Rotation starting to come into focus

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I don't think the picture is totally clear yet - some fuzziness remains - but the main 10-man rotation when KAT gets back appears to be increasingly coming into focus in my opinion.

C - KAT, Reid
PF - McDaniels, Vando (some fuzziness on who ends up starting)
SF - Edwards, Layman
SG - Beasley, Nowell
PG - DLO, Rubio

- I think if McDaniels ends up starting, it could be almost a dream lineup for Saunders in that he can truly play 5-out because everyone is a threat to hit the 3.

- Layman has been surprisingly good since getting back into the rotation after an awful start. Hard to leave him out once KAT is back.

- I like the idea of Edwards being in there with Beasley and DLO. I think it allows them to get more catch and shoot jumpers with Edwards breaking down the defense. Having 4 other guys that can shoot is only going to help Edwards find more space in the paint.

- How can you leave Nowell out of the rotation once Culver is back? He can shoot, score, dribble, and his defense is solid. Either Culver has to replace a resurgent Layman or stay on the bench.

- The interesting thing about this group is how much do you lose defensively by not having Davis, Okogie, or Culver play any minutes? And do you gain a ton more offensively, making it worth it?

[Lipoli390]

Interesting thoughts, Q. I had the same rotation in mind based on a combination of recent performance and potential. But you and I both know that's not what Ryan will do. He simply won't and realistically can't leave Culver, H-Gomez and Okogie out of the rotation. Culver was Gersson's 1st round pick a year ago and he traded up to get him. H-Gomez was one of Gersson's two signature free-agent signings before this season and no other team will give the Wolves any value for him in a trade.

The last couple weeks have convinced me that the Wolves need to move both H-Gomez and Culver or Okogie. Unfortunately, I don't see us getting much, if any, value in return. It will just be really hard to keep any of these three, much less all three, out of the rotation.

[Coolbreeze44]

This is a good discussion. I like Q's rotation suggestion but also agree with Lip that it's not going to happen that way. I think Nowell, Layman, and maybe even McDaniels will get denied minutes due to Okogie, Culver, and Juancho. However, I see it more likely in Juancho's case that the team may bite the bullet with him and keep him out. Nowell and McDaniels are jewels that have been uncovered and really need to play, and play a lot. A trade may be forthcoming to thin the ranks a bit.

[thedoper]

The real shame is that the trades didnt happen in the offseason. I think Ryan had already been down on Culver after seeing him up close and a lot of the pre-season Culver wasnt getting a lot of love until he had that stint of good play that necessitated a look. As has happened in the past, Culver did a few things early in the year that made us think there may be a basketball player in there. I dont think there is and wish they would have traded him in the offseason. I can see the argument for keeping Cuvler over Josh, but to me there have always been situations where you have a defensive, energy guy. Culver has some defensive skill but waxes and wanes between being completely lost and useless and a few positive surprises. Its a shame but i cant see a path for Culver to be in the league right now. His D isnt good enough to make an actually impact, he has a handle but cant pass, and his shot is broken. The teases of a player arent enough.

All that being said as long as were tanking try to find some minutes for him to salvage a trade if we can. I hope not at the expense of Nowell and McDaniels, but thats why this conundrum exists.

On Juancho, Rosas owes the fans an apology.

[Duke13]

Interesting thoughts, Q. I had the same rotation in mind based on a combination of recent performance and potential. But you and I both know that's not what Ryan will do. He simply won't and realistically can't leave Culver, H-Gomez and Okogie out of the rotation. Culver was Gersson's 1st round pick a year ago and he traded up to get him. H-Gomez was one of Gersson's two signature free-agent signings before this season and no other team will give the Wolves any value for him in a trade.

The last couple weeks have convinced me that the Wolves need to move both H-Gomez and Culver or Okogie. Unfortunately, I don't see us getting much, if any, value in return. It will just be really hard to keep any of these three, much less all three, out of the rotation.

Lip you wanted Leyman off the team 10 times already this year, with that being said, might be a little early to give up on Culver.

[Duke13]

Believe me I'm not necessarily a culver guy, but Rubio should be out of the rotation, give Ant some minutes as the primary ball handler, Jmac and/or Culver can get the rest of Rubio's minutes. My eyes can't watch him anymore.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Layman has been playing better as of late, absolutely, but so was Culver before he got banged up. We need to remember that we have way more invested in Culver than we do Layman. Not to mention, Culver's ceiling is much higher than Layman's even with his wonky shot mechanics. Culver should be the player getting those wing minutes.

[KiwiMatt]

Starters
DLo
Beasley
Edwards
Vando
KAT

2nd Unit
Rubio
Nowell
Culver
McDaniels
Reid

3rd Unit
McLaughlin
Okogie
Layman
Hernangomez
Davis

[Lipoli390]

Interesting thoughts, Q. I had the same rotation in mind based on a combination of recent performance and potential. But you and I both know that's not what Ryan will do. He simply won't and realistically can't leave Culver, H-Gomez and Okogie out of the rotation. Culver was Gersson's 1st round pick a year ago and he traded up to get him. H-Gomez was one of Gersson's two signature free-agent signings before this season and no other team will give the Wolves any value for him in a trade.

The last couple weeks have convinced me that the Wolves need to move both H-Gomez and Culver or Okogie. Unfortunately, I don't see us getting much, if any, value in return. It will just be really hard to keep any of these three, much less all three, out of the rotation.

Lip you wanted Leyman off the team 10 times already this year, with that being said, might be a little early to give up on Culver.

Duke - lol. Duke, you're such a silly boy. Was it really 10 times already in 2021? By the way, Leyman is off the team. Layman is still with us and I'm happy about that based on the way he's played the last stretch of games.

Please keep count of how many times I say that H-Gomez should be off the team and make sure you post the number if I ever post that Juancho should be part of the Wolves rotation after he has a really good stretch of games. I think my count on Juancho is already around 50. :)

[Lipoli390]

Layman has been playing better as of late, absolutely, but so was Culver before he got banged up. We need to remember that we have way more invested in Culver than we do Layman. Not to mention, Culver's ceiling is much higher than Layman's even with his wonky shot mechanics. Culver should be the player getting those wing minutes.

Cam - That's probably the better strategic approach. Culver's age, ceiling, salary and status as a 6th pick in the NBA draft all favor keeping him in the rotation over Layman if that's the choice. I'd feel better about Culver if his shot didn't continue to look broken. Would you put Culver in the starting lineup in place of Okogie when KAT returns?