So What's Your Plan? The Offseason Roster Construction Thread

[Q-is-here]

I think the biggest problem with Naz’s game is how volatile he is … when he’s doing well, the team does well. But his nights when his 3 is not falling occur way too frequently to rely on him as a starter. Randle on the other hand, was incredibly consistent after coming back from injury this season — even nights when Ant was not feeling it, Julius kept the Wolves in games. A bad series against the best team in the league shouldn’t mask that fact.

Naz cannot replace Randle’s consistent offensive contributions … both players have significant flaws, but that’s a bottom line for me. If Randle leaves or is traded, the Wolves have to find a way to replace the massive hole he leaves behind.

Don't forget that Randle was injured for a good spell this season and that's when Jaden started to blossom as a scorer and rebounder. However, we also were only 5-8 when Randle was out, so while his absence helped unlock Jaden, we can't say it was addition by subtraction in terms of wins and losses. Things really clicked for our offense when he came back from injury.

I really think Randle and Naz pick up their player options given a much friendlier free agent salary environment next offseason. But that doesn't mean that one or both won't be included in a trade!

[AussieWolf3]

Well.... I had a whole post written up but then lost it!

Bullet point is that Naz is better compliment to Ant and Janden and I think he would be more consistent if he's a starter and not playing backup starter minutes

[Q-is-here]

Well.... I had a whole post written up but then lost it!

Bullet point is that Naz is better compliment to Ant and Janden and I think he would be more consistent if he's a starter and not playing backup starter minutes

That's my feeling too. Start him between Rudy and Jaden and suddenly his mediocre defense and rebounding is masked, while his outside shooting threat and quick decisions with the ball creates more space for everyone else, especially Ant.

Now if we were to somehow land Durant or Giannis, then I really don't see the need to keep him or Julius around and in fact one or both of their salaries would be headed out to make it work.

[AussieWolf3]

Having a bit of a revelation here (maybe)

My current position is that the team needs to prioritize Ant and Jaden and balancing the roster around their strengths. Naz fits that picture better than Julius, ergo keep Naz deal Julius (over simplified i know, but that's the path I see)

Now I come this conclusion based on the fact that Julius really crowds out Jaden from moving in the direction he needs to go (less poa defense/ more offense flowing through him).

But tbh a starting line up with Rudy/Jaden/Naz/DDV/Ant is a pretty gamble on upside. I'm not opposed, but betting on more proven play maker in Randle is certainly tempting given the extremely positive returns during the back end of the season.

But now we're back to the Jaden problem that Julius creates and we still haven't solved the issue of giving Ant a better backcourt partner.

So here's the revelation- what can you trade Jaden for? Can he beget a positive enough return, particularly I regards to getting a blue chip PG? Who would that player be?

Fox or White wouldn't be worth the loss of Jaden. I honestly don't hate Jaden for Morant but not straight up and Morant is quite a bone head.

Anyway, just an alternative route that I hadn't thought much about because I was regarding McDaniels as untouchable

Cheers

[Lipoli390]

Well.... I had a whole post written up but then lost it!

Bullet point is that Naz is better compliment to Ant and Janden and I think he would be more consistent if he's a starter and not playing backup starter minutes

That's my feeling too. Start him between Rudy and Jaden and suddenly his mediocre defense and rebounding is masked, while his outside shooting threat and quick decisions with the ball creates more space for everyone else, especially Ant.

Now if we were to somehow land Durant or Giannis, then I really don't see the need to keep him or Julius around and in fact one or both of their salaries would be headed out to make it work.

I agree with both of you. It’s hard to be consistent as a bench player. Naz was more consistent and productive in his 17 games as a starter. More importantly, as you both point out, Naz is a better fit with Rudy, Jaden and Ant on the offensive end. And while neither Randle nor Naz is a good defender, Naz is better. Naz moves better laterally than Randle and actually provides some rim protection, which Randle does not. So I think we’re better as a team on both sides of the ball with Naz rather than Randle.

[Lipoli390]

Having a bit of a revelation here (maybe)

My current position is that the team needs to prioritize Ant and Jaden and balancing the roster around their strengths. Naz fits that picture better than Julius, ergo keep Naz deal Julius (over simplified i know, but that's the path I see)

Now I come this conclusion based on the fact that Julius really crowds out Jaden from moving in the direction he needs to go (less poa defense/ more offense flowing through him).

But tbh a starting line up with Rudy/Jaden/Naz/DDV/Ant is a pretty gamble on upside. I'm not opposed, but betting on more proven play maker in Randle is certainly tempting given the extremely positive returns during the back end of the season.

But now we're back to the Jaden problem that Julius creates and we still haven't solved the issue of giving Ant a better backcourt partner.

So here's the revelation- what can you trade Jaden for? Can he beget a positive enough return, particularly I regards to getting a blue chip PG? Who would that player be?

Fox or White wouldn't be worth the loss of Jaden. I honestly don't hate Jaden for Morant but not straight up and Morant is quite a bone head.

Anyway, just an alternative route that I hadn't thought much about because I was regarding McDaniels as untouchable

Cheers

Interesting thought, but as you noted, McDaniels is likely untouchable as I think he should be. I’d be interested on thoughts on who we could get in return for Randle if he opts in. I honestly would NOT trade Randle for Durant because I don’t trust Durant to stay on the court and he’s no longer a good defender. I also think he’s pretty whiny and mentally weak, which are qualities you don’t want on your team. I can’t think of a Randle deal that would viable and make sense for the Wolves so I’m thinking he’ll opt in and play here for one more season. I’m OK with that.

I don’t want to see Donte starting in the backcourt with Edwards. I like Donte, but not as a starting PG. I want to see Rob thrust into that role even if it means taking a step back next season. I think Rob is exactly what we need long term with Ant and Jaden but he’s not going to get where he needs to be unless he gets on the court consistently.

Other than a sensible Randle trade, which I can’t envision, the only trade we should make this off-season in my view is a trade up in the draft (if necessary) to draft Thomas Sorber. I’ve being digging into the draft prospects who are expected to be available in the mid teens. Based on what I’ve read, the metrics, and video highlights, I’m super impressed by Sorber. He looks like Randle but longer, with defensive instincts and without sticky fingers. Sorber is a tank but also quite quick and nimble with a very nice mid-range shooting touch and 3-point range. He seems to have a basketball IQ that’s off the charts and he clearly loves playing defense.

[Q-is-here]

I think the only player that might be available where Jaden would be needed (and I'd be willing to part with him) is Giannis. Obviously Milwaukee would want more than Jaden, but I have no doubt that they would demand he be included and I have no doubt that Connelly would oblige.

A lot of the chatter in the pundit-sphere is getting Ant a better release valve than Conley or Randle when he gets doubled and blitzed or sees a zone. Well, what if it were Giannis on the short roll or in the middle of the zone?!?

[AbeVigodaLive]

I think the only player that might be available where Jaden would be needed (and I'd be willing to part with him) is Giannis. Obviously Milwaukee would want more than Jaden, but I have no doubt that they would demand he be included and I have no doubt that Connelly would oblige.

A lot of the chatter in the pundit-sphere is getting Ant a better release valve than Conley or Randle when he gets doubled and blitzed or sees a zone. Well, what if it were Giannis on the short roll or in the middle of the zone?!?

[AussieWolf3]

I forgot to mention him because I was think of guards but yeah Giannis would be a good candidate

[AussieWolf3]

Having a bit of a revelation here (maybe)

My current position is that the team needs to prioritize Ant and Jaden and balancing the roster around their strengths. Naz fits that picture better than Julius, ergo keep Naz deal Julius (over simplified i know, but that's the path I see)

Now I come this conclusion based on the fact that Julius really crowds out Jaden from moving in the direction he needs to go (less poa defense/ more offense flowing through him).

But tbh a starting line up with Rudy/Jaden/Naz/DDV/Ant is a pretty gamble on upside. I'm not opposed, but betting on more proven play maker in Randle is certainly tempting given the extremely positive returns during the back end of the season.

But now we're back to the Jaden problem that Julius creates and we still haven't solved the issue of giving Ant a better backcourt partner.

So here's the revelation- what can you trade Jaden for? Can he beget a positive enough return, particularly I regards to getting a blue chip PG? Who would that player be?

Fox or White wouldn't be worth the loss of Jaden. I honestly don't hate Jaden for Morant but not straight up and Morant is quite a bone head.

Anyway, just an alternative route that I hadn't thought much about because I was regarding McDaniels as untouchable

Cheers

Interesting thought, but as you noted, McDaniels is likely untouchable as I think he should be. I’d be interested on thoughts on who we could get in return for Randle if he opts in. I honestly would NOT trade Randle for Durant because I don’t trust Durant to stay on the court and he’s no longer a good defender. I also think he’s pretty whiny and mentally weak, which are qualities you don’t want on your team. I can’t think of a Randle deal that would viable and make sense for the Wolves so I’m thinking he’ll opt in and play here for one more season. I’m OK with that.

I don’t want to see Donte starting in the backcourt with Edwards. I like Donte, but not as a starting PG. I want to see Rob thrust into that role even if it means taking a step back next season. I think Rob is exactly what we need long term with Ant and Jaden but he’s not going to get where he needs to be unless he gets on the court consistently.

Other than a sensible Randle trade, which I can’t envision, the only trade we should make this off-season in my view is a trade up in the draft (if necessary) to draft Thomas Sorber. I’ve being digging into the draft prospects who are expected to be available in the mid teens. Based on what I’ve read, the metrics, and video highlights, I’m super impressed by Sorber. He looks like Randle but longer, with defensive instincts and without sticky fingers. Sorber is a tank but also quite quick and nimble with a very nice mid-range shooting touch and 3-point range. He seems to have a basketball IQ that’s off the charts and he clearly loves playing defense.

I completely agree regarding Donte and Rob, but I'm just assuming Rob doesn't get the starting nod. So my working assumption is that Ant is the de facto starting PG with Dante as the starting SG. Rob then comes in to get Ant off ball and is hopefully able to develop into a starter.

In either scenario I don't like DDV as a starter but I'm not sure what the realistic alternative is.