PF/big front court targets

[Monster]

It's an imperfect science but I have been enjoying watching videos of various NBA bigs that the Wolves could add to the roster. I've also watched similar videos of Naz and even Knight just to do a comparison. I've mentioned how Naz compares and Knight he has a really intriguing theoretical skill set but he is still pretty unrefined. He is pretty mobile but has some physicality to him plus he has a base of skills offensively that that if he could round it out and his shooting is at all real it would make him pretty valuable. Like I said he isn't there yet and may never get there but I think he has a chance to be a worthwhile depth guy.

Now the main reason for this post is I watched some videos of Vanderbilt this morning. Compared to some other guys Vanderbilt kinda reminds me of a wing that can't do anything else so he just plays his butt off and gets rebounds. This works for Vanderbilt partly because he has legit length and he is a good athlete. He also has legit SF movement so he can defend a variety of players even on the perimeter. This makes him unique and valuable demote things he doesn't do well. The thing is he just doesn't play that strong. His hands aren't strong his movements aren't powerful. He just turned 23 and while he still doesn't play strong he has come a long way in that regard. His defense has improved significantly. He also improved his FT shooting and that shot simply looks better. I'm not going to get my hopes up for Vanderbilt in terms of his hands or his shooting ability but I do wonder if as he plays more and develops that he can play stronger. It's possible he could develop physically too.

Again I think the Wolves need to keep adding to their frontcourt to develop a group of players similar to what they have done with the guards. Vanderbilt is a great success story and so is Naz. Knight might be worth keeping around for the pipeline too. The Wolves need another rotation minute worth frontcourt big and it would be great if it was a guy that played like a true big with force regardless of their size. It would be nice to get someone with some edge and the physicality to back it up. Again that doesn't mean it has to be a big center.

[kekgeek]

Guys it's going to be Jokic, Tim Connelly on his way to Minnesota. Was just in Serbia to give Jokic his mvp and hang out. Jokic is a free agent next year, wolves have max cap space.

Let a man dream

[Lipoli390]

It's an imperfect science but I have been enjoying watching videos of various NBA bigs that the Wolves could add to the roster. I've also watched similar videos of Naz and even Knight just to do a comparison. I've mentioned how Naz compares and Knight he has a really intriguing theoretical skill set but he is still pretty unrefined. He is pretty mobile but has some physicality to him plus he has a base of skills offensively that that if he could round it out and his shooting is at all real it would make him pretty valuable. Like I said he isn't there yet and may never get there but I think he has a chance to be a worthwhile depth guy.

Now the main reason for this post is I watched some videos of Vanderbilt this morning. Compared to some other guys Vanderbilt kinda reminds me of a wing that can't do anything else so he just plays his butt off and gets rebounds. This works for Vanderbilt partly because he has legit length and he is a good athlete. He also has legit SF movement so he can defend a variety of players even on the perimeter. This makes him unique and valuable demote things he doesn't do well. The thing is he just doesn't play that strong. His hands aren't strong his movements aren't powerful. He just turned 23 and while he still doesn't play strong he has come a long way in that regard. His defense has improved significantly. He also improved his FT shooting and that shot simply looks better. I'm not going to get my hopes up for Vanderbilt in terms of his hands or his shooting ability but I do wonder if as he plays more and develops that he can play stronger. It's possible he could develop physically too.

Again I think the Wolves need to keep adding to their frontcourt to develop a group of players similar to what they have done with the guards. Vanderbilt is a great success story and so is Naz. Knight might be worth keeping around for the pipeline too. The Wolves need another rotation minute worth frontcourt big and it would be great if it was a guy that played like a true big with force regardless of their size. It would be nice to get someone with some edge and the physicality to back it up. Again that doesn't mean it has to be a big center.

Looking back at draft reviews of Vanderbilt, he was generally regarded as a SF. Physically, he's a prototypical long SF. He also has the ball-handling skills of a SF. If he had a perimeter shot, he would be in competition with McDaniels to be our SF of the future. As it is, he's a terrific rebounder and high-energy defender. As Finch said at the beginning of last season, Vando makes winning plays. I'd like to see the Wolves acquire a better big to start alongside KAT. But I definitely see Vanderbilt as a significant part of the Wolves rotation off the bench. To me, Naz Reid is the odd man out if we acquire a starting big. I like Naz, but he doesn't provide the defense or rebounding this team needs. And he likely has very good trade value.

[Tactical unit]

I think it's fun to try and find trade partners and think of which FA's could really help. However, the highest upside front court players we could add that become high quality additions likely would come via the draft and develop method. This is likely the cheapest route, probably offers the highest upside and gives the Wolves the most team control.

If MN can supplement the draft via a trade or FA's that would be ideal but the long term best case scenario is probably drafting and developing a strong front court player to play along side KAT.

[Monster]

I think it's fun to try and find trade partners and think of which FA's could really help. However, the highest upside front court players we could add that become high quality additions likely would come via the draft and develop method. This is likely the cheapest route, probably offers the highest upside and gives the Wolves the most team control.

If MN can supplement the draft via a trade or FA's that would be ideal but the long term best case scenario is probably drafting and developing a strong front court player to play along side KAT.

Yep.

In doing that it also means that they continue to have assets that could be used to acquire a guy if they go all in on someone.

[Q-is-here]

I'm all for drafting the best we can and may be we get lucky along the way. But if we're wanting to take another big step forward over the next year or two, it ain't coming from the draft.

[Tactical unit]

I'm all for drafting the best we can and may be we get lucky along the way. But if we're wanting to take another big step forward over the next year or two, it ain't coming from the draft.

I tend to agree because often times late round 1st or 2nd rounders take more time to develop but I wouldn't be as definitive as you saying a guy drafted can't lead to a big step forward in a year or two. I think a big part of it may be opportunity aka time on the floor. You could also absolutely hit a guy that even not fully developed could be quite impactful. Odds might be low but maybe you were referring to not liking the bigs in this particular draft class?

[Tactical unit]

Last 5 years: Albeit with some 20/20 hind sight

I added a few players higher than #19 because I can see scenarios where the front office could add a player or pick to #19 to move up. I also added some players that may not be viewed as that good because you have to consider them as prospects at the time of the draft and the range of outcomes and development that could occur with similar prospects.

2017 - #22 J. Allen, #19 J. Collins #14 Bam
2018 - #41 V8, #36 M. Robinson, #27 R. Williams III, #23 M. Wagner, #14 M. Porter Jr
2019 - #45 I. Roby, #38 D. Gafford, #23 D. Bazley, #22 G. Williams, #21 B. Clarke

Too Early for guys that have only been in the league for two seasons especially with Covid and some just don't get an opportunity and you later find out how good or bad they might be. However last two years some guys that may turn into rotational players or more. Some guys I didn't list could very well pan out.
2020 - #35 X. Tillman, #20 P. Achiuwa
2021 - #50 J. Robinson-Earl, #29 D. Sharpe, #22 I. Jackson, #16 A. Sengun,

Because this post is PF/Front court targets I left out all the other positions, but when you consider those positions as well it becomes quite clear that drafting is probably the best way to build the highest upside and most talented team. The added benefit of cap friendly contracts and multi-year team control make trading multiple picks for another teams big less desirable to me.

Take your favorite prospects and try to develop them, just think how many teams wanted J. McDaniel's during last years draft and his value continues to go up as he develops. Finding more guys like this is how you add to the core and keep building this thing in the right direction.

[Monster]

Just to throw out another name how much would someone be willing to offer Nicolas Claxton in RFA?

[KG4Ever]

The supply demand for bigs has never been better for NBA teams. We absolutely can upgrade the Center position either thru Free Agency or draft or both and we shouldn't have to overpay either. Multi-All-Star Drummond got a minimum deal. Multi-All Star DeMarcus Cousins got minimum. There are stud bigs that get drafted 20 or later regularly.