Minnesota Sports Forum

Hey! We get our first look at the '25-26 Wolves tonight on League Pass!

While we will talk about the starting lineup and rotation Finch throws out there, we really won't know much about that until a pattern develops over the course of a few games. The first game will probably align with a "seniority" theme: starters being Conley, ANT, Jaden, Randle and Rudy. But of more interest will be the young guys, their roles, and how they look.

The early training camp pictures show a slimmed down NAZ (IMO), and I can't help but wonder if he will see more minutes at the 3, which was apparently the plan last season until the KAT trade went down. I am hoping Joan becomes a real wildcard this season!

60WinTim wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:37 am Hey! We get our first look at the '25-26 Wolves tonight on League Pass!

While we will talk about the starting lineup and rotation Finch throws out there, we really won't know much about that until a pattern develops over the course of a few games. The first game will probably align with a "seniority" theme: starters being Conley, ANT, Jaden, Randle and Rudy. But of more interest will be the young guys, their roles, and how they look.

The early training camp pictures show a slimmed down NAZ (IMO), and I can't help but wonder if he will see more minutes at the 3, which was apparently the plan last season until the KAT trade went down. I am hoping Joan becomes a real wildcard this season!

....but the KAT trade brought us someone who plays the exact same position as Naz and needs his his 30+ MPG in Julius Randle. And with Jaden and an emerging Shannon Jr. at SF, I just don't see where the minutes come from to play Naz at the 3. He's going to continue being a hybrid 4/5 for now.

Q-is-here wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 9:05 am

60WinTim wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:37 am Hey! We get our first look at the '25-26 Wolves tonight on League Pass!

While we will talk about the starting lineup and rotation Finch throws out there, we really won't know much about that until a pattern develops over the course of a few games. The first game will probably align with a "seniority" theme: starters being Conley, ANT, Jaden, Randle and Rudy. But of more interest will be the young guys, their roles, and how they look.

The early training camp pictures show a slimmed down NAZ (IMO), and I can't help but wonder if he will see more minutes at the 3, which was apparently the plan last season until the KAT trade went down. I am hoping Joan becomes a real wildcard this season!

....but the KAT trade brought us someone who plays the exact same position as Naz and needs his his 30+ MPG in Julius Randle. And with Jaden and an emerging Shannon Jr. at SF, I just don't see where the minutes come from to play Naz at the 3. He's going to continue being a hybrid 4/5 for now.

I won't argue that there is a real squeeze for minutes throughout the entire rotation!

The problem with the KAT trade was the loss of minutes at C, which now needed to be filled by a combination of Randle and NAZ, whereas before, KAT and Rudy had all the C minutes covered. The addition of Beringer could start reversing that trend. Donte's arrival also impeded the chance at SF minutes for NAZ because of the logjam at the wing. But you are right, assuming Shannon emerges as a complete NAW replacement, and maybe more, that won't help Finch's dilemma of how to spread the minutes around.

I see so many people assume Beringer is the eventual Rudy replacement. But from what we've see thus far, Beringer has some real potential at the 4. Maybe Rocco is the eventual Rudy replacement, and Beringer is the one to supplant Randle in a few years.

I am already assuming Shannon is going to be very good. It's Rob and Joan that I'll have a keen eye on this year.

Joan is my beacon of hope that this years team can be better. I expect his improvement curve to be sharply pointed up.

Miller is out with the finger laceration. Conley, ANT and Randle are all being held out. Starting lineup is:

Dillingham
Donte
Jaden
NAZ
Rudy

It's a great opportunity for Rob to shine. Let's see what he can do.

Anyone have a link for the game

kekgeek wrote: ↑Sat Oct 04, 2025 8:10 pm Anyone have a link for the game

I'm getting it the legal way via league pass, sorry kek!

I sprung for League Pass.

It kind of feels like we are being out played, but we are up 17-10 early.

We are very foul happy. Rib had to sit with 2. Bones is in.

NAZ has been hitting shots!

Dilly guarding Murray. He's trying at least.

I am more of a Bones fan than most people here. It’s great that he doesn’t have to be a rotation player, but can be competent if called upon.