WOJ Live: Free Agency Show

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

While I don't disagree with the narrative that you can never have too much shooting, let's revisit the most amazing Wolves' stat I have read in a long time...we ranked 3rd in the league in 3-point shooting percentage after the all-star break...3rd, behind the Spurs and Warriors! Our best 4:

Belly 48.3%
Zach 46.2
Wig 41.3
Ricky 36.9

That's 3 starters and an important reserve who all had a very good half year beyond the arc. One could argue that the sample size is too small, but it's 1/4 of Wig and Zach's career, and half of Belly's career...that's a solid sample size in my opinion. Further, the Wolves offense last year was one of the worst in creating the most efficient shot in basketball...the corner three. A little more creativity in setting up corner threes could make last year's second half results even better.

Yes, let's go out and find another shooter, but let's not forget that there's some evidence that 3-point shooting might not be the problem we think it is...it could actually be a strength.

[Monster]

Who was the best shooter in the D League last season? We should sign him.

...might as well just go get Troy Daniels then, although damn, we still need to spend more money! We could afford someone even better if they still exist out there!

If we are looking for the best pure shooter I think I'd take Seth Curry.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Who was the best shooter in the D League last season? We should sign him.

...might as well just go get Troy Daniels then, although damn, we still need to spend more money! We could afford someone even better if they still exist out there!

If we are looking for the best pure shooter I think I'd take Seth Curry.

I think that's a great call, monster...really good fit for the Wolves:

1) He's been a terrific 3-point shooter everywhere he has been...over 40% during his three years at Duke, lights out in the D League, and when he was finally given a chance in the NBA, 45% with Sac-Town last year.

2)He's not a great distributor, but we'd be looking for a 3-point shooter to back up Zach (since it looks like we are rolling with Wig at SF). And because Ricky and Dunn can both guard SGs, Seth can defend the opponents' PG, which makes his defense less of a liability.

He turned down $4 million with Kings, so he's looking for a lot more than that. And he has attracted a lot of interest. But we have the cap space many other teams don't have, so I would take a risk on $24 million over 3 years. There's no question he has the shooting pedigree!

[Monster]

I'm not disappointed by FA so far I never really thought the Wolves were going to land a top contributor. 50/50 for Deng is about as optimistic as I could get.

I felt and continue to do so that adding solid players to the team can help it take the next step. Aldrich is a terrific start. Another couple solid depth guys like that would be big for a team that's struggled quite a bit with its bench at times and depth the last few years. It's also possible we end up with a young/ish player with a little bit of promise still. This is mostly how I thought FA would play out for the Wolves and I'm glad they haven't overpaid just to get some guys.

[Phenom]

While I don't disagree with the narrative that you can never have too much shooting, let's revisit the most amazing Wolves' stat I have read in a long time...we ranked 3rd in the league in 3-point shooting percentage after the all-star break...3rd, behind the Spurs and Warriors! Our best 4:

Belly 48.3%
Zach 46.2
Wig 41.3
Ricky 36.9

That's 3 starters and an important reserve who all had a very good half year beyond the arc. One could argue that the sample size is too small, but it's 1/4 of Wig and Zach's career, and half of Belly's career...that's a solid sample size in my opinion. Further, the Wolves offense last year was one of the worst in creating the most efficient shot in basketball...the corner three. A little more creativity in setting up corner threes could make last year's second half results even better.

Yes, let's go out and find another shooter, but let's not forget that there's some evidence that 3-point shooting might not be the problem we think it is...it could actually be a strength.

I think that just the way the roster is built, the improvement and need for more 3 point shooting has to mostly come from within. Everyone is expecting Rubio, Zach, Drew, Gorgui, and Kat to get heavy minutes and more importantly carry the load. It's going to be on them to hit threes.

[Monster]

Who was the best shooter in the D League last season? We should sign him.

...might as well just go get Troy Daniels then, although damn, we still need to spend more money! We could afford someone even better if they still exist out there!

If we are looking for the best pure shooter I think I'd take Seth Curry.

I think that's a great call, monster...really good fit for the Wolves:

1) He's been a terrific 3-point shooter everywhere he has been...over 40% during his three years at Duke, lights out in the D League, and when he was finally given a chance in the NBA, 45% with Sac-Town last year.

2)He's not a great distributor, but we'd be looking for a 3-point shooter to back up Zach (since it looks like we are rolling with Wig at SF). And because Ricky and Dunn can both guard SGs, Seth can defend the opponents' PG, which makes his defense less of a liability.

He turned down $4 million with Kings, so he's looking for a lot more than that. And he has attracted a lot of interest. But we have the cap space many other teams don't have, so I would take a risk on $24 million over 3 years. There's no question he has the shooting pedigree!

Where did you see he turned down 4 million?

[Lipoli390]

I think Thibs and Layden have ended up in a good place so far with Dunn and Aldrich. Now they'll likely add another 2nd or 3rd tier free agent. We'll see who that is soon.

Based on reports, they pursued Deng and Gasol. Not sure whether we were unwilling to meet their price or whether those 2 players had other reasons for not signing with the Wolves. I hope it was the money in which case I'd respect Thibs and Scott for setting their parameters and sticking to them. However, if it wasn't the money then I'm a bit concerned.

Regarding Luol Deng, it would mean that Deng chose a less talented team and first time head coach he's never played for over a better, more talented team with a head coach he played for and had success with for years. It would rekindle my initial fear that players don't like playing for Thibs.

Regarding Gasol, I would understand if the Spurs and even the Raptors were the only 2 remaining teams he was considering. But apparently he's still considering the Blazers. They surprised everyone last season, but they don't have the talent the Wolves have. Again, if it wasn't the money, I'm concerned about another former Thibs player rejecting another chance to play for him on what Thibs and most respected analysts consider the most talented young tesm in the League. And the Wolves also have Gasol's friend and fellow-Spaniard on he roster.

I'm not jumping to any conclusions. Just wondering.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Who was the best shooter in the D League last season? We should sign him.

...might as well just go get Troy Daniels then, although damn, we still need to spend more money! We could afford someone even better if they still exist out there!

If we are looking for the best pure shooter I think I'd take Seth Curry.

I think that's a great call, monster...really good fit for the Wolves:

1) He's been a terrific 3-point shooter everywhere he has been...over 40% during his three years at Duke, lights out in the D League, and when he was finally given a chance in the NBA, 45% with Sac-Town last year.

2)He's not a great distributor, but we'd be looking for a 3-point shooter to back up Zach (since it looks like we are rolling with Wig at SF). And because Ricky and Dunn can both guard SGs, Seth can defend the opponents' PG, which makes his defense less of a liability.

He turned down $4 million with Kings, so he's looking for a lot more than that. And he has attracted a lot of interest. But we have the cap space many other teams don't have, so I would take a risk on $24 million over 3 years. There's no question he has the shooting pedigree!

Where did you see he turned down 4 million?

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--seth-curry-leaving-kings-225004766.html

"Curry chose to opt out of the second year of a two-year, $4 million contract this summer."

I think Phenom's right, that what we need to get better at 3 point shooting is to get better at 3 point shooting! I don't want a guy who is basically just a 3 point shooter, and tying up money in a guy like that would be a mistake. We need to have more well rounded players, not one-trick ponies.

That should eventually mean acquiring a guy who is a better 3 point shooter, but he needs to have other skills as well. For now, it means LaVine and Bjelica need to get ready to shoot more 3s. Wiggins and Rubio need to keep working on their shot. Dunn needs to prove he can hit the 3 and if he does at a higher rate than Rubio, then he'll get more minutes than a typical rookie backup. Bazz has been hot and cold from 3, needs to learn consistency. Plus KAT and even Dieng have shown they can hit some 3s. Might as well find ways to make that happen a bit more (assuming percentages are ok).

[petecorcoran [enjin:6658618]]

I think Thibs and Layden have ended up in a good place so far with Dunn and Aldrich. Now they'll likely add another 2nd or 3rd tier free agent. We'll see who that is soon.

Based on reports, they pursued Deng and Gasol. Not sure whether we were unwilling to meet their price or whether those 2 players had other reasons for not signing with the Wolves. I hope it was the money in which case I'd respect Thibs and Scott for setting their parameters and sticking to them. However, if it wasn't the money then I'm a bit concerned.

Regarding Luol Deng, it would mean that Deng chose a less talented team and first time head coach he's never played for over a better, more talented team with a head coach he played for and had success with for years. It would rekindle my initial fear that players don't like playing for Thibs.

Regarding Gasol, I would understand if the Spurs and even the Raptors were the only 2 remaining teams he was considering. But apparently he's still considering the Blazers. They surprised everyone last season, but they don't have the talent the Wolves have. Again, if it wasn't the money, I'm concerned about another former Thibs player rejecting another chance to play for him on what Thibs and most respected analysts consider the most talented young tesm in the League. And the Wolves also have Gasol's friend and fellow-Spaniard on he roster.

I'm not jumping to any conclusions. Just wondering.

I agree that you might be right on the Thibs relationship.

However, Deng signed a 4 year deal... and that's probably something we don't want to do, given what's ahead on resigning Wiggins, Lavine and Towns. So,it's possible he just went where the money is.

[Lipoli390]

I generally agree with Drew about not tying up significant money on someone who only shoots threes. Makes we wonder again why we didn't pursue Afflalo - a very good three-point shooter who can defend and do some other things. He ended up getting a very cap-friendly contract.

I don't know who's left among free agents who's a really good three-point shooter but more than a one-trick poney.