Minnesota Sports Forum

Miller and especially Minott are dime a dozen guys who most teams wouldn't want, but I'd give up in a second to bring in Tyus. Of course we need to go for it this year, we didn't trade all those assets to wait for these fringe young guys to develop.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:51 am

kekgeek wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:45 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:33 am Yeah, we have to do whatever it takes. I do think this is our one shot at a title with this particular core group. I think there could be another shot in 2-3 years with a team totally built around Ant, but it will take some time for the roster to turn over and get the right guys in place. That doesn't mean we are a bad team for the next couple years, but it may be hard to be a top seeded playoff team during the transition.

Yep, I want to make it clear that I don’t think the championship window is closed after this year because of Ant and Jaden development but this is the last year the wolves are deep and don’t have huge roster construction constraints. I would hate to not go for it because we hope miller or Minott end up good

Right, the Ant/Jaden window isn't closed by any means, but the Ant/Gobert/KAT window might be closed. I get that they don't have to break up these three right away, but it's hard for me to see them being able to assemble the right supporting cast around them next season, which will necessitate some changes eventually.

I like the way you’ve bifurcated the situation into two separate windows. I was looking at the salary situation next season. The Wolves will be at or slightly over the 2nd apron with just 11 players with guaranteed contracts after this season, which does NOT include Conley or Slo Mo. So even if Wolves ownership is content to pay a huge luxury tax, the hard cap limitations associated with being over the 2nd apron will make it impossible for the Wolves to assemble the right supporting cast around the Ant/Gobert/KAT trio + Jaden.

After reading your post and some others, I think I’m persuaded that moving Slo Mo yet this season might be necessary to maximize the team’s chances of a championship this season. Tyus Jones seems like the perfect fit for depth. He’s a very good PG who can back up Conley without the team missing a beat. He’s also evolved into a good three-point shooter, which is something else this team needs. I’m not sure who else would make sense for the Wolves as an acquisition in exchange for Slo Mo (and likely Miller and other assets).

Another approach would be trading Garza for a quality PG on a two-way or minimum contract. Some quality two-way PGs with very good G-League assist and 3-point shooting stats include:

1. Marquis Nowell (Raptors) - averaging 15.7 points and 10 assists per game. 40.7% 3-point shooting
2. JD Davison (Celtics) — 23.8 points, 8.6 assists, 40.5% 3-point shooting
3. Mac McClung (Magic) — 25 points, 6.3 assists, 35.7%
4. Scottie Pippen Jr. (Lakers) - 21 points, 6 assists, 38.8%
5. Brandon Williams (Magic) - 24 points, 5.6 assists, 37% (we had him on our preseason roster and he looked good)
6. DJ Steward (Celtics( - 19 points, 5.6 assists, 35.6%

Some others who have good assist and point stats, but haven’t been particular good from behind the arc:

1. Jason Preston (Memphis Hustle)
2. Brandon Goodwin (Knicks)
3. Elfrid Payton (Pacers)
4. Shaquille Harrison (Lakers)
5. Sharife Cooper - (probably turns the ball over too much)
6. Xavier Moon (Ontario Clippers)
7. Alondes Williams (Skyforce)

I think Garza is worth more than any of the players I’ve listed, so I would expect additional assets in return for Luka.

kekgeek wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:45 am

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sun Dec 31, 2023 11:33 am Yeah, we have to do whatever it takes. I do think this is our one shot at a title with this particular core group. I think there could be another shot in 2-3 years with a team totally built around Ant, but it will take some time for the roster to turn over and get the right guys in place. That doesn't mean we are a bad team for the next couple years, but it may be hard to be a top seeded playoff team during the transition.

Yep, I want to make it clear that I don’t think the championship window is closed after this year because of Ant and Jaden development but this is the last year the wolves are deep and don’t have huge roster construction constraints. I would hate to not go for it because we hope miller or Minott end up good

Counterpoint: Jaden isn't developing this season.

I have decided to vote yes on this poll.

I saw this stat today

When SloMo is on the court — pretty big sample size at 1580 poss — the Wolves have a 112.8 offensive rating (31st percentile) and a +3.3 net rating (65th %ile)


I feel like replacing Slow Mo is how we can improve the offense. I feel like it’s getting worse not better with him. I also think the eye issue is way worse than the team and him are letting on.

Timberwolves receive: Tyus Jones and Patrick Baldwin Jr

Wizards receive: Kyle Anderson, Shake Milton and 2024 2nd RP (likely high 30s)

Starters:
Conley / Edwards / McDaniels / Towns / Gobert

Rotation:
Jones / NAW / Brown Jr / Reid

Depth:
Mclaughlin / Moore Jr / Minott / Baldwin Jr / Miller

2 Way:
Clarke / Nix / Garza

KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 6:42 pm Timberwolves receive: Tyus Jones and Patrick Baldwin Jr

Wizards receive: Kyle Anderson, Shake Milton and 2024 2nd RP (likely high 30s)

Starters:
Conley / Edwards / McDaniels / Towns / Gobert

Rotation:
Jones / NAW / Brown Jr / Reid

Depth:
Mclaughlin / Moore Jr / Minott / Baldwin Jr / Miller

2 Way:
Clarke / Nix / Garza

Kiwi, I'm a SloMo fan, but I would do this in a heartbeat. I don't think the wizards would though. Tyus has established himself as a legitimate starting PG in the league, and is having a terrific season...still the very good assist to turnover ratio, but he's added excellent shooting to his bag. He's over 61% in TS%. I think the Wizards plan to keep 27 year old Jones as their starting PG, and the only way they would move on from him would be if they got very good assets in return...young talent or at least a first round pick. Reserves and a second round pick (even a good one) aren't enough to pry away a capable starting PG.

FNG wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 7:07 pm

KiwiMatt wrote: ↑Thu Jan 11, 2024 6:42 pm Timberwolves receive: Tyus Jones and Patrick Baldwin Jr

Wizards receive: Kyle Anderson, Shake Milton and 2024 2nd RP (likely high 30s)

Starters:
Conley / Edwards / McDaniels / Towns / Gobert

Rotation:
Jones / NAW / Brown Jr / Reid

Depth:
Mclaughlin / Moore Jr / Minott / Baldwin Jr / Miller

2 Way:
Clarke / Nix / Garza

Kiwi, I'm a SloMo fan, but I would do this in a heartbeat. I don't think the wizards would though. Tyus has established himself as a legitimate starting PG in the league, and is having a terrific season...still the very good assist to turnover ratio, but he's added excellent shooting to his bag. He's over 61% in TS%. I think the Wizards plan to keep 27 year old Jones as their starting PG, and the only way they would move on from him would be if they got very good assets in return...young talent or at least a first round pick. Reserves and a second round pick (even a good one) aren't enough to pry away a capable starting PG.

There's 0% chance the Bullets do this.

They're tanking. They have no need for Milton or Anderson this season. But more importantly... they could simply get a lot more for Tyus Jones than $10M (Anderson expiring), Milton and a 2nd.