Minnesota Timberwolves: Choose Your Own Path

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I thought it'd be interesting to see what direction this board wants the franchise to go -- what moves they'd most like the Minnesota Timberwolves to pull off. I will give three routes that the Wolves could go and the reader will vote for what they would most like to happen.

Option A: Minnesota agrees to trade D'Angelo Russell, Jaden McDaniels, 2022 first-round pick (top-four protected), 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected), and a 2022 second-round pick (via Washington via Cleveland) to Philadelphia for Ben Simmons.

Option B: Minnesota agrees to trade Jake Layman and a 2022 second-round pick (more favorable of Philadelphia and Denver picks) to Oklahoma City for added payroll flexibility. Minnesota sequentially signs a free agent forward/center and re-signs Jarred Vanderbilt and Jordan McLaughlin to multi-year deals without surpassing the luxury tax threshold.

Option C: Minnesota agrees to terms with Jarred Vanderbilt on a multi-year deal and retains Jordan McLaughlin on his qualifying offer. Minnesota stays below the luxury tax threshold and keeps all future draft picks heading into the regular season.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I voted option B. We still need a big man that can do battle in the paint, whether that is a PF like Millsap that has the strength and low center of gravity to battle it out in the paint or a true C that is even bigger and stronger. We can't continue to have KAT and Naz get beat to hell by stronger, tougher opponents. Some nights it won't be as important as others, but for those nights where it is, we'll need a third big man.

[thedoper]

I think it is going to be option C. I think this is it and I dont hate it. I dont love it either, but upgrading Juancho and Culver was a good move. I think Rosas is content at the tweaks. If were not in any sort of contention at the trade deadline I expect major changes.

[Coolbreeze44]

B for me. There is about 75 scenarios you could include in something like this, but of the three options B makes the most sense.

[Lipoli390]

Great poll, Cam! I think you've identified the three main realistic potential paths for the Wolves for the remainder of this off-season.

Option B was an easy choice for me. I'm sure there's a team out there that would take Layman and the Philly/Denver 2nd-round pick in exchange for a cheaper or non-guaranteed contract to give the Wolves a little more luxury tax room to sign a free agent. My first choice for a free-agent signing would be Millsap. But if we couldn't sign him, I'd opt for Hartenstein or Harry Giles as a buy-low, fairly high upside alternative.

If Option A included Layman rather than McDaniels, I'd consider it. But that wouldn't be realistic. Simmons is a terrific player, but he's too flawed in my view to merit mortgaging the team's future. In essence, Option A would mean the Wolves effectively traded the following for Simmons: (a) Wiggins, (b) the #7 and #36 picks in the 2021 draft, (c) Jaden McDaniels, (d) the Wolves 2022 and 2024 first-round picks, and (e) the Wizards' 2022 2nd-round pick. That's too much for a guy who can't shoot. I thought we gave up too much for DLO, but he was definitely an upgrade over Wiggins in my view. And while I can't get this year's picks back, I'd like to see what DLO can do if he stays healthy with a chance to get in a groove alongside KAT and Ant under an NBA-caliber head coach.

Option C might be what the Wolves end up with and I'd be OK if that's what happens. But I think Rosas should make every effort to execute Option B.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Another option is we trade directly for a big man, although perhaps we have used up some of the salary filler needed to do so. I can't believe Dallas is going to roll with Moses Brown, WCS, Boban, Porzingas, Maxi Kleber, and Dwight Powell. That's six bigs, most of whom should primarily play Center.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Another option is we trade directly for a big man, although perhaps we have used up some of the salary filler needed to do so. I can't believe Dallas is going to roll with Moses Brown, WCS, Boban, Porzingas, Maxi Kleber, and Dwight Powell. That's six bigs, most of whom should primarily play Center.

Yeah, that's an option albeit a more difficult one to accomplish, I think. Dallas looks like a strong contender to acquire Lauri Markkanen in a sign-and-trade deal. I've seen Dwight Powell or Maxi Kleber mentioned in most of those scenarios. Other than Moses Brown and Kleber, the rest of their bigs don't interest me much.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Great poll, Cam! I think you've identified the three main realistic potential paths for the Wolves for the remainder of this off-season.

Option B was an easy choice for me. I'm sure there's a team out there that would take Layman and the Philly/Denver 2nd-round pick in exchange for a cheaper or non-guaranteed contract to give the Wolves a little more luxury tax room to sign a free agent. My first choice for a free-agent signing would be Millsap. But if we couldn't sign him, I'd opt for Hartenstein or Harry Giles as a buy-low, fairly high upside alternative.

If Option A included Layman rather than McDaniels, I'd consider it. But that wouldn't be realistic. Simmons is a terrific player, but he's too flawed in my view to merit mortgaging the team's future. In essence, Option A would mean the Wolves effectively traded the following for Simmons: (a) Wiggins, (b) the #7 and #36 picks in the 2021 draft, (c) Jaden McDaniels, (d) the Wolves 2022 and 2024 first-round picks, and (e) the Wizards' 2022 2nd-round pick. That's too much for a guy who can't shoot. I thought we gave up too much for DLO, but he was definitely an upgrade over Wiggins in my view. And while I can't get this year's picks back, I'd like to see what DLO can do if he stays healthy with a chance to get in a groove alongside KAT and Ant under an NBA-caliber head coach.

Option C might be what the Wolves end up with and I'd be OK if that's what happens. But I think Rosas should make every effort to execute Option B.

Agreed on all points here, Lip. We're on the same page with what we'd like to see Minnesota accomplish heading into the season. I think you're right that Paul Millsap, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Harry Giles are the best remaining bigs on the free agent market aside from Jarred Vanderbilt, who we expect to be back in any scenario.

[Jester1534]

The Twins should resign Buxton

and

Option B Jake Layman has no spot here anymore. Plus my wife always comments on his pretty blue eyes and I get tired of hearing it lol.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think it is going to be option C. I think this is it and I dont hate it. I dont love it either, but upgrading Juancho and Culver was a good move. I think Rosas is content at the tweaks. If were not in any sort of contention at the trade deadline I expect major changes.

Yeah, if it winds up being Option C I think we'll find ourselves content with how the off-season played out. Minnesota tweaked their roster just enough to be meaningful without creating any cracks in the foundation. Upgrading the backup point guard and backup wing positions was necessary and the Wolves did so without spending any draft capital -- on the contrary, they added to the cupboard in the Ricky Rubio trade. Hard to disagree with your choice, though I think one more move could make this off-season that much better.