I'm probably higher on Bojan and Nemanja than most on this board, but I see them being good players in the NBA. Bojan's a physical, skilled PF who's big time in the P&R and able to pop out and shoot anywhere on the court. He's already becoming highly touted overseas. Nemanja reminds me of a Nic Batum or Gordon Hayward type. Really long wing, capable of doing it all from shooting, handling, attacking the rim and passing. Plays with his own type of swagger too.
When I really think about it there are only 3 young players at this point (that could change as the season progresses) I would say I am building around when I look at next year's draft or beyond and that's Rubio Wiggins and Dieng. Dieng is actually the guy I feel least sure about as a legit starter but I've seen enough and with Pek on the team until he isn't I'm not looking to draft a C. So that leaves PF and a wing player as positions that are not filled with young talent. I'll happy with Bazz, Bennett as guys that have played well and Lavine and GR3 as young project/prospects but I don't project any of those guys as even a starter right now they haven't shown me enough to go that.
Vets are the next part of this team to consider the future. I already mentioned Pek so really the only other guy is Thad. We haven't seen him play with this team enough to know what we have there. He is a good player we all like him but I can't make a judgement on how I value him here longterm. What will Thad see himself as going forward? My guess is the Wolves understanding of his mother's death and allowing him to be away will go a long way with Thad I think he is going to want to stay here unless basically there is no role for him.
As for a draft pick sorry but if we aren't picking top 10 something went horribly wrong per Wolves poor luck because no way we win enough games to be better than that. Its interesting to keep tabs on guys but the draft order can move around a ton. Bazz dropped like 10+ spots in like 3 months. Derrick Williams probably wasn't evemn a first round pick before his sophomore year. Where was Wes Johnson slated before the season started? Curry was a late first round pick before his final college season which I thought was kinda nuts.
I've tended to see guys throughout the year or even in the tourney I've liked and either hoped we got that guy or think would be fantastic for another team like MCW of course sometimes depending on where guys get drafted. Its tough we will likely again be able to look at any eligiable player and wonder if they can help our team.
Blagh Blagh Blagh... Ok I think a lot of us do feel this is the most realistically excited we have been about a young group of Wolves in a very long time probably since KG and Marbury. Hopefully one more young player steps up bigtime or even Dieng makes a big jump and becomes a legit starting center. I just feel like the young players we have have some clue how to play basketball and have at least a couple skills that are above average. Heck I even like that Hummel could be a solid glue deep bench guy for a few years. The future does look good but I'm being a little cautious in planning guys being really good before they show me. My exception to that right now is Wiggins. He has shown me enough I think he will be an all-star at least.
Pg - Rubio
SG - Wiggins
Sf - Shabazz
Pf - Bennett
C - Dieng
2nd unit:
PG - Kendall Marshall or Aaron Brooks
SG - Martin (6th man)
SF - 1st round pick Stanley Johnson
PF - Brandan Wright
C - Pekovic (I hope he can be moved but highly doubt it.)
End of Bench:
LaVine
Brewer
Hummel
GR3
Any C/PF obtained through Budinger or 2nd round pick
I really hope Thad has a great year and stays with the team after this year. Really makes the Love trade that much sweeter. I think Thad and AB can play together in many situations. I like your starters Master, but I'll take a bench of Lavine, Brewer, Thad, KMart, and our draft pick, Kansas forward Cliff Alexander.
Blagh Blagh Blagh... Ok I think a lot of us do feel this is the most realistically excited we have been about a young group of Wolves in a very long time probably since KG and Marbury. Hopefully one more young player steps up bigtime or even Dieng makes a big jump and becomes a legit starting center. I just feel like the young players we have have some clue how to play basketball and have at least a couple skills that are above average. Heck I even like that Hummel could be a solid glue deep bench guy for a few years. The future does look good but I'm being a little cautious in planning guys being really good before they show me. My exception to that right now is Wiggins. He has shown me enough I think he will be an all-star at least.
Well, it's been pretty bleak for quite some time despite all the rebuilding.
Rubio is nice. And Wiggins obviously has promise. But I haven't felt that "OK, we have THE guys to get us where we need to go" vibe yet. Not even close.
So, for me, it's a far cry from the halcyon days of Marbury/Garnett. Even if it's a helluva lot more promising than the Rashad McCants/Randy Foye/Wes Johnson days.
