[SnowtaParticipant]

 After a disappointing start to the season the Wolves have been playing pretty solid basketball over the last few months with a 14-10 record since January 9th. A lot has happened during that stretch that has answered some questions and raised some bigger questions moving forward. 

Starting with the questions that were answered, Towns and Wiggins certainly look the part of the next great 1-2 combo in the NBA. I think a lot of people already thought this (certainly that Towns was headed for superstardom), but Wiggins had received a lot of criticism (a lot of it fair) earlier in the season. Towns averaged a ridiculous 28/13 on 60% FG and 38% 3FG percentages in the month of February. Wiggins was really impressive in February too with 29/4 and 2 steals (!) on 51/36 percentages for FG and 3FG respectively. Two steals/game over a one month stretch may not seem that like something to get all that excited about, but for someone who has been as tentative on defense as Wiggins I think that’s a great sign. From an eye test perspective Wiggins looks more active and engaged on D and benefits at times from being able to guard the smaller wing playing alongside Rush compared to always taking the bigger wing when playing with Lavine. Overall, I think the sky is the limit for these two guys and they will just become more and more scary as they continue to mature physically and mentally.

Now to the questions that have been raised. Lavine’s talent is undeniable and I have always thought him and Wiggins could thrive together as the starting 2 and 3. Unfortunately, it is also undeniable that something seems to have clicked since he went down. I think part of it is the fact Towns and Wiggins can get as many touches as they need to get comfortable and maintain their rhythm throughout the game. When Lavine is in there with them all three guys need to get their touches and it usually leads to at least one of them not being able to get into a rhythm. I never thought I’d say it, but when Lavine gets back does he needs to be put in the super sixth man role? That way you could stagger him and Wiggins/Towns mins so everyone can get thier touches. Lavine can be let loose with the second unit and it would solve the bench scoring issue as well. And that is just on the offensive side of the ball (which wasn’t even the main problem with the Wiggins/Lavine pairing in the first place). The other problem with the Lavine/Wiggins wing pairing is right now they both are undersized for their postions (strength-wise). I think the ideal fit next to Wiggins for the time being is a three and D wing that doesn’t need a ton of touches, hits open shots, moves the ball, and can match up physically with the Kawhi, Lebron, Butler’s of the world. Maybe Wiggins will get there eventually, but right now is much better suited as a 2.

I think Lavine as a 6th man is the biggest question I’ve been thinking about over the last few months, but there’s a few others. The PG question is as real as ever. Rubio has played great lately, Dunn looks completely lost for the most part although I really like him defensively, and to add to the equation Tyus Jones has been really solid. There’s no question in my mind Tyus can be a great backup PG in the NBA. He’s such a cerberal player that makes winning plays. He is smart defensively and plays with good effort even though he has physical limitations. I don’t think that is a huge problem for a backup PG. With that in mind it comes down to Rubio or Dunn as the starter you want to roll with moving forward. Considering they just used the 5th overall pick on Dunn I think he is the guy they end up rolling with. I think Tibs is really confident in him, but man it would be hard to move Rubio and give him the reins after watching both of them all year.

That’s the biggest question to me becuase it affects the pick they’d be making this year. If they keep playing this well I think you’re comfortable picking one of Dunn/Rubio and rolling with them. The decision gets much more difficult if they falter and you are picking in the top ten and one of Fultz/Ball/Smith/Fox/Ntilikina are on the board. I’m hoping that’s not the case, because this team could really use either a bigger 3 or stretch 4 to plug in with Wiggins and Towns that could really round out the starting lineup nicely for the future. Any of Jackson/Tatum/Isaac/Markkanen would be amazing. If they finish strong even one of the guys in the next tier like Leaf/Williams/Giles/Bridges/Rabb/Collins/Bam would be really interesting if you threw them into the mix.

 

Assuming they don’t go PG, who do you see as the best fit for the Wolves from that first group (Jackson/Isaac/Tatum/Markkanen) and who would be the best fit of the guys in that second group (Leaf/Williams/Giles/Bridges/Rabb/Collins/Bam)?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 Lauri would fit very nicely on the wolves next to Towns. Second group is a little tougher. Hard to pass up Giles or leaf. If the cavs have proved anything it’s that you need bodies so I wouldn’t be too afraid to draft 2 players at the same-ish positions 

[Something something basketballParticipant]

Wolves definitely have a bright future.  I agree on a good chunk of what you say.  My observations are that we have a few players playing out of position. Not just Wiggins at the 3 v 2, but dieng or towns playing power forward.  Grab anatural 4 and move gorgui to backup 5 and solidify the bench more.  

 Also, I could make the case that Dunn is out of place at the 1. The other suggestion would be grabbing a couple vets. Was disappointed they didn’t grab Gibson and McDermott. The issue is in free agency.  We don’t really get anybody.  That’s why I think LaVine and the pick should be traded.  But that’s my two cents

[Numbers_CruncherParticipant]

LaVine and Dieng off the bench would be ideal considering how well they play off of each other.

They’ll have around 30 million in cap space(minimum) in the offseason, so I’d target a 3/4 and a legit 4. I know it sounds like a lot, but I’d give 15 million per year each to PJ Tucker and Patrick Patterson. 

I’m not really worried about the PG "problem". I love Rubio and Dunn is no where near ready to be the starter.

Rubio/Dunn/Jones

Wiggins/LaVine

PJ Tucker/Muhammad

Patrick Patterson/Bjelica

Towns/Dieng/Aldrich

Throw in a young forward rookie to eventually take over one of the starting forward spots and I think everything is set. I’m not sure what forward I would want most, though. I used to want OG, but not so much now. I think I’d probably prefer Isaac or Bridges, but really haven’t watched much college ball yet. 

  

[ZouldiersParticipant]

I say both Isaac and Bridges fits with them because of their athleticism and defense and both guys don’t really need to score much. The question though is if Thibs is willing to give minutes to either of them should they get drafted by the Wolves.

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 They need spacing to open up the inside game for Towns and Wiggins imo. If their pick ends up around the 10 mark I think Markennen could be a solid pick. Malik Monk is a great shooter but I see his game as similar to Lavine so i’m not sure if he fits in the rotation. Jonathan Isaac might be a good fit as well around the picking range Minnesota should be in

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Thats really interesting to hear. I really havent watched enough of them this year to notice if Lavine is or isnt disrupting the chemistry but I doubt he is. They all seem to like playing with eachother and are selfless competitors more worried about winning than stats. 

As for the draft. If you have a chance at Ball I think you go for it. Other than that Dunn and Smith are too similar imo as are Fultz and Lavine. You want to bring a piece that can compliment your core. 

When selecting from your groupsbI would say

 

1.Isaac

2.Markannen

3.Jackson

4.Tatum

and with the second grouo I like Bridges and Rabb. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Timberwolves have a lot of great young players but are still gelling as a team. The consensus about Thibs playing his starters too many minutes and them needing a shooter or two, I’m not going to dwel on.

Kris Dunn has been a disappointment in his rookie year, I never understood why they took another PG when they had a pass first PG in Rubio, Lavine who is considered a combo guard playing at SG and Wiggins and Towns who need a fair few touches too. Personally I thought they would have taken Hield or Murray.

Even with Lavine out Dunn hasn’t seen greatly increased playing time.

After going 16-66 in 2014-15 and 29-53 last season, I had wondered if the T-Wolves might have a great out year this season like OKC had in 2009-10 I think. I had pegged them being around 0.500 this season but they won’t reach that now and will likely have a 12th successive losing season. However after a very poor start as Snowta points out they are 14-10 over the last couple of months and up to 25 wins for the season. If they get to 35 to 37 wins, it will still be decent progress from last year. 

Ironically they are only 3 wins out of 8th seeding and with the Kings in full rebuild mode, the T-Wolves might just fancy their chances of pipping Denver and Portland for 8th seed if they can keep up their recent form. 

As regards the draft they could happen to luck on the lottery again or pick as low as 15th. Realistically I think they will be picking in 12th to 15th place. There seem to be a lot of frontcourters around that part of the draft and hopefully Thibs will look at one of those guys to reduce the workload on KAT and Dieng.

Robert Williams was a hyped guy a few weeks back and Thibs would like his size and defensive potential, Harry Giles was once considered best big in this year’s draft so he’d have to be considered too. I’d throw in Ivan Rabb who has had an extra year at Cal and may be considered a more NBA ready safer pick. He could be a very good first big off the bench IMO.

Outside of that, if another guy dropped a few places into the T-Wolves draft range then they could consider them but adding another PG would seem strange unless they move Rubio on and decide Dunn wasn’t the right pick last time. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[khaled_a_dParticipant]

Best available player
They have a SG/SF in Wiggins and C in Towns. They are the only 2 players that are worth altering your draft selection for
The next draft the top 10 are almost either PG or forward. Monk is SG but I don’t think they need him with Lavine.
If BPA is PG like Ball/Fultz/Smith go for it,they have been shopping Rubio and Dunn so far is an underwhelming player from an underwhelming draft so far to pass on those guards.
Lauri would fit as a stretch 4,Isaac too as have been said b4,JJ is a team player that Thibs would love. all IMHO could be made to fit the team well
And the obvious try to find a good trade option should be there tbh,I don’t know for who but they might need to start getting older rather than younger at some point

[HitsterParticipant]

 They have none of the younger guys going onto bigger deals until 2018 apart from Dieng’s new deal kickimng in next season so will have a nice bit of cap space to play with. We’ve often suggested the team needs a veteran presence or two, good vets and top stars are chasing being on contenders as their window may be closing. So ideally T-Wolves look to maube add a guy who has a title rather than overpaying for a good vet to tempt him there.

Iggy springs to mind, if he wants a new challenge and didn’t go home to Philly, he’d give defence and experience from the bench plus help take burden off Wiggins. Perhaps call Phoenix about Chandler he’d be ideal to give Dieng and KAT less minutes and would be a good defensive anchor when on court.

PJ Tucker is another glue type player and with good cap space this summer could offer him a sweeted front loaded deal that reduces in years 2 and 3. Or even someone like Nene, Taj Gibson who are seen as good pros and locker room leaders a young team full of talent might use.

 

 

[r377Participant]

If I was the GM.

1 I would try and get Tatum. Him and Wiggins at the 2/3 would be a force. Might need to dangle an asset to move up to select Tatum

2 Jarrett Allen will be moving up draft stock. He doesn’t shoot the 3, but does have good range on his jump shot. Him and Towns can interchange 4 and 5 and can play together also. Allen is a good defender, him and Towns would be perfect together

3 Harry Giles – has the talent but injury prone.

Another option if Dallas want to blow it all up and rebuild would be try and acquire Harrison Barnes. Good 3 point shooter, has nba experience without being too old. He can play 3 or 4 and would fit in really nicely with this Wolves team.

[D7H7NParticipant]

 BPA if a good player is available. Otherwise trade down for a lower pick and a veteran for the bench. Use that pick to get a shooter for the bench like Kennard, Justin Jackson, or Ferguson.

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