Minnesota Sports Forum

Apparently, Shamorie Ponds signed with Houston. He was the guy the Wolves should have targeted. Obviously, there were reasons he didn't get drafted. But his college numbers were terrific on both sides of the ball. He's a PG and a pretty good 3-point shooter. He's also a ball hawk, garnering 2.6 steals per game.

The Wolves Naz Reid signing wasn't bad considering the alternatives. But I would have prioritized Ponds ahead of Reid and tried to sign both. No telling whether Ponds would have signed with the Wolves if presented with an offer. But he's a guy they should have pursued hard.

The Celtics signed Tacko Fall. Would have liked to see the Wolves sign him. His length and overall size are off the charts. The Suns signed Jared Harper and Jalen Lecque. I like the upside gamble on Leque. The Blazers signed Jaylen Hoard. I think that's a good one.

The Washington Wizards signed Justin Robinson. That's an excellent signing in my view. As a PG, Justin Robinson hit 47.3 of his field goal attempts, 41.8% of his 3-point attempts on a healthy 4.1 attempts and 81% of his 4.6 free throw attempts. He averaged 6 assists and 1.6 steals. All really nice numbers. I consider him an excellent bargain as an undrafted free agent.

I have no idea whether the Wolves tried to sign any of these guys. But I would consider it a mistake if they didn't. If up to me, I would have pursed Shamorie Ponds and Justin Robinson, signing one of them. I would have also pursued Tacko Fall. Travis Davis at Ole Miss is another undrafted guy I like.

There is a lot of nuance based on what actual contracts these guys got. Was it a 2-way deal? Actual NBA contract with some guaranteed money? An exhibit 10 deal where they are most likely an affiliate player? Invite to SL?

I would have liked to get Ponds also but Nowell is a plenty intriguing guy. There was so damn many guys that kept their name in this draft it's pretty insane wasn't it like 170 underclassman or something? So there are probably 70-100 UNDERCLASSMAN to consider besides seniors and other guys with experience in a professional league.

There is value in getting some guys on a 2-way deal. They are locked in to your organization and they don't cost you any money. If Naz Reid is kinda good but they don't give him a real NBA contract he is still a RFA as a 2-way guy next offseason. If you get the right guy you can basically have a nice prospect for 2 years for nothing except the 2 way spot. Some players do not like the 2-way option because they think they can do better. Some are probably right. A single 10 day contract is pretty lucrative.

Ponds got a 3 year deal. Reid got a two way contract.

WildWolf2813 wrote:Ponds got a 3 year deal. Reid got a two way contract.

That's a big difference. If I knew the Wolves were going to deal Teague and end up with Russell without retaining Tyus, then I might have offered Ponds a comparable 3-year deal. But until that happens, it wouldn't make sense for the Wolves to give him a 3-year deal. An two-way deal for Reid probably makes sense based on what I've seen and read before and after the draft.

lipoli390 wrote:

WildWolf2813 wrote:Ponds got a 3 year deal. Reid got a two way contract.

That's a big difference. If I knew the Wolves were going to deal Teague and end up with Russell without retaining Tyus, then I might have offered Ponds a comparable 3-year deal. But until that happens, it wouldn't make sense for the Wolves to give him a 3-year deal. An two-way deal for Reid probably makes sense based on what I've seen and read before and after the draft.

What we don't know is how Rosas feels about Tyus. We know Ryan Saunders likes Tyus. We don't know what the value around the league is for him either. What if Rosas actually likes Tyus quite a bit and wants to keep him around unless the price is really too high? Obviously they valued Nowell more highly than Ponds. We also don't know how they feel about Terrell. Ponds is in a pretty good spot in Houston. They don't have a backup PG period and CP3 could get traded or even if he plays Ponds could easily be in line to play from the jump. Either the Wolves or the Rockets could present pretty good opportunities. If I had to pick a I would take the Rockets just because they have a rep of valuing and giving. Opportunities to guys as well as probably having a hand in development.

monsterpile wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

WildWolf2813 wrote:Ponds got a 3 year deal. Reid got a two way contract.

That's a big difference. If I knew the Wolves were going to deal Teague and end up with Russell without retaining Tyus, then I might have offered Ponds a comparable 3-year deal. But until that happens, it wouldn't make sense for the Wolves to give him a 3-year deal. An two-way deal for Reid probably makes sense based on what I've seen and read before and after the draft.

What we don't know is how Rosas feels about Tyus. We know Ryan Saunders likes Tyus. We don't know what the value around the league is for him either. What if Rosas actually likes Tyus quite a bit and wants to keep him around unless the price is really too high? Obviously they valued Nowell more highly than Ponds. We also don't know how they feel about Terrell. Ponds is in a pretty good spot in Houston. They don't have a backup PG period and CP3 could get traded or even if he plays Ponds could easily be in line to play from the jump. Either the Wolves or the Rockets could present pretty good opportunities. If I had to pick a I would take the Rockets just because they have a rep of valuing and giving. Opportunities to guys as well as probably having a hand in development.

I agree, Monster. How Rosas values Tyus is a big unknown. If Rosas puts a high value on him, then I would expect him to keep the cap hold and sign him to a deal that would likely be around $6-8 million per year. I don't think Rosas values him enough to envision him as the Wolves full-time starting PG. But I really have no idea.