[KingslayerParticipant]

2015/2016 record:  29-53 *Contract values courtesy of Spotrac.

Roster (16/17 salary): Rubio ($13.4 mil), Pekovic ($12.1 mil), Garnett ($8.0 mil), Wiggins ($6.0 mil), KAT ($6.0 mil), Bjelica ($3.8 mil), Shabazz ($3.0 mil), Dieng ($2.3 mil), Lavine ($2.2 mil), Payne ($2.0 mil), Jones ($1.3 mil). TOTAL =~ $60.3 million

Notable FA’s & Contract options (16/17 option/ cap hold): Rudez (TO, $1.2mil), Prince (UFA, $1.5mil)

R1 Draft picks (16/17 salary): 5^th overall ($3.9 million)

Total Cap Commitment: = $60.3mil + $3.9mil = $64.2 million. $27.8 million in projected cap space

Awesome Stat: Excluding their top rated player, the net ratings for Wolves’ last season ranged from +1.1 (Rubio), to -18.3 (Pek). The leader? 39-year-old Kevin Garnett at +6.6… What a f***** legend.

Backcourt: This offseason is all about pick #5 for Minnesota. Not only do they need to maximize value with that pick, they must strongly consider how the prospect will fit with their elite foundation of young talent …. The Wolves are actually somewhat thin at guard. Rubio, Lavine and Tyus Jones are the only guards on the team. Wiggins can play SG, but no one else on the roster is suited to play any guard minutes whatsoever. Barring a trade, Rubio is locked up as the starting PG for the next 3 seasons. He quietly had a career season last year, and improved as the season went on. I think Minny needs a knockdown shooter with the 5th pick, whether they take a guard or power forward. The Wolves only made 5.5 3’s per game this past season on 33.8% shooting. Even with all their talent & upside, the core group of young players do not collectively spread the floor well enough to field a top tier offense in the modern NBA game. I can’t overstate how crucial this is for the long term development & potential of this team. Hield and Murray fit the profile as absolutely lights-out, high volume perimeter shooters. I think Murray would be the ideal fit, as he could share SG minutes with Lavine while being slowly groomed into a long-term option at PG as well.

Frontcourt – KAT is an MVP waiting to happen; he’s such a complete player already with massive upside. His defense should improve a ton in year 2 with KG and Thibs showing him the ropes. Shabazz gives them a versatile 3/small-ball 4 who can score, but he doesn’t really provide anything else. Minny has a bunch of warm bodies for depth up front, however Dieng, Rudez and Bazz are all RFA’s next year, and they can’t expect much from Pekovic, Garnett or Payne. IMO Dieng is one of the most underrated players in the NBA, and a fantastic fit next to KAT. He does all the little things on the court that complement KAT very well: he rebounds, he’s a long/mobile/versatile defender who can protect the rim, he’s a high IQ player, and he is a great spot-up shooter with increasing range. He can also seamlessly slide over to C when KAT’s on the bench. With KG and Pekovic’s contracts coming off the books over the next couple seasons, I think they should try to extend Gorgui this offseason, or simply match the highest offer for him next year. I like how Minny brought in winning veterans like KG and Prince to provide leadership for the young group (take note Philly), and they should continue to fill out the edges of their roster in the same fashion.

 

Outlook – I’m not Thibs’ biggest fan, but there’s no doubt he’s a masterful defensive coach who can get the most out of his players. That’s exactly what this team needed, and Minny could take a big step forward in their development next season. The Wolves improved as the season went on last year, and I think they are definitely capable of getting to the playoffs in 2017. They are on the perfect path to building a long-term championship contender.

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

This team is going to be a freak if nature under Thibs. Wiggins and Towns have proved to be very durable so far. If they draft Dunn and bring him in off the bench to start having a two point gaurd team that we’ve seen lots of successful teams have and then with Lavine lighting it up off the bench and Dieng as a warrior. They could make the Playoffs next year.

[OhCanada-Participant]

This team is going to be a freak if nature under Thibs. Wiggins and Towns have proved to be very durable so far. If they draft Dunn and bring him in off the bench to start having a two point gaurd team that we’ve seen lots of successful teams have and then with Lavine lighting it up off the bench and Dieng as a warrior. They could make the Playoffs next year.

[shooting-guard9Participant]

 buddy hield on this team would be dope

[shooting-guard9Participant]

 buddy hield on this team would be dope

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 The Wolves need more defensive length than what Hield offers.

[PurpleMonkeyDishwasherParticipant]

 The Wolves need more defensive length than what Hield offers.

[Untouchable JParticipant]

People who dont know better keep assuming Levine is expendable at sSG and he can come off the bench. Naah man. He avg’d 18ppg while shooting 38% from 3. Levine is the starting SG. He’s goign to grow into the 3&d athletic do all guy they need next to wiggins. Its rubio who is expendable

Dunn is the pick, if not you start Murray NEXT to Levine. Levine is too good for the bench

[Untouchable JParticipant]

People who dont know better keep assuming Levine is expendable at sSG and he can come off the bench. Naah man. He avg’d 18ppg while shooting 38% from 3. Levine is the starting SG. He’s goign to grow into the 3&d athletic do all guy they need next to wiggins. Its rubio who is expendable

Dunn is the pick, if not you start Murray NEXT to Levine. Levine is too good for the bench

[Author]

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