Minnesota Sports Forum

BizarroJerry wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:So our experts here are already writing off Okogie after one half of a season and really not that many overall minutes?

You're creating a false narrative.

I don't think a single person has written off Okogie.

Some people, however, are tempering expectations just a bit... just like they've done with about 395 other Wolves players over the years.

How is it false? To say someone won't become a star is to write him off. And as a first round pick, we should give him at least a couple seasons.

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:So our experts here are already writing off Okogie after one half of a season and really not that many overall minutes?

You're creating a false narrative.

I don't think a single person has written off Okogie.

Some people, however, are tempering expectations just a bit... just like they've done with about 395 other Wolves players over the years.

How is it false? To say someone won't become a star is to write him off. And as a first round pick, we should give him at least a couple seasons.

Did people definitively say he won't be a star... ?

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

AbeVigodaLive wrote:If the Wolves are building toward the future with Tyus Jones and Josh Okogie as two of the most important "building blocks"... we're fucked.

Now don't get me wrong, I like both of them for various reasons.

But look around the league and find me another team with any sort of promise whatsoever that's pointing to players like Tyus Jones and Josh Okogie as key building blocks.

PER 36:
12.0 ppg / 36.4% fg
9.6 ppg / 38.0% fg

Don't disagree, but we've talked often about team defense being a bit of a wildcard that can lift a seemingly "meh" roster to relevancy (e.g. Indiana). Tyus is a plus team defender and Okogie looks to be on his way. For that reason alone, they can contribute to a winning organization without putting up a bunch of sexy numbers. But yeah.....you need to squint REALLY hard to see any two-way stars in the offing.

I don't see Tyus or Saric becoming stars or elite 2-way players. But both can be very good and important building blocks for the Wolves going forward. I don't have a hard time seeing Okogie becoming a star. His athleticism, freakish length and competitive drive give him the basic tools to become great. He's actually a good ballhandler and good passer as well. And what gets overlooked sometimes is appears to be a high basketball IQ. Yes, he makes rookie mistakes that sometimes flow from his high-octane motor. But he has a good feel for the game. His Achilles so far is his shooting. But I just harken back to his college shooting stats, which are nearly identical to Donovan Mitchell's college shooting stats, except that Okogie was a better 3-point shooter. Don't get me wrong. I'm not predicting Okogie will become a star. Based on his stats this season, I wouldn't bet a lot of money on him becoming a star. But I can still envision him becoming one and I don't think that's too much of a stretch.

Bottom line is this. The Wolves will go nowhere and KAT will be pushing for a trade in 3-4 years if the Wolves don't pair him with another star. Wiggins will NEVER be that second star. If Okogie doesn't develop into a star, then the Wolves will have to draft one because we'll never land one in a trade or free agency. As much as I think Okogie CAN become a star, I wouldn't put all my marbles in that bucket. That's why it's imperative that the Wolves stop striving to make the playoffs this season and focus on playing the young guys, including Okogie, Tyus, Saric and even KDB. Not only will that give us a better sense of what we have in our young guys, it will likely improve our draft position.

Duke13 wrote:I personally don't see Saric as an ideal starter next to Kat, he's a good player and upgrade over Taj. He's limited athletically, but that that said there are a limited number of Siacams in the league. I'm not one bit surprised a contented wouldn't give up anything of value for Taj, just not that impactful for a contender.

monsterpile wrote:

Duke13 wrote:I personally don't see Saric as an ideal starter next to Kat, he's a good player and upgrade over Taj. He's limited athletically, but that that said there are a limited number of Siacams in the league. I'm not one bit surprised a contented wouldn't give up anything of value for Taj, just not that impactful for a contender.

The problem wasn't Taj's value it was that he makes 14 million. Who has the expiring players/contracts they don't want to give up to make the deal work? The Wolves weren't going to take back any significant salary for next year to make the deal work. Like a lot of deals and no deals it was about money. I just thought it was interesting that they were actually looking to make a deal.

Duke13 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Duke13 wrote:I personally don't see Saric as an ideal starter next to Kat, he's a good player and upgrade over Taj. He's limited athletically, but that that said there are a limited number of Siacams in the league. I'm not one bit surprised a contented wouldn't give up anything of value for Taj, just not that impactful for a contender.

The problem wasn't Taj's value it was that he makes 14 million. Who has the expiring players/contracts they don't want to give up to make the deal work? The Wolves weren't going to take back any significant salary for next year to make the deal work. Like a lot of deals and no deals it was about money. I just thought it was interesting that they were actually looking to make a deal.

I would agree the salary matching was part of it, always is. But the demand was minimal.

Duke13 wrote:I listened to quite a few national NBA podcasts regularly, a lot of focus on the deadline. Not once did I hear Taj's name. Deductive reasoning I guess.