Young player

[AbeVigodaLive]

If he's still here... Dillingham.

The Timberwolves traded up to nab him for a reason(s). He's loaded with potential... Let's get a better look to see how close he is to reaching it.

[FNG]

Definitely Dillingham. His pedigree is far better than Clark and TJ (who I also like)...five star reputation all through high school and a productive freshman year at Kentucky. And as I've posted before, I respect Tom Crean's opinion when it comes to evaluating players, and he predicted Rob would be making very good contributions the second half of last season. Well, his injury and Finchy's tight rotation prevented that, but I think he will have a very good second season. I don't think he will begin the year as our starting PG (Finchy likes to keep Rudy and Mike together) unless Rudy is moved, but he may be our starter by the end of the season. His size is an issue to some extent, but it doesn't concern me as much as others. He'll get bigger, and as others have posted, there are many PGs close to his size who have thrived in the NBA. I also am excited to see what Clark and Shannon can do, but they are going to be 24 and 25 when the season starts, respectively. while Rob will still be just 20. Unlike Rob, they are already grown men, and don't have the physical upside that Rob has. Physically they are going to look exactly like they did at the end of this season, but after a summer in the weight room, I predict we will be posting a lot here how different Rob looks.

I still think Clark and Shannon can improve simply based on still being relatively new as full-time basketball professionals and not getting a ton of playing time. We saw how a year recovering from injury and then the G-League transformed Clark into a reliable stationary 3-point shooter, something he did not show at UCLA. But yeah, they can't make massive leaps forward in the way Dillingham potentially could.

Dane Moore thinks Dillingham already put on 5-8 lbs. during the season and I noticed he looked a bit more muscular when they showed close-up of him during playoff garbage time. And don't forget that both Jaden and Ant kept growing into their second NBA season! That's certainly possible for a guy whose combine measurements were taken when he was barely 19 years old.

I also think Clark and Shannon will improve as they get more NBA court time. Clark has terrific defensive instincts, but needs to play a little more within himself at times...too may fouls or times he gets beat by biting on a fake. I'm not as optimistic about either of them as 3-point shooters though, because I don't like their mechanics. But I have to admit both shot better than I would have expected coming out of college.

[TheFuture]

Lip and Cool I think you misread the title of the thread. TSJ isn't young, he's more than a year older than Ant.

He's a second year player.

[Lipoli390]

Lip and Cool I think you misread the title of the thread. TSJ isn't young, he's more than a year older than Ant.

He's a second year player.

That’s right. When we’re talking about upside, I think we need to factor in both age and NBA experience. Of the two, I view age as more important but NBA experience is still a relevant factor. I would be surprised if TSJ and Clark don’t improve significantly over the next couple years if they get meaningful minutes. I do agree with FNG’s analysis of Dilly as the highest upside player among our group of our recent draft picks in the TC regime.

[Lipoli390]

TSJ - in my opinion Finch had no reason not to give him more minutes. His energy and attacking the rim is a joy to watch.

Clark - great defense, doesn't really make mistakes. And that was coming off of injury.. Just needs to keep developing his shot.

DDV - I know he isn't real young, but I want to see if he gets his shot close to his best year. Hopefully TC can find an established PG so DDV can just get comfortable playing the 2 and not be forced into big PG mins.

Dilly - definitely athletic, but visibly tiny in the NBA. I want to see what he looks like after a full offseason.

#17 and #31 - Please hit on one TC!

I am pretty much over Miller, Minott, Garza. They just keep a seat warm for cheap.

Agree with your take on all these guys.

The TSJ and Clark picks were TC at his best. TSJ might have been a lottery pick if not for his legal troubles from the false rape allegations. And Clark was projected to be a mid-first round pick or better if not for his achilles injury. Their relative lack of NBA experience means they both still have untapped upside. Their age and college experience means they’re likely capable of contributing positively right away. Best of both worlds.

I’m with you on DDV. I think he had an off year last season and is poised to be really productive and effective next season. We’ve all seen his name included along with Rudy in various Durant trade scenarios. Let’s keep DDV and Rudy. I’m sure there’s a sign-and-trade option for Randle that will eventually work.

[KG4Ever]

Lip and Cool I think you misread the title of the thread. TSJ isn't young, he's more than a year older than Ant.

He's a second year player.

Yeah I know, but he's a very old one. So I would go with a young guy by the name of Anthony Edwards, I think he has some good potential.

[kekgeek]

Am I crazy to say Leonard Miller? I don’t think Finch trusts him at all but with that said he did average 25 and 11 in the G league this year and if they do trade Rudy it’s a make it or break it year for Miller.

Do I think Miller is good? No. Do I think he will play? Probably not. But I’m intrigued because he has all the tools to be an nba player just might not have it in the head.

[KG4Ever]

Am I crazy to say Leonard Miller? I don’t think Finch trusts him at all but with that said he did average 25 and 11 in the G league this year and if they do trade Rudy it’s a make it or break it year for Miller.

Do I think Miller is good? No. Do I think he will play? Probably not. But I’m intrigued because he has all the tools to be an nba player just might not have it in the head.

Yeah, I want to see Miller get see real non-garbage time minutes to see what we got in him. I just am not really expecting Finch to play him unless multiple injuries force his hand.

[thedoper]

If all 3 of Dillingham, Clark and TSJ dont get extended run this year Finch should be fired if our roster is the same. We ran out of gas and options for the 2nd year in a row. Those 3 wouldnt have filled the gap but a year's worth of experience with extended minutes would have brought us closer. Donte, Naw, and Conley (plus minus aside) had moments of being unplayable, yet Finch stuck with them out of familiarity. There was no desperation. Conley should be on ice for most of this season if he doesnt retire. He said he was nursing his chronic injury before the season even began.

Of the three of those I am most excited about Dillingham just because his speed and shiftiness are elite. Clark and TSJ are fun but I dont see a singular elite basketball trait (outside of effort) from either of them.

[AbeVigodaLive]

If all 3 of Dillingham, Clark and TSJ dont get extended run this year Finch should be fired if our roster is the same. We ran out of gas and options for the 2nd year in a row. Those 3 wouldnt have filled the gap but a year's worth of experience with extended minutes would have brought us closer. Donte, Naw, and Conley (plus minus aside) had moments of being unplayable, yet Finch stuck with them out of familiarity. There was no desperation. Conley should be on ice for most of this season if he doesnt retire. He said he was nursing his chronic injury before the season even began.

Of the three of those I am most excited about Dillingham just because his speed and shiftiness are elite. Clark and TSJ are fun but I dont see a singular elite basketball trait (outside of effort) from either of them.

The NBA is about hierarchies. Heck, players often even know exactly how minutes they're getting... and when they'll come in a game.

The Wolves/Finch's commitment to an 8-man rotation was easier, because (1) the team was very healthy for the first 1/2 of the season (2) necessary to realize team potential.

The mantra "We have 8 starters" wasn't just coach-speak... the team's top 8 were better (or more proven) than the rest of the roster by a significant margin. Even amid slumps and poor outings, a guy like Divincenzo should have kept his minutes. Taking those minutes away can potentially alienate a veteran player who'll be critical for the team's ultimate success.

I think most of the angst goes back to early in the year when new faces were trying to fit in... on a team where the top 8 were almost always healthy. Once the Wolves run of good health came to an end... the young guys had significant run.

Clark played 34 of his 40 games after January.
Shannon played 22 of his 32 after January... and it would have been more if he didn't get injured, too.
Dillingham was the one rookie who didn't see such a drastic shift... but he was arguably the least effective of the three "rookies" and least deserving of more run.