Trade season

[Lipoli390]

I think adding a backup center is a must (or Beringer gets to opportunity to win the minutes) because Rudy is suspended 2 games every flagrant going forward including playoffs

That makes some sense. I’ll come back to what Tim and Chris identified as our two main needs (apart from just playing wiht intensity every game): (1) add a connective tissue player; and (2) improve the team’s non-Rudy defense. Coby White certainly does NOT fit the connective tissue profile. But I guy like Tyus Jones or his brother Tre would fit that bill. Adding a veteran defensive center behind Rudy would help the non-Rudy defense. I’m not sure who that guy might be.

[Lipoli390]

Unfortunately I don't agree that this bench is good enough as is.

I agree that Naz is carrying the bench and I really really like the year he is having- might be a bit against the grain on that, but I think he's playing great. However there just isn't anyone else who is bankable. Bones is playing great right now and I'm starting to buy into him being a plus player but they will still need more than he can provide at even bid highest ceiling in my opinion.

Again I'll say, I am coming around to the idea that they need to go get an impact player. I still want to see how things look around the deadline, but I think this team actually has a chance to make a playoff push

This organization is not going to pursue an impact player by the trade deadline. TC made it clear that’s not what they need. I’m sure they’re make an effort to acquire a glue guy for the bench via trade or free agency as certain players are released over the next month.

It seems obvious that this Wolves team is poised for a playoff push. We’re tied for 3rd in the Western Conference with the best record in the League post Thanksgiving. This team has shown resiliency — winning games without Ant, winning on the road, etc. One thing I forgot to mention that TC said at the stakeholder meeting is that he believes we match up really well against OKC and I think the results so far this season bear that out. Sometimes you read accounts of local Wolves fans on this board and elsewhere, and you’d think this team is struggling in 8th or 9th place.

Regarding the bench, Finch noted at the stakeholder meeting that the minutes allocated to our starters is middle of the pack, which means we’re winning without over-relying on our starters relative to the rest of the League. In other words, our bench has been good enough to put us in 3rd and just barely beyond 2nd place in the Western Conference in spite of a bad early start to the season. I do think we should improve our bench if we can do so prudently in light of Shannon’s struggles and where Dilly appears to be in his development. However, as Finch pointed out at the stakeholder meeting, rotations get tighter/smaller in the playoffs, not bigger. So if we’re thinking playoff push, we shouldn’t overemphasize the bench. And again, just about every team in the League would kill to have a 6th man like Naz Reid on their bench. Meanwhile, I see Clark continuing to improve as he gets more playing time. Bones looks solid and will only get better. Again, if up to me, I’d swap Conley and Miller for Tyus Jones - something I think Orlando might be interested in. But we’ll see. Things are going well. Let’s get a win against the Cavs today.

I really appreciate your perspective here and your points are well made! To be honest I think you are correct about what they WILL do, I'm just speaking to what I think is needed. Which is an impact bench player - a new NAW or a backup center or backup point guard who can be a stabilizer- and as NAW was that person is ideally a glue guy, a hustler who contributes to a winning culture.

It's just funny cause when I hear "connective tissue" I think that player still needs to be someone who makes an impact- who connects disparate aspects of the current roster by filling need and being a respected voice. They don't need another leader from the bench like Conely or Joe, they need a guy who can lead on the floor without displacing anybody in the top 6 of the rotation.

And I think all of this exactly because I don't think this team is bad, in fact I think it's really really good, but it doesn't have the depth to sustain a deep playoff run. I really believe that

I see now how you’re defending impact player and I actually agree with you. As you noted NAW was a connective tissue guy who was clearly an impact player. The thing about NAW is that he significantly impacted the game on both ends as a major part of the rotation. I don’t see a NAW caliber impact connective tissue guy we could realistically acquire without giving up guys we absolutely should not trade like Naz, Donte, and Randle. But maybe a connective tissue player like Tyus or better yet Tre Jones would have enough of an impact to be worth adding. I think we could get either one in return for Rob. Personally I wouldn’t give up Rob for either one. I’d offer Conley and Miller for either one but I don’t think our front office will trade Mike. I’m thinking waiver wire in February.

[AussieWolf3]

I think adding a backup center is a must (or Beringer gets to opportunity to win the minutes) because Rudy is suspended 2 games every flagrant going forward including playoffs

This seems low-key devastating

[60WinTim]

I think adding a backup center is a must (or Beringer gets to opportunity to win the minutes) because Rudy is suspended 2 games every flagrant going forward including playoffs

That makes some sense. I’ll come back to what Tim and Chris identified as our two main needs (apart from just playing wiht intensity every game): (1) add a connective tissue player; and (2) improve the team’s non-Rudy defense. Coby White certainly does NOT fit the connective tissue profile. But I guy like Tyus Jones or his brother Tre would fit that bill. Adding a veteran defensive center behind Rudy would help the non-Rudy defense. I’m not sure who that guy might be.

If there is a team that makes sense for Dilly, it is Sacramento. They want to lose this year. They want to get young. The have no PG for the future. They could take Dilly and let him develop with lots of minutes for the remainder of the season.

The trade that works is Dilly for Keon Ellis and Drew Eubanks. I can see the Kings waiting to the last minute as their priority is moving LaVine, DeRozen, Schroder and/or Monk. But assuming Ellis and Eubanks aren't involved in one of those deals, the opportunity to get a potential starting PG in Dilly seems like a no-brainer...