Gobert Trade at Mid-Year

[Lipoli390]

Tonight's game against the Pistons tells us that nothing has really changed with this team. We're just not a good team this season. Just need to get through this season and next and hope for luck in the 2024 lottery. :)

We're top 10 in halfcourt offense and halfcourt defense thanks to Rudy. Nowell has shit the bed, we have had bad injury luck, and we are thin at PG (that's TC's fault).

If only NBA basketball were a half-court game. :)

[Lipoli390]

Tonight's game against the Pistons tells us that nothing has really changed with this team. We're just not a good team this season. Just need to get through this season and next and hope for luck in the 2024 lottery. :)

We're top 10 in halfcourt offense and halfcourt defense thanks to Rudy. Nowell has shit the bed, we have had bad injury luck, and we are thin at PG (that's TC's fault).

I'm not a fan of Rudy's game, but my main issue has never been Rudy. My issue has been the trade that brought him here. Our "injury luck" this season is why you don't trade unprotected first-round picks; the Wolves traded three and a 4th with minimal protection. Remember there's something called Wolves luck. I'm sure lots of teams have made deals with players in violation of League rules, but only the Timberwolves were caught. So if there's any team that should risk r trading unprotected 1st rounders, it's the Timberwolves. :)

[AbeVigodaLive]

Tonight's game against the Pistons tells us that nothing has really changed with this team. We're just not a good team this season. Just need to get through this season and next and hope for luck in the 2024 lottery. :)

We're top 10 in halfcourt offense and halfcourt defense thanks to Rudy. Nowell has shit the bed, we have had bad injury luck, and we are thin at PG (that's TC's fault).

The PG depth is an issue. I think Connelly and Co. considered Kyle Anderson the de facto 3rd PG and that's sorta played out. The rub is when it's required for an extended stretch (25+ games), it leaves a whole elsewhere that was supposed to be plugged by Anderson.

The one that might finally derail this season for good, however, is a lack of depth behind Edwards. Even if Nowell played to expectations, the team was going to be painfully thin if he was thrust into a starting role. Bryn Forbes is a one-trick pony shooting specialist (who sucks at shooting this season). Other than that, there's nobody who can just go out and get buckets for this team.

Maybe Connelly and Co. envisioned a Russell and McLaughlin backcourt in case something happened to Edwards, but that just shows how thin they were for guards overall.

While the rest of the league gathers guards and creators, the Wolves seemed to have doubled and tripled-down on bigs both in the starting lineup and on the bench.


[Note: Think of it this way... technically, the Wolves have 5 players who have played center in the NBA on this roster. How many players do they have on the team right now that can play the point... or even as an average-level guard offensively?]

[Q-is-here]

Tonight's game against the Pistons tells us that nothing has really changed with this team. We're just not a good team this season. Just need to get through this season and next and hope for luck in the 2024 lottery. :)

We're top 10 in halfcourt offense and halfcourt defense thanks to Rudy. Nowell has shit the bed, we have had bad injury luck, and we are thin at PG (that's TC's fault).

The PG depth is an issue. I think Connelly and Co. considered Kyle Anderson the de facto 3rd PG and that's sorta played out. The rub is when it's required for an extended stretch (25+ games), it leaves a whole elsewhere that was supposed to be plugged by Anderson.

The one that might finally derail this season for good, however, is a lack of depth behind Edwards. Even if Nowell played to expectations, the team was going to be painfully thin if he was thrust into a starting role. Bryn Forbes is a one-trick pony shooting specialist (who sucks at shooting this season). Other than that, there's nobody who can just go out and get buckets for this team.

Maybe Connelly and Co. envisioned a Russell and McLaughlin backcourt in case something happened to Edwards, but that just shows how thin they were for guards overall.

While the rest of the league gathers guards and creators, the Wolves seemed to have doubled and tripled-down on bigs both in the starting lineup and on the bench.


[Note: Think of it this way... technically, the Wolves have 5 players who have played center in the NBA on this roster. How many players do they have on the team right now that can play the point... or even as an average-level guard offensively?]

They did draft Moore, Jr. who is a SG that can be a secondary ball handler. But man, that is one hell of a conservative pick in hindsight and he has looked very shaky in limited NBA minutes.

[AbeVigodaLive]

Tonight's game against the Pistons tells us that nothing has really changed with this team. We're just not a good team this season. Just need to get through this season and next and hope for luck in the 2024 lottery. :)

We're top 10 in halfcourt offense and halfcourt defense thanks to Rudy. Nowell has shit the bed, we have had bad injury luck, and we are thin at PG (that's TC's fault).

The PG depth is an issue. I think Connelly and Co. considered Kyle Anderson the de facto 3rd PG and that's sorta played out. The rub is when it's required for an extended stretch (25+ games), it leaves a whole elsewhere that was supposed to be plugged by Anderson.

The one that might finally derail this season for good, however, is a lack of depth behind Edwards. Even if Nowell played to expectations, the team was going to be painfully thin if he was thrust into a starting role. Bryn Forbes is a one-trick pony shooting specialist (who sucks at shooting this season). Other than that, there's nobody who can just go out and get buckets for this team.

Maybe Connelly and Co. envisioned a Russell and McLaughlin backcourt in case something happened to Edwards, but that just shows how thin they were for guards overall.

While the rest of the league gathers guards and creators, the Wolves seemed to have doubled and tripled-down on bigs both in the starting lineup and on the bench.


[Note: Think of it this way... technically, the Wolves have 5 players who have played center in the NBA on this roster. How many players do they have on the team right now that can play the point... or even as an average-level guard offensively?]

They did draft Moore, Jr. who is a SG that can be a secondary ball handler. But man, that is one hell of a conservative pick in hindsight and he has looked very shaky in limited NBA minutes.

Yeah. I don't know how highly regarded Moore was as any sort of a creator type. Everything I read was that he was a higher floor role player type that might eventually make a rotation. Even his NBA draft comps are meh... Caleb Martin and Bruce Brown.

[Monster]

Tonight's game against the Pistons tells us that nothing has really changed with this team. We're just not a good team this season. Just need to get through this season and next and hope for luck in the 2024 lottery. :)

We're top 10 in halfcourt offense and halfcourt defense thanks to Rudy. Nowell has shit the bed, we have had bad injury luck, and we are thin at PG (that's TC's fault).

The PG depth is an issue. I think Connelly and Co. considered Kyle Anderson the de facto 3rd PG and that's sorta played out. The rub is when it's required for an extended stretch (25+ games), it leaves a whole elsewhere that was supposed to be plugged by Anderson.

The one that might finally derail this season for good, however, is a lack of depth behind Edwards. Even if Nowell played to expectations, the team was going to be painfully thin if he was thrust into a starting role. Bryn Forbes is a one-trick pony shooting specialist (who sucks at shooting this season). Other than that, there's nobody who can just go out and get buckets for this team.

Maybe Connelly and Co. envisioned a Russell and McLaughlin backcourt in case something happened to Edwards, but that just shows how thin they were for guards overall.

While the rest of the league gathers guards and creators, the Wolves seemed to have doubled and tripled-down on bigs both in the starting lineup and on the bench.


[Note: Think of it this way... technically, the Wolves have 5 players who have played center in the NBA on this roster. How many players do they have on the team right now that can play the point... or even as an average-level guard offensively?]

They did draft Moore, Jr. who is a SG that can be a secondary ball handler. But man, that is one hell of a conservative pick in hindsight and he has looked very shaky in limited NBA minutes.

Yeah. I don't know how highly regarded Moore was as any sort of a creator type. Everything I read was that he was a higher floor role player type that might eventually make a rotation. Even his NBA draft comps are meh... Caleb Martin and Bruce Brown.

Actually I think the place the Wolves have been the most thin in terms of actual bodies this year is SF. With Prince out it was McDaniels and then Edwards has to play there they have nobody else with NBA experience. The Wolves have a bunch of guard sized players. I think part of why they signed Matt Ryan and let Lawson go was Ryan is more of a forward sized guy. In addition to losing Prince's size and shooting he is also a guy that would help a bit in terms of moving the ball around to.

Having said that I absolutely agree they really miss having an actual backup PG out there. They have a few guys on the roster that have some level of skill to play make for others but when do they do it and how much can they do it instead of either just passing it to someone and getting out of the way or with Nowell and Edwards case and to some extent Russell too just score themselves. This has probably highlighted even more how valuable a guy like McLaughlin is even if he doesn't make 3's. He just knows what to do and what he can't or shouldn't do. Nowell...man that guy should start playing more like Corey Brewer and attack in transition and dial back jacking up shots. It's tough though because to be honest sometimes the team needs another guy to get buckets and he has the talent. It's not like he looks like some awkward guy it's just not happening for him consistently. He hurts the team though when he is chucking and it's not going in. Maybe a better option would be to suggest he plays like Derrick Rose when he was with the Wolves. I don't think Nowell can attack in half court quite like that but that's likely better than jacking up 3's.

[thedoper]

I think both forwards are an issue, yet we have 5 Centers on this team. Slow mo is great for many things on the court but doesnt help our rebounding. After all this time we're still looking for a starting 4. Rinse and repeat.

[Carlos Danger]

I just saw this:
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/01/trade-rumors-beasley-vanderbilt-pelicans-hyland-pacers.html

If the Jazz are somehow able to flip Beasley and Vanderbilt into two more First round picks...this trade will go down as one of the best ever (for the Jazz).

[Lipoli390]

I just saw this:
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/01/trade-rumors-beasley-vanderbilt-pelicans-hyland-pacers.html

If the Jazz are somehow able to flip Beasley and Vanderbilt into two more First round picks...this trade will go down as one of the best ever (for the Jazz).

It's already one of the most one-sided deals in NBA history based on the performance of Vanderbilt, Beasley and Kessler relative to the performance of Gobert - in combination with those four future unprotected firsts. OK, the 2029 pick is top-five protected, but that's basically unprotected. The equation remains incredibly one-sided if the Jazz convert Beasley and Vanderbilt into another two first-round picks or even just one additional first.

It was a bad deal for the Wolves, but now the Wolves need to make the best of it and hope the team gels with Gobert down the stretch and then really fires on all cylinders when KAT returns. A lop-sided trade like this doesn't necessarily mean it won't produce short-term success for the team that got fleeced. Gobert isn't some dude who can't play. The Wolves are so close to securing a top 4 playoff seed, which was the minimum bar most of us set when the deal was announced. I happen to believe we'd be in a much better position this season if the deal hadn't been made, but that's speculative. In the end it's about results. If we finish in the top 4 this season, then I'll call the season a success. I still won't consider the deal a success, but just give me a successful season and I'll be happy.

[kekgeek]

I just saw this:
https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/01/trade-rumors-beasley-vanderbilt-pelicans-hyland-pacers.html

If the Jazz are somehow able to flip Beasley and Vanderbilt into two more First round picks...this trade will go down as one of the best ever (for the Jazz).

It's already one of the most one-sided deals in NBA history based on the performance of Vanderbilt, Beasley and Kessler relative to the performance of Gobert - in combination with those four future unprotected firsts. OK, the 2029 pick is top-five protected, but that's basically unprotected. The equation remains incredibly one-sided if the Jazz convert Beasley and Vanderbilt into another two first-round picks or even just one additional first.

It was a bad deal for the Wolves, but now the Wolves need to make the best of it and hope the team gels with Gobert down the stretch and then really fires on all cylinders when KAT returns. A lop-sided trade like this doesn't necessarily mean it won't produce short-term success for the team that got fleeced. Gobert isn't some dude who can't play. The Wolves are so close to securing a top 4 playoff seed, which was the minimum bar most of us set when the deal was announced. I happen to believe we'd be in a much better position this season if the deal hadn't been made, but that's speculative. In the end it's about results. If we finish in the top 4 this season, then I'll call the season a success. I still won't consider the deal a success, but just give me a successful season and I'll be happy.

I want to say Beasley and Vando have not been good for the Jazz. They are 2 on the bottom on/off in the NBA (both in the bottom 15th percentile), both of there lineups are some of the worst lineups in the NBA this year defensively also.

Kessler is a stud though.