Wolves offseason outlook.

[Coolbreeze44]

I wonder what Arod thought about his star player dapping up the opponent with 8 minutes left. I couldn't see him going over to the Red Sox dugout to congratulate them during the 7th inning stretch. Sometimes being quirky isn't cool. I wish the organization, media, and fans weren't so invested in the potential greatness of Ant. We are clearly not going to jump the Spurs or the Thunder anytime soon with our current cast, or with a gutted team that includes an oft injured Giannis. No matter what Tim does this offseason it's hard to see us having any hope of winning a championship next season. We have to try something different, something innovative that drastically changes the way we play. I'm intrigued by what Joel Embiid could possibly bring as a counter to Wemby. I'm also thinking that maybe we completely change and go Paul Westhead and build a fast, good shooting roster that can outrace these teams. I really believe that out of the box thinking is what we need going forward. Otherwise we are just going to be more of what we've seen the last 2 years.

[AussieWolf3]

Finch's exit interview...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkyOfKyV5PI

On Team Needs Part I: Talked about needing more connective tissue and toughness to surround Ant, Jaden, and Naz.

This is supposed to be Julius imo and he's not even close.

I don't know how many will agree with this, but I keep thinking lately how about how much of a difference it would make if Julius good play average defense (well enough to be a small ball 5), and played on the offensive end like Draymond Green

I know we love to hate the guy but he's one of the smartest ballers of this era and if Ju could set up the offense, space the floor with his screening and position himself for open 3s, this team would have a viable path with no Rudy.

I have zero faith that Julius would or could re focus his game to this more instead of trying to force the issue with scoring.

Ultimately this type of player should be the primary focus this off-season, and for what it's worth I think IHart would be a good option

[guest81]

I wonder what Arod thought about his star player dapping up the opponent with 8 minutes left. I couldn't see him going over to the Red Sox dugout to congratulate them during the 7th inning stretch. Sometimes being quirky isn't cool. I wish the organization, media, and fans weren't so invested in the potential greatness of Ant. We are clearly not going to jump the Spurs or the Thunder anytime soon with our current cast, or with a gutted team that includes an oft injured Giannis. No matter what Tim does this offseason it's hard to see us having any hope of winning a championship next season. We have to try something different, something innovative that drastically changes the way we play. I'm intrigued by what Joel Embiid could possibly bring as a counter to Wemby. I'm also thinking that maybe we completely change and go Paul Westhead and build a fast, good shooting roster that can outrace these teams. I really believe that out of the box thinking is what we need going forward. Otherwise we are just going to be more of what we've seen the last 2 years.

Lol Arod isn't the guy to look towards fire sportsmanship

[BeenLurkin]

I wonder what Arod thought about his star player dapping up the opponent with 8 minutes left. I couldn't see him going over to the Red Sox dugout to congratulate them during the 7th inning stretch. Sometimes being quirky isn't cool. I wish the organization, media, and fans weren't so invested in the potential greatness of Ant. We are clearly not going to jump the Spurs or the Thunder anytime soon with our current cast, or with a gutted team that includes an oft injured Giannis. No matter what Tim does this offseason it's hard to see us having any hope of winning a championship next season. We have to try something different, something innovative that drastically changes the way we play. I'm intrigued by what Joel Embiid could possibly bring as a counter to Wemby. I'm also thinking that maybe we completely change and go Paul Westhead and build a fast, good shooting roster that can outrace these teams. I really believe that out of the box thinking is what we need going forward. Otherwise we are just going to be more of what we've seen the last 2 years.

Speaking to the “DapGate” controversy brewing. To me it felt in the moment like an act of absolute exasperated frustration with his teams effort/result and an act of defiance to whatever part of the wolves is the “moody/bad vibe” source. Ant decided he respected his opponents more than his team and for better or worse he is correct. Give him credit for forcing an issue or criticism for not acting like a good soldier. It is a kind of leadership to let your actions talk. Ant showed everyone he respected the style of play the Spurs brought and if you as a Wolves player don’t live up to that then Ant doesn’t have time for you anymore.

It just might be his level up mentally moment where he finally saw what it’s gonna take. He met his enemy on the field and lost. He saw what it looks like again and imo he will be motivated positively.

Another thing, if you want to let the Spurs have their moment and not make it about you while still showing gamesmanship that actually means something then I can see doing it during a TV timeout and not as a big spectacle at the end of the game. Ant is nothing if not genuine and honest.

[Monster]

I seriously doubt Randle has a lot of value. His playoff deficiencies have been on full display. Plus he has a player option after next season, which is never seen as a positive for teams. Getting off Randle's contract will require taking back something another team is also looking to get off of, which means a bigger contract and likely for more years. But the hope is you are taking back something that is a better fit. It's why I think LaMelo Ball could be a possible target when you look at Charlotte's situation. They have Coby White as a FA they want to re-sign. Something there might make sense.

I think Randle is getting paid about what he is worth so at worst his contract is neutral and only so many players aren't signed past a year or 2 anyway...and some that are you wish they weren't.

It seems likely that a lot of big salary players will be moving around this off-season so Randle could end up in one of those deals. What will he bring back? Idk but I do think he is a guy that is moveable without having to sweeten the deal to get away from having him on the roster which is good.

I agree that Ju's contract despite this last bad stretch is pretty fair. We saw the worst of him after he was mentioned in the trade offerings and his will to play hard for the team vanished and likely confidence too dropped.

I think in the right situation in the East he can be pretty good. Just like KAT has seen some more success, I think Randle could be effective on the right team.

He was real close to working out well here too, but things went badly and a new change would be wise for both.

The issue with Randle (or Towns) is less about him and more about how the Wolves needed another player around him to make it work. Donte was sort of the complimentary guy that gave the roster a chance and without him it really hurt and Ayo being added mid seasonand getting hurt and Edwards not being healthy... I've been a fan for Randle for most of his career and I'm definitely not opposed to moving him this off-season. The tough thing is finding something that makes the team better. I'm not saying it's not possible and we absolutely hang onto Randle but moving him can create some holes.

Can the Wolves add more shooting this off-season? More guys that can fill around the players they have in a playoff series? Another guy that can get a bucket whenever? TSJ feels like a guy that could be part of the answer but with Donte out the roster needs a shooter. They have a couple draft picks they could use to draft a player or make a move. Like I have said a few times Connelly is creative and perfectly willing to make moves. I'm willing to see what he cooks up.

[Wolvesfan21]

I can't help but wonder if there is more friction between ANT and fiction than we are allowed to see. ANT choosing to congratulate the Spurs when Finch decided to give up midway through the 4th quarter could be seen as a sign of frustration. And the re-signing of Randle last offseason had to be driven more by Finch than any great desire by Connelly. I don't expect Finch to be let go, but it wouldn't surprise me.

The reason I think he's gone is that it's been asked by the players essentially all year. Playing half ass, saying they don't listen to the coach? I mean what more do you want to fire the coach. It would be difficult to get a worse situation and even possible, we play closer to our potential with a new hire (maybe even compete with SA and OKC????).

I say it's a done deal especially after this last series.

Had we been competitive and tried hard? OK. But getting blown out in several games and only winning one when Wemby is ejected, we're broken and flawed.

[Coolbreeze44]

I wonder what Arod thought about his star player dapping up the opponent with 8 minutes left. I couldn't see him going over to the Red Sox dugout to congratulate them during the 7th inning stretch. Sometimes being quirky isn't cool. I wish the organization, media, and fans weren't so invested in the potential greatness of Ant. We are clearly not going to jump the Spurs or the Thunder anytime soon with our current cast, or with a gutted team that includes an oft injured Giannis. No matter what Tim does this offseason it's hard to see us having any hope of winning a championship next season. We have to try something different, something innovative that drastically changes the way we play. I'm intrigued by what Joel Embiid could possibly bring as a counter to Wemby. I'm also thinking that maybe we completely change and go Paul Westhead and build a fast, good shooting roster that can outrace these teams. I really believe that out of the box thinking is what we need going forward. Otherwise we are just going to be more of what we've seen the last 2 years.

Lol Arod isn't the guy to look towards fire sportsmanship

That's the point, it wasn't the time to be a good sport. I'll bet Arod was infuriated by it. He was the ultimate competitor and had disdain for the competition. It's why he won championships. I hope he was embarrassed enough by it to want to do something about it.

[Monster]

Finch's exit interview...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkyOfKyV5PI

On Team Needs Part I: Talked about needing more connective tissue and toughness to surround Ant, Jaden, and Naz.

This is supposed to be Julius imo and he's not even close.

I don't know how many will agree with this, but I keep thinking lately how about how much of a difference it would make if Julius good play average defense (well enough to be a small ball 5), and played on the offensive end like Draymond Green

I know we love to hate the guy but he's one of the smartest ballers of this era and if Ju could set up the offense, space the floor with his screening and position himself for open 3s, this team would have a viable path with no Rudy.

I have zero faith that Julius would or could re focus his game to this more instead of trying to force the issue with scoring.

Ultimately this type of player should be the primary focus this off-season, and for what it's worth I think IHart would be a good option

I think Randle is willing to do things to win but you can't just become a generational defensive player as an undersized PF. MCdaniels is more likely to become that type of player than Randle is and that's not a knock on Randle. I think Randle has a willingness to do winning things but he isn't a guy with the mental toughness to do those things in addition to not having the aptitude to do them consistently. He also tends to be asked to do a lot offensively as well. Aaron Gordon who is a very good player is closer to this type of player and if a team was gonna play him at C a big chunk of minutes I think those teams would have some big problems defensively and rebounding the ball.

I thought it was interesting that Jon K said in his article after the game 6 loss the Wolves may need to look at options to open up playing time opportunity for Beringer.

[AussieWolf3]

On Team Needs Part I: Talked about needing more connective tissue and toughness to surround Ant, Jaden, and Naz.

This is supposed to be Julius imo and he's not even close.

I don't know how many will agree with this, but I keep thinking lately how about how much of a difference it would make if Julius good play average defense (well enough to be a small ball 5), and played on the offensive end like Draymond Green

I know we love to hate the guy but he's one of the smartest ballers of this era and if Ju could set up the offense, space the floor with his screening and position himself for open 3s, this team would have a viable path with no Rudy.

I have zero faith that Julius would or could re focus his game to this more instead of trying to force the issue with scoring.

Ultimately this type of player should be the primary focus this off-season, and for what it's worth I think IHart would be a good option

I think Randle is willing to do things to win but you can't just become a generational defensive player as an undersized PF. MCdaniels is more likely to become that type of player than Randle is and that's not a knock on Randle. I think Randle has a willingness to do winning things but he isn't a guy with the mental toughness to do those things in addition to not having the aptitude to do them consistently. He also tends to be asked to do a lot offensively as well. Aaron Gordon who is a very good player is closer to this type of player and if a team was gonna play him at C a big chunk of minutes I think those teams would have some big problems defensively and rebounding the ball.

I thought it was interesting that Jon K said in his article after the game 6 loss the Wolves may need to look at options to open up playing time opportunity for Beringer.

Right, as I said, I don't think he could or would do it.

I believe this would be there archetype to add to the team. I think it's possible Jaden could do it, but I think in order to hold up defensively you would need someone with a little more sand in their pants.

Said another way I don't think this team needs to be 5 out but if your gonna have a non shooter out there than you, first, can't have two non shooters, but that non shooter needs to provide that high IQ connectivity. Which again brings me back to IHart, I think he is a good option for this who should be available this off season.

Are there other options?
Sabonis is another type but his defense sucks and he's way too expensive.

[BeenLurkin]

Rather than resurrect the Rate Finch thread again…I will say my prediction is either that he is the coach to start the year if Randle is moved. If Randle stays somehow I would expect they. Move on from the entire staff and give someone else a chance with the roster before making huge changes.

Or my most likely and preferred scenario is that either or of Rudy and Julius are gone and Finch starts the season as coach but will be replaced internally with Nori if we get to the Allstar break under performing again. As I stated in that thread the most commonly successful route of coach replacements on underperforming teams that immediatly find a championship is to hire within.

Nori has had boots on the ground here and if there is a “cancerous” nature keeping the talented roster from getting past their hurdles it is likely he is aware of it. Bringing in a set of new eyes just as often can lead to the negative being overshadowed or potentially a new ego thinks they can fix what the predecessor couldn’t.