Minnesota Sports Forum

I'd stay away from David Griffin. He strikes me as a windbag like David Kahn. He really didn't accomplish much when you look at his history. LeBron was returning to Cleveland no matter who ran the front office and it was LeBron in his prime attracted free agents and ultimately lead to the team's success.

Sam Hinckie is intriguing, but look at his record and his tenure with the Sixers does isn't all that impressive if you look at the specific moves he made. Simmons was the obvious choice with the #1 pick and Embiid made sense - although it was risky given his healthy issues. I like that he showed patience through the process and he made an excellent choice for head coach.

The guys I'd look at are Troy Weaver, Mike Winger, Brian Wright and Trajan Langdon. Google their names and take a look at some of the information and opinions on them.

I'm not advocating for Sam Hinkie to be the decision-maker for the Wolves, however, we as a forum need to stop withdrawing credit from executives for making the "obvious" decision. How many executives do you think wish they could go back in time and make the "obvious" decision? The point I'm getting at is that a good decision or a good basketball move is exactly that regardless of how obvious or no-brainer it was. That is especially true when you're selecting in the top-three where the hope is that you're finding a franchise player. How many times has this franchise messed that up?

Additionally, you have to give Hinkie credit for the Embiid and Simmons picks because his personnel decisions and ideology of deliberate tanking directly resulted in the Sixers having picks high enough to select them. That's all Hinkie whether people like it or not.

Camden wrote:I'm not advocating for Sam Hinkie to be the decision-maker for the Wolves, however, we as a forum need to stop withdrawing credit from executives for making the "obvious" decision. How many executives do you think wish they could go back in time and make the "obvious" decision? The point I'm getting at is that a good decision or a good basketball move is exactly that regardless of how obvious or no-brainer it was. That is especially true when you're selecting in the top-three where the hope is that you're finding a franchise player. How many times has this franchise messed that up?

Additionally, you have to give Hinkie credit for the Embiid and Simmons picks because his personnel decisions and ideology of deliberate tanking directly resulted in the Sixers having picks high enough to select them. That's all Hinkie whether people like it or not.

Cam - I agree that we have to give some credit for making what should be the obviously smart decisions like drafting Simmons or Towns with the top pick in the draft. And I certainly give credit to Sam for selecting the 2014 draft's most talented player, Embiid, with the 3rd pick behind Wiggins and Parker in spite of concerns about Embiid's physical health. But I actually see the following as far more impressive aspects of his tenure with the Sixers:

1. His hiring of Brown as head coach;
2. His patience with Embiid and Simmons as they went through injuries;
3. His tanking strategy to improve the Sixers' draft position; and
4. His signing of Covington

So I'd definitely have Hinkie on my list. But I just suggest looking at the full body of his work with the Sixers and you see a lot of transactions with no payoff. I don't see anything in his tenure that suggests he was particularly good at talent evaluation or that he assembled a staff around him that was particularly good in that area. Nevertheless, his full body of work is far more impressive than David Griffin's and would definitely put him on my short list for the Wolves new PBO.

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:I'm not advocating for Sam Hinkie to be the decision-maker for the Wolves, however, we as a forum need to stop withdrawing credit from executives for making the "obvious" decision. How many executives do you think wish they could go back in time and make the "obvious" decision? The point I'm getting at is that a good decision or a good basketball move is exactly that regardless of how obvious or no-brainer it was. That is especially true when you're selecting in the top-three where the hope is that you're finding a franchise player. How many times has this franchise messed that up?

Additionally, you have to give Hinkie credit for the Embiid and Simmons picks because his personnel decisions and ideology of deliberate tanking directly resulted in the Sixers having picks high enough to select them. That's all Hinkie whether people like it or not.

Cam - I agree that we have to give some credit for making what should be the obviously smart decisions like drafting Simmons or Towns with the top pick in the draft. And I certainly give credit to Sam for selecting the 2014 draft's most talented player, Embiid, with the 3rd pick behind Wiggins and Parker in spite of concerns about Embiid's physical health. But I actually see the following as far more impressive aspects of his tenure with the Sixers:

1. His hiring of Brown as head coach;
2. His patience with Embiid and Simmons as they went through injuries;
3. His tanking strategy to improve the Sixers' draft position; and
4. His signing of Covington

So I'd definitely have Hinkie on my list. But I just suggest looking at the full body of his work with the Sixers and you see a lot of transactions with no payoff. I don't see anything in his tenure that suggests he was particularly good at talent evaluation or that he assembled a staff around him that was particularly good in that area. Nevertheless, his full body of work is far more impressive than David Griffin's and would definitely put him on my short list for the Wolves new PBO.

I would disagree. He created that 76ers team and the league forced the 76ers to hire Colangelo because Hinkie was making a "mockery" of the league.

Completely honest think Brand could really ruin the Sixers. Traded all there picks for Tobias Harris, who could leave with Jimmy in the offseason

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:I'm not advocating for Sam Hinkie to be the decision-maker for the Wolves, however, we as a forum need to stop withdrawing credit from executives for making the "obvious" decision. How many executives do you think wish they could go back in time and make the "obvious" decision? The point I'm getting at is that a good decision or a good basketball move is exactly that regardless of how obvious or no-brainer it was. That is especially true when you're selecting in the top-three where the hope is that you're finding a franchise player. How many times has this franchise messed that up?

Additionally, you have to give Hinkie credit for the Embiid and Simmons picks because his personnel decisions and ideology of deliberate tanking directly resulted in the Sixers having picks high enough to select them. That's all Hinkie whether people like it or not.

Cam - I agree that we have to give some credit for making what should be the obviously smart decisions like drafting Simmons or Towns with the top pick in the draft. And I certainly give credit to Sam for selecting the 2014 draft's most talented player, Embiid, with the 3rd pick behind Wiggins and Parker in spite of concerns about Embiid's physical health. But I actually see the following as far more impressive aspects of his tenure with the Sixers:

1. His hiring of Brown as head coach;
2. His patience with Embiid and Simmons as they went through injuries;
3. His tanking strategy to improve the Sixers' draft position; and
4. His signing of Covington

So I'd definitely have Hinkie on my list. But I just suggest looking at the full body of his work with the Sixers and you see a lot of transactions with no payoff. I don't see anything in his tenure that suggests he was particularly good at talent evaluation or that he assembled a staff around him that was particularly good in that area. Nevertheless, his full body of work is far more impressive than David Griffin's and would definitely put him on my short list for the Wolves new PBO.

I would disagree. He created that 76ers team and the league forced the 76ers to hire Colangelo because Hinkie was making a "mockery" of the league.

Completely honest think Brand could really ruin the Sixers. Traded all there picks for Tobias Harris, who could leave with Jimmy in the offseason

Kekgeek - What part of my post do you disagree with? It actually looks like we're in general agreement about Hinkie.

I'm not sure what to make of Brand. I'm actually impressed with what he did. After a 52-win season he decided it was time to "go for it." It didn't make sense for the Wolves to go for it with the Butler trade coming off a 31-win season. But that's just an aside. So Brand traded for two allstar caliber wings, retained his two core young stars, Simmons and Embiid along with their best shooter Redic, and gave up only three rotation players in the process - RoCo, Saric and the rookie Shamet. The Sixers also gave up two future first-round picks and two second-round picks for Harris, but they still have all their future firsts except 2020 and retained the rights to what will be a very valuable Chicago 2019 second round pick. I see the risk of possibly losing Harris, Buter or both to free agency, but I think the risk was minimal given that these two vets joined a team that was already a winner. I think it's highly like that at least one of those two will stay, which still gives the Sixers 3 allstar caliber players to start next season.

However, I do think Brand made a terrible mistake letting Justin Patton go today. That's the move that will likely bring him down. :)

I was just reading through Hinkie's bio and there really is a solid track record with moves to acquire/accumulate draft picks and hidden [at the time] talent. He also has a strong enough personality to zig while everyone else zags, which is respectable and necessary with the way the NBA is heading.

How many executives would have traded their starting point guard coming off his first All-Star selection for two first-round picks? Or trading his ROY point guard for draft picks? Aside from drafting Embiid and Simmons, he's also responsible for drafting/signing Dario Saric (swapped rights for Elfrid Payton), Jerami Grant, Robert Covington, and T.J. McConnell.

I'm not actively pushing for Hinkie to be the guy -- mainly because there are several guys I'd be happy with -- but yeah, he would be a good hire, in my opinion.

Camden wrote:I was just reading through Hinkie's bio and there really is a solid track record with moves to acquire/accumulate draft picks and hidden [at the time] talent. He also has a strong enough personality to zig while everyone else zags, which is respectable and necessary with the way the NBA is heading.

How many executives would have traded their starting point guard coming off his first All-Star selection for two first-round picks? Or trading his ROY point guard for draft picks? Aside from drafting Embiid and Simmons, he's also responsible for drafting/signing Dario Saric (swapped rights for Elfrid Payton), Jerami Grant, Robert Covington, and T.J. McConnell.

I'm not actively pushing for Hinkie to be the guy -- mainly because there are several guys I'd be happy with -- but yeah, he would be a good hire, in my opinion.

Cam - Good post. I forgot about the Saric swap. That was terrific. I'll say this. If we end up hiring Sam Hinkie as our new PBO I guarantee I won't complain. If nothing else he has a track record of experience as the top guy in an NBA front office and that track record includes a substantial degree of success as evidenced the Sixers' 52-win season last year - in spite fo Collangelo's stupidity. Contrast Hinkie's experience with Thibodeau who hadn't even worked in an NBA front office much less led one and who had a reputation as a poor communicator with his colleagues. Then how about David Kahn, who was essentially a sports writer even though he had some limited experience as an assistant in the Pacers' front office. I wrote scathing letters to the Wolves CEO immediately after both hires. I will send no such letter of the Wolves hire Hinkie. :)

But sadly, you and I both know that Glen Taylor's PBO decision will be a head-scratcher. I'm just wondering who is left to hire from the Country Club with Ryan Saunders as head coach and Fred Hoiberg coaching Nebraska. Sam Mitchell? Randy Wittman? Will Glen bring back Kevin McHale? Or maybe it will be Chauncey Billups. That would be a classic Taylor move. I know a number of folks have talked about Billups as a potentially good NBA executive. But the guy has absolutely no front office or coaching experience whatsoever!

lipoli390 wrote:I'd stay away from David Griffin. He strikes me as a windbag like David Kahn. He really didn't accomplish much when you look at his history. LeBron was returning to Cleveland no matter who ran the front office and it was LeBron in his prime attracted free agents and ultimately lead to the team's success.

Sam Hinckie is intriguing, but look at his record and his tenure with the Sixers does isn't all that impressive if you look at the specific moves he made. Simmons was the obvious choice with the #1 pick and Embiid made sense - although it was risky given his healthy issues. I like that he showed patience through the process and he made an excellent choice for head coach.

The guys I'd look at are Troy Weaver, Mike Winger, Brian Wright and Trajan Langdon. Google their names and take a look at some of the information and opinions on them.

Honestly I'm a bit conflicted on Griffin. I've listened to him breaking some things down on TV and been impressed. I get what you mean about the windbag comment too. I'd guess at worst he is somewhat of a rich man's david Kahn though. Lol the bar is pretty low.

Let's remind ourselves of some of the moves he made to get the Cavs where they were. He basically picked up JR Smith and Shumpart for nothing and both guys were worthwhile players surrounding LeBron. Now both guys ended up getting paid too much but the initial trade was pretty good. He had a couple other smaller deals like that that were pretty solid to build up a contender. It's a different thing to be building around a guy like LeBron you give up some assets to win now. Considering the Warriors turned up when LeBron went there I would say Griffin did some good things. You can find some black marks on the record too but I think what I'm trying to say is the guy would be pretty far from a disaster. Remember that he worked for an owner that...didn't bring him back then the best players left months later. Maybe it's a coincidence but it's something to consider. Let's just say if you were going to say who is more of windbag and less competent I would pick Dan Gilbert over Griffin easily. Just sayin.

lipoli390 wrote:

Camden wrote:I was just reading through Hinkie's bio and there really is a solid track record with moves to acquire/accumulate draft picks and hidden [at the time] talent. He also has a strong enough personality to zig while everyone else zags, which is respectable and necessary with the way the NBA is heading.

How many executives would have traded their starting point guard coming off his first All-Star selection for two first-round picks? Or trading his ROY point guard for draft picks? Aside from drafting Embiid and Simmons, he's also responsible for drafting/signing Dario Saric (swapped rights for Elfrid Payton), Jerami Grant, Robert Covington, and T.J. McConnell.

I'm not actively pushing for Hinkie to be the guy -- mainly because there are several guys I'd be happy with -- but yeah, he would be a good hire, in my opinion.

Cam - Good post. I forgot about the Saric swap. That was terrific. I'll say this. If we end up hiring Sam Hinkie as our new PBO I guarantee I won't complain. If nothing else he has a track record of experience as the top guy in an NBA front office and that track record includes a substantial degree of success as evidenced the Sixers' 52-win season last year - in spite fo Collangelo's stupidity. Contrast Hinkie's experience with Thibodeau who hadn't even worked in an NBA front office much less led one and who had a reputation as a poor communicator with his colleagues. Then how about David Kahn, who was essentially a sports writer even though he had some limited experience as an assistant in the Pacers' front office. I wrote scathing letters to the Wolves CEO immediately after both hires. I will send no such letter of the Wolves hire Hinkie. :)

But sadly, you and I both know that Glen Taylor's PBO decision will be a head-scratcher. I'm just wondering who is left to hire from the Country Club with Ryan Saunders as head coach and Fred Hoiberg coaching Nebraska. Sam Mitchell? Randy Wittman? Will Glen bring back Kevin McHale? Or maybe it will be Chauncey Billups. That would be a classic Taylor move. I know a number of folks have talked about Billups as a potentially good NBA executive. But the guy has absolutely no front office or coaching experience whatsoever!

Chauncey Billups is a hot name. It's worth remembering there was chatter about Flip wanting to bring him to the organization a few years ago. Everything if heard or read is people think really highly of him. I'm not dying to get him here but just because someone hasn't done a particular job in the league doesn't mean they aren't good at it.

Jon K has reported that the Wolves have not contacted anyone about the job and that while Ryan Saunders is the leader in the clubhouse nothing has actually been decided. I know some people think they should be going out and looking for their new head of basketball. I'd be ok with that also. I also think it's ok if they wait a while longer. A few months ago the Bucks were sitting there with no clear obvious coach to take over a pretty nice group of players with a budding star...coach Bud dropped into their lap. I'm not seeing that scenario for the Wolves or even a Dwayne Casey type being available. That could change in the coming weeks although I didn't see it happening. Sure they should be hiring their head of basketball first but as Jon K has reported he has heard several people that would have interest in the job would be more than willing to work with Ryan Saunders. I'd guess there is some legit truth to that and also...if Ryan fails it would be no problem moving on from him in a year or 2 if the GM wanted to bring in his own guy. I'm not saying anyone taking the job is planning for Ryan to fail but...yeah it's quite possible.

I'll admit it sounds unnerving that Jon K says Layden has a shot at keeping the job. I actually think Layden May have some real positives but it just feels like we need something else. There was still too much hush hush about injuries and...Layden just doesn't inspire confidence and I know some people including you Lip haven't liked him from the beginning. Meanwhile the Wolves did at least bring in Cam Reynolds and play him and then sign him to a Sam Hienke special. I'll be interested to see what the plan is for this Mitch Creek guy. I think above anything I want someone how is legitimately going to look for talent anywhere and be creative about it not just give lip service to it and say it but actions say another thing. If Layden and Ryan Saunders are a combo that is going to do a legit development track with some vets sprinkled in I'm down with it but only if they actually do that thing. I feel like Ryan will do it for the most part I honestly don't know what Layden will do. I do think he actually values players from overseas though which is likely a positive.

One last thing I will mention is that Jon K and Souhan both mentioned they think the Ethan Casson hire was a good one for the Wolves organization. Jon says he is well thought of and is doing a good job and likely will be someone that will help Glen make decisions this time where some people before were less competent and qualified before. I was just reading a bit more about him and he played PG at his college and is in the New England basketball hall of fame. So he probably has somewhat of a decent understanding himself about the game which doesn't hurt to have when you are the head of 2 pro basketball businesses. Lol

https://www.colby-sawyerathletics.com/hof.aspx?hof=46&mobile=skip

It's good to see some are coming around to my idea of hiring Hinkie


1. Hinkie
2. Griffin
3. Langdon (if nothing else because he'd actually acknowledge that our G-League team exists and use it)


I'm absolutely against Milt Newton for one reason only: he didn't do shit under a guy who (RIP) did some good stuff but also did some dumb Wolvesy stuff here too in Flip. Love Flip, but he didn't have all the answers either as POBO.

Calvin Booth is interesting but I kinda want someone who isn't gonna share the same ethics as Glen Taylor because Glen's more about comfort and being happy and pinkie swears. Our next POBO /GM needs to be firm in his decision making, really good at hiring a team around him who can spot talent, and not operate out of fear. If that guy wants to keep Ryan around, cool. If he thinks he can convince a Monty Williams-type of coach to come here, cool too.