Minnesota Sports Forum

BeenLurkin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:09 pm

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:06 pm

BeenLurkin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:04 pm Also Jaden has stated he would prefer to play off ball post defense and increase his offense load. That has to be part of the equation for this to work.

At this time we have no one else to guard the other teams best player. I agree we want him off ball, running into screens all night is going to shorten his career. But he is all we have in the starting lineup.

The statement above this one was my stance, Ayo is fine on ball, with Rudy and Jaden as the best backstop defense in the league

I can't see Ayo starting next to Ball and Ant. Jaden can play 4, but he's not a 4.

D-Loser25 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:31 pm Actually, no. This is a terrible trade. Looking at all the assets we gave up, this is just completely irresponsible on TC’s part. Trading Naz is the only part I like. There goes your friend again, maxing out all his credit cards again and heading for bankruptcy, just to impress some girl. I don’t even mind Lamelo, I like him in a vacuum, but this is really a fireable offense. It could have absolutely been worse though… that idiot could have done this same trade for Morant, fox or Durant. At least we’ll have a fun team next year, but I’m just so tired of this guy massively overpaying for known commodities. Any idiot can do that. A good GM (presti), finds gems, develops them, and continues to accumulate assets. This guy we have is a freaking clown.

I actually don't think the assets we gave up are that much. Our under 26 core is so strong I see us finishing high in the standings for several years, and certainly ahead of the Hornets...so the pick swaps mean nothing. So my admittedly homerish analysis of this deal is we got the best player on the team that had the best record in the East the last half of the season plus Green in exchange for a capable 6th man who was never as good as his adoring fans thought, some pick swaps that will never happen, some second round picks that will look like the hyphenated guy we just drafted (yawn), and a first round pick seven years in the future. Seems like a steal to me.

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:56 pm

D-Loser25 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:31 pm Actually, no. This is a terrible trade. Looking at all the assets we gave up, this is just completely irresponsible on TC’s part. Trading Naz is the only part I like. There goes your friend again, maxing out all his credit cards again and heading for bankruptcy, just to impress some girl. I don’t even mind Lamelo, I like him in a vacuum, but this is really a fireable offense. It could have absolutely been worse though… that idiot could have done this same trade for Morant, fox or Durant. At least we’ll have a fun team next year, but I’m just so tired of this guy massively overpaying for known commodities. Any idiot can do that. A good GM (presti), finds gems, develops them, and continues to accumulate assets. This guy we have is a freaking clown.

I actually don't think the assets we gave up are that much. Our under 26 core is so strong I see us finishing high in the standings for several years, and certainly ahead of the Hornets...so the pick swaps mean nothing. So my admittedly homerish analysis of this deal is we got the best player on the team that had the best record in the East the last half of the season plus Green in exchange for a capable 6th man who was never as good as his adoring fans thought, some pick swaps that will never happen, some second round picks that will look like the hyphenated guy we just drafted (yawn), and a first round pick seven years in the future. Seems like a steal to me.

FNG, what do you think about the idea we now have two ball dominant players that are going to have to co-exist somehow. That's a big concern for me.

LaMelo Ball touted the best non-Nuggets offensive rating in the NBA last season (123.2)

Coolbreeze44 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:58 pm

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:56 pm

D-Loser25 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:31 pm Actually, no. This is a terrible trade. Looking at all the assets we gave up, this is just completely irresponsible on TC’s part. Trading Naz is the only part I like. There goes your friend again, maxing out all his credit cards again and heading for bankruptcy, just to impress some girl. I don’t even mind Lamelo, I like him in a vacuum, but this is really a fireable offense. It could have absolutely been worse though… that idiot could have done this same trade for Morant, fox or Durant. At least we’ll have a fun team next year, but I’m just so tired of this guy massively overpaying for known commodities. Any idiot can do that. A good GM (presti), finds gems, develops them, and continues to accumulate assets. This guy we have is a freaking clown.

I actually don't think the assets we gave up are that much. Our under 26 core is so strong I see us finishing high in the standings for several years, and certainly ahead of the Hornets...so the pick swaps mean nothing. So my admittedly homerish analysis of this deal is we got the best player on the team that had the best record in the East the last half of the season plus Green in exchange for a capable 6th man who was never as good as his adoring fans thought, some pick swaps that will never happen, some second round picks that will look like the hyphenated guy we just drafted (yawn), and a first round pick seven years in the future. Seems like a steal to me.

FNG, what do you think about the idea we now have two ball dominant players that are going to have to co-exist somehow. That's a big concern for me.

Certainly could be an issue, cool...especially in crunch time when both like to take the last shot. But Ant is interested mostly in 2 things...scoring, and winning. And Ball is a terrific assist guy. If Ant learns to move without the ball and use screens, Ball will find him...and Ant will become a 30 PPG scorer and the team will win. But if Ant insists on handling the ball and they get into "my turn, your turn" like last season, this move may not work out. The fact that Ant and Ball are friends and have a lot of mutual respect makes me think this is going to work out fine though.

Only 6 Wolves have ever played 7 seasons or more with the franchise.

Doug West
Sam Mitchell
Kevin Garnett
Ricky Rubio
Karl-Anthony Towns
Naz Reid

Ant and Jaden will join this list next year


The team that went to the WCF 3 years ago and lost to Dallas

depending on what happens with Slo-Mo and Conley, only 3 players are left from that team: Ant, JMac and Rudy.

the team that went to the WCF 2 years ago, again depending on free agents, only 5 guys are left from that team: Ant, JMac, Rudy, Shannon and DDV

D-Loser25 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:31 pm Actually, no. This is a terrible trade. Looking at all the assets we gave up, this is just completely irresponsible on TC’s part. Trading Naz is the only part I like. There goes your friend again, maxing out all his credit cards again and heading for bankruptcy, just to impress some girl. I don’t even mind Lamelo, I like him in a vacuum, but this is really a fireable offense. It could have absolutely been worse though… that idiot could have done this same trade for Morant, fox or Durant. At least we’ll have a fun team next year, but I’m just so tired of this guy massively overpaying for known commodities. Any idiot can do that. A good GM (presti), finds gems, develops them, and continues to accumulate assets. This guy we have is a freaking clown.

People want flexibility so they can make a big move then when they make a big move they get upset because they don't have flexibility

Zach Kram on ESPN gives the Wolves a D+ for this move. And I hate to admit it, but he makes a pretty compelling case for it. To me it's clear this is a last gasp by the Connelly regime to win a title with Edwards. When the check comes due TC is going to be long gone, these moves pretty much set the stage for that. And there still has to be another move, we need to do something at the 4 and our resources are pretty much depleted. I still don't know why Rudy is still on the team.

guest81 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 1:47 pm

D-Loser25 wrote: ↑Thu Jun 25, 2026 12:31 pm Actually, no. This is a terrible trade. Looking at all the assets we gave up, this is just completely irresponsible on TC’s part. Trading Naz is the only part I like. There goes your friend again, maxing out all his credit cards again and heading for bankruptcy, just to impress some girl. I don’t even mind Lamelo, I like him in a vacuum, but this is really a fireable offense. It could have absolutely been worse though… that idiot could have done this same trade for Morant, fox or Durant. At least we’ll have a fun team next year, but I’m just so tired of this guy massively overpaying for known commodities. Any idiot can do that. A good GM (presti), finds gems, develops them, and continues to accumulate assets. This guy we have is a freaking clown.

People want flexibility so they can make a big move then when they make a big move they get upset because they don't have flexibility

When the big move creates a new big hole and we now have 0 flexibility to fill that hole… yeah it’s upsetting. We didn’t ever get to see the young core we were promised

Jaden is the power forward!

It's wild to me that nobody bats an eye at Chet Holmgren being a PF yet for some reason when it comes to our 7 foot SF it absolutely untenable for him to play PF where he will be significantly more impactful as a defender and as a scorer.

Everyone insists that he's best use at the POA and I'm sorry we only say that because it's what he's done, but the dirty secret is that he has gotten worse and worse at that part of his job every year.

He's best as a roaming playmaker use, along with Rudy is cleaning everything up, and because of his athleticism he can easily switch out to the perimeter.

Barring other moves it's clear that the Timberwolves intend to move Ayo into being the primary POA defender and with this move for Ball there's no more excuses for Ant on defense.

In 23' he was a plus defender, this was also the last time he played next to a real point guard. Ant was on the ball 26% of the time compared to Mike's 38%. Fast forward to now and he is a significantly more efficient scorer playing next to the best passer in the league this side of Jokic.

Melo is goofy and I don't know what to make of his personality fit on the team, but this is a slam dunk basketball fit. Just need to find a back up PF