Minnesota Sports Forum

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:00 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 8:32 am

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2026 9:46 pm The more I think about it, Kendrich Williams doesn’t make any sense for us. He’s 6’7, 210 with a 6’7.25 wingspan. He’s just a backup SF who can hit threes. Josh Green is actually bigger, more athletic and can also hit threes. If the thinking here is that we’re too small with Jaden at PF, then we shouldn’t be targeting Kenrich.

I don’t see any rotation bigs we can get without giving up TSJ and none of them are good enough or essential enough to pay that price. I think we could get Jovic or Patrick Williams without giving up TSJ, but I don’t want their contracts in exchange for Josh unless we can get at least one first round pick and one 2nd back. Even then, I’m not so sure.

So I keep coming back to Marvin Bagley at the vet minimum or a portion of our taxpayer MLE. Mo Wagner comes to mind as well. He can hit threes and rebound. He’s also around 7’ 245 pounds. Sign one or the other and Jeremy Sochan.

Lip, there are several issues with putting Jaden at the 4, and rebounding is one of them...but much more goes into rebounding than physical attributes. I'm not totally sold on Williams (although not totally opposed either) but he would be a big upgrade in rebounding over Jaden or Green. Rebounds per 36:

Williams: 7.9
Jaden: 4.8
Green: 5

We need a starting PF who can defend, rebound and hit 3-pointers at the league average. PJ Washington is a name that would fit, but I think he might cost more than we are willing to give up.

It's hard for Jaden to get many rebounds if he's guarding De'Aaron Fox or SGA out on the perimeter.

I can guarantee you the Wolves front office looked very closely at the few times Jaden has played PF. Two seasons ago there was a stretch of 6 games in February with Naz and Jaden started at the 5 and 4 respectively because both Rudy and Randle were out. In that 6-game stretch Jaden averaged 20PPG/8.8 RPG/3.2 APG....Mmmm, seems to be the type of line a lot of us would love to see from Jaden this upcoming season!

And guess who else started during that stretch? Jaylen Clark at the 2 with Ant at the 3. NAW and Conley alternated as starting PGs.

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 8:59 am

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 8:46 am The question to ask now is this: Why hasn't TC pulled the trigger on a trade or free-agent signing to fill our front court void? My answer has four parts:

1. First, I doubt it's because TC has decided to open the season with the current roster without adding another front-court rotating player. TC certainly sees what we all see - i.e., a lack of depth and physical strength up front. I don't think TC is content to start the season with an identifiable significant hole in the team's roster.

2. Second, I doubt it's because TC has been making offers and being repeatedly turned down. I'm sure he kicked the tires on John Collins, but it would have taken a sign-and-trade to get him since he was out of reach financially as a FA. Same goes for Tobias Harris and Dean Wade. Those guys were simply beyond our financial reach and putting together some sort of sign-and-trade is really hard, especially as it pertains to unrestricted free agents.

3. Third, I doubt TC has been offering TSJ in any trade offers because if he had I think a deal would have been done.

4. Finally, I think nothing has happened yet mainly because TC has his sites set on other options that aren't ripe enough to materialize. I see several options TC has prioritized that need more time to ripen before they can happen. Here's my list:

a) LeBron James. I suspect TC has seen this coming for a while we should have no doubt that TC is pursuing LeBron very aggressively and has him as his top priority. I think the Spurs took themselves out of LeBron contention yesterday when they signed Tobias Harris. I know the pundits and oddsmakers still have the Warriors way out ahead of the Wolves as LeBron's likely destination but the moment the Wizards said they're not trading Anthony Davis I think the odds of LeBron going to Golden State went way down close to zero - unless LeBron isn't really prioritizing winning.

b) PJ Washington. I don't think he was gettable until yesterday when Dallas acquired Aldama. I suspect TC was waiting for that and. that he's now talking about a Josh Green package for PJ. Unfortunately, I think TSJ would have to be included in our outgoing package.

c) Ri Hachimura or Jonathan Kuminga. I suspect these are TC's two backup options if they can't sign LeBron or pull off a trade for PJ.

Yeah, makes sense, Lip. Dallas also drafted Morez Johnson, so they very likely may be moving on from PJ. TC is likely interested and just trying to get the best price.

Like everyone, I'm intrigued by the LeBron possibility. I heard something on a pod yesterday though that makes it seem unlikely. They said that if he were to leave his family behind, he would want to go to a team that both has a chance to win but also has vets he can socialize with...he's more than 15 years older than most of the Wolves he would be hanging with! I don't think the Warriors can compete, but I suspect LeBron does. I still see him going to GS to play with his buddies Curry and Draymond.

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:05 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:00 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 8:32 am

Lip, there are several issues with putting Jaden at the 4, and rebounding is one of them...but much more goes into rebounding than physical attributes. I'm not totally sold on Williams (although not totally opposed either) but he would be a big upgrade in rebounding over Jaden or Green. Rebounds per 36:

Williams: 7.9
Jaden: 4.8
Green: 5

We need a starting PF who can defend, rebound and hit 3-pointers at the league average. PJ Washington is a name that would fit, but I think he might cost more than we are willing to give up.

It's hard for Jaden to get many rebounds if he's guarding De'Aaron Fox or SGA out on the perimeter.

I can guarantee you the Wolves front office looked very closely at the few times Jaden has played PF. Two seasons ago there was a stretch of 6 games in February with Naz and Jaden started at the 5 and 4 respectively because both Rudy and Randle were out. In that 6-game stretch Jaden averaged 20PPG/8.8 RPG/3.2 APG....Mmmm, seems to be the type of line a lot of us would love to see from Jaden this upcoming season!

And guess who else started during that stretch? Jaylen Clark at the 2 with Ant at the 3. NAW and Conley alternated as starting PGs.

Good points, Q. I still don't see our defense being as effective if Jaden is at the 4...we seem awfully small. I hope I'm wrong, because regardless of any moves TC makes, I expect Jaden to spend some time at PF.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:13 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:05 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:00 am

It's hard for Jaden to get many rebounds if he's guarding De'Aaron Fox or SGA out on the perimeter.

I can guarantee you the Wolves front office looked very closely at the few times Jaden has played PF. Two seasons ago there was a stretch of 6 games in February with Naz and Jaden started at the 5 and 4 respectively because both Rudy and Randle were out. In that 6-game stretch Jaden averaged 20PPG/8.8 RPG/3.2 APG....Mmmm, seems to be the type of line a lot of us would love to see from Jaden this upcoming season!

And guess who else started during that stretch? Jaylen Clark at the 2 with Ant at the 3. NAW and Conley alternated as starting PGs.

Good points, Q. I still don't see our defense being as effective if Jaden is at the 4...we seem awfully small. I hope I'm wrong, because regardless of any moves TC makes, I expect Jaden to spend some time at PF.

Jaden as opposed to who...Randle??? The Naz-Randle frontcourt had one of the worst defensive ratings in the NBA despite their more conventional C and PF size (Naz had similar combine measurements to Bam Adebayo).

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:13 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:05 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:00 am

It's hard for Jaden to get many rebounds if he's guarding De'Aaron Fox or SGA out on the perimeter.

I can guarantee you the Wolves front office looked very closely at the few times Jaden has played PF. Two seasons ago there was a stretch of 6 games in February with Naz and Jaden started at the 5 and 4 respectively because both Rudy and Randle were out. In that 6-game stretch Jaden averaged 20PPG/8.8 RPG/3.2 APG....Mmmm, seems to be the type of line a lot of us would love to see from Jaden this upcoming season!

And guess who else started during that stretch? Jaylen Clark at the 2 with Ant at the 3. NAW and Conley alternated as starting PGs.

Good points, Q. I still don't see our defense being as effective if Jaden is at the 4...we seem awfully small. I hope I'm wrong, because regardless of any moves TC makes, I expect Jaden to spend some time at PF.

Jaden as opposed to who...Randle??? The Naz-Randle frontcourt had one of the worst defensive ratings in the NBA despite their more conventional C and PF size (Naz had similar combine measurements to Bam Adebayo).

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:21 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:13 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:05 am

Good points, Q. I still don't see our defense being as effective if Jaden is at the 4...we seem awfully small. I hope I'm wrong, because regardless of any moves TC makes, I expect Jaden to spend some time at PF.

Jaden as opposed to who...Randle??? The Naz-Randle frontcourt had one of the worst defensive ratings in the NBA despite their more conventional C and PF size (Naz had similar combine measurements to Bam Adebayo).

I like Jaden as our POA defender. Let's say we're playing the Nets. Who is going to be big enough to defend Randle? I agree that Ju and Naz were substandard defenders in many ways, but they were better options to defend big physical PFs than someone like Ayo would be. I still love the Ball trade, but it certainly presents some defensive challenges for Finchy.

Monster wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:26 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:21 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:13 am

Jaden as opposed to who...Randle??? The Naz-Randle frontcourt had one of the worst defensive ratings in the NBA despite their more conventional C and PF size (Naz had similar combine measurements to Bam Adebayo).

I like Jaden as our POA defender. Let's say we're playing the Nets. Who is going to be big enough to defend Randle? I agree that Ju and Naz were substandard defenders in many ways, but they were better options to defend big physical PFs than someone like Ayo would be. I still love the Ball trade, but it certainly presents some defensive challenges for Finchy.

Should we be all that concerned about who is gonna guard Randle 2 games next season?

Monster wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:26 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:21 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:13 am

Jaden as opposed to who...Randle??? The Naz-Randle frontcourt had one of the worst defensive ratings in the NBA despite their more conventional C and PF size (Naz had similar combine measurements to Bam Adebayo).

I like Jaden as our POA defender. Let's say we're playing the Nets. Who is going to be big enough to defend Randle? I agree that Ju and Naz were substandard defenders in many ways, but they were better options to defend big physical PFs than someone like Ayo would be. I still love the Ball trade, but it certainly presents some defensive challenges for Finchy.

Should we be all that concerned about who is gonna guard Randle 2 games next season?

Edit: Who is the Nets center anyway?

BeenLurkin wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:18 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:13 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:05 am

Good points, Q. I still don't see our defense being as effective if Jaden is at the 4...we seem awfully small. I hope I'm wrong, because regardless of any moves TC makes, I expect Jaden to spend some time at PF.

Jaden as opposed to who...Randle??? The Naz-Randle frontcourt had one of the worst defensive ratings in the NBA despite their more conventional C and PF size (Naz had similar combine measurements to Bam Adebayo).

Where did the Naz Rudy lineups rank

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:35 am

Monster wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:26 am

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:21 am

I like Jaden as our POA defender. Let's say we're playing the Nets. Who is going to be big enough to defend Randle? I agree that Ju and Naz were substandard defenders in many ways, but they were better options to defend big physical PFs than someone like Ayo would be. I still love the Ball trade, but it certainly presents some defensive challenges for Finchy.

Should we be all that concerned about who is gonna guard Randle 2 games next season?

Edit: Who is the Nets center anyway?

I just heard Dane throw Ju out as an example of a challenge on a pod, but there are several big PFs who would dominate Ayo. I see it as our biggest roster issue.