Minnesota Sports Forum

60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2026 8:37 am I've had a revelation this morning!

The PF opportunities out there are not very compelling. PJ Washington is grossly overpaid for what he produces -- I sure hope we don't go that route. Rui is fine for depth, so I hope we get him, but he is not worthy of a starting spot. The revelation is "we've got more options in-house that we need to embrace".

McDaniels at the 4 has already been discussed, and is certainly part of the solution going forward, at least for some of his minutes. We know Joan is going to get minutes behind Rudy. But both Rocco and Freeman have something to offer that seems far more intriguing than the junk pile of PFs sitting out there. Both are a threat from the outside, and both can rebound and protect the paint. There are a number of interesting pairings from the group of Rudy, Rocco, Joan and Freeman. TC has amped up our playmaking abilities among our guards and wings, so we are not as reliant on our BIGs to facilitate playmaking, other than being on the receiving end.

I foresee Rocco getting a standard contract before the season begins. The 15th spot will be left open, at least until the prorated vet minimum can be added and still stay under the 2nd apron. Freeman will have the opportunity to earn that spot, otherwise, TC will explore trades, free agency, and buyout candidates to fill it.

So, I am feeling really good about where the Wolves roster sits. Rocco and/or Freeman will have an opportunity to make an impact. And the only question is who this vet minimum will be to add depth to our frontcourt.

rapsuperstar31 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2026 9:54 am

60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2026 8:37 am I've had a revelation this morning!

The PF opportunities out there are not very compelling. PJ Washington is grossly overpaid for what he produces -- I sure hope we don't go that route. Rui is fine for depth, so I hope we get him, but he is not worthy of a starting spot. The revelation is "we've got more options in-house that we need to embrace".

McDaniels at the 4 has already been discussed, and is certainly part of the solution going forward, at least for some of his minutes. We know Joan is going to get minutes behind Rudy. But both Rocco and Freeman have something to offer that seems far more intriguing than the junk pile of PFs sitting out there. Both are a threat from the outside, and both can rebound and protect the paint. There are a number of interesting pairings from the group of Rudy, Rocco, Joan and Freeman. TC has amped up our playmaking abilities among our guards and wings, so we are not as reliant on our BIGs to facilitate playmaking, other than being on the receiving end.

I foresee Rocco getting a standard contract before the season begins. The 15th spot will be left open, at least until the prorated vet minimum can be added and still stay under the 2nd apron. Freeman will have the opportunity to earn that spot, otherwise, TC will explore trades, free agency, and buyout candidates to fill it.

So, I am feeling really good about where the Wolves roster sits. Rocco and/or Freeman will have an opportunity to make an impact. And the only question is who this vet minimum will be to add depth to our frontcourt.

I personally like Washington, he was the main reason Dallas knocked out OKC a few years ago. I think he's paid fairly, but I also don't think he is someone that can scale up like some of our guys can. He is a role player, but he plays that role very well. Great defender, good shooter when not tasked to be a main shooter. This year he struggled shooting the ball with more responsibility.

I just see no way we could possibly pay Donte next season if you sent TSJ and Green for PJ (unless you eventually move Rudy) Right now we have 5 guys in that 20-52 million price range for the 27-28 season Ant, Ball, Rudy, Jaden, and Ayo. Similar to New York who has their 5 starters all making 20-57 million next season, and they just let Mitchell Robinson go because they couldn't pay him and stay under the 2nd apron. If the main 5 guys that we want to pay are Ant, Ball, Jaden, Rudy, and Ayo, we just can't afford another 20 million player, and even without PJ it might be tough to extend Donte.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2026 10:15 am Right, at some point the money runs out and you can only pay so many players $12M+ per year. We've effectively re-allocated a whole bunch of $ to the backcourt from the frontcourt. But we still have Rudy and Jaden! It's just that we don't have 4 frontcourt guys, 2 of whom could ONLY play PF in Naz and Julius, eating up $110M of payroll anymore!!!

As of today, we're right there with other contending teams in terms of the number of guys at those high salary levels. Adding someone like PJ without trading away two of our other 12M+ guys would give us the most top-heavy roster (in terms of payroll) in the NBA.

At some point Connelly and Finch are going to have to rely more heavily on cheaper talent to fill some of the gaps. We have some possibilities on that front as 60WinTim pointed out.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2026 10:15 am Right, at some point the money runs out and you can only pay so many players $12M+ per year. We've effectively re-allocated a whole bunch of $ to the backcourt from the frontcourt. But we still have Rudy and Jaden! It's just that we don't have 4 frontcourt guys, 2 of whom could ONLY play PF in Naz and Julius, eating up $110M of payroll anymore!!!

As of today, we're right there with other contending teams in terms of the number of guys at those high salary levels. Adding someone like PJ without trading away two of our other 12M+ guys would give us the most top-heavy roster (in terms of payroll) in the NBA.

At some point Connelly and Finch are going to have to rely more heavily on cheaper talent to fill some of the gaps. We have some possibilities on that front as 60WinTim pointed out.

Lipoli390 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2026 12:10 pm

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2026 10:15 am Right, at some point the money runs out and you can only pay so many players $12M+ per year. We've effectively re-allocated a whole bunch of $ to the backcourt from the frontcourt. But we still have Rudy and Jaden! It's just that we don't have 4 frontcourt guys, 2 of whom could ONLY play PF in Naz and Julius, eating up $110M of payroll anymore!!!

As of today, we're right there with other contending teams in terms of the number of guys at those high salary levels. Adding someone like PJ without trading away two of our other 12M+ guys would give us the most top-heavy roster (in terms of payroll) in the NBA.

At some point Connelly and Finch are going to have to rely more heavily on cheaper talent to fill some of the gaps. We have some possibilities on that front as 60WinTim pointed out.

I agree, Q. Connelly seems caught up in stargazing but when you do that you can miss opportunities right in front of your nose. I really think we should sign Sochan to a vet minimum. He reminds me of Vanderbilt. He also reminds me a bit of Rodman and not just because of the hair. If you watch the entire highlight reel below you’ll also see he can shoot. And he’s still young with lots of upside.

https://youtu.be/U4TApUhzlAg