2015-16 Wolves thread

[ALessKosherScott]

The Wolves are now 0-8 when Garnett sits out. 

 

Kind of says how important Garnett's limited minutes are.

[DaveW]

 

Georges Niang in the 2nd round would be great.

Niang will go in the first round.

[bluechipper]

 

Niang will go in the first round.

I hope he does, but I doubt it though. He's obviously a great college player and has great skill, but 6'7" PF with limited athleticism isn't usually an indicator of success. I think he could be a better version of Boris Diaw, and I'm really rooting for him.

[Seauville]

I just wish the Wolves could play to yesterday's level on a much more consistent basis. It was so fun to see them competing with the Thunder and not being completely out of their depth. Granted we won't be able to replicate Zach LaVine going 14/17 from the floor very often, but it seemed everyone was really thriving in their role yesterday (except maybe Pek, but I'm beyond over him being a crucial part of this team).

[DaveW]

Mitchell is such a **** coach, reports today saying that all the players have questioned his terrible plans/plays etc.

If I were the T Pups I would very seriously consider dumping Mitchell now and bringing in Blatt with an offer he can't refuse. (My home run would be to somehow get Hoiberg to come coach the team, but I think he sticks in Chi town)

[kab21]

I think Tom Thibodeau.

 

Blatt might be a fine coach but he isn't far enough removed from the circus going on around him right now.

[bluechipper]

I'd also be in favor of a David Blatt hiring. It sounds like Brooklyn will go after Thibodeau, who I also wouldn't mind. I don't see the Bulls letting go of Hoiberg after one season, but that would be an amazing get if that were to happen.

[DaveW]

 

I'd also be in favor of a David Blatt hiring. It sounds like Brooklyn will go after Thibodeau, who I also wouldn't mind. I don't see the Bulls letting go of Hoiberg after one season, but that would be an amazing get if that were to happen.

If Rose doesn't approve of him I could see it happen. Also the Bulls fanbase is ridiculous, I could see them running him out of town after one season.

 

Hoiberg would be so so so so great.

[DaveW]

 

 

I think Tom Thibodeau.

 

Blatt might be a fine coach but he isn't far enough removed from the circus going on around him right now.

The problem is, if you let the circus die down, then there will be another 10 teams lining up to get him.

 

You gotta take him now if you want the chance.

[kab21]

 

The problem is, if you let the circus die down, then there will be another 10 teams lining up to get him.

 

You gotta take him now if you want the chance.

I don't think you want the distraction around all of the young kids and the fresh image of players owning the coach.  It could work out (and KG would help immensely) but it is something that could really backfire.

 

Brooklyn might want Thibodeau but if given the choice of an up and coming team vs that complete disaster then it would be an easy choice.  Now if Brooklyn gave him a blank check then he might go there but they are in a hopeless situation.

 

Of course Hoiberg would be an awesome get but I don't see that happening.

[DaveW]

 

I don't think you want the distraction around all of the young kids and the fresh image of players owning the coach.  It could work out (and KG would help immensely) but it is something that could really backfire.

 

Brooklyn might want Thibodeau but if given the choice of an up and coming team vs that complete disaster then it would be an easy choice.  Now if Brooklyn gave him a blank check then he might go there but they are in a hopeless situation.

 

Of course Hoiberg would be an awesome get but I don't see that happening.

Yeah, Brooklyn is in big big trouble, they basically traded away their entire draft for the next 4-5 years and don't have anyone to build around, basically they will need to build through free agency and hit a couple lottery tickets.

[bluechipper]

Mitchell with another horrible job with rotations last night against Utah that probably cost them the game. He took out Gorgui, KAT, and Rubio at basically the same time in the third with a one point lead. This led to a 14-0 run.

 

Karl-Anthony Towns is ridiculously good. 32 and 12 last night on 12-17 shooting.

 

[ALessKosherScott]

The more I watch our back up point guard play, the more I hope they just take Kris Dunn or Wade Baldwin in the first round so I never have to watch our back up point guards play again.

[bluechipper]

 

The more I watch our back up point guard play, the more I hope they just take Kris Dunn or Wade Baldwin in the first round so I never have to watch our back up point guards play again.

I might agree with you on Kris Dunn, but I'd rather take my chances with Tyus over any other pg in the draft.

 

Rubio had 15-4-9 on 6-7 shooting tonight...and he played 29 minutes. Mitchell waited until about 6 minutes to go in the 4th to put him back in. That makes no sense at all.

[DaveW]

Mitchell is such a clown! Good lord, I think coaching is over-rated in the NBA, but good lord, I think this team has like 8 more wins at this point with ANY other coach in the the NBA.

[ALessKosherScott]

 

I might agree with you on Kris Dunn, but I'd rather take my chances with Tyus over any other pg in the draft.

 

Rubio had 15-4-9 on 6-7 shooting tonight...and he played 29 minutes. Mitchell waited until about 6 minutes to go in the 4th to put him back in. That makes no sense at all.

 

I might put Baldwin above Dunn if I needed a point guard. Dunn is more electric, but Baldwin has the wingspan and athleticism to be a lockdown defender, isn't as turnover prone as Dunn and is a lot safer bet to be a good shooter in the NBA. There are things I like about Tyus. But you have to worry it's going to take a major step forward for him to just be terrible at this point. You might even want to grab a Gary Payton II or Fred VanVleet in the second to hedge your bet on Jones at this point.

[Vanimal46]

This is rock bottom for the T-Wolves, right?

[DaveW]

Going to the Clips T Pups game tonight, I look forward to the 30 points thrashing that is sure to come.

[DaveW]

WINNAH!

[bluechipper]

 

WINNAH!

That was a really nice and unexpected win. It's always fun to watch the Wolves beat good teams, but even better when it's against the Clippers. That team is so unlikeable with all of their constant whining to the refs.

[ALessKosherScott]

Yay! More wins than last year. Before the All-Star Break even.

 

Dieng is starting to look like a nice power forward.

[kab21]

This is the kind of thing they should have been doing all season.  Play the young kids and see which combos work well.  I wouldn't have expected Dieng to play this well but Dieng/Towns are by far the two most talented bigs on the team.  Likewise Lavine is one of the most talented players and has been playing more.

[ALessKosherScott]

Post-Trade Deadline Breakdown for the casual fans:

 

• The Bucks supposedly asked the Wolves to trade Rubio multiple times. The rumor is Newton said it had to involve Khris Middleton or no deal. I'm sure the Bucks thought they could get it done with MCW and spare parts and maybe sweeten the deal by taking on Kevin Martin.

 

• Martin and Adreain Payne are still here, despite rumors the Wolves wanted to cut ties with them. This leads me to believe it would've cost us picks to send them out the door.

 

• The one player the Wolves were tied to on the cheap was Ben McLemore, who's exactly the kind of on the cheap player they should be looking into. Granted, this is where it would help to have an open roster spot or two.

 

* Newton says Pek should play again after the All-Star break. I'd almost rather see Pek sit on the IR for a year and retire at this point.

 

• For no moves being made, it generally made me feel positive about the direction the Wolves are heading in.

[DaveW]

Hitting up Wolves game on Sat, never been to target center, any suggestions on where to sit/avoid?

[kab21]

It is about time that the 5 most talented players played together.  30+ minutes from Rubio, Lavine, Wiggins, Dieng and Towns with Shabazz chipping in 20 minutes.  Now perhaps this lineup matches up well with the Celtics but they appear to have clicked together.  The defense wasn't very good but play these guys so you know what holes need to be filled this offseason.  You won't know until everyone has played together.

 

I am not surprised at all that Martin has no trade value.  Payne surprises me a little.  He seems like that solid blue collar big man that can play 10-15 mins/game as a #8-10 man in the rotation.  The only problem is that that Wolves have too many bigs and not enough roster spots.

 

I don't care what happens to Pekovic but I would keep him if only to have a big contract available to trade (stupid NBA trade rules).  I am convinced that the only way that the Wolves can land a good to great player is by taking a bigger contract from another team.  Some sort of disgruntled minor star or player that doesn't otherwise fit on their team.  FA's won't be signing here or they will be #3/4's getting overpaid (near the max) like Enes Kanter.

[bluechipper]

 

It is about time that the 5 most talented players played together.  30+ minutes from Rubio, Lavine, Wiggins, Dieng and Towns with Shabazz chipping in 20 minutes.  Now perhaps this lineup matches up well with the Celtics but they appear to have clicked together.  The defense wasn't very good but play these guys so you know what holes need to be filled this offseason.  You won't know until everyone has played together.

 

I am not surprised at all that Martin has no trade value.  Payne surprises me a little.  He seems like that solid blue collar big man that can play 10-15 mins/game as a #8-10 man in the rotation.  The only problem is that that Wolves have too many bigs and not enough roster spots.

 

I don't care what happens to Pekovic but I would keep him if only to have a big contract available to trade (stupid NBA trade rules).  I am convinced that the only way that the Wolves can land a good to great player is by taking a bigger contract from another team.  Some sort of disgruntled minor star or player that doesn't otherwise fit on their team.  FA's won't be signing here or they will be #3/4's getting overpaid (near the max) like Enes Kanter.

Hopefully Pek retires (that's the sad reality) and insurance can pay most of his contract.

 

The Wolves are going to have to overpay for a second tier free agent. I've seen some talk of offering Harrison Barnes the max and hoping that GS doesn't match. That probably wouldn't be the worst thing when you consider the cap increasing, and a number 3/4 option on offense who can space the floor and play competent defense is exactly what they need.

[kab21]

I am not sure that the Twins are going to be able to sign a guy like Harrison even if they overpay.  Next offseason is going to be crazy.  The best way to acquire that type is to trade for them and they basically don't have a choice to come to the Wolves.  In order to pull that type of trade off the Wolves will need an outgoing salary to include.  That is Pekovic (and to a lesser extent Martin).

[ALessKosherScott]

I think last night showed the potential of Zach Lavine could do to the lineup. Or more to the point, how having a guy you actually have to guard at the three point line changes the flow of the game for the Wolves. Throw in Tyus having a few nice moments as the backup point guard, and there were a lot of positives. It also helped that Boston didn't have a rim-protector on the floor and Dieng and Towns could both take advantage of them.

 

The upside to Pek is that his contract can come off the salary cap right before the next trade deadline if he retires. One year from the last game he played, which if he doesn't play again would be January 31st next year. 

 

Golden State isn't going to match a near max offer to Barnes with Curry headed for a supermax deal. But what does a near max deal to Barnes do to our salary cap? IMHO, if you're the Wolves you're looking for your next Michael Beasley signing, in hopes it ends up being your next Chauncey Billups signing. Or, to keep it in the spectrum of last night's game, you're looking for your Jae Crowder.

 

 

 

[kab21]

I didn't actually say that GS would offer Barnes a near max deal.  This is an offseason where everybody has max money (20+ teams according to ESPN) to go after a limited number of FA's.  Chances are the Wolves aren't the most desirable location to go to. 

 

And actually the Warriors can offer Barnes a near max deal.  ESPN (and others) are figuring out ways that GS can sign Durant (losing Barnes and 1-2 other role players).  http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14827602/should-warriors-make-move-sign-kevin-durant

 

Pekovic's salary and its effect on the cap is essentially meaningless with the cap explosion.  The only way it affects things is if the Wolves sign a max player and probably a second player which I think is really unlikely.

[DaveW]

Homer alert I know, but how great would Buddy Hield look on this roster?

 

Next years roster could be:

 

PG: Rubio (or trade Rubio and bring in a more well rounded PG)

SG: Hield

SF: Wiggins

PF: Dieng

C: KAT

 

Lavine becomes an awesome 6th man for you and Shabazz ends up a solid bench guy as well. Jones is your back up PG and if you find a couple big solid bench bodies you are set.

 

 

Which brings up another question:

 

Thoughts on Rubio? I know he does a lot of things well, and LaVine isn't a true NBA PG, but man, Rubio absolutely can not shoot and it allows the opposing defenses to cheat a ton. Would you trade him? Would you keep him? What would it take etc?