Ouch...43-39? But I agree that this team will struggle more than deeper teams if we have significant injuries to key players. And if Abe's gloomy forecast ends up being correct, I'll pair a prediction with it...the Wolves will move Gobert to a contender for draft capital at the trade deadline if we are close to .500. Do I think Joan is ready to be the starting center? Certainly not. I expect him to be limited to about 14 minutes per game with Rudy getting the other 34. And he will develop getting a consistent 14 a night (or more on nights that are a blowout one way or another). But if we are struggling mid-season, I see TC declaring it a "gap year" and unloading Rudy (and maybe a surplus wing like Ayo, TJ or Donte) for as much return as he can get. We then get the added benefit of Joan getting 30+ minutes a night which will accelerate his development. Of course I hope this doesn't happen, as I think this roster can challenge for a chip if all are mostly healthy, while still developing Joan in steady but limited minutes.AbeVigodaLive wrote: ↑Mon Oct 19, 2026 8:52 am 43 wins. (Price is Right style!)
This season will be determined by injuries. The most positive prognostications need Ball to have the healthiest season of his career. And then there's Gobert. He takes such good care of himself, so he's been able to give 70+ games every season. The Wolves really really really need that to continue.
The frontcourt depth is a very real concern... although I think TJ Shannon is just biding time here until he's traded for a serviceable backup big.
[Note: Keychain? How old are you, Q? Give me the t-shirt! I'll wear it to my bi-weekly hoops game.]
P.S. Avid Price is Right viewers will see the error in Abe's logic, as the rules of the show say you are disqualified from winning if your guess is over the actual amount. Abe's only chance of winning as things stand now is if the Wolves win 43 or 44 games...more than that and somebody else wins, and fewer than that and nobody wins and the keychain is added to next year's winner's prize. But of course we don't play Price is Right rules.
