Are we going small?!?

[WildWolf2813]

Listed height of our top 9 guys as of today vs. the Knicks top 9 guys:

Rudy 7'1" > KAT 7'0"
Jaden 6'9" > OG 6'7" (Jaden is probably more like 6'10" or 6'11" since he kept growing after entering the league)
Ant 6'4" < Mikal Bridges 6'6" (I think Ant has closed this gap since entering the league at age 19...he grew a bit more)
Ayo 6'4" < Josh Hart 6'5"
Ball 6'7" > Brunson 6'2"
Shannon 6'6" > Shamet 6'5"
Beringer 6'11" < Mitchell Robinson 7'0"
Clark 6'4" > McBride 6'2"
Bones 6'2" > Alvarado 6'0"

We are taller than the Knicks in 6 out of 9 positions. It's a similar story if you compare us to the Thunder and Spurs top 9 guys.

I do think we lack some bulk/strength, but even there I feel like we have some really physical, strong players on the wing in Ant, Shannon, and Clark. All indications are that Beringer is on a rapid development curve both physically and skill-wise.

The REAL issue to me is how much we're counting on strides forward by guys that were fringe rotation players last season: Beringer, Shannon, and Clark. They need to show tangible improvement.

So basically we're trying to build our team just like the Knicks and Spurs but not as good?

Even in terms of size, the fundamental differences are

1. The Spurs have Wemby and the Knicks have Towns. We have the total opposite in Gobert offensively, so as a result, both of those teams can go five out. We can't. The Thunder have iHart, but even they have a five out lineup with Chet at the 5.

Going this small especially when Jaden simply isn't a volume three point shooter is a huge vote of confidence in Ant and LaMelo becoming the new Splash Brothers and hoping Shannon and Ayo become higher three point volume shooters even though their strength is driving to the hoop.

Well, what do you want them to do Wildwolf!? You seemingly pour cold water on everything the Wolves do! Tell us what big man that can defend the paint and shoot 3's is out there for the Wolves to go magically trade for or conjure up out of thin air.

Going this route wasn't my plan, and the way TC has been caught with his pants down, didn't appear to be his either. All he thought was, get LaMelo, keep Jaden, to hell with everything else and I'm sure SOMEONE halfway decent will play here for free, right? Right?

I've already mentioned my suggestion: bring back Slow-Mo and basically tell Marvin Bagley this might be your last chance to prove to the world that you're not a failure. It's either this or a long life overseas. Your choice.

It's another offseason where TC overlooked something massive that we'll be spending assets down the road to fix.

[Lipoli390]

So basically we're trying to build our team just like the Knicks and Spurs but not as good?

Even in terms of size, the fundamental differences are

1. The Spurs have Wemby and the Knicks have Towns. We have the total opposite in Gobert offensively, so as a result, both of those teams can go five out. We can't. The Thunder have iHart, but even they have a five out lineup with Chet at the 5.

Going this small especially when Jaden simply isn't a volume three point shooter is a huge vote of confidence in Ant and LaMelo becoming the new Splash Brothers and hoping Shannon and Ayo become higher three point volume shooters even though their strength is driving to the hoop.

Well, what do you want them to do Wildwolf!? You seemingly pour cold water on everything the Wolves do! Tell us what big man that can defend the paint and shoot 3's is out there for the Wolves to go magically trade for or conjure up out of thin air.

Lebron

I’m already in the camp of those who would like to see LeBron come here, but that’s only if we can sign or acquire him without giving up any of our good or promising players beyond Josh Green and Mo Gueye. I don’t think LeBron will sign here for the $6M taxpayer MLE. That means we’d either have to do major roster gymnastics to get below the taxpayer threshold o use the full $15M MLE or work a sign-and trade with the Lakers with Josh and Mo going to the Lakers. My sense is the Lakers would do that if LeBron asks them to because of LeBron’s clout and his relationship with the Lakers. But if the Lakers were to get greedy and demand TSJ in the deal, I’d say no. I don’t want to help the Lakers or undermine the longer-term success of the Wolves for perhaps one great season with LeBron.

Ultimately, I think LeBron will end up in Cleveland or Golden State. Those two options provide the best story line for LeBron and as we know he loves story lines as part of his brand. Signing with the Cavs would be a great story line with LeBron returning home for one last run. Signing with the Warriors and playing with Steph and Draymond would be another appealing story line and also allow LeBron to continue enjoying the favorable California weather. If not one of those two, perhaps it will be Miami to close his career with Giannis, but that seems less likely.

[60WinTim]

And don't forget about Rocco!

[Q-is-here]

So basically we're trying to build our team just like the Knicks and Spurs but not as good?

Even in terms of size, the fundamental differences are

1. The Spurs have Wemby and the Knicks have Towns. We have the total opposite in Gobert offensively, so as a result, both of those teams can go five out. We can't. The Thunder have iHart, but even they have a five out lineup with Chet at the 5.

Going this small especially when Jaden simply isn't a volume three point shooter is a huge vote of confidence in Ant and LaMelo becoming the new Splash Brothers and hoping Shannon and Ayo become higher three point volume shooters even though their strength is driving to the hoop.

Well, what do you want them to do Wildwolf!? You seemingly pour cold water on everything the Wolves do! Tell us what big man that can defend the paint and shoot 3's is out there for the Wolves to go magically trade for or conjure up out of thin air.

Going this route wasn't my plan, and the way TC has been caught with his pants down, didn't appear to be his either. All he thought was, get LaMelo, keep Jaden, to hell with everything else and I'm sure SOMEONE halfway decent will play here for free, right? Right?

I've already mentioned my suggestion: bring back Slow-Mo and basically tell Marvin Bagley this might be your last chance to prove to the world that you're not a failure. It's either this or a long life overseas. Your choice.

It's another offseason where TC overlooked something massive that we'll be spending assets down the road to fix.

What was your plan?

[Monster]

Well, what do you want them to do Wildwolf!? You seemingly pour cold water on everything the Wolves do! Tell us what big man that can defend the paint and shoot 3's is out there for the Wolves to go magically trade for or conjure up out of thin air.

Lebron

I’m already in the camp of those who would like to see LeBron come here, but that’s only if we can sign or acquire him without giving up any of our good or promising players beyond Josh Green and Mo Gueye. I don’t think LeBron will sign here for the $6M taxpayer MLE. That means we’d either have to do major roster gymnastics to get below the taxpayer threshold o use the full $15M MLE or work a sign-and trade with the Lakers with Josh and Mo going to the Lakers. My sense is the Lakers would do that if LeBron asks them to because of LeBron’s clout and his relationship with the Lakers. But if the Lakers were to get greedy and demand TSJ in the deal, I’d say no. I don’t want to help the Lakers or undermine the longer-term success of the Wolves for perhaps one great season with LeBron.

Ultimately, I think LeBron will end up in Cleveland or Golden State. Those two options provide the best story line for LeBron and as we know he loves story lines as part of his brand. Signing with the Cavs would be a great story line with LeBron returning home for one last run. Signing with the Warriors and playing with Steph and Draymond would be another appealing story line and also allow LeBron to continue enjoying the favorable California weather. If not one of those two, perhaps it will be Miami to close his career with Giannis, but that seems less likely.

I agree Lebronikes a storyline. What about helping the Wolves win a championship!?

Ball, Edwards, Jaden, Lebron and Gobert starting lineup would be insane. Lebron wouldn't even have to play defense or play PG or even have to score. Lol Gobert would just be loving at the rim waiting for people to throw him the ball. I'm not saying it's gonna happen but man that's gotta be something Lebron is mulling around. How much money is enough for him to sign anywhere? Is he gonna pick one team because he can make another 10 million? Look if the Wolves had to find a way to clear some salary to sign Lebron for more than a couple million they can and would and should do it and probably wouldn't have to give up anything too crazy to do so. I'm not getting my hopes up but I wouldn't be completely shocked if it happened...

[Monster]

Well, what do you want them to do Wildwolf!? You seemingly pour cold water on everything the Wolves do! Tell us what big man that can defend the paint and shoot 3's is out there for the Wolves to go magically trade for or conjure up out of thin air.

Going this route wasn't my plan, and the way TC has been caught with his pants down, didn't appear to be his either. All he thought was, get LaMelo, keep Jaden, to hell with everything else and I'm sure SOMEONE halfway decent will play here for free, right? Right?

I've already mentioned my suggestion: bring back Slow-Mo and basically tell Marvin Bagley this might be your last chance to prove to the world that you're not a failure. It's either this or a long life overseas. Your choice.

It's another offseason where TC overlooked something massive that we'll be spending assets down the road to fix.

What was your plan?

Best way to avoid being caught with your pants down is not to wear any. #teamnopants

[Lipoli390]

So basically we're trying to build our team just like the Knicks and Spurs but not as good?

Even in terms of size, the fundamental differences are

1. The Spurs have Wemby and the Knicks have Towns. We have the total opposite in Gobert offensively, so as a result, both of those teams can go five out. We can't. The Thunder have iHart, but even they have a five out lineup with Chet at the 5.

Going this small especially when Jaden simply isn't a volume three point shooter is a huge vote of confidence in Ant and LaMelo becoming the new Splash Brothers and hoping Shannon and Ayo become higher three point volume shooters even though their strength is driving to the hoop.

Well, what do you want them to do Wildwolf!? You seemingly pour cold water on everything the Wolves do! Tell us what big man that can defend the paint and shoot 3's is out there for the Wolves to go magically trade for or conjure up out of thin air.

Going this route wasn't my plan, and the way TC has been caught with his pants down, didn't appear to be his either. All he thought was, get LaMelo, keep Jaden, to hell with everything else and I'm sure SOMEONE halfway decent will play here for free, right? Right?

I've already mentioned my suggestion: bring back Slow-Mo and basically tell Marvin Bagley this might be your last chance to prove to the world that you're not a failure. It's either this or a long life overseas. Your choice.

It's another offseason where TC overlooked something massive that we'll be spending assets down the road to fix.

As you know, I’m not a fan of TC’s big-swing, big game-hunting approach, which includes emptying our draft coffers and skating on the edge of prohibitive financial/transactional constrains. But the minute TC made the Rudy deal, that path was set and there was no turning back.

And while I don’t like TC’s overall approach, I think we need to give him more credit than you’re giving him in the current situation. He clearly decided that he was going to build around Ant and Jaden (and probably Beringer) as the inner core of the team. That makes perfect sense and is a proven formula for NBA success - e.g., MJ/Pippen, Stockton/Malone, Curry/Thompson, etc. TC also appears to have an outer core of players that he prefers to keep, but is willing to give up for the right return - namely Naz and Rudy. He found the right return for Naz and pulled the trigger. That also makes sense and as much as I love Naz’s game and potential, I see swapping Naz for Ball as a substantial upgrade for the Wolves especially given what the team needs with Ant and Jaden.

What I’m driving at is that, while TC’s approach can be maddening, and in my view the wrong approach generally, he’s not just throwing darts at a dart board and hoping they stick. We’ve had Wolves front office executives like that before so we all know what that looks like. TC is a gambler but a very calculated gambler. He and his front office cohorts seem to have a pretty sophisticated, multi-dimensional approach that might ultimately work. Regarding this off season, I give TC high marks for his multiple related moves - clearing cap space with the Randle deal and then using that space to assemble various trade offers for certain high-quality players he and his cohorts believed would improve the team. The end result so far is, I believe, a better Wolves team than last season if LaMelo’s ankles hold up. And I don’t think TC is done yet. I suspect he had some targets he thought he could get who have signed elsewhere so far. But I’m equally sure he has other targets who are still in play through a trade or free agency.

[TheGrey08]

I’m already in the camp of those who would like to see LeBron come here, but that’s only if we can sign or acquire him without giving up any of our good or promising players beyond Josh Green and Mo Gueye. I don’t think LeBron will sign here for the $6M taxpayer MLE. That means we’d either have to do major roster gymnastics to get below the taxpayer threshold o use the full $15M MLE or work a sign-and trade with the Lakers with Josh and Mo going to the Lakers. My sense is the Lakers would do that if LeBron asks them to because of LeBron’s clout and his relationship with the Lakers. But if the Lakers were to get greedy and demand TSJ in the deal, I’d say no. I don’t want to help the Lakers or undermine the longer-term success of the Wolves for perhaps one great season with LeBron.

Ultimately, I think LeBron will end up in Cleveland or Golden State. Those two options provide the best story line for LeBron and as we know he loves story lines as part of his brand. Signing with the Cavs would be a great story line with LeBron returning home for one last run. Signing with the Warriors and playing with Steph and Draymond would be another appealing story line and also allow LeBron to continue enjoying the favorable California weather. If not one of those two, perhaps it will be Miami to close his career with Giannis, but that seems less likely.

I agree Lebronikes a storyline. What about helping the Wolves win a championship!?

Ball, Edwards, Jaden, Lebron and Gobert starting lineup would be insane. Lebron wouldn't even have to play defense or play PG or even have to score. Lol Gobert would just be loving at the rim waiting for people to throw him the ball. I'm not saying it's gonna happen but man that's gotta be something Lebron is mulling around. How much money is enough for him to sign anywhere? Is he gonna pick one team because he can make another 10 million? Look if the Wolves had to find a way to clear some salary to sign Lebron for more than a couple million they can and would and should do it and probably wouldn't have to give up anything too crazy to do so. I'm not getting my hopes up but I wouldn't be completely shocked if it happened...

Windy has indicated that Lebron would consider playing for as little as the vet minimum, which for him is ~4m. So it sounds like he's firmly in the "no cap space" signing window and will not be in a rush to sign somewhere. It'll be anywhere between that vet min and the MLE based on what they've been talking about.

[AussieWolf3]

So basically we're trying to build our team just like the Knicks and Spurs but not as good?

Even in terms of size, the fundamental differences are

1. The Spurs have Wemby and the Knicks have Towns. We have the total opposite in Gobert offensively, so as a result, both of those teams can go five out. We can't. The Thunder have iHart, but even they have a five out lineup with Chet at the 5.

Going this small especially when Jaden simply isn't a volume three point shooter is a huge vote of confidence in Ant and LaMelo becoming the new Splash Brothers and hoping Shannon and Ayo become higher three point volume shooters even though their strength is driving to the hoop.

Well, what do you want them to do Wildwolf!? You seemingly pour cold water on everything the Wolves do! Tell us what big man that can defend the paint and shoot 3's is out there for the Wolves to go magically trade for or conjure up out of thin air.

Going this route wasn't my plan, and the way TC has been caught with his pants down, didn't appear to be his either. All he thought was, get LaMelo, keep Jaden, to hell with everything else and I'm sure SOMEONE halfway decent will play here for free, right? Right?

I've already mentioned my suggestion: bring back Slow-Mo and basically tell Marvin Bagley this might be your last chance to prove to the world that you're not a failure. It's either this or a long life overseas. Your choice.

It's another offseason where TC overlooked something massive that we'll be spending assets down the road to fix.

Hilarious levels of dooming

[Monster]

Well, what do you want them to do Wildwolf!? You seemingly pour cold water on everything the Wolves do! Tell us what big man that can defend the paint and shoot 3's is out there for the Wolves to go magically trade for or conjure up out of thin air.

Going this route wasn't my plan, and the way TC has been caught with his pants down, didn't appear to be his either. All he thought was, get LaMelo, keep Jaden, to hell with everything else and I'm sure SOMEONE halfway decent will play here for free, right? Right?

I've already mentioned my suggestion: bring back Slow-Mo and basically tell Marvin Bagley this might be your last chance to prove to the world that you're not a failure. It's either this or a long life overseas. Your choice.

It's another offseason where TC overlooked something massive that we'll be spending assets down the road to fix.

As you know, I’m not a fan of TC’s big-swing, big game-hunting approach, which includes emptying our draft coffers and skating on the edge of prohibitive financial/transactional constrains. But the minute TC made the Rudy deal, that path was set and there was no turning back.

And while I don’t like TC’s overall approach, I think we need to give him more credit than you’re giving him in the current situation. He clearly decided that he was going to build around Ant and Jaden (and probably Beringer) as the inner core of the team. That makes perfect sense and is a proven formula for NBA success - e.g., MJ/Pippen, Stockton/Malone, Curry/Thompson, etc. TC also appears to have an outer core of players that he prefers to keep, but is willing to give up for the right return - namely Naz and Rudy. He found the right return for Naz and pulled the trigger. That also makes sense and as much as I love Naz’s game and potential, I see swapping Naz for Ball as a substantial upgrade for the Wolves especially given what the team needs with Ant and Jaden.

What I’m driving at is that, while TC’s approach can be maddening, and in my view the wrong approach generally, he’s not just throwing darts at a dart board and hoping they stick. We’ve had Wolves front office executives like that before so we all know what that looks like. TC is a gambler but a very calculated gambler. He and his front office cohorts seem to have a pretty sophisticated, multi-dimensional approach that might ultimately work. Regarding this off season, I give TC high marks for his multiple related moves - clearing cap space with the Randle deal and then using that space to assemble various trade offers for certain high-quality players he and his cohorts believed would improve the team. The end result so far is, I believe, a better Wolves team than last season if LaMelo’s ankles hold up. And I don’t think TC is done yet. I suspect he had some targets he thought he could get who have signed elsewhere so far. But I’m equally sure he has other targets who are still in play through a trade or free agency.

Ball has the makings of a player that could legitimately be in the MVP conversation especially if he stays healthy. I'm not saying that will happen but the talent is there. I love Naz Reid and draft picks but Ball could be a very high end player.