Minnesota Timberwolves Talk

Can they even get out of the play-in? Recent losses have been discouraging; can they right the ship and ultimately give Memphis a run for their money?

Article on ex-Timberwolf Andrew Wiggins. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32994009/perfect-fit-us-golden-state-warriors-reclamation-former-no-1-pick-andrew-wiggins Naturally, he's meeting expectations for Golden State. He's such an emblem for the entire star-crossed Minnesota franchise.

Let's get this mother started.

Alright smarter basketball minds than me.....should we pursue Simmons and move him to PF? (And make him shoot with his actual dominant hand!) I assume it would be a D-Lo for Simmons move.

Anyone?

The T Wolves will be relocated by 2025. Book it.

You all probably know I’m a Lakers guy by now. But, I like you guys, so I want to keep talking hoops on TD. This season is going to be FUN. To get yourself in the mood, I highly recommend playing back the Ringer’s NBA Preview Palooza. It deserves an award of some kind. Let’s gooooooo

https://www.wbur.org/onlyagame/2018/12/14/lin-wang-charles-barkley I've always liked Chuck, but this makes me even more of a fan.

This is going to be an offseason that will be probably even more entertaining that the whole season of basketball that preceded it. So, we basketball fans should feel blessed. First, LeBron. Yes, there’s that. Second, I read that the Lakers’ championship odds jumped from 20-1 to 6-1 thanks solely to the rumor that Kawhi wants to leave San Antonio in favor of some other team (probably the Lakers, probably also because of LeBron). So ****’s pretty weird already. My prediction prior to today was that LBJ was going to San Antonio. I’m not sure that prediction is shaken, honestly. But my first question is: will Kawhi honestly turn down a supermax deal? I mean, really? It…

It feels weird not discussing what we'll do if the lottery gods smile in our favor.

It has been my great privilege to initiate a thread with this title. Fleeting as it may be.

Freaking Thibs does it again. I hope we fire this clown and figure out a way to hire Hoiberg.

Might as well start one. Cavs - Warriors going on now...

Is this the weirdest, coolest guy in the universe, or what? https://www.si.com/nba/2017/10/10/jimmy-butler-nba-preview-timberwolves-tom-thibodeau

There has already been rumored interest in D Rose as a FA and now the Knicks are back with another attempt to acquire Rubio (for the 8th pick). If the Wolves trade Rubio in order to sign Rose then I will be very unhappy. I am one of the bigger Rubio supporters and don't really like the trade since it could set the Wolves back several games this season and I hate continual rebuilding. I also really question whether or not Dunn or Jones are capable starting PG's. Two possible scenarios where it could make sense. 1) there is a second trade in the works and the Wolves need more draft picks to pull off the addition of a very good to near elite player. 2) They draft 3 …

From what I can tell, here's what we have to look forward to: Either the sixth or seventh pick in the draft. Lots of cap space. Lots of intriguing players about to hit Lots of holes to fill. So what do we do?

For the first time in many years there is a lot of optimism surrounding the Wolves. Several of the ESPN podcasters that I listen are pumping them up to 45+ wins with very few predicting a <.500 record. That is a big step to take but at least things are looking good. The first interesting thing to happen so far this year (since the last thread) is that Garnett will retire. I thought that was likely when both Aldrich and Hill signed. Dieng and Towns will play the bulk of the minutes. I hope Bjelica gets some opportunities and then the two veterans form a solid bench which the Wolves lacked last year. In addition to that Pekovic is out for the season or the team think…

The Wolves win the tie-breaker to have the sixth best lotto odds. http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19187391/new-york-knicks-lose-tiebreaker-minnesota-timberwolves-nba-draft-lottery

There may be method to the madness of keeping Pek on the roster (as opposed to taking a medical exemption). Assume the Wolves want to trade some of their younger pieces for an established "star". Of the four major sports, basketball is the only one where, salary cap considerations aside, the salaries of the traded players have to (roughly) match. So, (and just as an example-- I'm not necessarily advocating this), if the Wolves wanted to trade, say, Wiggins or LaVine or Dunn or some other young, promising star with a low current contract number (essentially, anyone on the roster except Ricky Rubio), for an established star with a high contract number, then the Wolves …

I just want to be clear about some player situations before making an offseason plan in the other thread. Am I correct that this is the season that Bazz enters RFA? If the Wolves want to retain him then they need to match his offer sheet? Am I correct that there is a team option for Jordan Hill this season? Another item to be discussed this summer will be an early extension for Lavine. I think you do it at reasonable prices (Dieng's for example) even if you trade him later. I see him as an asset and could see the Wolves completely losing him the following year in RFA. The same is true of Andrew Wiggins but I think everyone agrees that you offer the max extension t…

Welp, here it is, folks... Obviously, anything they came up with was going to be a major improvement on the mangy strung out cartoon dog we've been using for the past umpteen years. But, this was a year in the making? It's ok, I guess. What do you all think?

Congrats to the Knicks and Kings who won a game at the end of the season and the Wolves up from a 7th place tie in the lottery to a 6th place tie in the lottery. I don't really know what to think of this year. It feels like they took two steps back and then two steps forward and still have TOO many questions for a team on the verge. Positives KAT and Wiggins took over and look like elite and near elite offensive players Rubio was amazing in the 2nd half and has shown that he isn't a drag on the team Neutral Bjelica showed flashes of being a competent big man but got injured again Dieng is a nice player and a decent value on his contract but nothing special. I still …

It seems that whenever Rubio has a nagging injury he really struggles. Early this season, early last season, the season before. His shooting has been just awful at these times. Like the worst in the league by a huge margin. But 2013, late last season and now he has merely been bad. Let's call it 40%. I still think PG is the #3 need for the Wolves. The key is that bad/injured Rubio has to stop happening. Wolves needs 1) A 20-25 min/gm larger defensive wing allowing the Wolves to split Wiggins and Lavine's minutes and to jettison Bazz during RFA. PJ Tucker? 2) A 20-25 min/gm smaller 4 allowing the Wolves to split Dieng and Towns's minutes. Bjelica continues to show pro…

This move will at least be entertaining. And there is upside that he finds a role on the team. After even before lavine's injury the Wolves desperately needed a 3 to play 20 minutes/game.

It is still going to be a tough season but there is finally hope for the franchise. One domino has fallen. Mitchell named Lavine starting SG. It is a vote of confidence that he is a legit NBA'er. I like the potential with his athleticism and he seems to be a pretty good spot up shooter. This puts Rubio, Lavine and Wiggins in the starting lineup. How is the frontcourt going to play out? Will they also find minutes for the future at the expense of the veterans? Or are Pekovic and Garnet going to get a chunk of those minutes? Where does Shabazz fit in?

Is he the greatest PG of all time? Is he approaching it? My God, that game tonight was absolutely insane, if he isn't the best PG of all time, he might be the greatest pure shooter of all time, prior to tonight he was shooting 67% from beyond 28 feet. Oh you know what's coming next.... I wonder what Johnny Flynn is up to these days?

someone talk baseball so i can get over this T-Wolves loss faster. currently heartbroken

Wow...Wolves just tweeted out that Flip passed away.

Looking like it will be Towns.

With the Love trade due to be announced sometime in the next week, what are everyone's thoughts? As of now here is the deal: T-Wolves trade: Kevin Love, Alexy Shved, and Luc Mbah a Moute T-Wolves get: Thaddeus Young, Andrew Wiggins, Anthony Bennett. In my opinion, Flip got quite a bit more back than I expected. It's excellent quality and upside for spare parts and a guy that was bound to leave here. I like it quite a bit.