Wolves Summer League Player Expectations

[Monster]

Over the last two games, Miller is averaging 21.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game on 51.3/20/75 shooting splits. He looks like he has found his rhythm and confidence with the Wolves in Las Vegas.

Summer League veterans Josh Minott and Daishen Nix are also two Timberwolves players who have found a rhythm. Over the last two games, Minott is averaging 16.5 points and 5 rebounds on 47.8% shooting. Nix is averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists on 38% shooting.

We might see one of these two guys (MInott or Miller) in our rotation by the end of next season. I still see Nix as one of our three 2-way contract players, but you never know.

It's great Miller has showed out both as a prospect and also as a possible asset. I still think there is something there but I do think if there was a worthwhile deal I would absolutely consider moving him to improve the team.

I've said this already I think but now I've watched another game and Minott's on ball D is kinda blowing me away. I've been pretty clear I see Minott more of a PF that might be able to play some SF in certain matchups but wasn't really a wing defensively. These last 4 summer league games have been so impressive I'm changing my mind on that. The Houston game kinda showed he might have a chance to be a 3 point shooter he looks like a guy that has a prayer of getting the ball and chucking it up there in rhythm. Minott hasn't made some sort of massive strides into some thrilling prospect but it seems to me he has gotten better at some stuff that matters ina guy that can make some winning plays. This shouldn't be too surprising those were kind of the things he did his freshman year in college. I think he is a little more controlled chaos too so he might be more trustworthy if called upon. The way the Wolves drafted it seems like they might be more willing to actually play younger guys more minutes this year. Who knows we will see. I had hoped Minott had developed into a more well rounded player by now but this summer league he has taken another step and if that defense remotely translates to the next level...he could be useful. Someone on Twitter compared him to Derrick Jones Jr. That's not quite a fair comparison and yet I think it's one with some merit. I watched Jones Jr. a number of times when he was in the G-league when I watched Iowa games. He was intriguing but it wasn't clear what exactly he could do. He was ridiculously athletic played hard and had some skills and just seemed to have something that made him stand out a bit from other guys. I think Minott has a bit of that and while he might not be quite as athletic as Jones Jr he is longer.

[Lipoli390]

Monster - I agree with your take on Minott. His defense throughout summer league has been more than improved; it’s been tremendous. Meanwhile, he’s rebounding, running the floor, finishing at the rim and providing great energy. I think he’s closer than Miller to contributing to the NBA Wolves next season. I still think Miller has more overall upside over the long term, although I still see Minott having substantial remaining untapped upside. As you noted, he’s shown signs of having a nice corner three to go with his defense, shot0-blocking, rebounding and energy.

[Monster]

Monster - I agree with your take on Minott. His defense throughout summer league has been more than improved; it’s been tremendous. Meanwhile, he’s rebounding, running the floor, finishing at the rim and providing great energy. I think he’s closer than Miller to contributing to the NBA Wolves next season. I still think Miller has more overall upside over the long term, although I still see Minott having substantial remaining untapped upside. As you noted, he’s shown signs of having a nice corner three to go with his defense, shot0-blocking, rebounding and energy.

Miller absolutely has more upside and he has lots of tools offensively and is actually more gifted physically. One thing about Miller is he is not afraid of contract. He currently doesn't play strong enough to be a typical center but I think he moves about as well as Minott and is stronger. Miller's physical gifts won't matter if he can't learn to play defense but the physical part isn't going to hold him back.

It's worth considering that if Minott has actually grown that might be effecting his offensive abilities which were more potential than refined anyway. Fortunately he seems to be at a point where he can do stuff and not just energy stuff to help a team and likely just focus on getting easy buckets etc.

[KG4Ever]

Over the last two games, Miller is averaging 21.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1.5 blocks per game on 51.3/20/75 shooting splits. He looks like he has found his rhythm and confidence with the Wolves in Las Vegas.

Summer League veterans Josh Minott and Daishen Nix are also two Timberwolves players who have found a rhythm. Over the last two games, Minott is averaging 16.5 points and 5 rebounds on 47.8% shooting. Nix is averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists on 38% shooting.

We might see one of these two guys (MInott or Miller) in our rotation by the end of next season. I still see Nix as one of our three 2-way contract players, but you never know.

It's great Miller has showed out both as a prospect and also as a possible asset. I still think there is something there but I do think if there was a worthwhile deal I would absolutely consider moving him to improve the team.

I've said this already I think but now I've watched another game and Minott's on ball D is kinda blowing me away. I've been pretty clear I see Minott more of a PF that might be able to play some SF in certain matchups but wasn't really a wing defensively. These last 4 summer league games have been so impressive I'm changing my mind on that. The Houston game kinda showed he might have a chance to be a 3 point shooter he looks like a guy that has a prayer of getting the ball and chucking it up there in rhythm. Minott hasn't made some sort of massive strides into some thrilling prospect but it seems to me he has gotten better at some stuff that matters ina guy that can make some winning plays. This shouldn't be too surprising those were kind of the things he did his freshman year in college. I think he is a little more controlled chaos too so he might be more trustworthy if called upon. The way the Wolves drafted it seems like they might be more willing to actually play younger guys more minutes this year. Who knows we will see. I had hoped Minott had developed into a more well rounded player by now but this summer league he has taken another step and if that defense remotely translates to the next level...he could be useful. Someone on Twitter compared him to Derrick Jones Jr. That's not quite a fair comparison and yet I think it's one with some merit. I watched Jones Jr. a number of times when he was in the G-league when I watched Iowa games. He was intriguing but it wasn't clear what exactly he could do. He was ridiculously athletic played hard and had some skills and just seemed to have something that made him stand out a bit from other guys. I think Minott has a bit of that and while he might not be quite as athletic as Jones Jr he is longer.

Oh wow "Possible Asset". Thanks for the tepid praise of Lenny Miller. I can't imagine a Miller trade that we would win that is based in reality. Sure, I'd do Mikal Bridges in a heartbeat and given that we are lacking a serious backup and replacement to Rudy, I'd give consideration to Walker Kessler. Seriously, who would you trade him for that is a realistic possibility?

[kekgeek]

Hard to complain about the summer league.

Dilly: showed great signs as a playmaker and willing defender (even if he struggled at time). Then we got the efficient scoring breakout last game.


TSJ: got buckets, got to the line, defended well, didn’t show playmaking or a consistent 3 pt shot but very good SL

Minott: Defended the ball the best he has done. Rebounded well. Not sure his roll this year but he was solid.

Miller: Very good last 3 games, was a really good rebounder and excelled rolling to the basket. Was not afraid of shooting the 3 but needs to improve there. I thought his positioning on defense was better but struggled not fouling. I put Miller and Minott in the same boat that at the moment their biggest value is they are cheaper than the vet min. However this is not like Wendell Moore and they have a path on being legit NBA rotation pieces if they figure out their kinks.

Nix: Just very solid. Got to the line, and played to defense. Turned over the ball to much the struggled with the 3. But as a two way he had a good summer. In case of emergency PG

Clark: showed elite defensive potential, could see him getting situational spot minutes. However offense is not there at the moment. He’s coming off an Achilles so I like what I saw.


Fun summer league team and the culture felt there with the SL team

[Sundog]

Absolutely agree, kek, the summer league wolves exceeded my expectations. Excited for training camp!

[60WinTim]

A big question is can they transfer some of this Summer League culture to their G-League team?

I would expect some of our Summer League players to remain/be added to the Iowa Wolves. Jesse Edwards and Jaylen Clark need playing time and should be a good addition to that team. Nix will likely bop back and forth. And I sure hope we have a new coach assigned to the team!

My guess is that Minott and Miller will graduate to the big team, even if one or both are in street clothes during games -- they need to practice with the big team, and the loss of SloMo at the 4 creates a need for depth that both could potentially fill. Dilly and TSJ are very likely to be part of the regular rotation, although I suppose Ingles could squeeze TSJ's minutes, depending on how TSJ is playing.

[Lipoli390]

I don’t think we should end a thread on the Wolves summer league without a shout out to Chris Hines. I thought he did a fantastic job as the team’s head coach. He had them playing Timberwolves basketball - swarming, cohesive defense. He had the guys motivated and had our young guys showing marked improvement. Here’s a nice article on Chris:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/565112 ... er-league/

[KG4Ever]

I wish Chris Hines were the Iowa coach. He was certainly impressive as our SL coach and he seems to be able to connect with the young guys. I have no confidence in the Iowa coach from a year ago, nice guy, but guys didn't respond to his coaching. I absolutely want Miller to stay away from Iowa as I think he'll make strides with more NBA minutes, though I expect some bumps as there will be a learning curve as he is essentially a rookie, but I believe the development efforts will pay off, though not necessarily this year. I do like Minott some, but not nearly at the same level as Miller. He was close to a zero in my book before SL play and now I finally have some hope that he might develop as he seemed stronger and played with more confidence than I've seen him play with before. He needs to improve on his outside shooting. I'm fine with Minott going back to Iowa as right now I think he's behind Miller, TSJ and Garza. Clark needs even more work and he probably should be in Iowa. Nix has been in G League enough so I hope he stays with the big club. He has certainly showed flashes of being a capable backup point guard, but I hope he can be as productive as JMac was in a similar role. I'm drooling at the thought of adding one of the top tier remaining free agents. Tyus and Kennard are the dream for me. Heck, if we could get both, I'd say adios to Dozier and grab them both. I've read Tyus wanted to get paid, but his options have really shrunk up and not sure he'll get much more than a minimum deal. I want to see the hometown guy chase a ring for a year or so and get paid as much as we possibly can pay him to be a bridge between Conley and RD.

So for me, I would like to see the back up minutes go like:

Pg: Scenario 1: Sign a veteran PG (Tyus, Fultz, Smith or Wall) that can help us win now and let RD learn and develop and take on more minutes when he is ready or Scenario 2: if we don't sign a veteran, a timeshare between Nix and RD (with RD taking over the main backup when he shows he's ready for that).
SG & SF: NAW, Shannon and Jingles divying up minutes for those two spots (but I'd add Kennard into the mix if he were available)(Minott, Dozier and perhaps Clark add some depth)
PF: Miller (Naz & Minott)
C: Naz (with Garza adding depth, I don't see Edwards as playable anytime soon and hopefully he can develop in Iowa)

[60WinTim]

A lot to unpack there, KG. A lot I agree with, some I don't.

I, too, would love to see Chris Hines be the Iowa head coach. He certainly earned it with the way he had the team playing in Summer League. But he is also the guy directly assigned to ANT's development, so I don't know which is more important? Head coaching is apparently a longer term goal for Hines. Here is a pretty good article on Hines, Summer League and ANT:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/565112 ... er-league/

On the roster, the Wolves already have 14 contracts committed (at least until January 10th - Dozier). And it is highly unlikely the Wolves will fill that 15th spot. So don't expect any new additions.

I also don't see Nix being active for very many games. The team can only dress 13 players each game. That means one roster player will already be in street clothes. Activating Nix would require another roster player being inactive. I just don't see it, unless a player or two is sidelined by injury. I expect Nix, Clark and JEdwards to be a solid trio down in Iowa.

It'll be interesting to see how stubborn Finchie will be with his preferred 9-man rotation. It might be tough for some of our young guys to see minutes due to where they fall in the pecking order on the roster...