Free Agents of Interest

[AbeVigodaLive]

A Dillingham/Conley backcourt does not impress me.

One is too young and mercurial... and the other too old and predictable.

There has to something else at play here. Because going "all in" on veteran continuity after back-to-back WCF appearances, only to have the entire season rest on the shoulders of an entirely unproven PG seems like a disconnect. Unless Conley was battling unknown ailments last year, he's proven incapable of picking up the slack if Dillingham falters.

[Monster]

The list was first created by KG4Ever, so he deserves the credit. I just thought when he first initiated this thread it was premature since we didn't know where we were at with the draft and our own free agents. Now that the picture is clearer, it's a good discussion to have.

Given what appears to be a year of continuity versus some big shift, Tyus does seem like a very safe choice. I think the selling point for him is that he would be the presumed starter to open the season with Dillingham as his primary backup.

I think the one sticking point is Conley. Does he truly deserve to get demoted to a 3rd string PG/insurance policy? His ability to make plays off the bounce (e.g. his floater in the lane, connecting on 'oops to Rudy, etc.) has deteriorated significantly, yet his outside shooting and defense held up well last season.

FWIW when someone replied to one of Jon K' s tweets asking about Tyus coming here Jon said he thought it was unlikely because Tyus would be looking for a bigger role than what he would have here. I tend to agree. It kinda sucks that he went to the Suns to build up his value but it likely hurt his value. Fortunately there are other solid options.

I agree with Jon. I’d be really surprised if either of the Jones brothers would be willing to come here, even for the full taxpayer MLE unless we traded Conley or Dilly. Otherwise, the position too crowded. I don’t think I’m out on a limb predicting there is zero chance either of the Jones brothers will sign here. In my view, that’s a good thing. We traded up to #8 for Dilly and he’s been here for a year. We need to put him in there. If our front office doesn’t think Conley is up to playing 20-25 minutes per game either starting or off the bench next season, then they should move him. Otherwise, it’s Conley and Dilly. Yes, there’s risk in relying on Dilly as a main piece at PG next season but there’s risk in nearly every consequential move. Trading for Durant would have been risky. Putting Dilly in there to learn on the job next season means taking a half step or step back next season than do be it. Sometimes you have to do that to take the necessary leap forward thereafter. Keep in mind that we have our own 1st round pick next season as compensation for taking a temporary step back.

As you noted in another post, Monster, we don’t have to spend the full taxpayer MLE. My thought is we’d have to if we want a PG like one of the Jones brothers. But I don’t think we have a realistic chance of signing a consequential PG like a Jones brothers or Schroeder. Therefore, I think we’re looking at a third PG at the vet minimum as insurance - someone like Dinwiddie. I still think we need to sign a defensive-oriented backup big behind Rudy.

I'm not sure Dinwiddie is even in play even for more than the vet min. I think we need to set our sites a little lower or plan to wait things out for someone that gets left behind.

Also when you said Jones brothers I read it as Jonas brothers. I really don't think they will be available either unless it's for a halftime appearance.

[Monster]

A Dillingham/Conley backcourt does not impress me.

One is too young and mercurial... and the other too old and predictable.

There has to something else at play here. Because going "all in" on veteran continuity after back-to-back WCF appearances, only to have the entire season rest on the shoulders of an entirely unproven PG seems like a disconnect. Unless Conley was battling unknown ailments last year, he's proven incapable of picking up the slack if Dillingham falters.

Donte can help some but I agree with this take. They need to add someone that has actually played ball.

Joe Ingles to the rescue!!!!!!

Even signing Jordan MacLaughlin would make me feel better. I'm hoping for something a little better but we could do worse.

Saying all that at some point they likely need to find out if Dillingham is any good or not.

[Lipoli390]

A Dillingham/Conley backcourt does not impress me.

One is too young and mercurial... and the other too old and predictable.

There has to something else at play here. Because going "all in" on veteran continuity after back-to-back WCF appearances, only to have the entire season rest on the shoulders of an entirely unproven PG seems like a disconnect. Unless Conley was battling unknown ailments last year, he's proven incapable of picking up the slack if Dillingham falters.

Dillingham too young and mercurial?? Young yes, but where did you come up with mercurial to describe him? What do you know that leads you to believe he’s subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind? That term could fairly describe Kevin Durant, but I don’t think it applies to anyone on the Wolves roster. Is Dilly too young? We don’t know and we won’t until we see him on the court for extended minutes. Is Conley too old? I think it depends on how he’s used and how many minutes he plays. He wasn’t terrible last season.

[Lipoli390]

A Dillingham/Conley backcourt does not impress me.

One is too young and mercurial... and the other too old and predictable.

There has to something else at play here. Because going "all in" on veteran continuity after back-to-back WCF appearances, only to have the entire season rest on the shoulders of an entirely unproven PG seems like a disconnect. Unless Conley was battling unknown ailments last year, he's proven incapable of picking up the slack if Dillingham falters.

Donte can help some but I agree with this take. They need to add someone that has actually played ball.

Joe Ingles to the rescue!!!!!!

Even signing Jordan MacLaughlin would make me feel better. I'm hoping for something a little better but we could do worse.

Saying all that at some point they likely need to find out if Dillingham is any good or not.

I agree, Monster. We just need to be realistic, as I know you are, about who we can get as our third PG. Unless we trade Conley or Dilly, we’re not going to sign a player at the level of the Jones brothers or Schroeder because they won’t be able to count on enough minutes or enough of a role to match their talents and ambitions. Instead, it will be someone at the level of a Dinwiddie. Perhaps Jordan MacLaughlin makes sense.

[AbeVigodaLive]

A Dillingham/Conley backcourt does not impress me.

One is too young and mercurial... and the other too old and predictable.

There has to something else at play here. Because going "all in" on veteran continuity after back-to-back WCF appearances, only to have the entire season rest on the shoulders of an entirely unproven PG seems like a disconnect. Unless Conley was battling unknown ailments last year, he's proven incapable of picking up the slack if Dillingham falters.

Dillingham too young and mercurial?? Young yes, but where did you come up with mercurial to describe him? What do you know that leads you to believe he’s subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind? That term could fairly describe Kevin Durant, but I don’t think it applies to anyone on the Wolves roster. Is Dilly too young? We don’t know and we won’t until we see him on the court for extended minutes. Is Conley too old? I think it depends on how he’s used and how many minutes he plays. He wasn’t terrible last season.

Yeah. Maybe "mercurial" isn't the best word. I was referencing the unpredictability of his on-court play... not his off-court mindset.

Obviously, Conley wasn't terrible. And he can be great in his role as backup. Tone setter. Efficient. But that's as a backup. He becomes more and more overextended the more minutes he's forced to play. So again... a lot of expectations for Dillingham to produce. And that's without a rotation guy who could help offset some of the facilitating chores (NAW).

[Lipoli390]

A Dillingham/Conley backcourt does not impress me.

One is too young and mercurial... and the other too old and predictable.

There has to something else at play here. Because going "all in" on veteran continuity after back-to-back WCF appearances, only to have the entire season rest on the shoulders of an entirely unproven PG seems like a disconnect. Unless Conley was battling unknown ailments last year, he's proven incapable of picking up the slack if Dillingham falters.

Dillingham too young and mercurial?? Young yes, but where did you come up with mercurial to describe him? What do you know that leads you to believe he’s subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind? That term could fairly describe Kevin Durant, but I don’t think it applies to anyone on the Wolves roster. Is Dilly too young? We don’t know and we won’t until we see him on the court for extended minutes. Is Conley too old? I think it depends on how he’s used and how many minutes he plays. He wasn’t terrible last season.

Yeah. Maybe "mercurial" isn't the best word. I was referencing the unpredictability of his on-court play... not his off-court mindset.

Obviously, Conley wasn't terrible. And he can be great in his role as backup. Tone setter. Efficient. But that's as a backup. He becomes more and more overextended the more minutes he's forced to play. So again... a lot of expectations for Dillingham to produce. And that's without a rotation guy who could help offset some of the facilitating chores (NAW).

I see the risk in going forward solely with Conley and Dilly. But I think it’s a risk we’ll have to take unless we’re willing to move one or the other this summer. I’m betting on Dilly and if I’m placing my bet on him too early then I’m willing to see this team take a step back in order to take two steps forward the the next season. Having said all that, I agree with Monster that we should mitigate the risk by signing a serviceable proven vet PG like Dinwiddie, Delon Wright, Monte Morris or even JMac to a vet minimum deal.

[Q-is-here]

A Dillingham/Conley backcourt does not impress me.

One is too young and mercurial... and the other too old and predictable.

There has to something else at play here. Because going "all in" on veteran continuity after back-to-back WCF appearances, only to have the entire season rest on the shoulders of an entirely unproven PG seems like a disconnect. Unless Conley was battling unknown ailments last year, he's proven incapable of picking up the slack if Dillingham falters.

Dillingham too young and mercurial?? Young yes, but where did you come up with mercurial to describe him? What do you know that leads you to believe he’s subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind? That term could fairly describe Kevin Durant, but I don’t think it applies to anyone on the Wolves roster. Is Dilly too young? We don’t know and we won’t until we see him on the court for extended minutes. Is Conley too old? I think it depends on how he’s used and how many minutes he plays. He wasn’t terrible last season.

Yeah. Maybe "mercurial" isn't the best word. I was referencing the unpredictability of his on-court play... not his off-court mindset.

Obviously, Conley wasn't terrible. And he can be great in his role as backup. Tone setter. Efficient. But that's as a backup. He becomes more and more overextended the more minutes he's forced to play. So again... a lot of expectations for Dillingham to produce. And that's without a rotation guy who could help offset some of the facilitating chores (NAW).

Abe, I'll give you points for using the word "mercurial" because, after all, it is a pretty cool word. But yeah, probably not the first fancy word that comes to mind when it comes to Dillingham.

Fortunately, Tim has magnanimously agreed not to revoke your Midwest Volleyball membership and you are still allowed to post here.

[Lipoli390]

Dillingham too young and mercurial?? Young yes, but where did you come up with mercurial to describe him? What do you know that leads you to believe he’s subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind? That term could fairly describe Kevin Durant, but I don’t think it applies to anyone on the Wolves roster. Is Dilly too young? We don’t know and we won’t until we see him on the court for extended minutes. Is Conley too old? I think it depends on how he’s used and how many minutes he plays. He wasn’t terrible last season.

Yeah. Maybe "mercurial" isn't the best word. I was referencing the unpredictability of his on-court play... not his off-court mindset.

Obviously, Conley wasn't terrible. And he can be great in his role as backup. Tone setter. Efficient. But that's as a backup. He becomes more and more overextended the more minutes he's forced to play. So again... a lot of expectations for Dillingham to produce. And that's without a rotation guy who could help offset some of the facilitating chores (NAW).

Abe, I'll give you points for using the word "mercurial" because, after all, it is a pretty cool word. But yeah, probably not the first fancy word that comes to mind when it comes to Dillingham.

Fortunately, Tim has magnanimously agreed not to revoke your Midwest Volleyball membership and you are still allowed to post here.

I’d like Tim to reconsider his decision. . Seriously, I thought I might have missed some reporting on Dilly. We spent some time on the airport tram in Vegas with Dilly, TSJ, and Jesse Edwards last summer. They were all class acts. Dilly had his girlfriend with him. My wife and I loved the fact that Dilly brought his girl friend. How many 19 year old NBA lottery picks would bring their girl friends to Vegas? An endearing moment was when Jesse Edwards asked Dilly why he had his girlfriend with him. Dilly’s answer: “Because I get lonely.” When TC talks about drafting, adding and keeping players with character, he means it.

[Monster]

Yeah. Maybe "mercurial" isn't the best word. I was referencing the unpredictability of his on-court play... not his off-court mindset.

Obviously, Conley wasn't terrible. And he can be great in his role as backup. Tone setter. Efficient. But that's as a backup. He becomes more and more overextended the more minutes he's forced to play. So again... a lot of expectations for Dillingham to produce. And that's without a rotation guy who could help offset some of the facilitating chores (NAW).

Abe, I'll give you points for using the word "mercurial" because, after all, it is a pretty cool word. But yeah, probably not the first fancy word that comes to mind when it comes to Dillingham.

Fortunately, Tim has magnanimously agreed not to revoke your Midwest Volleyball membership and you are still allowed to post here.

I’d like Tim to reconsider his decision. . Seriously, I thought I might have missed some reporting on Dilly. We spent some time on the airport tram in Vegas with Dilly, TSJ, and Jesse Edwards last summer. They were all class acts. Dilly had his girlfriend with him. My wife and I loved the fact that Dilly brought his girl friend. How many 19 year old NBA lottery picks would bring their girl friends to Vegas? An endearing moment was when Jesse Edwards asked Dilly why he had his girlfriend with him. Dilly’s answer: “Because I get lonely.” When TC talks about drafting, adding and keeping players with character, he means it.

It's not a reason to resign Randle and keep him but I think he is a good guy for the young players to have around. He seems to have a nice family dynamic going on.

Ingles had a whole thing last year with his kid. I'll add that unless something has changed Ingles wife and kid will be in Orlando and Ingles with the Wolves in season. Ingles must like it here or he might decide to retire and be at home instead. Making over 3 million for probably riding the bench is nice but yeah.