Timberwolves and the OKC model

 Wow I didn’t realize Minnesota was moving to the Eastern Conference!  Better watch out Philly!

 Wow I didn’t realize Minnesota was moving to the Eastern Conference!  Better watch out Philly!

 And not to nitpick, but the wolves didn’t win the lottery and draft Andrew Wiggins.

 And not to nitpick, but the wolves didn’t win the lottery and draft Andrew Wiggins.

OK, here’s a thought. Could you imagine the Twolves wining this years lottery. Get Simmons. Then some how convince Durant to sign. KAT at center. Simmons and Durant at Forward. Wiggins and Lavine/Rubio at guard.

OK, it aint happening, but dammnnnn!!!!!

OK, here’s a thought. Could you imagine the Twolves wining this years lottery. Get Simmons. Then some how convince Durant to sign. KAT at center. Simmons and Durant at Forward. Wiggins and Lavine/Rubio at guard.

OK, it aint happening, but dammnnnn!!!!!

 They do have a nice collection of young talent in Wiggins, Towns (a franchise player), and Lavine. The chance to add a Murray, Brown, or Dunn to the mix only gives them a higher ceiling. I agree they should look to trade Rubio if they can get fair value. Rubio is a decent player, but I don’t think he fits with this group. The TWolves really need a point guard who is a good three point shooter to make up for Wiggins lack of a three point shot (Lavine could fill this role). I think they should focus on the restricted free agent market to pick up talent. That way any free agents they bring in will be in their prime as the team comes of age. Terrence Ross, Meyers Leonard, Allen Crabbe, Evan Fournier, Jordan Clarkson, Harrison Barnes, and Jared Sullinger are players I think they should ckeck in on (depending on who they draft of course). I am not saying they would get these players (their teams might match) or should overpay (always dumb), but I think one or two from this group would help them. A stretch four and a point guard with shooting range should be priorities. Getting a wing with shooting range would be the next priority.

 They do have a nice collection of young talent in Wiggins, Towns (a franchise player), and Lavine. The chance to add a Murray, Brown, or Dunn to the mix only gives them a higher ceiling. I agree they should look to trade Rubio if they can get fair value. Rubio is a decent player, but I don’t think he fits with this group. The TWolves really need a point guard who is a good three point shooter to make up for Wiggins lack of a three point shot (Lavine could fill this role). I think they should focus on the restricted free agent market to pick up talent. That way any free agents they bring in will be in their prime as the team comes of age. Terrence Ross, Meyers Leonard, Allen Crabbe, Evan Fournier, Jordan Clarkson, Harrison Barnes, and Jared Sullinger are players I think they should ckeck in on (depending on who they draft of course). I am not saying they would get these players (their teams might match) or should overpay (always dumb), but I think one or two from this group would help them. A stretch four and a point guard with shooting range should be priorities. Getting a wing with shooting range would be the next priority.

I think this years draft will be key, I believe they should build around Towns, he’s already starting to get double teamed and by next year he will be doubled constantly. I’m hoping for Murray or Buddy (assuming we get the 5th pick) after that a PF would be great EX= Paul Milsap and great shooter EX= Korver or Reddick .I can’t wait for a couple years from now to see how good they may become and the core will still only be 22-23 years of age! I’ve watched virtually every game from last year  through this year and it will be great to see them bust into the playoffs. 

I think this years draft will be key, I believe they should build around Towns, he’s already starting to get double teamed and by next year he will be doubled constantly. I’m hoping for Murray or Buddy (assuming we get the 5th pick) after that a PF would be great EX= Paul Milsap and great shooter EX= Korver or Reddick .I can’t wait for a couple years from now to see how good they may become and the core will still only be 22-23 years of age! I’ve watched virtually every game from last year  through this year and it will be great to see them bust into the playoffs. 

The Wolves seem to have both Rubio and LaVine in their starting line up, I don’t get all this cash out on Rubio, I know his 3 point range is like Shaq from the free throw line but at T-Wolves, he’d solely be a creative PG. With LaVine’s speed off ball, Wiggins or KAT possibly drawing a double team then the team looks set.

They can go with a twin towers frontcourt with Dieng and Towns if needed to compliment Wiggins/Lavine and Rubio as a very quick back 3. With Wiggins and Lavine also being good ball carriers then it spreads the floor as they can assist Rubio with ball movement and you have 3 guys to create for the two bigs.

Hield or Murray would be great draft picks for the T-Wolves giving them scoring punch and impact from the bench, there is a load of backcourt minutes to be shared around so they would get 20mpg plus begind Rubio and LaVine.

The Wolves seem to have both Rubio and LaVine in their starting line up, I don’t get all this cash out on Rubio, I know his 3 point range is like Shaq from the free throw line but at T-Wolves, he’d solely be a creative PG. With LaVine’s speed off ball, Wiggins or KAT possibly drawing a double team then the team looks set.

They can go with a twin towers frontcourt with Dieng and Towns if needed to compliment Wiggins/Lavine and Rubio as a very quick back 3. With Wiggins and Lavine also being good ball carriers then it spreads the floor as they can assist Rubio with ball movement and you have 3 guys to create for the two bigs.

Hield or Murray would be great draft picks for the T-Wolves giving them scoring punch and impact from the bench, there is a load of backcourt minutes to be shared around so they would get 20mpg plus begind Rubio and LaVine.

so here’s a related question – if the T’Wolves offered Mike Conley a 2 year max deal…would the Grizz match it? And would Conley say no?

Looking at the Grizz cap situation, they’re $13m over the cap, they have an aging Randolph, an injured Marc Gasol, and not much else. If you put them under that sort of financial pressure, TBH I don’t know if they wouldn’t just cut ties, trade everyone but Gasol, sit Gasol for the majority of the season, and rebuild through the draft.

Signing Conley for 2 years would really help their young guys develop and move this team forward – and his salary would come off the books just as Wiggins and LaVine are due a raise. Trading Pek and Rubio would help make this even easier financially.

What do you think?

so here’s a related question – if the T’Wolves offered Mike Conley a 2 year max deal…would the Grizz match it? And would Conley say no?

Looking at the Grizz cap situation, they’re $13m over the cap, they have an aging Randolph, an injured Marc Gasol, and not much else. If you put them under that sort of financial pressure, TBH I don’t know if they wouldn’t just cut ties, trade everyone but Gasol, sit Gasol for the majority of the season, and rebuild through the draft.

Signing Conley for 2 years would really help their young guys develop and move this team forward – and his salary would come off the books just as Wiggins and LaVine are due a raise. Trading Pek and Rubio would help make this even easier financially.

What do you think?

 I’ve been a Mike Conley guy since his days at Ohio State, there’s not too many guards who’s been as under valued as Conley. I like the upgrade he would bring to Minny but would that be a step in the right direction for either party? Minny gets a commander at PG spot with scoring capability but he’ll be 29 this upcoming year and do they see him running the show for years on out. The bigger question is would want to wait any longer? The window of opportunity is closing and he finally gets to hit the market and see who wants him. I think these a questions that both parties ask themselves if they would sit down and discuss options. I wouldn’t object to it happening though.

 I’ve been a Mike Conley guy since his days at Ohio State, there’s not too many guards who’s been as under valued as Conley. I like the upgrade he would bring to Minny but would that be a step in the right direction for either party? Minny gets a commander at PG spot with scoring capability but he’ll be 29 this upcoming year and do they see him running the show for years on out. The bigger question is would want to wait any longer? The window of opportunity is closing and he finally gets to hit the market and see who wants him. I think these a questions that both parties ask themselves if they would sit down and discuss options. I wouldn’t object to it happening though.

 IMHO…. b/c Wiggins & Lavine are such freak athletes…. but not great shooters, Minny could Really use some shooting…….. I realize KAT is more of a PF right now b/c he is still developing strength….. but I’m guessing that he will Eventually be the starting C….. maybe someone can help me out if I’m wrong……

But assuming KAT will eventually be the starting C…… & Wiggins is your SF…… Dunn would ultimately be an upgrade at PG over Rubio…. but Dunn also can Not shoot……. So I believe that Murrayat SG/PG…… or Bender as a sweet shooting PF would be Ideal for the T-Wolves……. I also LUV Hield at PG for the T-Wolves….. they can then dangle LaVine as an Assett……. & Ellenson would be a great fit too at PF if Bender & Murray are gone…..

If KAT plans to stay at PF…. Then I believe Poeltl is a Really nice fit at C……. I realize Mike Conley is 29 but I absolutely Luv Conley…. He would be a Fantastic fit on the T-Wolves while they groom a young guy that maybe they can acquire if they move LaVine…….

Either way the T-Wolves have a bright future & they used their One assett K-Love very well in starting this rebuild….. 

 IMHO…. b/c Wiggins & Lavine are such freak athletes…. but not great shooters, Minny could Really use some shooting…….. I realize KAT is more of a PF right now b/c he is still developing strength….. but I’m guessing that he will Eventually be the starting C….. maybe someone can help me out if I’m wrong……

But assuming KAT will eventually be the starting C…… & Wiggins is your SF…… Dunn would ultimately be an upgrade at PG over Rubio…. but Dunn also can Not shoot……. So I believe that Murrayat SG/PG…… or Bender as a sweet shooting PF would be Ideal for the T-Wolves……. I also LUV Hield at PG for the T-Wolves….. they can then dangle LaVine as an Assett……. & Ellenson would be a great fit too at PF if Bender & Murray are gone…..

If KAT plans to stay at PF…. Then I believe Poeltl is a Really nice fit at C……. I realize Mike Conley is 29 but I absolutely Luv Conley…. He would be a Fantastic fit on the T-Wolves while they groom a young guy that maybe they can acquire if they move LaVine…….

Either way the T-Wolves have a bright future & they used their One assett K-Love very well in starting this rebuild….. 

 If we continue the OKC model, then we will lose one of our stars like they did Harden. Out of the future stars we have, the one I would guess we would sacrifice would be Lavine. We will get a high pick this year too, and if it’s Murray or Hield, then there is a great chance of them being another "star" and will we have to sacrifice again? Today’s egos can’t support 3 young superstars per team. Maybe it’s the Minnesota fan in me that just assume that we won’t be able to keep our stars here. For every KG there’s 5 Marbury’s.

 If we continue the OKC model, then we will lose one of our stars like they did Harden. Out of the future stars we have, the one I would guess we would sacrifice would be Lavine. We will get a high pick this year too, and if it’s Murray or Hield, then there is a great chance of them being another "star" and will we have to sacrifice again? Today’s egos can’t support 3 young superstars per team. Maybe it’s the Minnesota fan in me that just assume that we won’t be able to keep our stars here. For every KG there’s 5 Marbury’s.

 I love the "For every KG there’s 5 Marburys". I think Lavine’s value in Minny is soaring, with the all star game festivities and his improved play. Unless their recieving a bonafide star, I think they decline. Zach has a unique skillset that GM’s gush over initially but end up regretting by the end of there rookie contract. Minny will I actually think Zach has landed in a great situation were he can actually succeed and possibly maximize his potential. OKC was draft fortunate and smart! They drafted KD and took the most talented NEED on the board every time after that. That thought alone drives me to believe that Minny only has two draft options; Murray or Buddy(If they land outside of the top 2 in draft order). Two scorers who can fill it up and space the court by knocking down perimeter shots. Even though Dunn might be the best PG in this draft class, they dont NEED him; outside of his great athleticism is he a better option than keeping Rubio? Rubio is still a pest on D and a maestro with the rock! If you replace Ricky you have to replace him with someone who can not just score but shoot. Do you guys think they try and make a splash during FA this summer? Maybe use there pick as leverage?

 I love the "For every KG there’s 5 Marburys". I think Lavine’s value in Minny is soaring, with the all star game festivities and his improved play. Unless their recieving a bonafide star, I think they decline. Zach has a unique skillset that GM’s gush over initially but end up regretting by the end of there rookie contract. Minny will I actually think Zach has landed in a great situation were he can actually succeed and possibly maximize his potential. OKC was draft fortunate and smart! They drafted KD and took the most talented NEED on the board every time after that. That thought alone drives me to believe that Minny only has two draft options; Murray or Buddy(If they land outside of the top 2 in draft order). Two scorers who can fill it up and space the court by knocking down perimeter shots. Even though Dunn might be the best PG in this draft class, they dont NEED him; outside of his great athleticism is he a better option than keeping Rubio? Rubio is still a pest on D and a maestro with the rock! If you replace Ricky you have to replace him with someone who can not just score but shoot. Do you guys think they try and make a splash during FA this summer? Maybe use there pick as leverage?