Wolves Horizon Beyond the 2022-23 Season

[KG4Ever]

I wouldn't get too attached to Mike Conley being on the roster next year. I think the Wolves will not just sit around and try and keep the whole band together which would also include resigning guys like Naz and NAW. I think they will look for a way to upgrade the guard spot possibly both in terms of a possible starter next to Edwards and off the bench.

Having said that I think if the Wolves play FA right they may be able to add a pretty good player/s (or one with some reasonable potential) to help the backcourt either by making a solid offer to someone fairly quickly or waiting things out till the money dries up...or maybe both.

I think Conley is a near lock to be on the roster next year. I think Conley's value to the Wolves is higher or as high as any other franchise and given the Wolves lack of first rounders, his contract is essentially unmovable. I guess the only way I could possibly see him moved is in a DLO type trade near the trade deadline where the Wolves trade his contract for a slightly longer term one and collect some assets (but I just don't foresee that as too likely).

[kekgeek]

I wouldn't get too attached to Mike Conley being on the roster next year. I think the Wolves will not just sit around and try and keep the whole band together which would also include resigning guys like Naz and NAW. I think they will look for a way to upgrade the guard spot possibly both in terms of a possible starter next to Edwards and off the bench.

Having said that I think if the Wolves play FA right they may be able to add a pretty good player/s (or one with some reasonable potential) to help the backcourt either by making a solid offer to someone fairly quickly or waiting things out till the money dries up...or maybe both.

I think Conley is a near lock to be on the roster next year. I think Conley's value to the Wolves is higher or as high as any other franchise and given the Wolves lack of first rounders, his contract is essentially unmovable. I guess the only way I could possibly see him moved is in a DLO type trade near the trade deadline where the Wolves trade his contract for a slightly longer term one and collect some assets (but I just don't foresee that as too likely).

Only 14 million of Conley deal is guaranteed next year. Don't know the value of him as a player/contract but it shouldn't be hard to move if a trade came up

[KG4Ever]

I wouldn't get too attached to Mike Conley being on the roster next year. I think the Wolves will not just sit around and try and keep the whole band together which would also include resigning guys like Naz and NAW. I think they will look for a way to upgrade the guard spot possibly both in terms of a possible starter next to Edwards and off the bench.

Having said that I think if the Wolves play FA right they may be able to add a pretty good player/s (or one with some reasonable potential) to help the backcourt either by making a solid offer to someone fairly quickly or waiting things out till the money dries up...or maybe both.

I think Conley is a near lock to be on the roster next year. I think Conley's value to the Wolves is higher or as high as any other franchise and given the Wolves lack of first rounders, his contract is essentially unmovable. I guess the only way I could possibly see him moved is in a DLO type trade near the trade deadline where the Wolves trade his contract for a slightly longer term one and collect some assets (but I just don't foresee that as too likely).

Only 14 million of Conley deal is guaranteed next year. Don't know the value of him as a player/contract but it shouldn't be hard to move if a trade came up

But the problem is I don't see any trades that make sense for both Wolves and another team to be made prior to Conley's deal being guaranteed. I can't think of any team who would want to take on Conley's contract without some assets going back and Wolves really don't have much to offer and I don't see why Wolves want to give up Conley anyways. Let's say FVV is amenable to signing with the Wolves, would Toronto really want to take on Conley in a sign and trade with only second rounders going back? I just don't see anything that makes sense. I'm betting on Conley being here all next year and I'm fine with that.

[Monster]

I wouldn't get too attached to Mike Conley being on the roster next year. I think the Wolves will not just sit around and try and keep the whole band together which would also include resigning guys like Naz and NAW. I think they will look for a way to upgrade the guard spot possibly both in terms of a possible starter next to Edwards and off the bench.

Having said that I think if the Wolves play FA right they may be able to add a pretty good player/s (or one with some reasonable potential) to help the backcourt either by making a solid offer to someone fairly quickly or waiting things out till the money dries up...or maybe both.

I think Conley is a near lock to be on the roster next year. I think Conley's value to the Wolves is higher or as high as any other franchise and given the Wolves lack of first rounders, his contract is essentially unmovable. I guess the only way I could possibly see him moved is in a DLO type trade near the trade deadline where the Wolves trade his contract for a slightly longer term one and collect some assets (but I just don't foresee that as too likely).

Only 14 million of Conley deal is guaranteed next year. Don't know the value of him as a player/contract but it shouldn't be hard to move if a trade came up

But the problem is I don't see any trades that make sense for both Wolves and another team to be made prior to Conley's deal being guaranteed. I can't think of any team who would want to take on Conley's contract without some assets going back and Wolves really don't have much to offer and I don't see why Wolves want to give up Conley anyways. Let's say FVV is amenable to signing with the Wolves, would Toronto really want to take on Conley in a sign and trade with only second rounders going back? I just don't see anything that makes sense. I'm betting on Conley being here all next year and I'm fine with that.

If Conley is traded it's because a team is willing to give up a player that is getting paid money already so Conley isn't going to be a negative he will be an expiring contract so that would have value to a team getting him back and Conley isn't worth say 24 million but he is probably worth a few million and will be a good teammate etc.

Let's say in your scenario FVV said he wanted to sign with the Wolves. Getting back Conley and some 2nd rounders would be better than getting nothing...probably. The Wolves might throw in something else too like a young player on a cheap deal. Having said that I agree it's very unlikely but I've seen things like this happen. I don't know why FVV would pick the Wolves.

I spent a few minutes looking at each team to see what they had available for guards on decent sized contracts like Conley. The guy that maybe makes SOME sense is Terry Rozier. I have no idea if the Hornets are iching to get rid of him just to save some money for a couple years. Maybe they would if they got some other decent assets back. There might be some other options but nothing particularly viable.

I have no problem with Conley being on the roster next season. Looking at what is out there it does seem more likely he starts the season with the Wolves but again I wouldn't get too attached to him. He could get dealt in season next year for something that doesn't seem like an option now. He could also be a guy that gets moved in a deal where the other names are bigger but the Wolves get something back for helping to facilitate the deal and maybe that helps them acquire a player that may fit in the backcourt next to Edwards long term. A guy I thought might be nice is Bruce Brown but the Wolves probably can't afford to sign him after the season he has had. They need to try and find that type of guy themselves. MAYBE NAW is that guy. Bruce Brown wasn't exactly a guy people were assuming was gonna become a pretty good player after a couple years in the league.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I advocated for the Timberwolves to trade for Derrick White last season to be a super reliable combo guard in the rotation, but also as insurance in the event that one of Minnesota's starters were injured, traded away, or left in free agency. I'm really wishing they would have done so.

Boston essentially traded a comparable contract in Josh Richardson and a first-round pick for him. I still believe White could have been had for Malik Beasley and a first-round pick from Minnesota. They probably should have made that move last year because like monster I don't see many available options in the trade market.

[thedoper]

Its nice to see a sustainable defensive identity start to develop with this team. My hope was top 5 with Gobert. Top 10 is nice to see though. If we can continue to acquire grinders this team will have a real vibe.

[Monster]

I advocated for the Timberwolves to trade for Derrick White last season to be a super reliable combo guard in the rotation, but also as insurance in the event that one of Minnesota's starters were injured, traded away, or left in free agency. I'm really wishing they would have done so.

Boston essentially traded a comparable contract in Josh Richardson and a first-round pick for him. I still believe White could have been had for Malik Beasley and a first-round pick from Minnesota. They probably should have made that move last year because like monster I don't see many available options in the trade market.

Cam I read an article a few days ago about how good White has been for the Celtics and was thinking about that deal and how you advocated for it.

It's also interesting to think about White's career. I remember the Spurs even with their success in the past of drafting and developing good players the Derrick White pick was laughed at by quite a few people. He was an older prospect was supposed to be just a scorer. His rookie year he got hurt. His 2nd year he did some nice things and kept doing so but always had some flaw to his game that kept him from being considered more valuable. looking back trading a worthwhile rotation player and even 2 first round picks may have been smart for a number of teams to get a player like white who I said when the trade happened if he is sort of a Jrue Holiday type the Celtics got a good deal. Yeah It would have been nice if the Wolves would have made that deal.

Meanwhile let's talk about a guy in Josh Richardson that was in that trade who at one point was considered the jewel of a possible Jimmy Butler trade and looked like a guy that could at least be a nice all around guard/wing. He is a solid player but nowhere near the valued player so think many people would have expected him to be.

The reality is that while we take our educated takes at things and should be wise not to hype players up too much or get too much hope...there is a real chance that some players come into their own past whatever age or season. Some players don't make it or regress. Part of what makes sports interesting (and maddening lol) is we don't actually know how things are going to play out. I think sometimes I analyze too much and miss enjoying more of what actually takes place...

Or...screw Gupta for not making that deal!!! Lol

[Lipoli390]

After these last two home losses, it should be crystal clear why I started this thread.

[Lipoli390]

After last night's loss with Ant going down with an ankle sprain that will likely keep him out for a while, it's time to come back to this thread and look ahead. Since my initial post, I've refined my thinking a bit. I'll frame my current thinking dichotomously as keepers and non-keepers, although there are some among my non-keepers I wouldn't mind keeping in a limited role or because we can't get enough in return via trade. So here we go:

KEEPERS:

1. Edwards - A potential superstar who's already an all-star; only roster player who could be best player on contender.

2. Jaden - Team's best defender by far. Only 22 years old with terrific untapped offensive potential.

3. KAT - An all-star; elite versatile offensive player & excellent rebounder; can spread floor so fits Ant & modern game.

4. So Mo - Love his IQ and overall game. Shouldn't be a starter, but terrific as a rotation guy off the bench.

5. JMac - Very good backup PG on a very team-friendly contract.

6. Minott - He's incredibly talented. After giving up 4 of our next 7 1st-rd picks, it's essential to keep him.

7. Moore - I'm not sure about him, but I would want to see more before the Wolves consider trading him. Like Minott, it's important to keep young talent given our depleted draft assets. And he's on a very team-friendly contract. I'd like to see him get a lot more playing time the rest of this season.

8. Garza - A gifted versatile scorer & very good rebounder. Again, important to keep young talent given pick situation.
He's one of those guys who will shine elsewhere and lead guys like FNG to believe the Wolves are cursed when it's simply a matter of had front office executives making bad decisions.

NON-KEEPERS:

1. Prince - I like the guy, but he's not reliable. Can't rely on him to stay healthy & not dependable when he is.

2. Nowell - I still like his offensive potential & he might be worth keeping for right price, but have my doubts.

3. NAW - Got my hopes up briefly, but has since reminded us why he hasn't stuck; maybe keep for depth.

4. Rivers - I can't think of any reason to keep him.

5. Knight - I'd be fine keeping him in his current end-of-bench role. But not what I'd call a keeper. Depends on the alternative.

6. Naz or Rudy - Need to trade one or the other; perhaps even both. I like Naz a lot, but he's a guy who can bring back a good return in a trade. If we trade Gobert, I'd be inclined to keep Naz, but still open to dealing him since we'd have KAT, Garza, and Knight. Can alway pick up a backup center at a low price. My preference is still to trade Rudy even though the return will be paltry compared to what TC gave up. He's just not a good fit generally for any team seeking to contend for a championship in the modern NBA and he's a particularly bad fit for the Wolves with Ant who needs a spread floor to optimize his game or with KAT. Moreover, Rudy costs way too much for what he provides and at age 31 his productivity will likely decline as his super max salary increases. Along the way is the increasing risk of injury that could make him completely un-tradeable.

[Monster]

Im gonna add something the Wolves future shopping list and it's not exactly a big ticket item but I think it's somewhat worth noting.

Im a HUGE fan of Jordan McLaughlin but at this point I have to consider him an injury risk player even if with that consideration he is still valuable. Because of that I think the Wolves this offseason need to add in some way shape or form another legit PG type of the roster. Whether that's a FA random draft pick or a 2-way spot or whatever. I think NAW if they keep him around can help play minutes there but they need an actual PG type. Maybe Moore if he makes a jump can help there too but we can't just rely on Anderson to somewhat bail out the roster as a PG like we did this year.

Back to NAW obviously some of the shine has come off him. That's not all bad because that may also mean the Wolves can sign him back for cheap. I think he can have value as a guy that can provide depth at 3 perimeter positions giving some energy and defense while maybe providing something versatile on offense. I see 2 angles to go assuming the price tags either way is not a whole lot more than the vet min. 1. Resign him for 1 year which would keep his bird rights and allow them to also be able to walk away if he ends up not to be an NBA player. 2. Sign him to a cheap deal that could end up being a bargain. Option 3 is sort of in between where they sign him to a multi year deal like they did with Vanderbilt where the money isn't all guaranteed. NAW isn't a guy I say HAS to be back or anything but I think for the right price in the right role he can have value and there could still be some more development. We have some more games to be played to evaluate yet so we will see plus what else will be available in FA that we could add instead. We also don't know how many roster spots the team will have available.

As I said in another thread a few days ago the Wolves also likely need a bench scorer that's a perimeter player.