Looking ahead to the offseason

[Klomp]

Yesterday really put a damper on this, but somehow, some way, before Adelman's Minnesota tenure is over, I see Metta Artest in a Timberwolves' uniform.

[Krapinsky]

Yesterday really put a damper on this, but somehow, some way, before Adelman's Minnesota tenure is over, I see Metta Artest in a Timberwolves' uniform.

Haha, not a chance.

[Breakdown777]

It seems like the only two coaches Artest never lost it for are now Phil Jackson and Adelman, but I'm probably forgetting some obvious exceptions.

Tyreke Evans anyone? I know he needs the ball to be most effective, but I've always liked the kid.

I don't see Pek being untouchable. I know the man is a beast, but the only way we get a near All-Star level guy is if we dangle Derrick Williams + Pek over some teams head.

Also, I'm a believer in Adelman and his staff. I'm sure they have a few decent wings in mind for Kahn to try to finagle. This coaching staff doesn't seem the type to go all in on a guy they aren't positive will be at least average.

[Klomp]

People won't like it, but right now I see these guys returning

Rubio / Barea / ______
Ridnour / _____ / Lee
_______ / _______ / ______
Love / Williams / Tolliver
Pekovic / _______ / _______

That leaves Beasley, Ellington, Johnson, Milicic, Miller, Randolph, Webster without a job in this scenario, though I could certainly see some staying as well.

Many here are hoping for big name acquisitions (Batum, Iguodala, Gordon). While they would be nice targets, they are also unrealistic unless we part with key assets (Williams). Instead, I think we will focus on acquiring players like Jamal Crawford, Chuck Hayes (trade), or Trevor Ariza.

If we get Utah's pick, I think we target Moe Harkless or Jeff Taylor.

Rubio / Ridnour / Barea
Crawford / Lee / Ellington
Ariza / Harkless or Taylor
Love / Williams / Tolliver
Pekovic / Hayes

[shangrila]

I doubt the team keeps both Ridnour and Barea. Maybe going into the season if they're worried Rubio will miss a month or two, but even then I could see them trading one and signing a cheaper veteran to fill up the other minutes (or even just using Lee there).

[Klomp]

I doubt the team keeps both Ridnour and Barea. Maybe going into the season if they're worried Rubio will miss a month or two, but even then I could see them trading one and signing a cheaper veteran to fill up the other minutes (or even just using Lee there).

Adelman's two-PG sets this year weren't just because of terrible SG play. Everywhere Adelman has been, he plays two PG lineups often (Strickland/Porter, Williams/Delk, Bibby/Jackson, Lowry/Brooks, Lowry/Dragic). I don't see that changing now, especially with how well Barea has played down the stretch (as much as people here don't want to admit it).

[Andri]

Many here are hoping for big name acquisitions (Batum, Iguodala, Gordon). While they would be nice targets, they are also unrealistic unless we part with key assets (Williams).

I see no problem in using DW in order to get any of those "big names", specially Gordon. Sure Derrick still have the potential to become a great player, but Eric is already a good player.

Furthermore, he is a much better fit. Not only because he plays SG (indeed), reliable outside shooting, able to finish around the rim and can create his own shot, but also he fits very well in Rick's system. He has great handles and he is very effective playing pick&roll, as Adelamn ask for a SG.

Of course it still depends on the contract he is getting this summer, but the idea is that DW is our most valuable asset in a potential trade, and other needs, so if we can fill our main gap with fair value, I'm all for it, even DW can make the transition to SF.

Plus with two scorers like KL and EG, the points Nikola provide, and some from Ricky, WJ should be focus just on defending and knocking some open looks.

Again, there are a couple of big IF's (Gordon doesn't get the MAX, NOH wants to make a deal for cheaper young promising players and picks, which can depend on what they get from the draft).

[Andri]

I doubt the team keeps both Ridnour and Barea. Maybe going into the season if they're worried Rubio will miss a month or two, but even then I could see them trading one and signing a cheaper veteran to fill up the other minutes (or even just using Lee there).

Adelman's two-PG sets this year weren't just because of terrible SG play. Everywhere Adelman has been, he plays two PG lineups often (Strickland/Porter, Williams/Delk, Bibby/Jackson, Lowry/Brooks, Lowry/Dragic). I don't see that changing now, especially with how well Barea has played down the stretch (as much as people here don't want to admit it).

Yeah, but if we get a SG with good handles, i think we can use JJ as a trade asset since we'll have RR, LR, that new SG and Malcom Lee able to play as small backcourt.

[Klomp]

Yeah, but if we get a SG with good handles, i think we can use JJ as a trade asset since we'll have RR, LR, that new SG and Malcom Lee able to play as small backcourt.

Sure we can, but I don't believe we will.

Its about knowing player values both on the open market and within our own coaching staff. Based on what we know about Adelman's rotations and with Kahn saying "no wholesale changes," I don't see us going after Gordon, especially with his injury history.

Batum is the most likely of the bigger names for Kahn to target, otherwise I just don't see it happening.

[Klomp]

BTW welcome to RGM Andri!

[Andri]

Yeah, but if we get a SG with good handles, i think we can use JJ as a trade asset since we'll have RR, LR, that new SG and Malcom Lee able to play as small backcourt.

Sure we can, but I don't believe we will.

Its about knowing player values both on the open market and within our own coaching staff. Based on what we know about Adelman's rotations and with Kahn saying "no wholesale changes," I don't see us going after Gordon, especially with his injury history.

Batum is the most likely of the bigger names for Kahn to target, otherwise I just don't see it happening.

I am afraid of the "no wholesale changes" policy. We are in a very critical moment for the future of our franchise.

We have a star, a star on the making and solid starter in Love, Rubio and Pekovic. We have players that can form a solid bench. We have a great coach. We have flexibility with many contracts expiring. We have valuable assets like DW (or S&T's or even the likely Utah's pick). We are a right starter away from turn definitely this team around.

Hope Kahn acts wisely.

[shangrila]

I doubt the team keeps both Ridnour and Barea. Maybe going into the season if they're worried Rubio will miss a month or two, but even then I could see them trading one and signing a cheaper veteran to fill up the other minutes (or even just using Lee there).

Adelman's two-PG sets this year weren't just because of terrible SG play. Everywhere Adelman has been, he plays two PG lineups often (Strickland/Porter, Williams/Delk, Bibby/Jackson, Lowry/Brooks, Lowry/Dragic). I don't see that changing now, especially with how well Barea has played down the stretch (as much as people here don't want to admit it).

I think you're stretching it. Lowry and Brooks/Dragic, for example, weren't the starting or even main combination. So, yeah, he runs two point guard sets but that doesn't mean he thinks he has to, or that he even likes it. It just proves he's smart enough to go with something that works (one thing Rambis never seemed able to do...).

And yes, Ridnour did get the SG spot because of horrible SG play. Or, probably more accurately, he got it because he could dribble and he wasn't 5-9 (I'm looking at you, Barea). If the team got someone who could handle the ball at SG, the best and most realistic example being Crawford, then I think the Ridnour at SG era ends fairly quickly.

That's especially true if Lee can develop into a backup quality player.

[Klomp]

I think you're stretching it. Lowry and Brooks/Dragic, for example, weren't the starting or even main combination. So, yeah, he runs two point guard sets but that doesn't mean he thinks he has to, or that he even likes it. It just proves he's smart enough to go with something that works (one thing Rambis never seemed able to do...).

And yes, Ridnour did get the SG spot because of horrible SG play. Or, probably more accurately, he got it because he could dribble and he wasn't 5-9 (I'm looking at you, Barea). If the team got someone who could handle the ball at SG, the best and most realistic example being Crawford, then I think the Ridnour at SG era ends fairly quickly.

That's especially true if Lee can develop into a backup quality player.

For the record, I'm not saying that a two PG lineup would be one of our main combinations. If you'll look at the post I made earlier, I had us signing Crawford. However, I still think there's something to the combination of point guards for Adelman.

Also, I'm not saying that it is what I would do. However, I strongly believe that it will happen that way and all three point guards will be back. Before the injuries I might've predicted a Barea offseason trade. However, at this point with Barea playing as well as he is, I see Adelman wanting him to stick around. And Kahn has, to a fault at times, given his coach what he wants through his tenure in Minnesota.

The key positions I believe we will target this offseason are small forward and backup center. Don't forget that we are not that far off the pace from other teams in the West. We need to improve our bench (2,3,5) and get a starting-caliber small forward, and not much else. But I don't think it will be the small forward everyone anticipates.

[nhh90]

I think you're stretching it. Lowry and Brooks/Dragic, for example, weren't the starting or even main combination. So, yeah, he runs two point guard sets but that doesn't mean he thinks he has to, or that he even likes it. It just proves he's smart enough to go with something that works (one thing Rambis never seemed able to do...).

And yes, Ridnour did get the SG spot because of horrible SG play. Or, probably more accurately, he got it because he could dribble and he wasn't 5-9 (I'm looking at you, Barea). If the team got someone who could handle the ball at SG, the best and most realistic example being Crawford, then I think the Ridnour at SG era ends fairly quickly.

That's especially true if Lee can develop into a backup quality player.

For the record, I'm not saying that a two PG lineup would be one of our main combinations. If you'll look at the post I made earlier, I had us signing Crawford. However, I still think there's something to the combination of point guards for Adelman.

Also, I'm not saying that it is what I would do. However, I strongly believe that it will happen that way and all three point guards will be back. Before the injuries I might've predicted a Barea offseason trade. However, at this point with Barea playing as well as he is, I see Adelman wanting him to stick around. And Kahn has, to a fault at times, given his coach what he wants through his tenure in Minnesota.

The key positions I believe we will target this offseason are small forward and backup center. Don't forget that we are not that far off the pace from other teams in the West. We need to improve our bench (2,3,5) and get a starting-caliber small forward, and not much else. But I don't think it will be the small forward everyone anticipates.

Minnesota should focus on getting rid of undersized shooting guard too. Rubio playing point defensively and having a 6'6 SG for defense/shoot the 3 should be a priority. The biggesst shortcoming has consistently been the shooting guard and point guard efficiency. The difference between small forward hasn't been much at least according to hoopstats

[Klomp]

Ricky had been guarding PGs most of the time.