Timberwolves 2017 Offseason rumors

[Mike Sixel]

Not a real NBA fan, but it's amazing how the West is amassing the talent right now, and not just on the coast.

[bluechipper]

 

Not a real NBA fan, but it's amazing how the West is amassing the talent right now, and not just on the coast.

It sure is. It looks like it will be a great race after the top 4 teams in the West. Probably 4 spots for the 7 teams of the Wolves, Jazz, Grizzlies, Blazers, Clippers, Nuggets, and Pelicans.

[ALessKosherScott]

I get what they're trying to do with Teague for Rubio, but it doesn't make me hate it less. Teague is a better shooter than Rubio but his defense makes Lavine and Wiggins look capable.

 

I don't mind Gibson. But I want to see who the backup wings are.

[mikecgrimes]

I'm a little curiuse why  people aren't as willing to see the Wolves in the top 3 or 4 of the conference.  It's silly to keep hearing how many games of an improvement it would be.  We have a new best player plus young improving players.  To me anything less then 55 wins or a team that comes on strong late is a disappointment.  Clearly the bench needs to be stronger but if Tyus can continue to be solid it should be fine when healthy.

[Pardon My Dinger]

I'm feeling a little underwhelmed coming out of the first chapter of free agency. I was expecting something more exciting than Teague and Gibson. Frankly, I'm kind of sour about giving Rubio away to go out and get a guy who can kinda shoot ok, but has nowhere near the level of playmaking or defensive ability. Now that cap room is pretty much used up, and we still don't have our bench fixed.

 

Of course, I'm not saying I've lost my optimism/enthusiasm for 2017-18. Just tapered somewhat.

[mikecgrimes]

Some of the bench problems last year had to do with the starters they played with.  Rubio Lavine or wiggens and 3 bench players is bad.  Teague Butler and 3 bench players is good.  Plus I think Gibson is a significant upgrade at 6th man.  If Jones can be solid we're more then fine.  Rubio's injury history is another big factor even if he was actually better then Teague your going from a player your happy to see play 70 games to a player your disappointment to see only play 70 games.  If Towns takes the next step I see no reason you they can't finish 2nd in the West.

[kab21]

I am trying to contain my enthusiasm since I thought last year's Wolves could go .500 and battle for the playoffs. My enthusiasm this year is really high but at the same time it is hard to put the Wolves into the top 3 or 4 in the West. It could happen but the West is really good. The Wolves will also be near the bottom in 3 PT attempts again since none of their 4 starters (not Dieng) are bulk 3 pt shooters.

 

I also need to see their remaining bench moves because right now Jones, Question Mark Man and Gibson are getting the bulk of the reserve minutes. If they suffer any type of injury then things can get ugly fast since there is no depth.

 

I think I put the Wolves 8th in the NBA during a pre-class discussion with a couple of students that know NBA basketball.

 

GSW

 

CLE

SAS - sticking with them despite so many issues

 

HOU

BOS

 

OKC - no depth

TOR

MIN

Many teams in the this tier.

 

And that even looks optimistic since that last tier is deep. A lot could happen there.

But I am really excited about the Wolves. They could take a big step up since they have two All-NBA level players.

[Mr. Brooks]

Happy to get Butler of course. But, disappointed with free agency after the leaks that they were going "big game hunting" in free agency, and the comments from Butler.

[kab21]

Rumor is that CJ Miles would like to come to the Wolves but it would likely require a sign and trade involving Aldrich and the OKC pick. For Miles I would be alright with that. I am hesitant to trade picks to dump Aldrich but Miles is a good fit and fills a big need. The pick likely ends up being in the 20's in the next draft also so that is a reasonable price to pay.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Gotta get Miles. We don't project to have a decent wing off the bench unless, like, Beachum or someone impresses in the summer league. It's an obvious need, and I suppose it's likely they'll do whatever is reasonable to get someone like miles.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Well, I suppose you could play Belly in a 2/3 position in a pinch, but I don't trust that guy.

[kab21]

 

Gotta get Miles. We don't project to have a decent wing off the bench unless, like, Beachum or someone impresses in the summer league. It's an obvious need, and I suppose it's likely they'll do whatever is reasonable to get someone like miles.

They gotta get someone obviously. If they go for Miles then it won't be cheap and they need to clear some salary. 

The Wolves are a rumored landing spot for Jamal Crawford also after his buyout.

[Pardon My Dinger]

They gotta get someone obviously. If they go for Miles then it won't be cheap and they need to clear some salary.

 

The Wolves are a rumored landing spot for Jamal Crawford also after his buyout.

No thanks on Crawford. Are spending money or aren't we? That's what's kind of bugging me right now.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Check that: are we going for it or aren't we?

 

...I understand the cap situation.

[kab21]

 

No thanks on Crawford. Are spending money or aren't we? That's what's kind of bugging me right now.

 

Check that: are we going for it or aren't we?

...I understand the cap situation.

Is anybody actually really going for it (with regards to GSW)?

 

Money is a complete non issue. They are spending it (all of it). The Wolves can't just start dealing draft picks away though. They are setup (even if Butler leaves) for sustained success but to do that they need to hit on a draft pick (role player level) every now and then to fill holes.

[bluechipper]

Jamal Crawford will sign with Minnesota after clearing waivers, 2 years, $8.9M is what's being reported.

 

He's one of my favorite players to watch, and he should be a very good veteran addition to the bench.

[kab21]

Strong addition to the bench and great value on the contract. He might not be ideal but that is what you get when you pay bargain basement prices in FA.

 

Great starting 5. Very good bench with Jones - Crawford - Gibson getting the bulk of the minutes. Bjelica give it a little depth. Patton gives it a project. Aldrich is there (for now).

 

I think they still need another backup wing (like Rush?). 

 

What does this mean for the cap and the exceptions? I believe this took them up to the cap and their options now are to use the smaller exception (3.5-4M), trade Aldrich to free up cap space or use the bi-annual exception (8.5M). I assume they want to retain the bi-annual exception so they can use it next year or they won't be able to sign anyone to fill a hole. The exceptions are a little confusing.

[mikecgrimes]

Given the role 9th 10th and 11th men play you can probably fill out the rest of the roster with guys who have never played in the NBA and you might come up with something better then the majority of established minimum salary free agents, maybe one more slightly better player with that cap exception, but scouting to come up with a player who's a factor is key.  Then you hope Jones is a viable #1 backup and Patton or someone else develops.  And as little as Aldrich was used last year he's way more then a nothing player.  I wouldn't call  them anything close to a favorite for it but the 2 seed has to be the goal.  Sure they might finish 6th and if the win difference between 3 and 6 is 3 or 4 wins fine but anything less them the 4 seed or a playoff victory is a failure in my mind.  As much as I don't love Levine if the goal is the 6 7 or 8 seed the Butler trade was stupid.  I can't imagine it was the wrong move.

[kab21]

 

Given the role 9th 10th and 11th men play you can probably fill out the rest of the roster with guys who have never played in the NBA and you might come up with something better then the majority of established minimum salary free agents, maybe one more slightly better player with that cap exception, but scouting to come up with a player who's a factor is key.  Then you hope Jones is a viable #1 backup and Patton or someone else develops.  And as little as Aldrich was used last year he's way more then a nothing player.  I wouldn't call  them anything close to a favorite for it but the 2 seed has to be the goal.  Sure they might finish 6th and if the win difference between 3 and 6 is 3 or 4 wins fine but anything less them the 4 seed or a playoff victory is a failure in my mind.  As much as I don't love Levine if the goal is the 6 7 or 8 seed the Butler trade was stupid.  I can't imagine it was the wrong move.

This sounds like it can work until 1-2 injuries happen and now UDFA's are in the 7th/8th man roles. The Wolves have the bigs to withstand an injury but right now Wiggins/Butler (36 min/gm) and Crawford (24 min/gm) need somebody NBA capable that can fill in for a 20 game stretch if there is an injury. 

This definitely looks like a roster where the starters will be playing close to 40 min/gm every night. That isn't going to work for a full season and an attempted run in the playoffs.

[ALessKosherScott]

 

This sounds like it can work until 1-2 injuries happen and now UDFA's are in the 7th/8th man roles. The Wolves have the bigs to withstand an injury but right now Wiggins/Butler (36 min/gm) and Crawford (24 min/gm) need somebody NBA capable that can fill in for a 20 game stretch if there is an injury. 

This definitely looks like a roster where the starters will be playing close to 40 min/gm every night. That isn't going to work for a full season and an attempted run in the playoffs.

 

The cure is the organization has to start doing a better job of finding cheap talent off the waiver wire. The next thing I'm curious about is who gets the two transitional roster spots.

[bluechipper]

Kyrie Irving is demanding a trade, and he reportedly has 4 preferred teams: San Antonio, New York, Miami, and...Minnesota. What is going on here?

[SF Twins Fan]

 

Kyrie Irving is demanding a trade, and he reportedly has 4 preferred teams: San Antonio, New York, Miami, and...Minnesota. What is going on here?

 

Seems like an odd time to demand a trade...not sure any of these teams have the pieces Cleveland would want to make this trade happen.  The wolves already have a PG, obviously Kryie is way better than Teague, but he just signed here.  How would they trade him?

 

 

[kab21]

The only interesting part of this story is that MN is one of the preferred destinations. I guess the Knicks and Heat can offer the most for nightlife but they are orgs that look to be a mess going forward (the Knicks are Porzingis and a dumpster fire). The good part is that the this possibly means that the Wolves could land a solid veteran for the min contract to solidify the bench.

 

There really is no practical way to acquire Irving for the Wolves. Teague was just signed so he can't be traded until midseason. The Wolves have no significant tradeable assets other than a likely end of the 1st OKC pick and Justin Patton due to owing Atlanta a future pick.

 

I think Irving will have to shut up and play. And I thought a couple of months ago that Lebron is leaving CLE at the end of the season.

But lets propose a blockbuster that works. Anthony and Ntilikina (maybe a pick also) for Irving? Or to Boston for Isaiah Thomas and one or two of their picks/prospects?

[Pardon My Dinger]

Without thinking hard about it, can't conceive of any way the twolves could put a package together for kyrie. This news would have been a lot more helpful a month ago.

 

Cavs are done, though. They'll be selling. Apparently...

[Pardon My Dinger]

Sidebar: anyone else perturbed by the fact that we don't have enough players to have a team yet?

[kab21]

 

Sidebar: anyone else perturbed by the fact that we don't have enough players to have a team yet?

Not perturbed but very concerned. I don't really care about the last 3 guys on the team that are aren't active but this team really needs an additional backup wing and a 3rd PG. They are set in the frontcourt going 6 deep.

[bluechipper]

 

Sidebar: anyone else perturbed by the fact that we don't have enough players to have a team yet?

I'm not. I'm assuming and hoping Tony Allen will sign with the Wolves, and that fills out the roster nicely.

[bluechipper]

The Wolves do have one asset that would get Irving, and that's Andrew Wiggins. Did you guys notice reports are that KAT and Butler have recruited Irving and spoken to the front office, but not Wiggins.

 

I highly doubt it happens, and it would be a really weird roster to start the season, with Teague and Irving sharing the backcourt. If they can somehow get it done without Wiggins, then this is a legit threat to the Warriors. Maybe.

[Pardon My Dinger]

Starting to get excited, which is probably not smart, but:

 

1. None of the other three teams can really outbid the wolves.

2. I can't imagine Jimmy and Karl would actively recruit Kyrie without Thibs' blessing to do so.

[mikecgrimes]

 

Starting to get excited, which is probably not smart, but:

1. None of the other three teams can really outbid the wolves.
2. I can't imagine Jimmy and Karl would actively recruit Kyrie without Thibs' blessing to do so.

 

For salary purposes Wiggins and Aldrich makes sense, hopefully you could get the cavs to toss in a bench player.