Minnesota Sports Forum

I really like Joe Ingles as a possible free agent signing. Consider my thinking and share your thoughts.

[list]
[*] He's a good defender and really works hard and plays with pride on that end.
[*] He positionally versatile, playing at the 2, 3, and sometimes 4, even running the point at times.
[*] He's a very good 3 point shooter (44% last year), and he's improved every season (36-39-44).
[*] He can hit catch-and-shoot 3s and hit them off the dribble.
[*] He plays off the ball well, and can also handle it well and create for others making PG-like plays.
[*] He's a good, willing passer who moves the ball well in an offense.
[*] He stepped up and performed big in the playoffs, which is a good sign.
[*] He makes a lot of hustle plays (reminds me of another Australian, Dellavedova).
[/list]

Analysis
In my view, that's ticking a LOT of the boxes we need ticked, and ticking them pretty damn well. On top of all those reasons listed above, I love his effort and intensity and I feel like that's the kind of culture we need to build (and instill in Wiggins and Towns).

People don't talk much about Ingles because his overall stats don't blow anybody away, but when you watch him it's clear he makes his team better. I watched them several times last season--I had a couple of those Utah guys on my fantasy team--and his positive impact on the team was usually significant, regardless of his stats.

Acquiring Via Free Agency
He's an RFA. Is there any chance we could use the Gordon Hayward situation to our advantage here? If we offer Ingles a deal right away before Hayward can sign with Utah, could that force Utah to consider passing on matching Ingles to keep the cap space for Hayward? Is there a way to use Utah's cap situation to our advantage?

Videos
Look what this guy did just on the defensive end in the first round against the Clippers last year and remember he's also a great 3 point shooter and a good passer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sowOLE-Zl3Q&t=202s

Then check some of these other videos out. The guy just makes great plays. And as always, pretend you're Gregg Popovich while you're doing it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFvuIvvKLCo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpHdcHCa8Zs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nCbWOnDjkw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL1kRxIseV0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ONilq4TCbI

Ingles would be fine but I don't see Utah letting him go with all the uncertainty they're facing. They've got to see his value too. We'd have to overpay, I'm not sure what that number would be but grossly overpaying for Ingles would be bad. Utah just had a great run and have savy management, I think they probably have a decent plan in place and if we pried Ingles away in an RFA deal I wouldn't be able to stop the feeling like there was a reason they let him go.

Yeah, I don't see us doing much overpaying now, especially on the gross side. We spent big big bucks on Butler, and it will be a lot bigger in two years. Plus we are looking at max contracts for Wiggins and KAT.

The addition of Butler completely changes the outlook for the Wolves, and the perception around the league. We are ready to take our place in the playoffs. There will be FAs that say "I want to be a part of that".

Another bonus is we have 0 backup wings, and a questionable backup PG. Not only are the Wolves poised to be in the playoffs, but they have playing time available to any FA wing who wants to be a part of an up and coming team.

With Zach and Dunn gone, Redick suddenly makes a lot of sense. Afflalo, Tucker and CJ Miles could all say "I want to be a part of that". Yeah, they need to be paid, but somebody will take the spot at a reasonable amount.

Ingles will be looking for a sizable contract, and it will take a sizable contract to keep Utah from matching. Heck, if Utah loses Hayward, they may match most anything...

Thibs should definitely explore extending an offer to Ingles. He'll need to do his due diligence on Utah's inclinations and he'd need to strike quickly before Hayward makes a decision. I'd simultaneously look into extending an offer to RFA Tony Snell. I don't have a sense of how high we'd have to go with him to avoid a matching offer from the Bucks. Snell would be a perfect fit for us given his age (26) and his ability as a two-way player who can hit threes.

Don't forget RFA Jamychael Green

Ingles has been discussed here before and absolutely checks a ton of boxes for us. As others mentioned, it all comes down to price, what other teams are chasing him, and whether Utah matches. That doesn't mean we shouldn't give it a go.

Part of me wonders if Thibs will be patient and let a few big fish go, hoping that some really good FAs can be had at a relative bargain. IDK.....Part of me also wants them to go for it and do something bold.

I'm slightly more interested in T

Q12543 wrote:Ingles has been discussed here before and absolutely checks a ton of boxes for us. As others mentioned, it all comes down to price, what other teams are chasing him, and whether Utah matches. That doesn't mean we shouldn't give it a go.

Part of me wonders if Thibs will be patient and let a few big fish go, hoping that some really good FAs can be had at a relative bargain. IDK.....Part of me also wants them to go for it and do something bold.

By big fish, I'm guessing you mean Millsap, Ibaka, Chris Paul, Gordon Hayward, Blake Griffin, Iggy and George Hill -- all guys who could end up not signing for their current team. I don't see the strategic benefit waiting for these guys to sign. Best to go after the next tier FAs while other teams still have their cap room tied up competing for the tier 1 guys. My top 2 tier 1 guys are Snell and Ingles. I'm not sure about the Buck's thinking on Snell, but we may have a good shot at Ingles while the Spurs are fighting to retain Hayward.

BloopOracle wrote:Don't forget RFA Jamychael Green

Yes he would be great. I also like Ingles, and I'm not ready to give up on Gallo either. Any one of those 3 would make us a lot better.

I'd toss 10mil at Simmons,12ish mil at Ingles or James Johnson, or 14ish at Green early to see what happens.

If no bites, then so be it, but I feel those 4 are the best options to add to our 9 man.

What about Ian Clark as the SG, Mirotic/PP/Randolph at PF, and match bazz?
Vet to Ronnie Price, MLE Rush or someone else.

Rubio/Tyus or Price/Clark
Wiggins/Clark/Rush
Butler/Bazz/Rush
belly/Mirotic/Dieng/Patton
Towns/Dieng/Aldrich/Patton

Wiggins/Butler stagger.