2015-16 Wolves thread

[kab21]

That is the thing. You aren't going to add a missing piece unless two teams really match up well.  And Shabazz is up for restricted FA in one more year.

[stringer bell]

Big Picture Question:   Was the Wolves 2015-16 season a success?

 

I'll give a qualified "yes". KAT could be a superstar, Wiggins provides top flight tools, and Gorgy and Levine stepped up big time. Rubio also had his best overall season. The bench and general defense and rebounding was poor, and probably the biggest negative is the front office and head coach.

[biggentleben]

 

Big Picture Question:   Was the Wolves 2015-16 season a success?

 

I'll give a qualified "yes". KAT could be a superstar, Wiggins provides top flight tools, and Gorgy and Levine stepped up big time. Rubio also had his best overall season. The bench and general defense and rebounding was poor, and probably the biggest negative is the front office and head coach.

 

In talking with a big NBA fan friend of mine from near Atlanta, he discussed the TWolves job with me as we were discussing college coaching openings. His statement was that the Timberwolves job is probably the most desirable job in the league right now, and he does writing for the FanSided Atlanta site with some personal connections to the Hawks, so I know he's fairly sourced in their front office. I was taken back by that comment a bit, but it'd be nice to have a coaching job in Minnesota be a first choice for once...

[ALessKosherScott]

In terms of wins and losses, no. In terms of where we're heading, yes.

 

Towns gives you that feeling we've just won the lottery, both literally and figuratively. And the post-all-star break Wiggins who hit 40+% of his three pointers seems like the perfect second option. I also think you can't underestimate how important having Lavine on the floor gave Wiggins and Rubio more space to up their percentages. 

 

If you could add two shooters and two defensive role players to the mix of bench options, the Wolves will really have something.

[TheLeviathan]

I don't have time to follow college basketball closely and I hear a lot of Hield, but what about the PG Dunn?

 

It seems like he's a lot like Ricky in both good and bad ways, but one of the biggest issues with the second unit has been the drop-off when Ricky leaves the court.  There is also Ricky's injury prone track record to consider.

 

Would adding someone like him in the draft and going after a PF/shooter in the offseason be a possibility?  (I don't know enough about Dunn to really say, other than reading some things that made me think)

[bluechipper]

 

In talking with a big NBA fan friend of mine from near Atlanta, he discussed the TWolves job with me as we were discussing college coaching openings. His statement was that the Timberwolves job is probably the most desirable job in the league right now, and he does writing for the FanSided Atlanta site with some personal connections to the Hawks, so I know he's fairly sourced in their front office. I was taken back by that comment a bit, but it'd be nice to have a coaching job in Minnesota be a first choice for once...

This article helps to explain the attractiveness of the Wolves job. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--tom-thibodeau-pursuing-full-team-control-185614502.html

 

I'd be fine with giving Thibodeau full control of the team.

[kab21]

 

I don't have time to follow college basketball closely and I hear a lot of Hield, but what about the PG Dunn?

 

It seems like he's a lot like Ricky in both good and bad ways, but one of the biggest issues with the second unit has been the drop-off when Ricky leaves the court.  There is also Ricky's injury prone track record to consider.

 

Would adding someone like him in the draft and going after a PF/shooter in the offseason be a possibility?  (I don't know enough about Dunn to really say, other than reading some things that made me think)

I mentioned Dunn and PG a page or two back. I am not sure if you can evaluate Tyus like that though. He really wasn't ready to play this year and when he did play he wasn't really surrounded by talent although Bjelica and Shabazz finished the season strong.

[TheLeviathan]

 

I mentioned Dunn and PG a page or two back. I am not sure if you can evaluate Tyus like that though. He really wasn't ready to play this year and when he did play he wasn't really surrounded by talent although Bjelica and Shabazz finished the season strong.

 

It's not so much that I want to give up on Tyus, I just look at Dunn as a guy people rank pretty highly in terms of talent, so I guess my question is - is he talented enough for us to overlook a need if he's there?

[ALessKosherScott]

It's not so much that I want to give up on Tyus, I just look at Dunn as a guy people rank pretty highly in terms of talent, so I guess my question is - is he talented enough for us to overlook a need if he's there?

To me, I worry about Dunn's turnover rate and shooting problems. I can't wait to see some of the draft statistical analysis, but I'd guess he gets compared more to MCW than a future all-star.

 

With that said, NBADraft.net has Ulis, Baldwin, Trimble and Payton mocked between 36 to 45 right now, and I'd take anyone one of those guys in those slots (Baldwin is my favorite PG in the draft). Granted, that requires buying a pick.

[bluechipper]

Looks like Tom Thibodeau is going to be the Wolves head coach and president. That's some great news, and this team is going to be really good.

[ALessKosherScott]

Maybe Wolves fans can have nice things.

[TheLeviathan]

Thibs!  That's who I was rooting for!

 

Damn it's exciting to be a Wolves semi-fan right now....

[kab21]

I love that Thibs is the coach but I am a little hesitant about him being the president w/o a GM that he answers to. I don't really like that dynamic in the NBA and it seems to have a poor track record most places.

 

He can't do worse than Kahn or Mchale though in that role but this team has the potential to be something special.

[kab21]

Jalen Rose on his show just dropped a bomb on his ESPN show. Obviously this isn't sourced but he said Jimmy Butler to the Wolves to play with his old coach. This sounds ridiculous but Jalen has made some similarly bold calls in the past and they happened.

 

I am not expecting this but I think there is a better chance than some of Dave's bold calls.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Jalen Rose on his show just dropped a bomb on his ESPN show. Obviously this isn't sourced but he said Jimmy Butler to the Wolves to play with his old coach. This sounds ridiculous but Jalen has made some similarly bold calls in the past and they happened.

 

I am not expecting this but I think there is a better chance than some of Dave's bold calls.

 

Trade or as a FA?

[kab21]

 

Trade or as a FA?

Obviously a trade since Butler just signed a 5 year contract extension. I don't see how it happens. It would almost certainly have to be player initiated but even then they don't have much leverage.

 

Perhaps though this could lead to a Taj Gibson deal to give the Wolves a really good set of bigs.

[Shane Wahl]

I would like to know more about what the hell is going on with the Bulls before taking on any of their longer-term players (Gasol gets a break here). I doubt that it is *merely* the fact that Rose is a problem. Something is amiss there. Maybe it really is the coaching change.

It is hard to imagine how such a trade would work out, unless it was the pick, LaVine, Pekovic, and Muhammad for Butler and Gibson.

[TheLeviathan]

I don't think we'd have to trade the pick and Lavine necessarily, but if we added Butler to Lavine and Wiggins that would create some interesting pairings and options.

[bluechipper]

 

I don't think we'd have to trade the pick and Lavine necessarily, but if we added Butler to Lavine and Wiggins that would create some interesting pairings and options.

I think Lavine would have to be packaged with the pick. If it was the pick, Shabazz, and Pek's contract or something for Butler, then the Wolves would do that in a heartbeat, but the Bulls are going to need more than that.

[bluechipper]

 

I would like to know more about what the hell is going on with the Bulls before taking on any of their longer-term players (Gasol gets a break here). I doubt that it is *merely* the fact that Rose is a problem. Something is amiss there. Maybe it really is the coaching change.

It is hard to imagine how such a trade would work out, unless it was the pick, LaVine, Pekovic, and Muhammad for Butler and Gibson.

If you're referencing the attitude "problems" for Jimmy Butler, I am a little concerned about that. Even if you have a first year coach, you have to show him respect even if you're the star player.

 

I doubt there would be any problems with coaching if he played for Thibodeau again though.

[kab21]

 

I don't think we'd have to trade the pick and Lavine necessarily, but if we added Butler to Lavine and Wiggins that would create some interesting pairings and options.

Butler is a near elite player and it will take a lot to get him.  

 

This is only true if the Wolves move up to #1 or #2. There is no way that the Wolves can pull the trade off w/o Lavine or possibly Rubio (doesn't work with Rose probably) in the trade. There isn't anything else on the roster that is that valuable (Dieng but the Bulls have 5-6 bigs).

 

[kab21]

Jalen Rose's next bold prediction: Duncan retires and Gasol signs with the Spurs. It is just fun to listen to him.

[TheLeviathan]

Another draft with us taking Dunn.

 

Draft him, let him learn with Rubio this year, and then use Rubio as a big trade chip next offseason?  Assuming Dunn is basically Rubio with a better shot as he's often described.

[bluechipper]

 

Another draft with us taking Dunn.

 

Draft him, let him learn with Rubio this year, and then use Rubio as a big trade chip next offseason?  Assuming Dunn is basically Rubio with a better shot as he's often described.

I'm not really sold on Dunn, as I might take Jamal Murray over him instead. I also really like Henry Ellenson. 

 

I have no interest at all in trading Rubio. I suppose that could change if Kris Dunn had a great rookie season or something, but I think Rubio is too important, and to hand the PG spot to a second year player on what will be a contending team doesn't seem like a good idea.

[ALessKosherScott]

 

Another draft with us taking Dunn.

 

Draft him, let him learn with Rubio this year, and then use Rubio as a big trade chip next offseason?  Assuming Dunn is basically Rubio with a better shot as he's often described.

 

I wouldn't assume Dunn is a better shot than Rubio. He never cracked 70% as a free throw shooter at Providence and that's usually a sign a player will struggle at shooting in the NBA. I'd wager he finishes better at the rim than Rubio at the NBA level, as that's what holds Rubio's shooting percentage down.

 

To me, if Dunn can cut his turnover rate in the NBA he can maybe be Rondo. If he doesn't, he's more likely MCW. I'd rather take a shot at Murray or Hield in that mock draft, though.

[TheLeviathan]

I'm not really sold on Dunn, as I might take Jamal Murray over him instead. I also really like Henry Ellenson. 

 

I have no interest at all in trading Rubio. I suppose that could change if Kris Dunn had a great rookie season or something, but I think Rubio is too important, and to hand the PG spot to a second year player on what will be a contending team doesn't seem like a good idea.

I worry about Rubio's durability, that would be my worry. Last year eased that concern though.

[bluechipper]

My guy, Henry Ellenson, measured in at 6'11.5" with a 7'2" wingspan at the combine. That'll work.

 

I also have a slight feeling that I'm going to look back and wonder why I liked him so much.

[ALessKosherScott]

In obvious news, the guy who won all the NBA Rookie of the Month awards to be named Rookie of the year.

[kab21]

 

My guy, Henry Ellenson, measured in at 6'11.5" with a 7'2" wingspan at the combine. That'll work.

 

I also have a slight feeling that I'm going to look back and wonder why I liked him so much.

I think he is the type that makes you look like a genius because of his raw skillset or a complete bust. I am a little anxious to pick a guy that could help by the start of year 2. A guy like Hield could even be a valuable part of the 2nd team the first season but I see Ellenson as a longer term project.

[bluechipper]

 

I think he is the type that makes you look like a genius because of his raw skillset or a complete bust. I am a little anxious to pick a guy that could help by the start of year 2. A guy like Hield could even be a valuable part of the 2nd team the first season but I see Ellenson as a longer term project.

I just keep envisioning Ellenson as the next great prototypical stretch-PF. He's got such a nice skillset already and with great size.

 

Also, looking forward to the lottery tonight. If the Wolves get a top 2 pick, it's over. Either a high upside player, or some nice trade possibilities would be there.