Timberwolves Off-Season News

[Lipoli390]

This is always the case but it seems like Connelly is more likely to make a swing rather than do something kinda mid. Now if adding someone kinda pretty decent costs them not a whole lot (both in terms of assets and salary) sure.

As for who the other FA is there are still some guys out there. I don't think they are pursuing DeRozan but he is still a pretty good player. It sounds like Nick Richards is signing with the Heat. It could be Ben Simmons.

It seems clear the Wolves are looking to add a big, most likely a PF, if they can. That alone excludes DeRozan. Ben Simmons is a decent guess as the other free agent the Wolves have been talking to. But then we have to ask ourselves, what do the Wolves want out a PF they add to the roster? They’re certainly looking for true PF size (length and bulk) otherwise they would just rely on players currently on our roster. We have players with PF length but not bulk (Jaden) and players with PF bulk/strength, but not length (Ant, Green).

The key question is: What skills are they looking for? Do they want a PF who can hit threes and stretch the floor next to Rudy or Joan? That would make sense and, if so, Simmons clearly would not be on the Wolves radar? Kuminga a least has the potential to stretch the floor. Do they want rebounding? If so, I guess that could be Simmons who was averaging around 8 boards per game in his four seasons with the Sixes. Kuminga’s not a particularly good rebounder but he’s highly athletic and has the potential to be a very good rebounder. If it’s rebounding, the Wolves could pivot from adding a PF to adding another center like Nick Richards.

If the Wolves want a starting-caliber PF, Kuminga is the only free agency PF or C with overall talent to potentially fill that role. Otherwise, acquiring a starting-caliber PF will require a trade. Obi Topping would provide offense and floor stretching, but subpar rebounding and defense. Are there any potential trade targets who would (1) be starting caliber PFs; (2) have floor-stretching shooting capability; and (3) provide substantial held on the boards and defensively? When I ask myself that question the only name that keeps popping into my head is PJ Washington

When I think of Kuminga I don't really differentiate him that much from DeRozan in terms of Size. Again do I think the Wolves are pursuing him? No but he is a good player that's played a lot of PF the last couple years. Is he much different in terms of total physical tools than some of the wings the Wolves already have? No but he is a scorer. I don't think the Wolves are looking for that based on what the 2 executives said about Jaden. Quite frankly as much as they have showed value in Ball in his passing and playmaking it seems like they would be much more interested in Simmons. Again I'm skeptical about him too but he has legit height and length and weight to even play C. That's different than say Watford or to some extent Kyle anderson although his measurements are not too far from Simmons.

I agree that Simmons seems like a more likely target than DeRozan because Simmons at least provides PF size we don’t have on the roster outside of Trey Lyles (or Beringer if you consider him a potential PF). DeRozan is nowhere close to PF size. He’s a terrific scorer, but he’s purely a mid-range scorer. He’s not a rebounder either. He doesn’t check any of the boxes the Wolves need to check with their final roster addition.

[Monster]

It seems clear the Wolves are looking to add a big, most likely a PF, if they can. That alone excludes DeRozan. Ben Simmons is a decent guess as the other free agent the Wolves have been talking to. But then we have to ask ourselves, what do the Wolves want out a PF they add to the roster? They’re certainly looking for true PF size (length and bulk) otherwise they would just rely on players currently on our roster. We have players with PF length but not bulk (Jaden) and players with PF bulk/strength, but not length (Ant, Green).

The key question is: What skills are they looking for? Do they want a PF who can hit threes and stretch the floor next to Rudy or Joan? That would make sense and, if so, Simmons clearly would not be on the Wolves radar? Kuminga a least has the potential to stretch the floor. Do they want rebounding? If so, I guess that could be Simmons who was averaging around 8 boards per game in his four seasons with the Sixes. Kuminga’s not a particularly good rebounder but he’s highly athletic and has the potential to be a very good rebounder. If it’s rebounding, the Wolves could pivot from adding a PF to adding another center like Nick Richards.

If the Wolves want a starting-caliber PF, Kuminga is the only free agency PF or C with overall talent to potentially fill that role. Otherwise, acquiring a starting-caliber PF will require a trade. Obi Topping would provide offense and floor stretching, but subpar rebounding and defense. Are there any potential trade targets who would (1) be starting caliber PFs; (2) have floor-stretching shooting capability; and (3) provide substantial held on the boards and defensively? When I ask myself that question the only name that keeps popping into my head is PJ Washington

When I think of Kuminga I don't really differentiate him that much from DeRozan in terms of Size. Again do I think the Wolves are pursuing him? No but he is a good player that's played a lot of PF the last couple years. Is he much different in terms of total physical tools than some of the wings the Wolves already have? No but he is a scorer. I don't think the Wolves are looking for that based on what the 2 executives said about Jaden. Quite frankly as much as they have showed value in Ball in his passing and playmaking it seems like they would be much more interested in Simmons. Again I'm skeptical about him too but he has legit height and length and weight to even play C. That's different than say Watford or to some extent Kyle anderson although his measurements are not too far from Simmons.

I agree that Simmons seems like a more likely target than DeRozan because Simmons at least provides PF size we don’t have on the roster outside of Trey Lyles (or Beringer if you consider him a potential PF). DeRozan is nowhere close to PF size. He’s a terrific scorer, but he’s purely a mid-range scorer. He’s not a rebounder either. He doesn’t check any of the boxes the Wolves need to check with their final roster addition.

I must have misread some stats earlier today because Kuminga's rebounding the last couple years is plenty decent so I take back some of what I said comparing him to Derozen. Ultimately I think we are both on the same page on Kuminga moderately intrigued if we get him but if we don't we won't exactly be trying to hold ourselves together while eating all the comfort foods and trying to cheer ourselves up by watching our favorite comedy TV shows. Lol

Edit: Honestly regardless of the flaws of either DeRozan and Kuminga getting either guy for the vet min (in theory) would be a pretty nice move by the Wolves in terms of value for the contract. Kuminga fits better for a variety of reasons.

[Lipoli390]

When I think of Kuminga I don't really differentiate him that much from DeRozan in terms of Size. Again do I think the Wolves are pursuing him? No but he is a good player that's played a lot of PF the last couple years. Is he much different in terms of total physical tools than some of the wings the Wolves already have? No but he is a scorer. I don't think the Wolves are looking for that based on what the 2 executives said about Jaden. Quite frankly as much as they have showed value in Ball in his passing and playmaking it seems like they would be much more interested in Simmons. Again I'm skeptical about him too but he has legit height and length and weight to even play C. That's different than say Watford or to some extent Kyle anderson although his measurements are not too far from Simmons.

I agree that Simmons seems like a more likely target than DeRozan because Simmons at least provides PF size we don’t have on the roster outside of Trey Lyles (or Beringer if you consider him a potential PF). DeRozan is nowhere close to PF size. He’s a terrific scorer, but he’s purely a mid-range scorer. He’s not a rebounder either. He doesn’t check any of the boxes the Wolves need to check with their final roster addition.

I must have misread some stats earlier today because Kuminga's rebounding the last couple years is plenty decent so I take back some of what I said comparing him to Derozen. Ultimately I think we are both on the same page on Kuminga moderately intrigued if we get him but if we don't we won't exactly be trying to hold ourselves together while eating all the comfort foods and trying to cheer ourselves up by watching our favorite comedy TV shows. Lol

Edit: Honestly regardless of the flaws of either DeRozan and Kuminga getting either guy for the vet min (in theory) would be a pretty nice move by the Wolves in terms of value for the contract. Kuminga fits better for a variety of reasons.

Agree. Either one at the vet minimum would be very good value. Also agree Kuminga is the better fit of the two.

[Lipoli390]

https://dunkingwithwolves.com/timberwol ... on-players

I thought this article makes a good case for staying with the current roster and not making any further major trades including any trade involving Josh Green.

[60WinTim]

https://dunkingwithwolves.com/timberwol ... on-players

I thought this article makes a good case for staying with the current roster and not making any further major trades including any trade involving Josh Green.

Hmm... This article didn't age well!

On another Timberwolves off-season news note: Matt Lloyd was on Flagrant Howls the other day (at the State Fair) and he made the statement that "all the players will be in town on Tuesday to start prepping for training camp". I had not heard that before. I assume we will have the Kuminga presser next week. I wonder if we will get any bits and pieces on the various players starting on Tuesday. Media Day seems so far away.

[rapsuperstar31]

https://dunkingwithwolves.com/timberwol ... on-players

I thought this article makes a good case for staying with the current roster and not making any further major trades including any trade involving Josh Green.

Hmm... This article didn't age well!

On another Timberwolves off-season news note: Matt Lloyd was on Flagrant Howls the other day (at the State Fair) and he made the statement that "all the players will be in town on Tuesday to start prepping for training camp". I had not heard that before. I assume we will have the Kuminga presser next week. I wonder if we will get any bits and pieces on the various players starting on Tuesday. Media Day seems so far away.

A lot of them have been in Minnesota when not on vacation or doing a promotion in another country. Ball has lived in the gym here pretty much since a few days after the trade was finalized. Ant and Ball are practicing together all the time. Donte has been in town rehabbing all summer. Clark is back and forth between Minnesota and California to finish his school at UCLA. Jaden, Shannon, Lyles have all been in town getting in shots. I haven't seen much of Joan and Rocco together lately, but they were in town the early part of the summer working out every day together.