There's been some discussion about moving Jaden to the 4 and I tend to agree that Ayo should be the 6th man vs the starting SF. Jaden has mentioned he likes defending bigger players and playing in the paint more defensively. Could the team lean into that if there is another option to guard point of attack?
What about Josh Green? He seems to be OK in this role but would probably lead to Jaden reverting back to that role.
Who are some other options if the team was looking for a starting 3 to fold into this trade?
Isaac Okoro, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, Derrick Jones Jr, Herb Jones might be some gettable options.
Jaden at the 4
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Mnwild1128
- Posts: 174
- Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:03 pm
Re: Jaden at the 4
Herb Jones is unrealistic. Been hearing they want alot for him.Phenom wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2026 12:14 am There's been some discussion about moving Jaden to the 4 and I tend to agree that Ayo should be the 6th man vs the starting SF. Jaden has mentioned he likes defending bigger players and playing in the paint more defensively. Could the team lean into that if there is another option to guard point of attack?
What about Josh Green? He seems to be OK in this role but would probably lead to Jaden reverting back to that role.
Who are some other options if the team was looking for a starting 3 to fold into this trade?
Isaac Okoro, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, Derrick Jones Jr, Herb Jones might be some gettable options.
Re: Jaden at the 4
That could be.Mnwild1128 wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2026 12:18 amHerb Jones is unrealistic. Been hearing they want alot for him.Phenom wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2026 12:14 am There's been some discussion about moving Jaden to the 4 and I tend to agree that Ayo should be the 6th man vs the starting SF. Jaden has mentioned he likes defending bigger players and playing in the paint more defensively. Could the team lean into that if there is another option to guard point of attack?
What about Josh Green? He seems to be OK in this role but would probably lead to Jaden reverting back to that role.
Who are some other options if the team was looking for a starting 3 to fold into this trade?
Isaac Okoro, Caleb Martin, Naji Marshall, Derrick Jones Jr, Herb Jones might be some gettable options.
Re: Jaden at the 4
I suppose you could look at the current roster and fret that we have no starting PF (or backup for that matter). It doesn’t bother me one iota given the our top 2 priorities have been filled - move Randle and add ball handling. And this is before the 2026-27 offseason has even begun!
TC still has plenty of tools to work with to fill out the roster and address the PF position. Not only are trades a possibility, but don’t you think a wide open starting PF spot on a playoff team will look appealing to some decent FAs? Enough that they might take the vet minimum, or work out a sign and trade transaction?
I don’t know who that will be, but I am sure I’ll be more than satisfied when all is said and done.
There. I said my piece on that matter.
TC still has plenty of tools to work with to fill out the roster and address the PF position. Not only are trades a possibility, but don’t you think a wide open starting PF spot on a playoff team will look appealing to some decent FAs? Enough that they might take the vet minimum, or work out a sign and trade transaction?
I don’t know who that will be, but I am sure I’ll be more than satisfied when all is said and done.
There. I said my piece on that matter.
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AussieWolf3
- Posts: 1564
- Joined: Thu May 29, 2025 5:11 pm
Re: Jaden at the 4
I'd love to to add herb, but yeah the word is that NOP's asking price is..... Unrealistic.
To be honest, I have a differing opinion than most on this, because I actually think that adding Melo has actually helped this team defensively as well.....
...... Let me explain
LaMelo Ball is not a good defender and will not be a good defender, however, like it does on offense this move balances out defensive responsibilities better than it had before.
Perimeter defense is important but having two paint defenders of the caliber of Rudy and what I believe Jaden can be has a significantly higher impact. Cleveland for example has consistently fielded a top 10 defense the past few years despite not remarkable perimeter defenders, and even having two negatives in Mitchell and Garland.
Lets review the perimeter:
- first and most foundational here is Ayo. His combine Ht is 6' 3.5" with a ridiculous 6' 10" wingspan he's filled out as well, fast in a straight line but not so much so laterally. He has a good profile here, what continues to be an absolute mystery with him is that his underlying metrics, across the board, have been bad his whole career--- despite a sterling eye test. I agree with most here who think he would be best as a 6th man, I think the Wolves brass is aiming higher for him, and I also wouldn't be surprised if they plan to have him operate as the defensive specialist on the team. I'd be shocked if he can level up to being elite at this but he can be good. What's key tho is that he will no longer be a primary ball handler and will have much fuller energy reserves for defensive side of the floor. Replacing him with a versatile wing would make sense, but I think he can handle this responsibility
- Ayo is foundational but Ant is most important if they're going to be a great team and that applies to both sides of the floor. If everything works like it should on offense than that means that Ant should be able to apply a lot more of himself on defense. Few players can be elite, elite on both sides but he can and it's up to him to rise to that challenge. If he does than this is a championship team.
- I don't know yet what to think of Ball as a defender. He has the length to get deflections and steals, I don't know what his activity level is. What is missing for this starting 5 right now is a high level chase defender ala Mike Conley. Between Ant and Ball someone is gonna have to handle this against teams with great shooters. I could see this being a problem.
To be honest, I have a differing opinion than most on this, because I actually think that adding Melo has actually helped this team defensively as well.....
...... Let me explain
LaMelo Ball is not a good defender and will not be a good defender, however, like it does on offense this move balances out defensive responsibilities better than it had before.
Perimeter defense is important but having two paint defenders of the caliber of Rudy and what I believe Jaden can be has a significantly higher impact. Cleveland for example has consistently fielded a top 10 defense the past few years despite not remarkable perimeter defenders, and even having two negatives in Mitchell and Garland.
Lets review the perimeter:
- first and most foundational here is Ayo. His combine Ht is 6' 3.5" with a ridiculous 6' 10" wingspan he's filled out as well, fast in a straight line but not so much so laterally. He has a good profile here, what continues to be an absolute mystery with him is that his underlying metrics, across the board, have been bad his whole career--- despite a sterling eye test. I agree with most here who think he would be best as a 6th man, I think the Wolves brass is aiming higher for him, and I also wouldn't be surprised if they plan to have him operate as the defensive specialist on the team. I'd be shocked if he can level up to being elite at this but he can be good. What's key tho is that he will no longer be a primary ball handler and will have much fuller energy reserves for defensive side of the floor. Replacing him with a versatile wing would make sense, but I think he can handle this responsibility
- Ayo is foundational but Ant is most important if they're going to be a great team and that applies to both sides of the floor. If everything works like it should on offense than that means that Ant should be able to apply a lot more of himself on defense. Few players can be elite, elite on both sides but he can and it's up to him to rise to that challenge. If he does than this is a championship team.
- I don't know yet what to think of Ball as a defender. He has the length to get deflections and steals, I don't know what his activity level is. What is missing for this starting 5 right now is a high level chase defender ala Mike Conley. Between Ant and Ball someone is gonna have to handle this against teams with great shooters. I could see this being a problem.
Re: Jaden at the 4
That's a good perspective Tim.60WinTim wrote: ↑Fri Jun 26, 2026 7:56 am I suppose you could look at the current roster and fret that we have no starting PF (or backup for that matter). It doesn’t bother me one iota given the our top 2 priorities have been filled - move Randle and add ball handling. And this is before the 2026-27 offseason has even begun!
TC still has plenty of tools to work with to fill out the roster and address the PF position. Not only are trades a possibility, but don’t you think a wide open starting PF spot on a playoff team will look appealing to some decent FAs? Enough that they might take the vet minimum, or work out a sign and trade transaction?
I don’t know who that will be, but I am sure I’ll be more than satisfied when all is said and done.
There. I said my piece on that matter.
If you had asked me last week how to go obtain LaMelo, I would have said it would require Rudy to go get him. We would have solved our PG problem, but then we'd be left in the same position of wondering who the heck we could go get to fill the starting Center position, a role of FAR more consequence than figuring out who should be the 5th starter on a frontline with Rudy and Jaden in it.