Wolves 2.0

[Lipoli390]

In looking ahead to Wolves 2.0, I’m not writing off this season. Right now, I think the Wolves should end up avoiding the play-in tournament and ending up as the 6th seed or perhaps as high as 5th. They could conceivably end up in the Western Conference finals again this season. But regardless of where we end up this season, I’m thrilled with what we’re seeing lately from our team and even more excited about what they can be in the years ahead.

With Randle out and Conley’s minutes limited, Finch has been forced to play our unproven young talent and as many of us expected, those guys mesh much better with Ant, Jaden and Naz. We’re finally seeing a style that works for our best players who also happen to be young. And we’re seeing what the next iteration of the Wolves will look like after this season.

Players to Move on From:

If there was any doubt before there should be no doubt now that Randle has no place on this team after this season. He has no place as a starter ahead of Naz and we can’t have a $30 million per year bench player even if we thought he’d be content in that role, which of course he wouldn’t be. And it would make no sense to extend him at something like $20M per year, which is still too much for a bench big - especially one who doesn’t fit well with our other top talent.

Mike Conley doesn’t have it anymore. He certainly can’t be our starting PG going forward. Among the unproven young guys, we’re getting a clear sense of who we can count on going forward and who we can’t - who we keep and who we don’t. Ideally, we’ll be able to acquire a solid PG who can start with Dilly coming off the bench as our #2 PG until he’s ready to start.

I think it’s inevitable we’re going to lose NAW to free agency. That will be a significant loss, but I think we have the young talent behind him to fill the gap. I like DDV and think he fits well with Wolves 2.0 if he’s healthy. If NAW leaves as expected, then keeping DDV is important although still not essential. DDV is probably our more valuable trade chip so the Wolves will need to be open to moving him in the offseason if it will help fill a more urgent need.

The Young Core Going Forward:

I consider the following players untouchable - i.e., players the Wolves should absolutely NOT trade or let go this summer:

1. Ant
2. Jaden
3. Naz
4. Dilly
5. TSJ
6. Jaylen Clark

I’d be reluctant to trade Miller because of his potential and his improvement this past season in the G-League. But I also think he would have a lot of value as part of a trade package. I’m sad to say that Josh Minott, who has been one of my favorites, is the odd man out among our young guys. I think he probably has some additive value as part of a trade package and that would my plan for Josh if I were TC.

Needs to fill:

1. Back-up defensive big behind Rudy (I still like Rudy as part of Wolves 2.0 for the next few years)
2. Veteran starting or backup PG ahead of or behind Dilly.

[KiwiMatt]

With Randle and Rudy out for these last several games it has really shown what our future should be in terms of style of play.

I call it 'Slash and Stretch'. It is just a better brand of basketball even if the results haven't changed much.

Ant's play summarizes it. Having a core roster of players that have the ability to drive to the hoop and score, but also shoot from 3 and stretch the floor to open up the lane.

Ant, Reid, DDV, NAW, McDaniels and TSJ all fit the mold. Clark and Dilly to a certain extent.

I had excepted that NAW wouldn't be a Wolf next season, but I am starting to think they will resign him for on a reasonable deal, maybe for the full MLE. I think NAW likes it here and I think 12 - 15 mil per season is a fair price for all involved.

Randle gone. Reid and NAW resigned. 1st and 2nd RP to round out the roster for next season. Lets go!

[Coolbreeze44]

Since the Gobert trade, the Wolves have drafted better players than the Jazz have.

[Q-is-here]

I agree with your take Lip. I'd be very reluctant to give up DDV unless it was for some really well-regarded veteran point guard, which fills one of the needs you mention above. I don't think the shooting of Shannon or Clark has truly been tested yet, as it would in a playoff series where opposing defenses are going to create a scheme that makes them hit shots while clogging the lane for everyone else. We know DDV can be an assassin from out there.

As for Rudy, it is interesting how drastically different we play on both ends when he isn't playing. I just wonder if keeping him for the next few years holds us back from being that slash & stretch type of team that Kiwi describes? It's fun as hell to watch, that's for sure, but we can't play that way when he's in the game.

Can a smaller slash and stretch style of basketball win multiple playoff series against a variety of opponents? I think Rudy may still be important so that we can match up with different types of teams, but he and Finch need to come to an understanding that he is a cog in the machine and not a centerpiece (pun intended) anymore. That means there may be some games he doesn't play much in.

[KiwiMatt]

I agree with your take Lip. I'd be very reluctant to give up DDV unless it was for some really well-regarded veteran point guard, which fills one of the needs you mention above. I don't think the shooting of Shannon or Clark has truly been tested yet, as it would in a playoff series where opposing defenses are going to create a scheme that makes them hit shots while clogging the lane for everyone else. We know DDV can be an assassin from out there.

As for Rudy, it is interesting how drastically different we play on both ends when he isn't playing. I just wonder if keeping him for the next few years holds us back from being that slash & stretch type of team that Kiwi describes? It's fun as hell to watch, that's for sure, but we can't play that way when he's in the game.

Can a smaller slash and stretch style of basketball win multiple playoff series against a variety of opponents? I think Rudy may still be important so that we can match up with different types of teams, but he and Finch need to come to an understanding that he is a cog in the machine and not a centerpiece (pun intended) anymore. That means there may be some games he doesn't play much in.

I don't think Rudy is as much of an issue as Randle fit wise moving forward. Rudy gives us the ability to flip the switch and change styles, especially come playoffs when the game becomes slower and more physical. That is an important asset to have.

[WildWolf2813]

I agree with your take Lip. I'd be very reluctant to give up DDV unless it was for some really well-regarded veteran point guard, which fills one of the needs you mention above. I don't think the shooting of Shannon or Clark has truly been tested yet, as it would in a playoff series where opposing defenses are going to create a scheme that makes them hit shots while clogging the lane for everyone else. We know DDV can be an assassin from out there.

As for Rudy, it is interesting how drastically different we play on both ends when he isn't playing. I just wonder if keeping him for the next few years holds us back from being that slash & stretch type of team that Kiwi describes? It's fun as hell to watch, that's for sure, but we can't play that way when he's in the game.

Can a smaller slash and stretch style of basketball win multiple playoff series against a variety of opponents? I think Rudy may still be important so that we can match up with different types of teams, but he and Finch need to come to an understanding that he is a cog in the machine and not a centerpiece (pun intended) anymore. That means there may be some games he doesn't play much in.

I don't think Rudy is as much of an issue as Randle fit wise moving forward. Rudy gives us the ability to flip the switch and change styles, especially come playoffs when the game becomes slower and more physical. That is an important asset to have.

They just have to be more willing to adapt to the game script. If Rudy only gets to play 19 minutes because the game dictated that, so be it. If he has to play a little more because it's more our tempo, do that, but that's where Finch has to be smart.

[Wolvesfan21]

Don't give up on Minott just yet Lip, like when you gave up on Clark for being buddies with Moore. For one thing he was one of the first ones to play among the young guys. Meaning behind the scenes (offseason, summer league, all the practices) he has shown the coaches more then any of the others. While he didn't perform well at all, his time was fairly limited, not a big sample size.

He got beat down and it's a learning experience. Watch for him to bounce back and play well next year. I'll trust what I saw in limited time, but more so trust what the coaches saw in him also to play him over others.

[Lipoli390]

I agree with your take Lip. I'd be very reluctant to give up DDV unless it was for some really well-regarded veteran point guard, which fills one of the needs you mention above. I don't think the shooting of Shannon or Clark has truly been tested yet, as it would in a playoff series where opposing defenses are going to create a scheme that makes them hit shots while clogging the lane for everyone else. We know DDV can be an assassin from out there.

As for Rudy, it is interesting how drastically different we play on both ends when he isn't playing. I just wonder if keeping him for the next few years holds us back from being that slash & stretch type of team that Kiwi describes? It's fun as hell to watch, that's for sure, but we can't play that way when he's in the game.

Can a smaller slash and stretch style of basketball win multiple playoff series against a variety of opponents? I think Rudy may still be important so that we can match up with different types of teams, but he and Finch need to come to an understanding that he is a cog in the machine and not a centerpiece (pun intended) anymore. That means there may be some games he doesn't play much in.

I see Rudy being important to our success the next few years but in a reduced, more strategic role as you suggested. I like being able to put him in there with Naz, Jaden and Ant to form an elite defensive combo.

I’m not worried about TSJ’s shooting. He was a proven scorer in college. Jaylen’s shooting is much more of a question mark. Both are very good defenders. Clark is a potentially elite defender. I’m still not sold on Clark because he still looks like a one-way player. TSJ is undoubtedly a two-way guy. On the defensive end, he has the size and speed to guard at least three and possibly four positions. On the offensive end, he’s a terrific slasher with a nice mid-range shot and what looks to me like a good 3-point shot as well. He’s a good ballhandler and looks like a very capable passer. He’s the full package. I see special things from him down the road.

[kekgeek]

Here is my tier list.
Untouchable:
Ant: with Wemby blood clots I honestly don’t know if I would trade Ant straight up for anyone in the league

Only trading if I’m getting an young All Star caliber player back
Jaden
Naz

Would include in a blockbuster to make salary work but don’t think we get fair value back
Rudy
Donte

Will Not Get fair value back
Naw
Clark


High on their future but would include on trying to get a all star caliber player (like Durant)
Dilly
TSJ


Bye bye
Randle (he just does not fit here long term)
Garza


Salary filler but good mojo
Conley
Ingles


Their contracts are more valuable than the player
Miller
Minott

[kekgeek]

A lot of what I think of the next chapter of the wolves comes down to the Naz contract. So many mixed reports on what he will get. Dave/Kyle think around 20-25 million a year, saw a national guy think it will be very similar to the Jaden deal, Doogie today thinks it will be 30-35 million at least. If the Nets offered him a max what do you do?

A lot of what I think of the wolves long term comes down to is Naz on this team next year and what is that number