, who would you trade him for that is a realistic possibility?

Connelly has traded young prospects before and sometimes for profit. I'm not saying I'm dying to move him in a deal partly because at this point I don't really see the need to make one. What if the Wolves can make a move for a younger vet (at a spot that turns out to be a need) and Miller is the sweetener to make it happen? It might be worth it.

I'm not sure why you are going at me I've actually been someone pointing out positives about Miller for the last few months.

LOL. You have gone from "possible asset" to potential trade sweetener. More faint praise!

TC traded Kessler to get Rudy, but I can't think of anyone else with Miller's potential that he has traded away unless you want to talk about draft day blunders like trading Rudy and Donovan Mitchell to Utah. Given Miller's cheap salary and upside potential, the perfect spot for him is right here. Miller is young and fits the RD, Ant, Jaden timeline.

[Monster]

Oh wow "Possible Asset". Thanks for the tepid praise of Lenny Miller. I can't imagine a Miller trade that we would win that is based in reality. Sure, I'd do Mikal Bridges in a heartbeat and given that we are lacking a serious backup and replacement to Rudy, I'd give consideration to Walker Kessler. Seriously, who would you trade him for that is a realistic possibility?

Connelly has traded young prospects before and sometimes for profit. I'm not saying I'm dying to move him in a deal partly because at this point I don't really see the need to make one. What if the Wolves can make a move for a younger vet (at a spot that turns out to be a need) and Miller is the sweetener to make it happen? It might be worth it.

I'm not sure why you are going at me I've actually been someone pointing out positives about Miller for the last few months.

LOL. You have gone from "possible asset" to potential trade sweetener. More faint praise!

TC traded Kessler to get Rudy, but I can't think of anyone else with Miller's potential that he has traded away unless you want to talk about draft day blunders like trading Rudy and Donovan Mitchell to Utah. Given Miller's cheap salary and upside potential, the perfect spot for him is right here. Miller is young and fits the RD, Ant, Jaden timeline.

You are right saying he was a sweetener makes it not sound like I value him much. I should have said he would be part of a package of assets. Trading him is simply theoretical because Kek is right it's highly unlikely he gets moved in a deal this season anyway.

[Carlos Danger]

For what it's worth, in summer league, Leonard Miller led the Wolves in:

PPG (16.0)
RPG (8.2)
PER (26.2)

He was also the second youngest guy on the team (one year older than Dilly). And his advanced stats improved year over year across the board from last year.

I would consider his play a "success". The team went 4-1, so not just padding stats in losses.

[KG4Ever]

For what it's worth, in summer league, Leonard Miller led the Wolves in:

PPG (16.0)
RPG (8.2)
PER (26.2)

He was also the second youngest guy on the team (one year older than Dilly). And his advanced stats improved year over year across the board from last year.

I would consider his play a "success". The team went 4-1, so not just padding stats in losses.

Good post, Carlos. I'll add that he impressed me in some other ways too. He had 2.8 Stocks (blocks and steals) per game and his passing was generally positive for a big man (most assists of any non-guards on team)

[Monster]

For what it's worth, in summer league, Leonard Miller led the Wolves in:

PPG (16.0)
RPG (8.2)
PER (26.2)

He was also the second youngest guy on the team (one year older than Dilly). And his advanced stats improved year over year across the board from last year.

I would consider his play a "success". The team went 4-1, so not just padding stats in losses.

Good post, Carlos. I'll add that he impressed me in some other ways too. He had 2.8 Stocks (blocks and steals) per game and his passing was generally positive for a big man (most assists of any non-guards on team)

Yeah ultimately I think he had a successful summer league. It's also worth noting those stats were in less than 25mpg too. He got hurt that first game and was still productive was less impressive game 2 then really came on the last 3 games.

I like the term "Stocks" for Steals and Blocks!

Comparing Miller's numbers from last summer league there are some positives and some things that weren't as good but one thing that jumps out is his turnovers went down significantly with his assist rate going up slightly. He was quite the offensive rebounder this year in summer league.

[Lipoli390]

Some of us develop a special affinity for certain young players. I really like Minott because of how much he cares, how seriously he takes the game, his energy and how hard he plays. KG loves Miller, who I conceded has more overall talent and upside than Minott.I think we all really like Dilly and Terrence.

Truth is, I like all four guys and all of them performed well in summer league. Importantly, our two young G-League vets, Minott and Miller, significantly improved from last summer league. Minott consistently stayed in front of whoever he defended, which at times included point guards. His defense was tremendous, he rebounded well, he ran the floor consistently and finished effectively at the rim. Miller started slow, but until but by the end of SL he left no doubt by the end that he has made major strides in tapping into his immense talent. Terrence is an exciting, mature prospect and Dilly could be special. I know that I’m really happy with all four of these guys and I’m looking forward to seeing at least two of them become rotation players next season. And if the organization decides to get below the second apron after next season and move to Wolves 2.0, then we might see three or all four of these guys getting some significant playing time in the 2025-season.