Wolves Summer League

[Lipoli390]

EJ Liddell tore his ACL. It sucks when players get hurt anytime but I feel extra bad for guys that get hurt their rookie year.

I saw that. I really feel bad for him.

Ugh! I'm 4 months out from ACL surgery and a little over 5 months out from the original injury and I've since been dealing with repeated muscle tears behind the knee and hamstring pulls (they took the new ACL from a string of tendon and muscle in the hamstring). It's so infuriating. Just when I've thought things were improving, I have another setback and I'm limping again and dealing with pain and soreness. I didn't have these setbacks the first time I had this surgery, maybe because they used donor tissue that time. But either way, I'm seriously pulling for Lidell now if for no other reason than I can identify with the frustration that comes with that injury. Get better kid!

Sorry you're going through that, Drew. No wonder players are usually out for at least a year after ACL surgery. I can see where it would be frustrating. Hope it improves sooner rather than later.

[Lipoli390]

I'm watching the Wolves-Net game right now. The Wolves have a potentially great present, but I'm not optimistic about their future. This Wolves Summer League team is one of the worst I've ever seen in my many years watching Summer League games.

I only see three members of this Wolves SL squad who look like they could maybe play in the NBA: Minott, Moore and Kevon Harris. Minott looks like he could be really good, but that's not certain at all and he's at least 3 years away. Moore looks like he'll be OK playing with better players, but I don't see anything to get excited about. Harris has been the most impressive member of this really unimpressive team by far.

[kekgeek]

I'm watching the Wolves-Net game right now. The Wolves have a potentially great present, but I'm not optimistic about their future. This Wolves Summer League team is one of the worst I've ever seen in my many years watching Summer League games.

I only see three members of this Wolves SL squad who look like they could maybe play in the NBA: Minott, Moore and Kevon Harris. Minott looks like he could be really good, but that's not certain at all and he's at least 3 years away. Moore looks like he'll be OK playing with better players, but I don't see anything to get excited about. Harris has been the most impressive member of this really unimpressive team by far.

Ya it is crazy how bad they are on offense. I will say it's nice not having these games mean life or death for the team like they used to be.

[Lipoli390]

I will say that Minott is a surprisingly good ball-handler. I'd say he has a better handle than McDaniels. He really needs to slow himself down. Meanwhile, Moore needs to be far more aggressive. He's an innately passive player, which might be why he did well surrounded by all those elite players at Duke. But he'll have to be more aggressive to succeed in the NBA. Those are the two guys who could emerge as valuable players for the Wolves down the road. Their development will be important given all the draft assets we gave up for Gobert.

[FNG]

I will say that Minott is a surprisingly good ball-handler. I'd say he has a better handle than McDaniels. He really needs to slow himself down. Meanwhile, Moore needs to be far more aggressive. He's an innately passive player, which might be why he did well surrounded by all those elite players at Duke. But he'll have to be more aggressive to succeed in the NBA. Those are the two guys who could emerge as valuable players for the Wolves down the road. Their development will be important given all the draft assets we gave up for Gobert.

But Lip, can we at the same time talk about how unexcited we are about the guys we picked in the 20s, and mourn the loss of picks every other year that will most likely be in the high 20s? Maybe TC can find a diamond in the rough in the years he has a pick, but I'm not holding my breath...and I suspect he isn't either. It seems his strategy is to go all in on his new Big 3 plus some promising young talent in Jaden and Nowell, and count on some key vets coming in on cheap contracts in free agency chasing a ring (who wouldn't want to play with this core!). I agree that this year's Summer League team has been horrible, but that just makes me feel better about giving up some late first round picks that are more likely to be Ndudi Ebi than Rudy Gobert! I'm 100% on board with TC's strategy, and fully expect us to be in the championship conversation the next 4 years. And how much fun it's going to be!

[Lipoli390]

I will say that Minott is a surprisingly good ball-handler. I'd say he has a better handle than McDaniels. He really needs to slow himself down. Meanwhile, Moore needs to be far more aggressive. He's an innately passive player, which might be why he did well surrounded by all those elite players at Duke. But he'll have to be more aggressive to succeed in the NBA. Those are the two guys who could emerge as valuable players for the Wolves down the road. Their development will be important given all the draft assets we gave up for Gobert.

But Lip, can we at the same time talk about how unexcited we are about the guys we picked in the 20s, and mourn the loss of picks every other year that will most likely be in the high 20s? Maybe TC can find a diamond in the rough in the years he has a pick, but I'm not holding my breath...and I suspect he isn't either. It seems his strategy is to go all in on his new Big 3 plus some promising young talent in Jaden and Nowell, and count on some key vets coming in on cheap contracts in free agency chasing a ring (who wouldn't want to play with this core!). I agree that this year's Summer League team has been horrible, but that just makes me feel better about giving up some late first round picks that are more likely to be Ndudi Ebi than Rudy Gobert! I'm 100% on board with TC's strategy, and fully expect us to be in the championship conversation the next 4 years. And how much fun it's going to be!

I was actually getting excited about Kessler the more I looked into him after the draft. I'm not excited about Moore but would have been excited about Ty Ty. But I still think Moore will be good playing with better players. I remain excited about McDaniels, who we drafted at #28. And yes, I'm excited about a guy drafted at 27 named Rudy Gobert, who I wanted to draft at the time. :) I've always been excited about our prior #43 pick, Nowell, as well as our current #45 pick Minott. If I were a Wizards fan, I'd be excited about getting Denver's #51 pick, Monte Morris. I know the Knicks are excited about signing the former #33 pick, Brunson.

I'll note several things. First, I expect a lot more from Connelly than I did from prior Wolves POBOs given his purported draft prowess and what the Wolves owners are paying him. I expect much better odds of him picking a Rudy Gobert than an Ndudi Ebi in the 20s. If not, we should have stuck with Gupta. Second, you shouldn't assume all our future 1st round picks will in the 20s. The safe assumption is that all our future picks will be outside the lottery (15 and below). And there's always a chance the Wolves are hit with injuries that put them in the lottery for one or more of those 4 future first-round picks we traded - especially the last two picks which relate to seasons after Rudy's contract expires. Third, it's about quantity. Even the best GMs don't hit on all their picks, but the good ones hit on many and the more chances the better. Finally, the Wolves Gobert deal takes away the ability to include further first-round picks in deals over the next 7 years. That's a really important tool to lose.

My point is that it will be much harder now for the Wolves to maneuver to economically in gaps, adjust and build a sustainable winner. Having said that, Gobert definitely elevates the Wolves chances so long as he's here and still paying at a high level as he progresses into his early 30s.

Here's a list of players drafted outside the lottery in the four drafts before 2021 who I'd be excited to have on the Wolves:

2020 DRAFT
1. Isaiah Stewart #16
2. Saddiq Bey #19
3. Tyrese Maxey #21
4. Immanuel Quickley #25
5. Desmond Bane #30
6. Jordan Nwora
7. Others (somewhat excited): Precious Achiuwa, Ukoka Azubuike, Vernon Carey, Marko Simonovic

2019 DRAFT
1. Matisse Thybulle #21
2. Brandon Clarke #21
3. Grant Williams #22
4. Jordan Poole #28
5. Nic Claxton #31
6. Cody Martin #36
7. Terrance Mann #48

2018 DRAFT
1. Donte DiVincenzo #17
2. Kevin Huerter #19
3. Anfernee Simons #24
4. Robert Williams #27
5. Jalen Brunson #33
6. Devonte Graham #34
7. Mitchell Robinson #36
8. Others (somewhat excited): Grayson Allen #21, Landry Shamet #26, Isaac Bonga #39, Melton #46, Milton #54

2017
1. John Collins #19
2. Jarrett Allen #22
3. OGAnunoby #23
4. Kyle Kuzma #27
5. Derrick Whie #29
6. Josh hart #30
7. Isaiah Hartenstein #43
8. Monte Morris #51

[Monster]

I will say that Minott is a surprisingly good ball-handler. I'd say he has a better handle than McDaniels. He really needs to slow himself down. Meanwhile, Moore needs to be far more aggressive. He's an innately passive player, which might be why he did well surrounded by all those elite players at Duke. But he'll have to be more aggressive to succeed in the NBA. Those are the two guys who could emerge as valuable players for the Wolves down the road. Their development will be important given all the draft assets we gave up for Gobert.

But Lip, can we at the same time talk about how unexcited we are about the guys we picked in the 20s, and mourn the loss of picks every other year that will most likely be in the high 20s? Maybe TC can find a diamond in the rough in the years he has a pick, but I'm not holding my breath...and I suspect he isn't either. It seems his strategy is to go all in on his new Big 3 plus some promising young talent in Jaden and Nowell, and count on some key vets coming in on cheap contracts in free agency chasing a ring (who wouldn't want to play with this core!). I agree that this year's Summer League team has been horrible, but that just makes me feel better about giving up some late first round picks that are more likely to be Ndudi Ebi than Rudy Gobert! I'm 100% on board with TC's strategy, and fully expect us to be in the championship conversation the next 4 years. And how much fun it's going to be!

I was actually getting excited about Kessler the more I looked into him after the draft. I'm not excited about Moore but would have been excited about Ty Ty. But I still think Moore will be good playing with better players. I remain excited about McDaniels, who we drafted at #28. And yes, I'm excited about a guy drafted at 27 named Rudy Gobert, who I wanted to draft at the time. :) I've always been excited about our prior #43 pick, Nowell, as well as our current #45 pick Minott. If I were a Wizards fan, I'd be excited about getting Denver's #51 pick, Monte Morris. I know the Knicks are excited about signing the former #33 pick, Brunson.

I'll note several things. First, I expect a lot more from Connelly than I did from prior Wolves POBOs given his purported draft prowess and what the Wolves owners are paying him. I expect much better odds of him picking a Rudy Gobert than an Ndudi Ebi in the 20s. If not, we should have stuck with Gupta. Second, you shouldn't assume all our future 1st round picks will in the 20s. The safe assumption is that all our future picks will be outside the lottery (15 and below). And there's always a chance the Wolves are hit with injuries that put them in the lottery for one or more of those 4 future first-round picks we traded - especially the last two picks which relate to seasons after Rudy's contract expires. Third, it's about quantity. Even the best GMs don't hit on all their picks, but the good ones hit on many and the more chances the better. Finally, the Wolves Gobert deal takes away the ability to include further first-round picks in deals over the next 7 years. That's a really important tool to lose.

My point is that it will be much harder now for the Wolves to maneuver to economically in gaps, adjust and build a sustainable winner. Having said that, Gobert definitely elevates the Wolves chances so long as he's here and still paying at a high level as he progresses into his early 30s.

Here's a list of players drafted outside the lottery in the four drafts before 2021 who I'd be excited to have on the Wolves:

2020 DRAFT
1. Isaiah Stewart #16
2. Saddiq Bey #19
3. Tyrese Maxey #21
4. Immanuel Quickley #25
5. Desmond Bane #30
6. Jordan Nwora
7. Others (somewhat excited): Precious Achiuwa, Ukoka Azubuike, Vernon Carey, Marko Simonovic

2019 DRAFT
1. Matisse Thybulle #21
2. Brandon Clarke #21
3. Grant Williams #22
4. Jordan Poole #28
5. Nic Claxton #31
6. Cody Martin #36
7. Terrance Mann #48

2018 DRAFT
1. Donte DiVincenzo #17
2. Kevin Huerter #19
3. Anfernee Simons #24
4. Robert Williams #27
5. Jalen Brunson #33
6. Devonte Graham #34
7. Mitchell Robinson #36
8. Others (somewhat excited): Grayson Allen #21, Landry Shamet #26, Isaac Bonga #39, Melton #46, Milton #54

2017
1. John Collins #19
2. Jarrett Allen #22
3. OGAnunoby #23
4. Kyle Kuzma #27
5. Derrick Whie #29
6. Josh hart #30
7. Isaiah Hartenstein #43
8. Monte Morris #51

I guess we better get somewhat excited and go sign Issac bonga who is a FA!!! :) I actually think he is a somewhat interesting player.

Lip you could have expanded and gone to the undrafted guys. They are players that any team isn't guaranteed to be able to get but are clearly options going forward for the Wolves.

[Lipoli390]

I will say that Minott is a surprisingly good ball-handler. I'd say he has a better handle than McDaniels. He really needs to slow himself down. Meanwhile, Moore needs to be far more aggressive. He's an innately passive player, which might be why he did well surrounded by all those elite players at Duke. But he'll have to be more aggressive to succeed in the NBA. Those are the two guys who could emerge as valuable players for the Wolves down the road. Their development will be important given all the draft assets we gave up for Gobert.

But Lip, can we at the same time talk about how unexcited we are about the guys we picked in the 20s, and mourn the loss of picks every other year that will most likely be in the high 20s? Maybe TC can find a diamond in the rough in the years he has a pick, but I'm not holding my breath...and I suspect he isn't either. It seems his strategy is to go all in on his new Big 3 plus some promising young talent in Jaden and Nowell, and count on some key vets coming in on cheap contracts in free agency chasing a ring (who wouldn't want to play with this core!). I agree that this year's Summer League team has been horrible, but that just makes me feel better about giving up some late first round picks that are more likely to be Ndudi Ebi than Rudy Gobert! I'm 100% on board with TC's strategy, and fully expect us to be in the championship conversation the next 4 years. And how much fun it's going to be!

I was actually getting excited about Kessler the more I looked into him after the draft. I'm not excited about Moore but would have been excited about Ty Ty. But I still think Moore will be good playing with better players. I remain excited about McDaniels, who we drafted at #28. And yes, I'm excited about a guy drafted at 27 named Rudy Gobert, who I wanted to draft at the time. :) I've always been excited about our prior #43 pick, Nowell, as well as our current #45 pick Minott. If I were a Wizards fan, I'd be excited about getting Denver's #51 pick, Monte Morris. I know the Knicks are excited about signing the former #33 pick, Brunson.

I'll note several things. First, I expect a lot more from Connelly than I did from prior Wolves POBOs given his purported draft prowess and what the Wolves owners are paying him. I expect much better odds of him picking a Rudy Gobert than an Ndudi Ebi in the 20s. If not, we should have stuck with Gupta. Second, you shouldn't assume all our future 1st round picks will in the 20s. The safe assumption is that all our future picks will be outside the lottery (15 and below). And there's always a chance the Wolves are hit with injuries that put them in the lottery for one or more of those 4 future first-round picks we traded - especially the last two picks which relate to seasons after Rudy's contract expires. Third, it's about quantity. Even the best GMs don't hit on all their picks, but the good ones hit on many and the more chances the better. Finally, the Wolves Gobert deal takes away the ability to include further first-round picks in deals over the next 7 years. That's a really important tool to lose.

My point is that it will be much harder now for the Wolves to maneuver to economically in gaps, adjust and build a sustainable winner. Having said that, Gobert definitely elevates the Wolves chances so long as he's here and still paying at a high level as he progresses into his early 30s.

Here's a list of players drafted outside the lottery in the four drafts before 2021 who I'd be excited to have on the Wolves:

2020 DRAFT
1. Isaiah Stewart #16
2. Saddiq Bey #19
3. Tyrese Maxey #21
4. Immanuel Quickley #25
5. Desmond Bane #30
6. Jordan Nwora
7. Others (somewhat excited): Precious Achiuwa, Ukoka Azubuike, Vernon Carey, Marko Simonovic

2019 DRAFT
1. Matisse Thybulle #21
2. Brandon Clarke #21
3. Grant Williams #22
4. Jordan Poole #28
5. Nic Claxton #31
6. Cody Martin #36
7. Terrance Mann #48

2018 DRAFT
1. Donte DiVincenzo #17
2. Kevin Huerter #19
3. Anfernee Simons #24
4. Robert Williams #27
5. Jalen Brunson #33
6. Devonte Graham #34
7. Mitchell Robinson #36
8. Others (somewhat excited): Grayson Allen #21, Landry Shamet #26, Isaac Bonga #39, Melton #46, Milton #54

2017
1. John Collins #19
2. Jarrett Allen #22
3. OGAnunoby #23
4. Kyle Kuzma #27
5. Derrick Whie #29
6. Josh hart #30
7. Isaiah Hartenstein #43
8. Monte Morris #51

I guess we better get somewhat excited and go sign Issac bonga who is a FA!!! :) I actually think he is a somewhat interesting player.

Lip you could have expanded and gone to the undrafted guys. They are players that any team isn't guaranteed to be able to get but are clearly options going forward for the Wolves.

Good point about the undrafted guys. Again, it's quantity. It's important to have as many options as possible to add young talent on team-friendly contracts without having to give up any assets or compete with more attractive markets for free agents. The Gobert deal doesn't make it impossible for Connelly to add good young talent over time; it just makes it far more difficult because it leaves him with far fewer options.

[Monster]

I will say that Minott is a surprisingly good ball-handler. I'd say he has a better handle than McDaniels. He really needs to slow himself down. Meanwhile, Moore needs to be far more aggressive. He's an innately passive player, which might be why he did well surrounded by all those elite players at Duke. But he'll have to be more aggressive to succeed in the NBA. Those are the two guys who could emerge as valuable players for the Wolves down the road. Their development will be important given all the draft assets we gave up for Gobert.

But Lip, can we at the same time talk about how unexcited we are about the guys we picked in the 20s, and mourn the loss of picks every other year that will most likely be in the high 20s? Maybe TC can find a diamond in the rough in the years he has a pick, but I'm not holding my breath...and I suspect he isn't either. It seems his strategy is to go all in on his new Big 3 plus some promising young talent in Jaden and Nowell, and count on some key vets coming in on cheap contracts in free agency chasing a ring (who wouldn't want to play with this core!). I agree that this year's Summer League team has been horrible, but that just makes me feel better about giving up some late first round picks that are more likely to be Ndudi Ebi than Rudy Gobert! I'm 100% on board with TC's strategy, and fully expect us to be in the championship conversation the next 4 years. And how much fun it's going to be!

I was actually getting excited about Kessler the more I looked into him after the draft. I'm not excited about Moore but would have been excited about Ty Ty. But I still think Moore will be good playing with better players. I remain excited about McDaniels, who we drafted at #28. And yes, I'm excited about a guy drafted at 27 named Rudy Gobert, who I wanted to draft at the time. :) I've always been excited about our prior #43 pick, Nowell, as well as our current #45 pick Minott. If I were a Wizards fan, I'd be excited about getting Denver's #51 pick, Monte Morris. I know the Knicks are excited about signing the former #33 pick, Brunson.

I'll note several things. First, I expect a lot more from Connelly than I did from prior Wolves POBOs given his purported draft prowess and what the Wolves owners are paying him. I expect much better odds of him picking a Rudy Gobert than an Ndudi Ebi in the 20s. If not, we should have stuck with Gupta. Second, you shouldn't assume all our future 1st round picks will in the 20s. The safe assumption is that all our future picks will be outside the lottery (15 and below). And there's always a chance the Wolves are hit with injuries that put them in the lottery for one or more of those 4 future first-round picks we traded - especially the last two picks which relate to seasons after Rudy's contract expires. Third, it's about quantity. Even the best GMs don't hit on all their picks, but the good ones hit on many and the more chances the better. Finally, the Wolves Gobert deal takes away the ability to include further first-round picks in deals over the next 7 years. That's a really important tool to lose.

My point is that it will be much harder now for the Wolves to maneuver to economically in gaps, adjust and build a sustainable winner. Having said that, Gobert definitely elevates the Wolves chances so long as he's here and still paying at a high level as he progresses into his early 30s.

Here's a list of players drafted outside the lottery in the four drafts before 2021 who I'd be excited to have on the Wolves:

2020 DRAFT
1. Isaiah Stewart #16
2. Saddiq Bey #19
3. Tyrese Maxey #21
4. Immanuel Quickley #25
5. Desmond Bane #30
6. Jordan Nwora
7. Others (somewhat excited): Precious Achiuwa, Ukoka Azubuike, Vernon Carey, Marko Simonovic

2019 DRAFT
1. Matisse Thybulle #21
2. Brandon Clarke #21
3. Grant Williams #22
4. Jordan Poole #28
5. Nic Claxton #31
6. Cody Martin #36
7. Terrance Mann #48

2018 DRAFT
1. Donte DiVincenzo #17
2. Kevin Huerter #19
3. Anfernee Simons #24
4. Robert Williams #27
5. Jalen Brunson #33
6. Devonte Graham #34
7. Mitchell Robinson #36
8. Others (somewhat excited): Grayson Allen #21, Landry Shamet #26, Isaac Bonga #39, Melton #46, Milton #54

2017
1. John Collins #19
2. Jarrett Allen #22
3. OGAnunoby #23
4. Kyle Kuzma #27
5. Derrick Whie #29
6. Josh hart #30
7. Isaiah Hartenstein #43
8. Monte Morris #51

I guess we better get somewhat excited and go sign Issac bonga who is a FA!!! :) I actually think he is a somewhat interesting player.

Lip you could have expanded and gone to the undrafted guys. They are players that any team isn't guaranteed to be able to get but are clearly options going forward for the Wolves.

Good point about the undrafted guys. Again, it's quantity. It's important to have as many options as possible to add young talent on team-friendly contracts without having to give up any assets or compete with more attractive markets for free agents. The Gobert deal doesn't make it impossible for Connelly to add good young talent over time; it just makes it far more difficult because it leaves him with far fewer options.

Actually one thing the Gobert trade does afford in terms of adding talent is...roster spots. We have seen various teams kinda have to move draft picks or move on from young players because they don't have spots. Heck OKC a team that's building let go of a guy like Roby because they had too many guys. The Wolves having even one more roster spot than they may have could mean they sign and keep an undrafted guy or the next Hartenstein (like when Connelly signed him at Denver) or...there are ways to add worthwhile young talent when you actually have spots available. Again I'd rather have picks but there are guys every year that teams can pick up cheap if they have spots and some teams are better at developing players than others. If the Wolves are good at identifying and developing guys...they can find and end up with legit players. Utah just traded Royce O'Neal for a 1st round pick. He wasn't drafted.

Meanwhile some of the idea of having picks is because the Wolves needed worthwhile players. If the Wolves are good they will be able to get a worthwhile vet player/s that can play now for cheap and we have already seen that this offseason.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

EJ Liddell tore his ACL. It sucks when players get hurt anytime but I feel extra bad for guys that get hurt their rookie year.

I saw that. I really feel bad for him.

Ugh! I'm 4 months out from ACL surgery and a little over 5 months out from the original injury and I've since been dealing with repeated muscle tears behind the knee and hamstring pulls (they took the new ACL from a string of tendon and muscle in the hamstring). It's so infuriating. Just when I've thought things were improving, I have another setback and I'm limping again and dealing with pain and soreness. I didn't have these setbacks the first time I had this surgery, maybe because they used donor tissue that time. But either way, I'm seriously pulling for Lidell now if for no other reason than I can identify with the frustration that comes with that injury. Get better kid!

Sorry you're going through that, Drew. No wonder players are usually out for at least a year after ACL surgery. I can see where it would be frustrating. Hope it improves sooner rather than later.

Thanks man.