Okogie’s future on the Wolves

[Neeva]

Which is way better than okogie, when Nowell is on he sure can be on, Okogie on the other hand.

[Slim Tubby]

Okogie is a situational defender at best for a playoff team. Good guy that gives 100% effort every game.


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[Klomp]

Okogie is like a modern-day Corey Brewer. Put him in a limited role, and he can make a big impact.

[BlacJacMac]

Which is way better than okogie, when Nowell is on he sure can be on, Okogie on the other hand.

And when Nowell isn't on (which is most of the time), what does he give you?

[Slim Tubby]

Which is way better than okogie, when Nowell is on he sure can be on, Okogie on the other hand.

And when Nowell isn't on (which is most of the time), what does he give you?

Nowell is a volume shooter that can’t defend or distribute. He’s me at the gym…see a shot, take the shot. He does show offensive promise, though, unlike me.


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[FinnTheHuman]

Yeah I think Okogie continues to be underrated on here. To me he's the perfect guy that doesn't look great on paper but makes all the winning plays. Even just watching back our last preseason game there were multiple instances of him boxing out the Pels bigs, flying around on defense on/off ball, setting screens and getting out in transition, and generally just setting the tone of intensity that the team wants to play with. I don't see how someone like Bruce Brown JR or Torrey Craig can be so important for contending teams like the Nets/Suns WITHOUT a consistent jumpshot, but we can't find room for Josh Okogie.

Bruce Brown is great inside the arc, and Torrey Craig actually has a solid 3pt shot. Okogie shot like 40.2 FG% last season, he's literally been incapable of doing anything offensively. Do you realize that that would be tied for 3rd worst FG% in the league out of all players, if he qualified on the ESPN list? There's too many talented players out there who can do more than Okogie on a veteran minimum, I'm sorry. If he doesn't dramatically improve offensively, he shouldn't have a spot on this roster.

I think part of what made Bruce Brown shine is that he was put in a role playing off of much better players where he can be the 5th guy and be himself. If you look at his rookie stats in Detroit where he was primarily a perimeter guy, it's not much different than Okogie's stats now. With that being said you could infer that Okogie is probably gonna get cleaner looks at the rim, and a higher free throw rate playing off of better guys, which would influence his efficiency. I still think it's important for him to be able to make open threes, but at the end of the day all it takes is for him to be an OK 5th guy on offense to be a massively positive player for this team.

Bruce Brown improved massively each season, whereas Okogie regressed from his 2nd to 3rd season. You can't compare Brown's rookie season to Okogie's 3rd year, that's simply not fair.

Brown is not the 5th guy on most of the lineups he plays with, watched him for both Det and Brooklyn and the guy has talent, he can finish around the rim, has a sweet midrange, and he’s an elite rebounder for a guard. I mean the guy averaged 60% 2pt FG last season, you can’t compare Okogie to that. He played some minutes with the bench unit, some with the starters, and on those bench units, he was one of the leaders.

Meanwhile, when I watch Okogie, I see this strong, athletic guy who has zero basketball skills on the offensive end. I cringe when he shoots, I cringe even harder when he starts attacking the rim. He’s a stiff and can’t finish under the smallest contact. Not a passer either. I’m not sure that can be changed, that’s something you either have or you don’t. He’s not the victim of circumstance, he’s the victim of his own lack of talent. It's insane how easily people forget how bad he looked throughout last season.

[KGdaBom]

Bruce Brown is great inside the arc, and Torrey Craig actually has a solid 3pt shot. Okogie shot like 40.2 FG% last season, he's literally been incapable of doing anything offensively. Do you realize that that would be tied for 3rd worst FG% in the league out of all players, if he qualified on the ESPN list? There's too many talented players out there who can do more than Okogie on a veteran minimum, I'm sorry. If he doesn't dramatically improve offensively, he shouldn't have a spot on this roster.

I think part of what made Bruce Brown shine is that he was put in a role playing off of much better players where he can be the 5th guy and be himself. If you look at his rookie stats in Detroit where he was primarily a perimeter guy, it's not much different than Okogie's stats now. With that being said you could infer that Okogie is probably gonna get cleaner looks at the rim, and a higher free throw rate playing off of better guys, which would influence his efficiency. I still think it's important for him to be able to make open threes, but at the end of the day all it takes is for him to be an OK 5th guy on offense to be a massively positive player for this team.

Bruce Brown improved massively each season, whereas Okogie regressed from his 2nd to 3rd season. You can't compare Brown's rookie season to Okogie's 3rd year, that's simply not fair.

Brown is not the 5th guy on most of the lineups he plays with, watched him for both Det and Brooklyn and the guy has talent, he can finish around the rim, has a sweet midrange, and he’s an elite rebounder for a guard. I mean the guy averaged 60% 2pt FG last season, you can’t compare Okogie to that. He played some minutes with the bench unit, some with the starters, and on those bench units, he was one of the leaders.

Meanwhile, when I watch Okogie, I see this strong, athletic guy who has zero basketball skills on the offensive end. I cringe when he shoots, I cringe even harder when he starts attacking the rim. He’s a stiff and can’t finish under the smallest contact. Not a passer either. I’m not sure that can be changed, that’s something you either have or you don’t. He’s not the victim of circumstance, he’s the victim of his own lack of talent. It's insane how easily people forget how bad he looked throughout last season.

Bruce Brown is kind of like Dave Benz to me. Bruce Bowen is a guy I remember and I thought at first you must be talking about him.

[TaylorTag]

He’s entering a pivotal year of his career and does not appear to be in the top 9 of the rotation.

With him set to be an RFA this off-season and a $4M cap hit this season, Okogie is also an interesting trade piece potentially. The Vanderbilt signing was all about adding a defensive force to our roster. With Vando playing a position we lack and Okogie playing positions we are relatively deep, would Gupta try to explore a trade involving Okogie?

Josh is a solid dude. He is great for the community, so
I wouldn’t mind offering him a long term deal that gives him security, but it would have to be at the right price.

In the meantime, he is one of the few players who might net us something positive in return in a trade deal

I am a great basketball mind...

For real, Okogie's stock right now is so high. And I think the one thing I underestimated, which one of the beat guys pointed out recently (think it was Dane?), is that Okogie has played with a bad roster since he has been in the league. Maybe he is an extremely valuable guy if you surorund him with 4 competent players. He might seriously earn himself a nice multiyear deal if he keeps this up.

With I think $13M in luxury space going into next season, I wouldn't mind using that money to resign Prince and Okogie at this point.

[winforlose]

He’s entering a pivotal year of his career and does not appear to be in the top 9 of the rotation.

With him set to be an RFA this off-season and a $4M cap hit this season, Okogie is also an interesting trade piece potentially. The Vanderbilt signing was all about adding a defensive force to our roster. With Vando playing a position we lack and Okogie playing positions we are relatively deep, would Gupta try to explore a trade involving Okogie?

Josh is a solid dude. He is great for the community, so
I wouldn’t mind offering him a long term deal that gives him security, but it would have to be at the right price.

In the meantime, he is one of the few players who might net us something positive in return in a trade deal

I am a great basketball mind...

For real, Okogie's stock right now is so high. And I think the one thing I underestimated, which one of the beat guys pointed out recently (think it was Dane?), is that Okogie has played with a bad roster since he has been in the league. Maybe he is an extremely valuable guy if you surorund him with 4 competent players. He might seriously earn himself a nice multiyear deal if he keeps this up.

With I think $13M in luxury space going into next season, I wouldn't mind using that money to resign Prince and Okogie at this point.

JO is the perfect example of a scalpel player as opposed to a Swiss Army Knife player. JO has a very specific skill set which he excels at. He is an excellent on ball defender. He has good hands. He is a great rebounder for his size and position, and he is good at getting to the free throw line. His inside shot is also much improved from when he entered the league. It is also vital to remember he is only 23 and his game has not hit its ceiling yet. That said, he cannot jump shoot well, he is a decent ball handler but lacks the experience to play PG or run the offense, and he is limited by being 6’4.

Thibs had him for about half a year before he was fired. He lacked a chance to teach him much of anything. Then Ryan got his hands on him and put him in a position to fail. Add the inconsistent minutes because of Culver and you have a recipe for wash out of the league. Yet, Finch saw his potential and revived him. Okogie has it in him to be a solid starting 2/3 in the league or with time and training an outstanding PG. His passing and BBIQ are high, so is his motor. Unfortunately, his motor might be a little to high at times and he doesn’t slow down and think things through. In any event, until he improves his outside shot he needs to limit himself severely in how many shots he takes. Attacking the rim, getting out in transition, and turning defense into offense will make him valuable enough. Okogie will probably end up between 6-8 million and we should pay him every penny. It isn’t a coincidence that guys are praising him as an inspiration on defense. He is a leader and will continue to be for years. Him and Beverly could inspire a culture of defense. V8 and MCD certainly seem to be buying in. JO has a bright future, and if we move him to soon or too cheap we will regret it.

[jpatrick]

I think Jim Pete has said several times this year that Okogie’s teams never lose in scrimmages. We’ve all played pickup with/against that guy. Not always the most talented but just plays hard and does all the little things that lead to winning basketball.

I’ve come around on Okogie. I do think he’s the type of player that will do well on a winning team that doesn’t ask him to do too much. If he can get up to league average from 3, he’s a solid NBA starting caliber wing.

[winforlose]

I think Jim Pete has said several times this year that Okogie’s teams never lose in scrimmages. We’ve all played pickup with/against that guy. Not always the most talented but just plays hard and does all the little things that lead to winning basketball.

I’ve come around on Okogie. I do think he’s the type of player that will do well on a winning team that doesn’t ask him to do too much. If he can get up to league average from 3, he’s a solid NBA starting caliber wing.

I agree, but I would change the words “too much” to “what he doesn’t excel at.” Asking him to shoot volume 3s is as harmful as it is dumb. Confidence is important in this game and JO is much better from the elbow than the corner. He is also a solid cutter and decent screener (especially off ball.) Imagine demanding Ben Simmons take 5 3s per game and never drive or shoot inside. How many all star games would he make? Also, imagine asking KAT to guard exclusively PGs or JMAC guard only Centers. JO is 6’4 he is basically a SG playing SF because of wingspan. Asking him to guard either PFs or guys who are 6’8+ like Ingram and Durant is not going to go well. Let him do what he is good at and watch out.

[BlacJacMac]

I think Jim Pete has said several times this year that Okogie’s teams never lose in scrimmages. We’ve all played pickup with/against that guy. Not always the most talented but just plays hard and does all the little things that lead to winning basketball.

I’ve come around on Okogie. I do think he’s the type of player that will do well on a winning team that doesn’t ask him to do too much. If he can get up to league average from 3, he’s a solid NBA starting caliber wing.

League average from 3 is nearly 37%. That's an untenable ask from his career 27%.

He's probably a borderline starting caliber player right now. A 10% jump in his 3pt shooting would make him a borderline star.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/2021-nba-league-average-3-point-percentage

[shrink]

For those that may not be as familiar with the CBA, I wanted to mention that the Wolves decided not to extend Okogie by the Monday deadline. As much as I like Okogie, I think that was the right call.

As people have mentioned, Okogie is very much a one-way player. Few teams have enough offense, or lack of defense, to make him a good fit. The Timberwolves are certainly one of those teams, and he has added value because people have said he’s one of KAT’s best friends on the team, and always has Towns’ back in the locker room.

Even though MIN didn’t extend Okogie, he remains a restricted free agent, which allows the Wolves to match any offer he receives from another team, without using an exception. If Okogie continues to contribute to the team like he did in Game 1, the Wolves will certainly ask him back. If he I becomes a borderline starter, or bench player, MIN may ask him to go see what he can get in the market, and see if that price tag is right for them to retain him. Not extending him also keeps him eligible to be included in trade.

It sucks for Okogie to not have money guaranteed for the future, but it also gives him the opportunity to up his value and sign a more lucrative contract than he might have gotten now.

[jpatrick]

I think Jim Pete has said several times this year that Okogie’s teams never lose in scrimmages. We’ve all played pickup with/against that guy. Not always the most talented but just plays hard and does all the little things that lead to winning basketball.

I’ve come around on Okogie. I do think he’s the type of player that will do well on a winning team that doesn’t ask him to do too much. If he can get up to league average from 3, he’s a solid NBA starting caliber wing.

I get what you’re saying but that stat is skewed. That’s the percent the league shot the 3, which is going to be higher because the players shooting the most threes, shoot them at a higher clip. Maybe I should have said median.

I think he has to get into the 33-34% range to be a quality starter. Remember that percent will be on low volume and be wide open catch and shoot opportunities. Def not a star but would be a quality wing. And plenty of players make that jump but not all. Even Rubio became a decent catch and shoot player.

League average from 3 is nearly 37%. That's an untenable ask from his career 27%.

He's probably a borderline starting caliber player right now. A 10% jump in his 3pt shooting would make him a borderline star.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/2021-nba-league-average-3-point-percentage