Wolves Bubble Practice

[Lipoli390]

The Wolves and other non-playoff teams are apparently set to begin their bubble practice period soon. And it looks like all of the Wolves players will be there except H-Gomez who has a movie commitment. Even Beasley will be there in spite of his upcoming free-agent status.

Apparently, H-Gomez made his movie commitment before the pandemic hit so he didn't know there would be a bubble practice period late this month and into October. Of course, if there were no pandemic, the Wolves would be right in the heart of their training camp leading up to pre-season and the season opener in early October. It makes me wonder just a little about his commitment to the game. He's certainly in no position to take anything for granted and schedule work on a movie during what would have been team training camp. But I've never been particularly interested in re-signing H-Gomez anyway. I'd rather use that roster space for someone else.

Here's a typically good article by Jon K on the Wolves as they head into the bubble practice period:

https://theathletic.com/2074726/2020/09/18/five-thoughts-on-wolves-bubble-camp-karl-anthony-towns-malik-beasley-sachin-gupta/

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Some good thoughts, Lip, and I read that article earlier today myself. Nice to see KAT and D-Lo putting in the work and challenging guys.

I'm not bothered by Juancho missing the practices myself. We're still a long way from the start of next season and if I were a free agent NBA player I probably wouldn't step on the court until I had a new deal with guaranteed money. That's just me, though. Also, I wouldn't even be bothered if Malik Beasley was a no-show, but I think it sends a positive message that he is despite his RFA status. It seems to me that everyone is expecting a deal to get done with him, which intrigues me for a couple of reasons.

If the Wolves were seriously looking at Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball with that first overall pick, wouldn't Beasley's camp pick up on that and in return slightly distance themselves from the Wolves? Maybe, maybe not.

I'm also intrigued because with salary cap questions moving forwards, as well as limited spending by other teams, that should mean that Beasley can't command some outrageous contract. And since he's at the practices I would assume that the dialogue on that front has been progressing nicely. His contract will be an indicator of whether this front office is savvy or if they're just another group that misplays their hand over and over.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Uhhh, Juan Hernangomez is working on a movie? As an actor?

Life is so weird sometimes.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Uhhh, Juan Hernangomez is working on a movie? As an actor?

Life is so weird sometimes.

It's an Adam Sandler movie. Chances are it's just a cameo.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

Uhhh, Juan Hernangomez is working on a movie? As an actor?

Life is so weird sometimes.

It's an Adam Sandler movie. Chances are it's just a cameo.

Sandler likes T wolves. Garnett had a big role in his jewelry dealer movie.

[Lipoli390]

Some good thoughts, Lip, and I read that article earlier today myself. Nice to see KAT and D-Lo putting in the work and challenging guys.

I'm not bothered by Juancho missing the practices myself. We're still a long way from the start of next season and if I were a free agent NBA player I probably wouldn't step on the court until I had a new deal with guaranteed money. That's just me, though. Also, I wouldn't even be bothered if Malik Beasley was a no-show, but I think it sends a positive message that he is despite his RFA status. It seems to me that everyone is expecting a deal to get done with him, which intrigues me for a couple of reasons.

If the Wolves were seriously looking at Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball with that first overall pick, wouldn't Beasley's camp pick up on that and in return slightly distance themselves from the Wolves? Maybe, maybe not.

I'm also intrigued because with salary cap questions moving forwards, as well as limited spending by other teams, that should mean that Beasley can't command some outrageous contract. And since he's at the practices I would assume that the dialogue on that front has been progressing nicely. His contract will be an indicator of whether this front office is savvy or if they're just another group that misplays their hand over and over.

Cam - I had the same thoughts as you regarding Beasley. First, I'm impressed that he's participating in the camp. That's sort of old school to me and it further affirms my high regard for him as a player for the Wolves. I have the same sense as you that it suggests the Wolves are not inclined to draft Ball or Edwards and that contract negotiations are progressing well. I just hope the contract they agree to shows savvy and not the typical amateurism we've seen time and again from the Wolves organization.

I'll admit the H-Gomez shouldn't be a big deal. But it still bugs me that a player of his caliber, who should be worried about whether he can even stay in the NBA, decides he can't participate in practice because of time on a movie set - knowing that the filming was set for what would have been the heart of training camp. The contrast with KAT, DLO and Beasley is striking. Thankfully, the players who really matter seem totally committed.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

While Jauncho gives us the ability to put 4 to 5 floor spacers on the floor at once since he plays the 4, I just don't know if he brings anything else to the table. I'm kinda hoping they don't re-sign him.

[worldK]

While Jauncho gives us the ability to put 4 to 5 floor spacers on the floor at once since he plays the 4, I just don't know if he brings anything else to the table. I'm kinda hoping they don't re-sign him.

Im with you on this q. He is the only guy out of our free agents that I definitely dont want back.

Il give him credit though, he shot very well for us when he was here but he is bad on d and I dont think you can play him next to towns or naz and expect us to be a winning team. The skillset just dont mix well with our centers. He is also trigger happy and dont bring much else to the team.

I 100% want malik and jmac back with us. I will consider kelan martin as a 3rd stringer on a non guaranteed deal but juancho is a goner for me.

[WildWolf2813]

Some good thoughts, Lip, and I read that article earlier today myself. Nice to see KAT and D-Lo putting in the work and challenging guys.

I'm not bothered by Juancho missing the practices myself. We're still a long way from the start of next season and if I were a free agent NBA player I probably wouldn't step on the court until I had a new deal with guaranteed money. That's just me, though. Also, I wouldn't even be bothered if Malik Beasley was a no-show, but I think it sends a positive message that he is despite his RFA status. It seems to me that everyone is expecting a deal to get done with him, which intrigues me for a couple of reasons.

If the Wolves were seriously looking at Anthony Edwards or LaMelo Ball with that first overall pick, wouldn't Beasley's camp pick up on that and in return slightly distance themselves from the Wolves? Maybe, maybe not.

I'm also intrigued because with salary cap questions moving forwards, as well as limited spending by other teams, that should mean that Beasley can't command some outrageous contract. And since he's at the practices I would assume that the dialogue on that front has been progressing nicely. His contract will be an indicator of whether this front office is savvy or if they're just another group that misplays their hand over and over.

Cam - I had the same thoughts as you regarding Beasley. First, I'm impressed that he's participating in the camp. That's sort of old school to me and it further affirms my high regard for him as a player for the Wolves. I have the same sense as you that it suggests the Wolves are not inclined to draft Ball or Edwards and that contract negotiations are progressing well. I just hope the contract they agree to shows savvy and not the typical amateurism we've seen time and again from the Wolves organization.

I'll admit the H-Gomez shouldn't be a big deal. But it still bugs me that a player of his caliber, who should be worried about whether he can even stay in the NBA, decides he can't participate in practice because of time on a movie set - knowing that the filming was set for what would have been the heart of training camp. The contrast with KAT, DLO and Beasley is striking. Thankfully, the players who really matter seem totally committed.

1. Hernangomez proved he can play in the NBA so he has nothing to worry about there.

2. He's been there throughout this entire time at the gym working out with the staff, so it's not as if he's bailed on the team throughout this time. Omari Spellman on the other hand is the guy you should be saving your vitriol for.

Don't hold this against Hernangomez at all. I'm not even sure they bring him back, so even if he was there for this camp, what difference would it make for you, leader of the Onyeka Okongwu fan club?

[WildWolf2813]

If they're gonna place a lot of faith in Vanderbilt and groom him for a bigger role, then among Johnson, Vanderbilt and another rookie, I'm not even sure that a) they can run their five out offense and b) there'd be room for even a Hernangomez-type of player. Worst case scenario by the end of 2021 is that Vanderbilt is splitting minutes with Okongwu or Avdija or Reed or some other rookie. There is a legit roster crunch here and unless Rosas is gonna rearrange furniture yet again, something has to give.

Deep down I also don't see a scenario where Beasley, Edwards or Ball + another rookie perhaps, Nowell, Okogie and Culver are all on the team. The minutes just aren't there.