2015-6 rotation (with LST rules)

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Yes, I know we already have a thread predicting what next year's team will look like, but I wanted to start a thread which discusses possible rotations. I'm not going to make this an optimism only thread, so if someone thinks AB will never be a rotation player or Towns will never play PF, go ahead and trash my rotation and offer up your own. I'm not a fan of trade/free agent conjecture, though, so I'm going to ask that no names be included in your rosters that are not rumored or likely to be added. Towns and Bjelica can be included in your rotation if you choose, or you can include Okafor or Russell if you think they are more likely to be Flip's pick. Finally, we can all assume that utopia has finally arrived for the Wolves, and that all players on the roster will be healthy next year.

I love the flexibility that dual position players like Wiggins, Lavine and Towns provide. For instance, Flip can sub LaVine into the game for Martin 6 minutes into the game at SG, and Zach can move over to PG later to give Ricky a blow. Similarly, Flip can sub Towns into the game for KG at the 6 minute mark, and move over to center when Pek needs a rest. My rotation looks something like this:

C: Pek (26), Towns (16) Dieng (6)
PF: KG (20) Towns (16) Bennett (12)
SF: Wiggins (26) Muhammad (22)
SG: Martin (26) LaVine (10) Wiggins (12)
PG: Rubio (38) LaVine (10)

That's a 10-man rotation that looks really good to me. Some may want more than 20 minutes for Zach, but I think it's sufficient for a 20 year-old player who is still learning. The other five on the roster could consist of Bud, Hummel, Payne, LoBrow and Hamilton,with active status determined by need (matchups, or one of the 10 in the rotation injured). I'm not allowing trades in this thread, but obviously a second rounder or free agent could replace Brown or Hamilton on the roster. I'm not a fan of Bjelica coming over right now...maybe in a year after KG hangs it up.

I like it. Who has a better rotation?

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

Yes, I know we already have a thread predicting what next year's team will look like, but I wanted to start a thread which discusses possible rotations. I'm not going to make this an optimism only thread, so if someone thinks AB will never be a rotation player or Towns will never play PF, go ahead and trash my rotation and offer up your own. I'm not a fan of trade/free agent conjecture, though, so I'm going to ask that no names be included in your rosters that are not rumored or likely to be added. Towns and Bjelica can be included in your rotation if you choose, or you can include Okafor or Russell if you think they are more likely to be Flip's pick. Finally, we can all assume that utopia has finally arrived for the Wolves, and that all players on the roster will be healthy next year.

I love the flexibility that dual position players like Wiggins, Lavine and Towns provide. For instance, Flip can sub LaVine into the game for Martin 6 minutes into the game at SG, and Zach can move over to PG later to give Ricky a blow. Similarly, Flip can sub Towns into the game for KG at the 6 minute mark, and move over to center when Pek needs a rest. My rotation looks something like this:

C: Pek (26), Towns (16) Dieng (6)
PF: KG (20) Towns (16) Bennett (12)
SF: Wiggins (26) Muhammad (22)
SG: Martin (26) LaVine (10) Wiggins (12)
PG: Rubio (38) LaVine (10)

That's a 10-man rotation that looks really good to me. Some may want more than 20 minutes for Zach, but I think it's sufficient for a 20 year-old player who is still learning. The other five on the roster could consist of Bud, Hummel, Payne, LoBrow and Hamilton,with active status determined by need (matchups, or one of the 10 in the rotation injured). I'm not allowing trades in this thread, but obviously a second rounder or free agent could replace Brown or Hamilton on the roster. I'm not a fan of Bjelica coming over right now...maybe in a year after KG hangs it up.

I like it. Who has a better rotation?

I would try and give Dieng more playing time probably at Bennett's expense. Dieng can play the 4 and 5.

[60WinTim]

Yeah, Dieng is deserving of more minutes. We don't know if Bennett will even win a spot in the rotation (of if he is even on the team!). I doubt Towns starts off with that many minutes, and Pek may need less minutes as well. 38 seems high for Rubio, and I would expect our soon-to-be-acquired veteran backup PG to get all the backup PG minutes.

Given that KG may not play back-to-backs, somebody will play more minutes to fill in when KG does not play.

I would expect Towns to start out at just one position - center. I suspect LaVine will not play any backup PG. And I would like to keep Wiggins minutes under 38 as well.

[Coolbreeze44]

It's in our best interest if Lavine can win the starting 2 guard spot. If we have to keep Martin I would bring him off the bench along with Bazz to keep the points flowing. So I would change your rotation in that manner and give Zach the 26 minutes and Martin something closer to 18-20

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

It's in our best interest if Lavine can win the starting 2 guard spot. If we have to keep Martin I would bring him off the bench along with Bazz to keep the points flowing. So I would change your rotation in that manner and give Zach the 26 minutes and Martin something closer to 18-20

I don't want to get this thread off topic, but I want Towns, Wiggins, and LaVine to all get 30-35 MPG. I also want Muhammed getting the most minutes off the bench. This is sort of the reason I advocate trading Martin. One he has good value and two I want to see the young guys get the playing time. I'm not an advocate for dumping Martin for nothing though. Here is my minute breakdown.

C- Towns 30 - Dieng 18
PF- Garnett 20 - Dieng 12 - Bennett 16
SF- Wiggins 22 - Muhammed 26
SG- LaVine 35 - Wiggins 13
PG- Rubio 35 - Backup 13

So I guess I just traded Pek and Martin for who knows what. I would love to trade back into the first and get Cameron Payne at PG. If I could do that I would reduce Rubio's minutes to 30. Maybe less minutes will help him stay healthy. My rotation may be too young to win now, but it will go a far way in developing these young guys for the future.

[60WinTim]

You know, sometimes things like injuries can happen. I'm all for keeping the depth we have (and bringing over Bjelica), with the exception of a trade for a backup PG...

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

You know, sometimes things like injuries can happen. I'm all for keeping the depth we have (and bringing over Bjelica), with the exception of a trade for a backup PG...

Tim, you clearly have not done your homework...injuries only happen to the Wolves in years in which they don't win the lottery :) . Actually, I like some of the ideas here. Dieng needs more minutes, and we will be better served if Martin can be utilized off the bench. I'm not giving up on giving AB regular minutes though. Here's my revised rotation:

C: Pek (26) Dieng (12) Towns (10)
PF: KG(20) Towns (16) Bennett (12)
SF: Wiggins (24) Muhammad (24)
SG: LaVine (22) Martin (14) Wiggins (12)
PG: Rubio (36) LaVine (12)

[Coolbreeze44]

You know, sometimes things like injuries can happen. I'm all for keeping the depth we have (and bringing over Bjelica), with the exception of a trade for a backup PG...

Tim, you clearly have not done your homework...injuries only happen to the Wolves in years in which they don't win the lottery :) . Actually, I like some of the ideas here. Dieng needs more minutes, and we will be better served if Martin can be utilized off the bench. I'm not giving up on giving AB regular minutes though. Here's my revised rotation:

C: Pek (26) Dieng (12) Towns (10)
PF: KG(20) Towns (16) Bennett (12)
SF: Wiggins (24) Muhammad (24)
SG: LaVine (22) Martin (14) Wiggins (12)
PG: Rubio (36) LaVine (12)

That looks pretty good. I don't want to break your ground rules but it's easy to see that not all these players are going to be on the roster next year. Payne will play some, and there will probably be another point guard. The one thing you would have to figure out is how to get Dieng more than 12. Of course he would benefit greatly when KG misses a game.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I was hoping to stay away from the board until the draft, but..just..can't!! Haha. Too much good stuff from fans here. Pek's starting days are over I hope. Towns is a versatile, most Anthony Davis like of anyone available and he should be the pick. I can't watch Hack-a-shaq with Okafor.

LST, I like your minutes breakdown mostly, but Flip went after Payne to play him, not to bench him. AB and Dieng I'm not sure where they'll get minutes now with KG in the picture. I'd like to see us move AB for a pick or another shooter, I think we're too cost heavy on the frontline, and too many roster spots.

[Carlos Danger]

I really doubt the current group is going to be the final roster...but I'll play by LST's rules and create from what we have:

C: Pek (25) Dieng (23) - I'm assuming we want to scale back Pek's minutes to keep him healthy
PF: Towns (30), Payne (10), KG 8 - I'm assuming Bennett will be dealt. I want Towns at PF
SF: Wiggins (30), Bazz (18)
SG: Martin (28), LaVine (20) - I have this as a split. I want to see these guys both play starting and bench units to see how they look in both capacities.
PG: Rubio (30), Lo Brown (10), LaVine 8 - LaVine should get most minutes at SG, but token minutes at PG to keep him on court (and Lo Brown off).

Now for some speculation. Here are four predictions:

1.) I predict Pek won't be ready to start the season
2.) I predict Bjelica will be traded before the season starts
3.) I predict they acquire a vet PG to play with second unit and release Lo Brown
4.) I predict Bennett will be dealt before the start of the season