Minnesota Sports Forum

kekgeek1 wrote:Highly doubt they are going to trade Gallo with the news of Okongwu going to miss 6 months happening today

That means Okongwu won't be available until late January at the earliest. Perhaps this is an opportunity for the Wolves to acquire him. We can trade them our #6 pick in the 2019 draft for their #6 pick in the 2020 draft. Seems fair to me - a #6 for a #6. :)

Here's Doogie's report on his recent interview of Rosas:

Darren Wolfson: Talked w/ #Timberwolves POBO Rosas. Asked him if we can read into the posted pics of Bolmaro's recent MN trip being a sign he's coming this summer. "I think it's fair." On Ant rehab, "Things are positive." 1 more: "Way we build this team will be through trade this offseason."

Reading this should leave no doubt that Rosas is going to make a trade this summer. And that scares the hell out of me. First of all, Rosas has a poor track record in my view when it comes to making good business judgments, which includes what I consider overpaying for DLO. Second, why on earth is Rosas unequivocally stating that they way they'll build the team this offseason is through trades? If he doesn't make a trade this offseason it can only mean one of two things: (1) the team doesn't need more building; or (2) he was unable to find a trade to meet the need. He obviously believes the team needs more building this offseason or he wouldn't have made that comment. And now he'll have to make a deal so he doesn't fail to meet that need.

Meanwhile, the Warriors' President of Basketball Operations, Bob Myers, is leaving everyone guessing about whether he'll attempt to trade his two lottery picks. He said that right now he intends to keep those picks while acknowledging that could change. He said the evidence suggests that going younger makes sense -- hinting that he's loath to give up the picks for veteran players. I still suspect that most NBA front office execs think Myers will trade one or both of those picks, but he's skillfully created some doubt in their minds and, more importantly, has avoided committing himself to one course of action or the other. In contrast, our guy, Rosas, has essentially told the world that he'll have to make a trade this summer because it's the only way he can build the team. How about saying something like he really likes the current roster - that we closed the season close to .500 - that we never had a healthy KAT and DLO until the end of the season - that we have two\really talented rookies who he expects to take a big leap forward as most talented rookies do - that we still have high expectations for Culver who was a consensus top 6 pick just two years ago -- that we'll have a summer league and a full training camp this years, which is crucial to a young team and something we didn't have last season -- and that KAT is just entering the prime of his career?

I'm not suggesting Rosas was going to fool anyone into thinking that he's not interested in making trades to improve the team. But at least he could have planted some seeds of doubt in the minds of opposing front office execs and, more importantly, not painted himself into a corner where his public comment effectively commits the Wolves to making a trade this offseason. I guess I shouldn't expect more from a guy who traded up in a draft for a player he didn't have locked up in a deal and who gave up both the team's 2021 1st round pick with only top 4 protection and 2nd round pick for a player that no other team has even seemed interested in keeping and who obviously didn't fit well on the Warriors.

I have no doubt now that Rosas will make one or more trades this summer. My gut tells me that the deals he makes will be lopsided in favor of the other teams with whom he makes those deals. I hope I'm wrong.

lipoli390 wrote:Here's Doogie's report on his recent interview of Rosas:

Darren Wolfson: Talked w/ #Timberwolves POBO Rosas. Asked him if we can read into the posted pics of Bolmaro's recent MN trip being a sign he's coming this summer. "I think it's fair." On Ant rehab, "Things are positive." 1 more: "Way we build this team will be through trade this offseason."

Reading this should leave no doubt that Rosas is going to make a trade this summer. And that scares the hell out of me. First of all, Rosas has a poor track record in my view when it comes to making good business judgments, which includes what I consider overpaying for DLO. Second, why on earth is Rosas unequivocally stating that they way they'll build the team this offseason is through trades? If he doesn't make a trade this offseason it can only mean one of two things: (1) the team doesn't need more building; or (2) he was unable to find a trade to meet the need. He obviously believes the team needs more building this offseason or he wouldn't have made that comment. And now he'll have to make a deal so he doesn't fail to meet that need...

I agree, Lip! A couple of items from a recent Dane Moore/Britt Robson podcast that may be relevant to this discussion:

1. The idea of a Rosas trade to get a Gallo-like player rather than Gallo himself may be interesting/terrifying... a win-now move that adds an older player and builds the offensive power of the Wolves, rather than continuing the sustainable rebuild focusing on pieces that are both needed (defensive-minded big) and consistent with the ages of our key players. Both Moore and Robson agreed Gallo is a good player, but this would be the type of move you make to go from the 6th seed to the 4th, rather than where the Wolves are now.

2. Which led to the second point, which is that Rosas doesn't have the connection with the new owners that he had with Taylor, and may feel some pressure to swing for the fences instead of being disciplined in order to prove himself to the new guys before Rosas' contract becomes an issue (when is his contract up? I couldn't find info on that).

Both points 1 and 2 are terrifying to me - maybe Rosas will be more disciplined than I think about adding new pieces, but if past is prologue, I'm afraid I don't have confidence in that happening.

Edit: One more thing ... Robson referred to this kind of move by Rosas as a sure-fired way for Rosas "to step on his own dick" ... which is another reason I love Britt Robson.

I feel like no matter what Rosas says, this board will critique. If he doesn't say anything, folks will ponder if he is doing anything and perhaps thinking he is OK with current roster. If he states he plans to make trades, many criticize his loose lips.

Regarding the Warriors comparison, it isn't quite the same. They actually have multiple options to explore given their assets of picks, etc. Wolves are NOT in the same boat.

To be truthful, this idea of Wolves making a trade is not a surprise to anyone, in any organization of the NBA. Everyone has same access to cap details, assets, draft picks, etc. It doesn't take long to deduce what the Wolves need to accomplish. They need cap space, a better player or two, and perhaps to get into draft. Nothing Rosas says right now impacts the teams ability to do these things. If we think it does, then we also have to believe that other teams just don't understand our circumstances.

The bigger, and most relevant concern as previously stated, is whether he can manage a positive deal for Wolves. I will agree track record is not great to date.

Sundog60 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Here's Doogie's report on his recent interview of Rosas:

Darren Wolfson: Talked w/ #Timberwolves POBO Rosas. Asked him if we can read into the posted pics of Bolmaro's recent MN trip being a sign he's coming this summer. "I think it's fair." On Ant rehab, "Things are positive." 1 more: "Way we build this team will be through trade this offseason."

Reading this should leave no doubt that Rosas is going to make a trade this summer. And that scares the hell out of me. First of all, Rosas has a poor track record in my view when it comes to making good business judgments, which includes what I consider overpaying for DLO. Second, why on earth is Rosas unequivocally stating that they way they'll build the team this offseason is through trades? If he doesn't make a trade this offseason it can only mean one of two things: (1) the team doesn't need more building; or (2) he was unable to find a trade to meet the need. He obviously believes the team needs more building this offseason or he wouldn't have made that comment. And now he'll have to make a deal so he doesn't fail to meet that need...

I agree, Lip! A couple of items from a recent Dane Moore/Britt Robson podcast that may be relevant to this discussion:

1. The idea of a Rosas trade to get a Gallo-like player rather that Gallo himself may be interesting/terrifying... a win-now move that adds an older player and builds the offensive power of the Wolves, rather than continuing the sustainable rebuild focusing on pieces that are both needed (defensive-minded big) and consistent with the ages of our key players. Both Moore and Robson agreed Gallo is a good player, but this would be the type of move you make to go from the 6th seed to the 4th, rather than where the Wolves are now.

2. Which led to the second point, which is that Rosas doesn't have the connection with the new owners that he had with Taylor, and may feel some pressure to swing for the fences instead of being disciplined in order to prove himself to the new guys before Rosas' contract becomes an issue (when is his contract up? I couldn't find info on that).

Both points 1 and 2 are terrifying to me - maybe Rosas will be more disciplined than I think about adding new pieces, but if past is prologue, I'm afraid I don't have confidence in that happening.

Yep. That's my fear. Gersson's reported interest in trading for Gallo is particularly perplexing. Not only is Gallo the wrong type of player for this team (a largely one-way offensive player for a team desperately in need of defense), but he's a poor choice among one-way offensive players because of his age, his $20M+ salary and, most important of all, his lack of durability. To match salaries, the Wolves would have to give up DLO, Beasley or Ricky to get him and if it's Beasley or Ricky, the Wolves would have to give up another player or two to stay under the luxury tax.

I agree that Rosas is probably feeling desperate at this point coming off a disappointing lottery finish this past season and with new ownership coming in. That doesn't bode well considering Gersson's track record back when he presumably wasn't desperate. Again, I recognize that Rosas (or others in his front office) have done well identifying young talent coming out of college (Ant, McDaniels, Reid, JMac, Kelan Martin). Rosas appears to have missed the mark with Culver, but he was actually pursuing Garland in that draft and Garland would have been a great pick. The issue with Rosas is his poor business judgment. I think he was at the right level in the Rockets' organization - providing advice and analysis to the decision makers at the top. In my view, thus far, he appears to be in over his head as the top executive. I'm hoping to be proven wrong about Rosas this summer. But I'm really nervous.

Hicks123 wrote:I feel like no matter what Rosas says, this board will critique. If he doesn't say anything, folks will ponder if he is doing anything and perhaps thinking he is OK with current roster. If he states he plans to make trades, many criticize his loose lips.

Regarding the Warriors comparison, it isn't quite the same. They actually have multiple options to explore given their assets of picks, etc. Wolves are NOT in the same boat.

To be truthful, this idea of Wolves making a trade is not a surprise to anyone, in any organization of the NBA. Everyone has same access to cap details, assets, draft picks, etc. It doesn't take long to deduce what the Wolves need to accomplish. They need cap space, a better player or two, and perhaps to get into draft. Nothing Rosas says right now impacts the teams ability to do these things. If we think it does, then we also have to believe that other teams just don't understand our circumstances.

The bigger, and most relevant concern as previously stated, is whether he can manage a positive deal for Wolves. I will agree track record is not great to date.

I was think this too.

I mean isn't common sense the only way this team can improve is through trade. We have no Cap space or Draft picks. You have to be a really bad GM to not know what's going on with the wolves situation.

Jester1534 wrote:

Hicks123 wrote:I feel like no matter what Rosas says, this board will critique. If he doesn't say anything, folks will ponder if he is doing anything and perhaps thinking he is OK with current roster. If he states he plans to make trades, many criticize his loose lips.

Regarding the Warriors comparison, it isn't quite the same. They actually have multiple options to explore given their assets of picks, etc. Wolves are NOT in the same boat.

To be truthful, this idea of Wolves making a trade is not a surprise to anyone, in any organization of the NBA. Everyone has same access to cap details, assets, draft picks, etc. It doesn't take long to deduce what the Wolves need to accomplish. They need cap space, a better player or two, and perhaps to get into draft. Nothing Rosas says right now impacts the teams ability to do these things. If we think it does, then we also have to believe that other teams just don't understand our circumstances.

The bigger, and most relevant concern as previously stated, is whether he can manage a positive deal for Wolves. I will agree track record is not great to date.

I was think this too.

I mean isn't common sense the only way this team can improve is through trade. We have no Cap space or Draft picks. You have to be a really bad GM to not know what's going on with the wolves situation.

As I wrote in another thread, Gersson's comment won't make or break the franchise. It's his track record with deals and overall business judgment that I worry about. Having said that, Gersson's public comments should stress the importance of improving from within through the development of the young talent we have. If I were him, I'd talk up our current roster (HIS roster) as a playoff-worthy roster. I actually think it is a playoff-worthy roster. We have two max players, a superstar young talent in Ant and other young talent in Beasley, McDaniels, Reid, Vanderbilt and even Layman. That roster could be slightly improved by signing a vet minimum free agent without paying the luxury tax. Actually, Rosas could sign a very good free agent with the $9M MLE if the team is willing to pay the luxury tax. If I were Gersson, I wouldn't foreclose that option in my public comments, but that essentially what he did when he said the only way the Wolves can "build" (i.e., improve) the team is through trades. But again, I'm belaboring the point. In truth, Gersson's comment or failure to better control the narrative is far less important that his ultimate business judgment. It's the latter that I'm worried about.

lipoli390 wrote:

Sundog60 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Here's Doogie's report on his recent interview of Rosas:

Darren Wolfson: Talked w/ #Timberwolves POBO Rosas. Asked him if we can read into the posted pics of Bolmaro's recent MN trip being a sign he's coming this summer. "I think it's fair." On Ant rehab, "Things are positive." 1 more: "Way we build this team will be through trade this offseason."

Reading this should leave no doubt that Rosas is going to make a trade this summer. And that scares the hell out of me. First of all, Rosas has a poor track record in my view when it comes to making good business judgments, which includes what I consider overpaying for DLO. Second, why on earth is Rosas unequivocally stating that they way they'll build the team this offseason is through trades? If he doesn't make a trade this offseason it can only mean one of two things: (1) the team doesn't need more building; or (2) he was unable to find a trade to meet the need. He obviously believes the team needs more building this offseason or he wouldn't have made that comment. And now he'll have to make a deal so he doesn't fail to meet that need...

I agree, Lip! A couple of items from a recent Dane Moore/Britt Robson podcast that may be relevant to this discussion:

1. The idea of a Rosas trade to get a Gallo-like player rather that Gallo himself may be interesting/terrifying... a win-now move that adds an older player and builds the offensive power of the Wolves, rather than continuing the sustainable rebuild focusing on pieces that are both needed (defensive-minded big) and consistent with the ages of our key players. Both Moore and Robson agreed Gallo is a good player, but this would be the type of move you make to go from the 6th seed to the 4th, rather than where the Wolves are now.

2. Which led to the second point, which is that Rosas doesn't have the connection with the new owners that he had with Taylor, and may feel some pressure to swing for the fences instead of being disciplined in order to prove himself to the new guys before Rosas' contract becomes an issue (when is his contract up? I couldn't find info on that).

Both points 1 and 2 are terrifying to me - maybe Rosas will be more disciplined than I think about adding new pieces, but if past is prologue, I'm afraid I don't have confidence in that happening.

Yep. That's my fear. Gersson's reported interest in trading for Gallo is particularly perplexing. Not only is Gallo the wrong type of player for this team (a largely one-way offensive player for a team desperately in need of defense), but he's a poor choice among one-way offensive players because of his age, his $20M+ salary and, most important of all, his lack of durability. To match salaries, the Wolves would have to give up DLO, Beasley or Ricky to get him and if it's Beasley or Ricky, the Wolves would have to give up another player or two to stay under the luxury tax.

I agree that Rosas is probably feeling desperate at this point coming off a disappointing lottery finish this past season and with new ownership coming in. That doesn't bode well considering Gersson's track record back when he presumably wasn't desperate. Again, I recognize that Rosas (or others in his front office) have done well identifying young talent coming out of college (Ant, McDaniels, Reid, JMac, Kelan Martin). Rosas appears to have missed the mark with Culver, but he was actually pursuing Garland in that draft and Garland would have been a great pick. The issue with Rosas is his poor business judgment. I think he was at the right level in the Rockets' organization - providing advice and analysis to the decision makers at the top. In my view, thus far, he appears to be in over his head as the top executive. I'm hoping to be proven wrong about Rosas this summer. But I'm really nervous.

I'm a little torn on it, I think Gallo is a better fit for us than Beasley due to the number of 1/2's on our team. If you could guarantee me Gallo stays healthy I would say its a no brainer, but he always seems to be injured. If its Beasley straight up for Gallo I think I would do that. When Atlanta was sitting at 20-47 last summer, I wouldn't have thought their timeline warranted signing Gallo and Brogdan, but it did help push them into a fun playoff team.. When OKC traded for Chris Paul everyone thought he was washed up and a terrible asset on an overpriced contract that they would never be able to move...that turned out pretty well for them and later for Phoenix when they traded for him. I'm not saying Gallo is the correct player to go after, but we need to make the playoffs next year with Towns contract getting shorter. In the next two years we need to be a contender, or we need to think about trading Kat. He may say the right things but there will be a time when he inevitably demands out if we are not successful.

Here is the full length Interview Doogie did with Rosas.

My favorite quote of this interview was:

Wolfson "I hope it was lake Minnetonka. You can't go wrong on Lake Minnetonka." Lol

https://kstp.com/minnesota-sports/timberwolves-rosas-interview-bolmaro-edwards-towns-russell-trade-talks-draft-preview/6185396/