Minnesota Sports Forum

What lineup would you like to see the Wolves put out there?

Here's mine:

LaVine
Wiggins
Thad
Dieng
Pek

I know it doesn't make any sense given our wing depth and how shallow we are among bigs, but I'd like to see that lineup run for a stretch in some games.

1. I think Wiggins could benefit on both sides of the ball when matching up against 2s. He's struggled defensively against some bigger wings like Johnson and Tobias Harris, but did pretty good against Harden. Quickness is his strength, not size, so why not match him up defensively against 2s? Offensively, I think he'll have troubles with quicker 2s guarding him until his handles are better (though this might prompt him to work on them more), but it'd also give him a bit more of a size advantage against some teams. I don't think he has a great post game at this point, but having smaller guys guard him would definitely help him get the ball inside more and maybe draw more fouls.

2. Dieng has been struggling to body up opposing centers on D, but I've been impressed with his offensive game so far. He doesn't seem to have great range, but he's definitely shown he's a threat with that bank shot from about 12-14 feet. That would still give Pek enough room to try to operate down low. Defensively of course, this would mean Dieng would be guarding more stretch 4s, but that's probably better for him than having him get shoved around down low. He'd probably pick up more fouls, but he could cause real problems even for taller 4s out there because of his length, and still be able to provide some help defense. I'm not totally sold on his offensive range yet, but this would be a way for him to work on it.

3. Thad can clearly play the 3 on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he's quick enough and with this 3 point shot he can keep the floor stretched. Seems closer to his natural position actually.

Obviously, ball handling would be a concern with this unit, but LaVIne hasn't looked too bad there. In terms of passing, Wiggins, Thad, and Dieng can all pass even if they haven't done it much. Pek's not bad there either. We could still run the floor and obviously it would make us a much longer team which would have to help our defense and rebounding.

What do you guys think? What lineups would you like to see and why?

Rubio
Martin
Wiggins
Young
Pekovic

Williams
LaVine
Muhammad
Bennett
Dieng

Without Rubio:

LaVine
Wiggins
Muhammad
Young
Pekovic

Williams
Martin
Brewer
Bennett
Dieng

Hummel deserves minutes over Bennett in all scenarios based on his play to this point, but you have to try and develop Bennett.

Interesting Camden.

I don't mean starting lineups or lineups off the bench though. Just what 5 guys would you most like to see on the floor together at the same time and why?

Good topic Drew. I like Cam's lineup without Rubio. That's exactly what I would do. Makes us longer and maybe helps us on the glass.

Yeah, I'm assuming Rubio's out. That looked T-hud bad.

I've liked Muhammad in the short stretches I've seen him play this year.

That makes 3 in a row who'd like to see Wiggins at the 2.

Drew's lineup is intriguing, but I'd still prefer this:

Pek-Dieng-Wiggins-Martin-LaVine (or Rubio if healthy)

It's not necessarily our finishing 5, as I think you would have Young in for Dieng in crunch time and perhaps Mo in for LaVine, but it's my preferred starting 5.

Rubio-Lavine-Wiggins-Bennett-Dieng. I think that is our most athletic, best passing and best rebounding lineup we could put on the floor. The biggest weakness would be 3 point shooting, but Lavine, Wiggins and Bennett don't have enough of a volume in my opinion to declare them bad 3 point shooters. It's probably our best defensive lineup as well.