Tonight's game at Target Center reminded us of the bad news. The bad news is that the Wolves season was unacceptably terrible. So terrible that it snuffed out the widespread optimism that permeated Wolves Nation last fall.
But here's the good news. The Kings are winning tonight and if they hang on the Wolves will have sole possession of the 7th position in the draft lottery. With the Wolves last game on the road against the Rockets and the Kings closing out on the road against the Clippers, it looks like both teams will end with a loss, leaving the Wolves no worse than 7th. And we still have a chance to tie the Knicks for the 6th position since the Knicks close with a winnable game at home against the Sixers.
Dream scenario - Wolves finish in 6th place lottery tie with the Knicks and jump into the top three with some lottery luck. If that happens, I'd take Josh Jackson and wouldn't look back. Of course we could swap the pick and salary for Paul George.
So don't lose heart Wolves fans! There's good news tonight and even better news on the way!
The Good News
Re: The Good News
lipoli390 wrote:Tonight's game at Target Center reminded us of the bad news. The bad news is that the Wolves season was unacceptably terrible. So terrible that it snuffed out the widespread optimism that permeated Wolves Nation last fall.
But here's the good news. The Kings are winning tonight and if they hang on the Wolves will have sole possession of the 7th position in the draft lottery. With the Wolves last game on the road against the Rockets and the Kings closing out on the road against the Clippers, it looks like both teams will end with a loss, leaving the Wolves no worse than 7th. And we still have a chance to tie the Knicks for the 6th position since the Knicks close with a winnable game at home against the Sixers.
Dream scenario - Wolves finish in 6th place lottery tie with the Knicks and jump into the top three with some lottery luck. If that happens, I'd take Josh Jackson and wouldn't look back. Of course we could swap the pick and salary for Paul George.
So don't lose heart Wolves fans! There's good news tonight and even better news on the way!
You bring up a good point Lip. People are tired about hearing about high lottery picks etc but damn if you don't screw up a bunch of picks you can build a heck of team with good players and there will be good players available when the Wolves pick in this draft.
Are you concerned about Josh Jackson's off the court issues?
Re: The Good News
Monster --
Yes, I'm concerned about Jackson's off court issues. I've thought a lot about it, but watching him play this season, watching video analysis and going over his stats, I can't help but see him as precisely the type of player we need. He plays hard and well on both sides of the ball. He has toughness and intensity, playing with a very high motor. Watching him, I see the player Thibs wants Wiggins to be -- a point forward who can actually handle the ball adeptly, pass well, rebound and defend -- someone who plays with toughness and intensity. I'd be willing to take the risk that his off-court issues have be or will be overcome as he gains maturity. But one thing has become clear to me over the years studying NBA drafts: If you come to the NBA without a high octane motor and toughness, you won't develop those attributes. Josh appears to have them. Surrounded by the right group of people, the beast can be tamed or channeled, but you can't turn a pussycat into a lion.
If we don't get lottery luck and end up with the 7th pick, I'd trade down into the 12-15 range and draft Collins out of Wake Forest. The guy averaged 9.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game. Those numbers are tremendous - especially the rebounding. As we all know, rebounding is the one stat that transfers reliably from college to the NBA. Collins was also an incredibly efficient, accurate scorer. Further, he' only a sophomore and only 19 years old. He's projected to go anywhere from 14-20, which would allow us to draft him while picking up another valuable asset by trading down.
I'm among those tired of hearing about lottery picks. But we have to deal in reality. The reality is that the Wolves sucked this season and as a result they will have a relatively high lottery pick in a darn good draft. They need to make the most of it.
Yes, I'm concerned about Jackson's off court issues. I've thought a lot about it, but watching him play this season, watching video analysis and going over his stats, I can't help but see him as precisely the type of player we need. He plays hard and well on both sides of the ball. He has toughness and intensity, playing with a very high motor. Watching him, I see the player Thibs wants Wiggins to be -- a point forward who can actually handle the ball adeptly, pass well, rebound and defend -- someone who plays with toughness and intensity. I'd be willing to take the risk that his off-court issues have be or will be overcome as he gains maturity. But one thing has become clear to me over the years studying NBA drafts: If you come to the NBA without a high octane motor and toughness, you won't develop those attributes. Josh appears to have them. Surrounded by the right group of people, the beast can be tamed or channeled, but you can't turn a pussycat into a lion.
If we don't get lottery luck and end up with the 7th pick, I'd trade down into the 12-15 range and draft Collins out of Wake Forest. The guy averaged 9.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game. Those numbers are tremendous - especially the rebounding. As we all know, rebounding is the one stat that transfers reliably from college to the NBA. Collins was also an incredibly efficient, accurate scorer. Further, he' only a sophomore and only 19 years old. He's projected to go anywhere from 14-20, which would allow us to draft him while picking up another valuable asset by trading down.
I'm among those tired of hearing about lottery picks. But we have to deal in reality. The reality is that the Wolves sucked this season and as a result they will have a relatively high lottery pick in a darn good draft. They need to make the most of it.
Re: The Good News
lipoli390 wrote:Monster --
Yes, I'm concerned about Jackson's off court issues. I've thought a lot about it, but watching him play this season, watching video analysis and going over his stats, I can't help but see him as precisely the type of player we need. He plays hard and well on both sides of the ball. He has toughness and intensity, playing with a very high motor. Watching him, I see the player Thibs wants Wiggins to be -- a point forward who can actually handle the ball adeptly, pass well, rebound and defend -- someone who plays with toughness and intensity. I'd be willing to take the risk that his off-court issues have be or will be overcome as he gains maturity. But one thing has become clear to me over the years studying NBA drafts: If you come to the NBA without a high octane motor and toughness, you won't develop those attributes. Josh appears to have them. Surrounded by the right group of people, the beast can be tamed or channeled, but you can't turn a pussycat into a lion.
If we don't get lottery luck and end up with the 7th pick, I'd trade down into the 12-15 range and draft Collins out of Wake Forest. The guy averaged 9.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 26.6 minutes per game. Those numbers are tremendous - especially the rebounding. As we all know, rebounding is the one stat that transfers reliably from college to the NBA. Collins was also an incredibly efficient, accurate scorer. Further, he' only a sophomore and only 19 years old. He's projected to go anywhere from 14-20, which would allow us to draft him while picking up another valuable asset by trading down.
I'm among those tired of hearing about lottery picks. But we have to deal in reality. The reality is that the Wolves sucked this season and as a result they will have a relatively high lottery pick in a darn good draft. They need to make the most of it.
Thanks for laying out your thoughts about Jackson. It makes sense. I don't have the resources beyond what any fan has to do background work on him but being such a high pick it seems risky.
My other question about Josh Jackson is that shooting motion. It looks fluid but it's out there in front of his head it and seems like something a player could block or affect more than other players.
I'm interested in trading down as well even if we don't need a bunch of young players but having our own D league team helps in that regard. It looks like there will be some intruiging bigs available outside the top 10 or so picks I could be interested in. A wing and a versatile big in this draft would interest me plenty.
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khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]
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Re: The Good News
Absolutely do not trade a top 7 pick for PG13 unless he has an extension in place. It's one thing to try to get Butler who is on a multi-year deal. It's another to go after an expiring.
Re: The Good News
khans2k5 wrote:Absolutely do not trade a top 7 pick for PG13 unless he has an extension in place. It's one thing to try to get Butler who is on a multi-year deal. It's another to go after an expiring.
Who's PG13?
Re: The Good News
lipoli390 wrote:khans2k5 wrote:Absolutely do not trade a top 7 pick for PG13 unless he has an extension in place. It's one thing to try to get Butler who is on a multi-year deal. It's another to go after an expiring.
Who's PG13?
I don't know if you are being sarcastic or not but paul George (he wears #13, I know catchy, haha (
Re: The Good News
Thanks, Geek. Actually I wasn't being sarcastic. I thought Paul George has two years left on his contract.
Re: The Good News
Just looked it up. I see that Paul George has 1 year plus a player option. So it is essentially and expiring deal. That is indeed problematic. Therefore, I wouldn't trade for him either.
Re: The Good News
I know I have mentioned his name before but if the wolves don't get a top 3 pick I am targeting Deandre Jordan hard (assuming the Clippers lose in the 1st round again, go Utah). I just think he fixes so many problems for the wolves. They would have a legit rim defender, a great rebounder, other teams would have to put PFs on KAT and if they don't good luck boxing out Jordan with PFs. I know jordan has his weaknesses especially at the line but I think he fills the positive boxes more. Also all combinations of belly/dieng/kat/jordan fit together.
Why the clips do it. Paul and griffin both free agents along with Redick. Do they really want to run it back again for the 7th year with that group. They would get around the 7th ish pick and cut cap space. Makes sense to me.
If my math is correct adding jordan 22 mil would still leave the wolves with about 16 mil in cap space (pek contact comes off the books correct with a medical retirement correct me if I'm wrong)
Why the clips do it. Paul and griffin both free agents along with Redick. Do they really want to run it back again for the 7th year with that group. They would get around the 7th ish pick and cut cap space. Makes sense to me.
If my math is correct adding jordan 22 mil would still leave the wolves with about 16 mil in cap space (pek contact comes off the books correct with a medical retirement correct me if I'm wrong)