Minnesota Sports Forum

kekgeek wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 11:22 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 11:20 pm

kekgeek wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 11:16 pm This game is why we need to wait on this thread

Yup. If we lose this series folks are going to have a different take. Wolves fans were coming off a high after the Lakers series, and rightfully so.

Only if he really turns it around I think Naw is gone. Second straight postseason his shot goes into the garbage. What is concerning

That's fair. Of course I thought the same thing after last post-season and a bad summer for him. Then at one point in the regular season I almost had his image tattooed on my chest - that's how much I loved him as a competitor and big shot maker. Now I'm like, eh, we can move on, LOL.

It's a position we actually have some depth in with Clark, Shannon, and Dillingham all able to replicate some of what NAW does and then they each have their own unique strengths in other areas.

As I said in my initial post: “If we advance past the 2nd round, I’ll be all-in on bringing almost everyone back for another run next season assuming we can squeeze under the 2nd apron.”

Tonight’s loss has convinced me we won’t advance past the second round. Hope I’m wrong but if this goes the way I think it will, then bringing back our current roster in total makes no sense. The Laker series might have been a bit misleading; they just aren’t that good. The Warriors, on the other hand, are the real deal. If we end up losing this series as I think we will - probably in 5 games - then I think it’s time to move on to Wolves 2.0. Tim Connelly has TSJ, Dilly and Clark along with the 17th and 31st picks in this year’s draft. And don’t forget Miller. TC also has Donte on a very team-friendly contract and I’d still like to see us bring Naz back. That’s a lot of young talent and some nice picks this summer. We’ll also have our own 1st round pick again next year. So let’s see what TC can do with those assets to build around Ant and Jaden over the next few years. We don’t have to tear it all down and rebuild from scratch. Far from it, we’re well positioned to take a small step back and re-tool for a nice run as Ant and Jaden just enter the prime years of their respective careers.

Rudy has been more interesting than I expected. But in my mind he is actually the one who needs to go. Its just too specialized and if we arent going to play a pg Rudy’s two way value plummets. Randle has warts but he is temporary. I would not extend him, but if he opts in Im not heartbroken.

thedoper wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 11:39 pm Rudy has been more interesting than I expected. But in my mind he is actually the one who needs to go. Its just too specialized and if we arent going to play a pg Rudy’s two way value plummets. Randle has warts but he is temporary. I would not extend him, but if he opts in Im not heartbroken.

Rudy's not going anywhere and for anyone who would like to get rid of him, it's not that I disagree, but your replacement isn't on this roster.


If the Wolves are smart and they want a younger version they can mold into a poor man's Gobert or a center with better hands, that needs to happen now. TC would have the duration of his deal to make sure that next center is brought up to speed. That's at the minimum what needs to happen this summer. But Gobert being gone won't be solved internally (i.e. it ain't Randle, Naz, or Garza).

WildWolf2813 wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 8:56 am

thedoper wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 11:39 pm Rudy has been more interesting than I expected. But in my mind he is actually the one who needs to go. Its just too specialized and if we arent going to play a pg Rudy’s two way value plummets. Randle has warts but he is temporary. I would not extend him, but if he opts in Im not heartbroken.

Rudy's not going anywhere and for anyone who would like to get rid of him, it's not that I disagree, but your replacement isn't on this roster.


If the Wolves are smart and they want a younger version they can mold into a poor man's Gobert or a center with better hands, that needs to happen now. TC would have the duration of his deal to make sure that next center is brought up to speed. That's at the minimum what needs to happen this summer. But Gobert being gone won't be solved internally (i.e. it ain't Randle, Naz, or Garza).

I dont think the replacement is on the roster. But whoever replaces Rudy’s minutes needs to be playable on both sides of the floor. Defensively we need a rim protector sure, but we also just got held under 90 pts by a team without a rim protector. I would move Rudy more because I think he can get us an asset over Randle. That being said I dont see Randle on this team in two years anyway.

WildWolf2813 wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 8:56 am

thedoper wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 11:39 pm Rudy has been more interesting than I expected. But in my mind he is actually the one who needs to go. Its just too specialized and if we arent going to play a pg Rudy’s two way value plummets. Randle has warts but he is temporary. I would not extend him, but if he opts in Im not heartbroken.

Rudy's not going anywhere and for anyone who would like to get rid of him, it's not that I disagree, but your replacement isn't on this roster.


If the Wolves are smart and they want a younger version they can mold into a poor man's Gobert or a center with better hands, that needs to happen now. TC would have the duration of his deal to make sure that next center is brought up to speed. That's at the minimum what needs to happen this summer. But Gobert being gone won't be solved internally (i.e. it ain't Randle, Naz, or Garza).

Why does someone need to be "molded" by Rudy? There are a number of vet unrestricted free agent Centers this offseason along with the possibility of acquiring one in a trade. I'm not suggesting we move on from Rudy one way or the other (waiting for their playoff run to end before thinking about roster moves), but my point is that vet Centers that are playable are almost always out there to be had. And yes, there is the draft route too, but it's not the only route.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 3:41 pm

WildWolf2813 wrote: ↑Wed May 07, 2025 8:56 am

thedoper wrote: ↑Tue May 06, 2025 11:39 pm Rudy has been more interesting than I expected. But in my mind he is actually the one who needs to go. Its just too specialized and if we arent going to play a pg Rudy’s two way value plummets. Randle has warts but he is temporary. I would not extend him, but if he opts in Im not heartbroken.

Rudy's not going anywhere and for anyone who would like to get rid of him, it's not that I disagree, but your replacement isn't on this roster.


If the Wolves are smart and they want a younger version they can mold into a poor man's Gobert or a center with better hands, that needs to happen now. TC would have the duration of his deal to make sure that next center is brought up to speed. That's at the minimum what needs to happen this summer. But Gobert being gone won't be solved internally (i.e. it ain't Randle, Naz, or Garza).

Why does someone need to be "molded" by Rudy? There are a number of vet unrestricted free agent Centers this offseason along with the possibility of acquiring one in a trade. I'm not suggesting we move on from Rudy one way or the other (waiting for their playoff run to end before thinking about roster moves), but my point is that vet Centers that are playable are almost always out there to be had. And yes, there is the draft route too, but it's not the only route.

He doesn't have to be molded by Rudy. He just needs to be ready to take over for Rudy once Rudy inevitably slows down.

and for what we traded to get Rudy, this front office clearly places a premium on having that anchor in the middle

A couple thoughts.

1. If NAW moves on that hurts the biggest question mark on this roster going forward and that's PG. The Wolves have options there but NAW helps that position and losing him might not easily be replaced because of what he can do in a competent fashion. I'm not saying we HAVE to keep him but it feels like if he leaves the Wolves should be adding something more to the roster in the off-season in terms of PG.

2. One thing to consider is that at some point the Wolves players may not need Gobert as much as they have. Edwards and McDaniels are already good defenders. Dillingham is the young guy that might not be but you also have Clark that projects as an excellent defender and TSJ seems like to be at least solid. Naz if he stays isn't a guy anchoring a defense but he can offer value on that end. At some point maybe the Wolves can make due with some guys that are just pretty good centers defensively instead of HOF DPOY type in Gobert. Those types are more easy to acquire in all the possible ways of adding them.

Welp, Lip, looks like your original post is back on target -- bring them all back!

As these playoffs have progressed, it's become painfully obvious that Randle will be our top priority to re-sign. His ability to be a playmaker alongside ANT was a missing piece last year in the Mavs series. And his bully-ball is something we don't have anywhere else on the roster. His flaws heading into the season -- lackadaisical defense and black hole offense -- were on full display to start the season. But he has adjusted his game to fit with the Wolves style of play. He has embraced ANT as the alpha dog, and embraced his teammates (something he talked about in his postgame presser, referring to a discussion with his agent while he was injured). Randle has found a home and I have a hard time believing he would want go anywhere else this offseason.

But I don't see a scenario where NAW is brought back. He is eighth man on the totem pole, and there are lots of players chomping at the bit to fill his role.

NAZ is a mystery to me. I am sure both parties want to make it work, but NAZ might look for more opportunity and more money than the Wolves can offer.

I will not be surprised if the Wolves move on from both Minott and Garza. Both have team options, and the Wolves might need those roster spots for some new faces, depending on how the draft goes.

60WinTim wrote: ↑Thu May 15, 2025 1:15 pm Welp, Lip, looks like your original post is back on target -- bring them all back!

As these playoffs have progressed, it's become painfully obvious that Randle will be our top priority to re-sign. His ability to be a playmaker alongside ANT was a missing piece last year in the Mavs series. And his bully-ball is something we don't have anywhere else on the roster. His flaws heading into the season -- lackadaisical defense and black hole offense -- were on full display to start the season. But he has adjusted his game to fit with the Wolves style of play. He has embraced ANT as the alpha dog, and embraced his teammates (something he talked about in his postgame presser, referring to a discussion with his agent while he was injured). Randle has found a home and I have a hard time believing he would want go anywhere else this offseason.

But I don't see a scenario where NAW is brought back. He is eighth man on the totem pole, and there are lots of players chomping at the bit to fill his role.

NAZ is a mystery to me. I am sure both parties want to make it work, but NAZ might look for more opportunity and more money than the Wolves can offer.

I will not be surprised if the Wolves move on from both Minott and Garza. Both have team options, and the Wolves might need those roster spots for some new faces, depending on how the draft goes.

Garza and Minott are interesting. Neither guy I'm sold on but both could have some value especially depending on how the off-season plays out. If Naz leaves the Wolves would have very little center depth basically Miller who has played basically no meaningful NBA minutes and Jessie Edward's as a 2 way player. Garza doesn't help the D but he brings some scoring and a certain amount of physicality. Of course finding a backup C to sign seems pretty easy to do these days.

Like I think I said in another thread I was thinking of moving on from Minott he did some good things but wasn't able to do enough to keep some sort of role but then I looked up and he is still 22 years old. If McDaniels went down and they needed a combo forward to play minutes Minott might be ready for that opportunity especially if he was playing more of a PF role like McDaniels. What if Minott has been developing and is actually ready next year to contribute in some reasonably meaningful way? I'm not saying he is but it wouldn't be shocking. Is there a team out there that thinks maybe there is something there and they would give up a future 2nd for a guy that's still quite young but not a rookie? I could see a rebuilding team seeing some possible value there espcilaly if they have a glut of picks anyways. He is cheap and will be a restricted FA so they would have first crack at keeping him.

These end of the roster decisions do matter. There are plenty of players in this year's playoffs that were available for any team to acquire one way or another. The Wolves need to keep adding to their talent pool. I could see them also trying to add another veteran to the mix this off-season in the front court. Could they consider moving someone like Miller if a team is willing to give up something of value? With 2 valuable draft picks and some young players that haven't really helped the team much but COULD have some sort of value to other teams the Wolves certainly have some ability to make some moves and clearly Connelly is not afraid to pull the trigger.