Wolves Offseason Point Guard Options

[Monster]

Nembhard would be great...Mmmm, not on my master PG list, but then again, never thought he'd be someone made available by Indiana given his age and continual improvement as a player.

Feels like the Pacers let go of the rope a bit too much last season. Obviously losing Haliburton hurt big time, but to still only win 19 games...in the East no less!? That is quite the implosion with a team that still had Nembard, Siakim, Nesmith, McConnell, and Rick Carlisle at the helm. Hard for me to believe that they can recreate the magic of two seasons ago after basically not trying last year.

Well wasn't the plan to tank for a top a pick, and didn't they basically blow that with Zubac trade? I don't remember the details but I feel like I heard that they lost their pick.

Which would be to your point that the rope was indeed let go of.

I just realized in the last few hours that yes the Clippers ended up with #5 pick this year in that Zubac trade. They also got an unprotected 2029 first round pick. That trade is a bit of a head scratcher.

[Monster]

I've started watching the end of the season media press conference appearances from players. I think it makes sense depending on other moves that Bones comes back. He has a relationship with Connelly and Connelly had a belief in him bringing him in this year. Maybe he will have a decent market for his services but he might be able to be brought back for a guaranteed vet min deal but I'd be willing to give him a million or so more than that to keep him around. I think there could be some upside there and he offers ball handling and shooting and he showed he was at least a willing defender. I'm not suggesting he is the answer at PG but I think he can be a worthwhile cheap rotation player that there is a chance he turns into something more than that.

[Phenom]

Jake Fischer reports the Wolves are in active discussions to move pick 28 in an attempt to acquire an additional ball handler.

He also mentions Sergio de Larrea as a player the Wolves might target in a trade down.

Pick 28 projects to have, at least, some point guard type players available so it would seem the idea is to get a more significant ball handling player in a trade.

[rapsuperstar31]

I've seen rumors with OKC cap crunch they might need to move Nikola Topic's money who between an acl injury right before he was drafted and testicular cancer this year hasn't been able to show what he can do in the NBA. Came back for the last 10 games last season, and put up 16 and 12.5 assists the last 2 games of the year, when they rested the stars. Loads of potential making 5.4 million next season. We could absorb him into one of our trade exceptions if we sent them a future pick without sending salary out, but would hard cap us below the first apron. Maybe there is a multi team trade out there where another team sends a future pick to OKC, gets someone from us and Topic comes here.

[Wolvesfan21]

Jake Fischer reports the Wolves are in active discussions to move pick 28 in an attempt to acquire an additional ball handler.

He also mentions Sergio de Larrea as a player the Wolves might target in a trade down.

Pick 28 projects to have, at least, some point guard type players available so it would seem the idea is to get a more significant ball handling player in a trade.

It makes more sense to me to go after the sure thing who's ready now. A player at 28 if he works out may not even be good for 3-4 years. So I think dumping that with Ju for instance for an upgrade at PG does seem super logical to me.

We went last year with no real great option at PG and it showed. Took a toll on Ant physically and mentally, Conley, Bones, Ayo etc... are or were just not good enough to play regular starter minutes.

[Monster]

I've seen rumors with OKC cap crunch they might need to move Nikola Topic's money who between an acl injury right before he was drafted and testicular cancer this year hasn't been able to show what he can do in the NBA. Came back for the last 10 games last season, and put up 16 and 12.5 assists the last 2 games of the year, when they rested the stars. Loads of potential making 5.4 million next season. We could absorb him into one of our trade exceptions if we sent them a future pick without sending salary out, but would hard cap us below the first apron. Maybe there is a multi team trade out there where another team sends a future pick to OKC, gets someone from us and Topic comes here.

Fwiw he just had a minor procedure on his back.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/490 ... ck-surgery

[AussieWolf3]

Howls and Growls latest vid is worth a watch.

He goes over Suggs, Quickly and Morant specifically in the video, but it really more about understanding risk assessment

After watching and giving it some thought, I'm most preferential to Suggs even with his limitations as a shooter and ball handler. What he offers for McDaniels is so just valuable in my opinion. I'd like to see an additional move to get someone like Jerome as well but that seems unlikely so you're still putting a lot on Ayo and TJ to be bench scorers, which is probably a worth gamble.

I'm still super intrigued with Quickley cause of his shooting and off the bounce creation; he would thrive next to Ant.

Paynting brings up a really great point with Morant that I've struggled to make. Despite all of his foibles and negative regressions, he has remained an elite playmaker/floor general, in fact it's probably the one area he has consistently improved, it's just not worth the price and headache when he as bad a shooter and defender as he is. Average to above average at one of those and he's probably worth it, but I think they'd regret trading for him

[rapsuperstar31]

Howls and Growls latest vid is worth a watch.

He goes over Suggs, Quickly and Morant specifically in the video, but it really more about understanding risk assessment

After watching and giving it some thought, I'm most preferential to Suggs even with his limitations as a shooter and ball handler. What he offers for McDaniels is so just valuable in my opinion. I'd like to see an additional move to get someone like Jerome as well but that seems unlikely so you're still putting a lot on Ayo and TJ to be bench scorers, which is probably a worth gamble.

I'm still super intrigued with Quickley cause of his shooting and off the bounce creation; he would thrive next to Ant.

Paynting brings up a really great point with Morant that I've struggled to make. Despite all of his foibles and negative regressions, he has remained an elite playmaker/floor general, in fact it's probably the one area he has consistently improved, it's just not worth the price and headache when he as bad a shooter and defender as he is. Average to above average at one of those and he's probably worth it, but I think they'd regret trading for him

Suggs gives me some of the defense that I want in Nembhard, and I believe would be easier to get since they are in a cap crunch and have to pay Anthony Black next season. Suggs is a good drive and kick player. He shot the three well one season, maybe if he works with Ant or Jaden's trainers he can improve it.

Morant has never played next to someone like Ant (Bane I guess a bit) I wonder if the spacing Ant would provide for Morant would really open up Ja's game for even more playmaking and getting to his spots. I don't like the off court stuff, and his injury history, but there is a star hidden there form a few years ago.

[rapsuperstar31]

I saw on reddit that Keaton Wagler was spotted in Minnesota yesterday. He's predicted to be picked in the 5-7 range. 6'5, fantastic shooter and finisher at the hoop. He's another Illinois guy, we have two in Ayo and Shannon already.

[AussieWolf3]

Howls and Growls latest vid is worth a watch.

He goes over Suggs, Quickly and Morant specifically in the video, but it really more about understanding risk assessment

After watching and giving it some thought, I'm most preferential to Suggs even with his limitations as a shooter and ball handler. What he offers for McDaniels is so just valuable in my opinion. I'd like to see an additional move to get someone like Jerome as well but that seems unlikely so you're still putting a lot on Ayo and TJ to be bench scorers, which is probably a worth gamble.

I'm still super intrigued with Quickley cause of his shooting and off the bounce creation; he would thrive next to Ant.

Paynting brings up a really great point with Morant that I've struggled to make. Despite all of his foibles and negative regressions, he has remained an elite playmaker/floor general, in fact it's probably the one area he has consistently improved, it's just not worth the price and headache when he as bad a shooter and defender as he is. Average to above average at one of those and he's probably worth it, but I think they'd regret trading for him

Suggs gives me some of the defense that I want in Nembhard, and I believe would be easier to get since they are in a cap crunch and have to pay Anthony Black next season. Suggs is a good drive and kick player. He shot the three well one season, maybe if he works with Ant or Jaden's trainers he can improve it.

Morant has never played next to someone like Ant (Bane I guess a bit) I wonder if the spacing Ant would provide for Morant would really open up Ja's game for even more playmaking and getting to his spots. I don't like the off court stuff, and his injury history, but there is a star hidden there form a few years ago.

Again, I'm not sure I like the risk associated with Ja, but an interesting nugget I just found on him- his FT shooting percentage has steadily improved year over year with him shooting nearly 90% from the line albeit in limited games.
It's probably a reach to say that means his 3 pt shooting will improve, but there is a strong correlation between the two.

I'd still favor Suggs the most of the available options, at least the more high profile ones because giving Jaden more time off ball would really unlock his ceiling imo and honestly getting someone who ask less of Ant defensively is better than choosing someone who ask more of him (i.e. Ja Morant). I wish he were more of a point guard, but he is a legit ball handler and that will help.