Q12543 wrote:Evans can defend, but can't shoot. We already have that base covered with Culver and Okogie, so I just don't see a fit for him unless he develops a 3-pt shot.
Barry Brown on the other hand is showing some real shooting and scoring chops since McLaughlin and Nowell got promoted. Again though, he plays a position that we already have depth in so I just don't know if there will ultimately be a place for him on our roster next season.
I think the guy we haven't seen enough of on the big league is Nowell. Part of me wonders if he ultimately can be a better 2-way SG than Beasley. Rosas should be getting a longer look at Nowell before signing Beasley to a huge contract this offseason. We can't afford to have three starters at huge salaries that can't defend. If Nowell's 3-point shooting comes around, he may be a better long term option at a much cheaper price. Then we can look at spending $ on the forward positions.
good stuff Q
Evans looks smaller than Okogie and Culver too. He has a guaranteed contract so...they may keep giving him a chance even if it's just at Iowa next year. How much they have to pay Beasley might effect whether they have enough financial ability to cut him and bring in another player. I don't think it would be a big problem it's not that much money but we will see.
It's certainly curious in some ways that Nowell hasn't gotten more looks. My guess is defense. Martin doesn't suck at defense and plays hard etc. I'm not saying Nowell sucks or doesn't play hard but that's what I do see from Martin. Nowell has more ball handling ability at least in theory than Beasley although I could see Beasley developing a bit more ability to attack with the dribble than he has right now. Ideally the Wolves get Beasley signed for a contract that still has positive value and Nowell becomes at least as good if not better player...and Beasley develops into a better player than he is now! Rainbows and kittens and puppy's for everyone! Lol
Barry Brown I think what is gonna hurt him is he is not really a PG more of a combo guy. Still he is bigger than a guy like Barea or Napier so that type can have a place in the league. I could see some team picking him up and he ends up succeeding next season in a similar way McLaughlin has if there is an opportunity. What would you think about the Wolves signing Brown to a 2-way deal even if they don't have a direct path for him? Do you think he can defend at all or doesn't that translate at this level? I'm thinking one path to him being on the current roster going forward would be sort of a cheap combo guard/3rd PG type that can defend a bit and at least score. That's not insanely valuable but i'll take it if (lots of ifs...) he was an actual NBA player. We haven't seen that much from this franchise that's why it's hard not to get kinda giddy this season when guys that aren't drafted etc actually look like they can play! I need to watch some full games to see Brownin actual game action. It's weird that I'm gravitating to learning about him as much as anyone else even Vanderbilt who is obviously a more interesting upside prospect.
On Brown, yes, I wouldn't be opposed to signing him to a two-way next season and looking at him as our 3rd point guard that spends most of his time in the G-League. He could theoretically play with guys like Culver and JJ off the bench (assuming DLO or Jmac are hurt - and assuming we sign Jmac) and the fact he isn't a "pure" PG won't hurt him as much since those two can take on some of the ball handling responsibilities.
And yes, it is nice and very much a pleasant surprise to see us find multiple useful players that went undrafted.
I was thinking this morning more about finding guys that are at least NBA players from undrafted guys etc and I thought about Cam Reynolds. I was a big fan of him after what he did last year. Looking at his g-league stats this year they are not impressive. Kelan Martin's stats this year at that level are much more impressive. He hasn't hit the 3 at the NBA level but is shooting 54% on 2's and over 72% at the rim and that FT streak. Maybe the Wolves got it right on Reynolds. It would really be nice if we could be one of those franchises that actually hits on some of these moves around the margins. I'm still not convinced I would give Martin and NBA deal. The Wolves don't exactly have a ton of roster spots available going into next offseason. Clearly they could make some moves to open up spots (I could see some team taking Spellman off their hands) but until that Those moves happen I think roster spots are at a premium. Martin on a 2-way deal ain't a bad way to keep him around which I do like him. McLaughlin needs to be signed I've seen enough to be convinced...or completely fooled. Lol
I'm not sure if there has been anything official yet from the Wolves, but I believe the Iowa team is participating in the G-League bubble.
A few of you may recall that I took refuge (along with monster and perhaps a few others) from the NBA Wolves last season once I knew their playoff hopes went down the drain and started watching the Iowa games. Reid, McLaughlin, Nowell, and Vanderbilt all spent time with the G-league squad last year. I would argue all four have potential to be part of a playoff-caliber NBA roster someday. Whether they all fulfill that potential and what kind of role they'd play is another question. But I saw enough from all four to become intrigued.
McDaniels and Hagans I think can really benefit from the G-league bubble. Anxious to see both in the Iowa squad's regular lineup.
- Will be played in a bubble in Orlando, similar to the way the last NBA season was wrapped up.
- Not every G-league team will participate, but fortunately the Wolves will be. This is good, as the Wolves need as many irons in the fire as possible to identify hidden gems and develop their own prospects. No stone should be left unturned given the sorry state of this franchise.
- It will be an abbreviated season with games commencing on February 8th and playoffs in March. The regular season will be 12-15 games.
- Given Covid protocols and the nature of the bubble system, it makes it harder to move guys back and forth between the main NBA team and their G-league affiliate. This means whoever we send there is someone we don't think will be needed on the main roster.
- I think McLaughlin doesn't go. He's the team's 3rd point guard and really has no need for further development in a G-league system. The issue is since he's on a 2-way, he needs to be inactive for a certain number of NBA games.
- Ashton Hagans on the other hand should absolutely go. This is perfect for his development and hopefully he "wins" the starting PG role for Iowa.
- The other guy I'd like to see go is Jaden McDaniels. In the brief stints we've seen him play, he has shown flashes of potential and an intriguing skill set that seems perfect for the "modern day" PF. But whether anyone here likes it or not, he's got at least three other guys ahead of him in the rotation. He needs minutes and the G-league seems perfect for him.
Jordan McLaughlin can play in a maximum 50 games for the Wolves this season, according to modified rules sent out before this season kicked off. Travel days and practice days do not count against two-way players this year.
I think it matters what the Wolves think of Jmac long term. Jmac can't play in 22 NBA games this year. He already has missed 2, so 20 more games he can't play in the NBA. I think they should send him to the bubble, should help with the development of Hagans and McDaniels to have a legit PG. Then have Nowell be the 3rd PG for the Wolves in Feb and March
kekgeek1 wrote:I think it matters what the Wolves think of Jmac long term. Jmac can't play in 22 NBA games this year. He already has missed 2, so 20 more games he can't play in the NBA. I think they should send him to the bubble, should help with the development of Hagans and McDaniels to have a legit PG. Then have Nowell be the 3rd PG for the Wolves in Feb and March
I tend to agree with you, kek, although I agree with Cam that JMac doesn't really need any more development in the G-League. But I don't see him getting any playing time up here. Meanwhile, our 2nd round pick from last year continues to languish on the bench in spite of his excellent play in the G-League last year and in the preseason this year. Granted, Nowell has been hurt. But at some point he needs significant consistent minutes and as we all know, we have a huge glut of guards.
If it were up to me, we'd have JMac playing a lot of minutes at PG. He played a lot of minutes and was instrumental in our two most impressive wins after the February trade deadline list season. He showed signs of being our version of Fred VanVleet. But Rosas traded drafted Edwards and traded for Ricky this season.
kekgeek1 wrote:I think it matters what the Wolves think of Jmac long term. Jmac can't play in 22 NBA games this year. He already has missed 2, so 20 more games he can't play in the NBA. I think they should send him to the bubble, should help with the development of Hagans and McDaniels to have a legit PG. Then have Nowell be the 3rd PG for the Wolves in Feb and March
I tend to agree with you, kek, although I agree with Cam that JMac doesn't really need any more development in the G-League. But I don't see him getting any playing time up here. Meanwhile, our 2nd round pick from last year continues to languish on the bench in spite of his excellent play in the G-League last year and in the preseason this year. Granted, Nowell has been hurt. But at some point he needs significant consistent minutes and as we all know, we have a huge glut of guards.
If it were up to me, we'd have JMac playing a lot of minutes at PG. He played a lot of minutes and was instrumental in our two most impressive wins after the February trade deadline list season. He showed signs of being our version of Fred VanVleet. But Rosas traded drafted Edwards and traded for Ricky this season.
Hagens is a PG he doesn't need another PG to help him out. He is the type of guy you add to a G-league roster to help other guys out. I doubt McLaughlin plays much if at all in Iowa. They should play other guys that need experience especially since its just a handful of games if what Q reports is the case. And yes if McLaughlin is the guy he looks like early on he should be playing nearly every night.
Its unfortunate that Nowell got hurt I think he would have gotten a chance to play last game against the Clippers.
kekgeek1 wrote:I think it matters what the Wolves think of Jmac long term. Jmac can't play in 22 NBA games this year. He already has missed 2, so 20 more games he can't play in the NBA. I think they should send him to the bubble, should help with the development of Hagans and McDaniels to have a legit PG. Then have Nowell be the 3rd PG for the Wolves in Feb and March
I tend to agree with you, kek, although I agree with Cam that JMac doesn't really need any more development in the G-League. But I don't see him getting any playing time up here. Meanwhile, our 2nd round pick from last year continues to languish on the bench in spite of his excellent play in the G-League last year and in the preseason this year. Granted, Nowell has been hurt. But at some point he needs significant consistent minutes and as we all know, we have a huge glut of guards.
If it were up to me, we'd have JMac playing a lot of minutes at PG. He played a lot of minutes and was instrumental in our two most impressive wins after the February trade deadline list season. He showed signs of being our version of Fred VanVleet. But Rosas traded drafted Edwards and traded for Ricky this season.
Hagens is a PG he doesn't need another PG to help him out. He is the type of guy you add to a G-league roster to help other guys out. I doubt McLaughlin plays much if at all in Iowa. They should play other guys that need experience especially since its just a handful of games if what Q reports is the case. And yes if McLaughlin is the guy he looks like early on he should be playing nearly every night.
Its unfortunate that Nowell got hurt I think he would have gotten a chance to play last game against the Clippers.
The thing is the Wolves can't play McLaughlin for 20 more games, I would rather give him run then him knowing he won't play that night for the Wolves
