Constructing the Timberwolves rotation

[Jedzz]

Thank you for info! Yes, I was thinking about Brooklyn pick. 2020 SF draft class is so weak. I can think about Okoro as SF, because he is solid 6'6" 220lbs and 6'9"wingspan.

P.S. 6'4" DLo has 6'10"wingspan, 6'3"Okogie 7'0" wingspan, 6'4" Malik Beasley has 6'5" wingspan.

I was kind of surprised how small Beasley looks next to any 6-8 players. Looks smaller than 6'4 at times. Sure gets around though. I wish he had a little more refined skills at the net. But he just turned 23 not long ago.

Beasley 6'3.5" without shoes, 0.25" taller than Russell, 0.5" taller than Okogie.

And looks smaller than both of them at times. Maybe he kind of compacts himself when running or dribbling.

Russell is the strange one size wise. If you looked at him in a picture by himself, you might swear he's a really small guy in the 5-5 range. Line him up with our roster and he's right up there with the rest of these guys.

[minimus]

Guys, I can't stop thinking about Bam/Dray Green type of player next to KAT instead of a big, but still undersized wing. It would not work before with Wiggins at PG and Culver/Okogie at SG, but it might actually work with Beasley/DLo against some opponents. In order to make it work he must be athletic/dynamic/physical enough to work on short rolls, be able to switch against C/PF/SF, pass the ball and shoot open 3s. It would not absolutely work with Dieng/Bell/Vonleh, because they don't have such skills. But I am just can't stop thinking how many issues it might resolve:

* - we can mitigate bad KAT-DLo defense by using Bam type of defender, it might resolve our issue when we use only drop scheme
* - rebounding
* - set screens for DLo, Beasley, be roller in PnR
* - stretch towards rim both from dunker spot and cutting

I mean I know about 1-3-1 is our main system, but with right personel we can play second big. The problem is that I don't see such player on 2020 FA market, Okongwu is an interesting prospect, but he is raw. Who else? Reggie Perry?

[old school 34]

Guys, I can't stop thinking about Bam/Dray Green type of player next to KAT instead of a big, but still undersized wing. It would not work before with Wiggins at PG and Culver/Okogie at SG, but it might actually work with Beasley/DLo against some opponents. In order to make it work he must be athletic/dynamic/physical enough to work on short rolls, be able to switch against C/PF/SF, pass the ball and shoot open 3s. It would not absolutely work with Dieng/Bell/Vonleh, because they don't have such skills. But I am just can't stop thinking how many issues it might resolve:

* - we can mitigate bad KAT-DLo defense by using Bam type of defender, it might resolve our issue when we use only drop scheme
* - rebounding
* - set screens for DLo, Beasley, be roller in PnR
* - stretch towards rim both from dunker spot and cutting

I mean I know about 1-3-1 is our main system, but with right personel we can play second big. The problem is that I don't see such player on 2020 FA market, Okongwu is an interesting prospect, but he is raw. Who else? Reggie Perry?

Star dreaming I know...but that's what Rosas does, right. Philly loses first round...we win draft lottery & before someone says it Nets make playoffs so we get their pick & then can include ours in a deal...We find way to make deal with Philly as they break their duo up & have Simmons point PF surrounded by Dlo, Beasley, KAT, & whoever (go find your 3 & D sf)....that's fun to think about imo?

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[Jedzz]

Guys, I can't stop thinking about Bam/Dray Green type of player next to KAT instead of a big, but still undersized wing. It would not work before with Wiggins at PG and Culver/Okogie at SG, but it might actually work with Beasley/DLo against some opponents. In order to make it work he must be athletic/dynamic/physical enough to work on short rolls, be able to switch against C/PF/SF, pass the ball and shoot open 3s. It would not absolutely work with Dieng/Bell/Vonleh, because they don't have such skills. But I am just can't stop thinking how many issues it might resolve:

* - we can mitigate bad KAT-DLo defense by using Bam type of defender, it might resolve our issue when we use only drop scheme
* - rebounding
* - set screens for DLo, Beasley, be roller in PnR
* - stretch towards rim both from dunker spot and cutting

I mean I know about 1-3-1 is our main system, but with right personel we can play second big. The problem is that I don't see such player on 2020 FA market, Okongwu is an interesting prospect, but he is raw. Who else? Reggie Perry?

Bam is 6-9, 255lb

Hello. Reid.

[minimus]

Guys, I can't stop thinking about Bam/Dray Green type of player next to KAT instead of a big, but still undersized wing. It would not work before with Wiggins at PG and Culver/Okogie at SG, but it might actually work with Beasley/DLo against some opponents. In order to make it work he must be athletic/dynamic/physical enough to work on short rolls, be able to switch against C/PF/SF, pass the ball and shoot open 3s. It would not absolutely work with Dieng/Bell/Vonleh, because they don't have such skills. But I am just can't stop thinking how many issues it might resolve:

* - we can mitigate bad KAT-DLo defense by using Bam type of defender, it might resolve our issue when we use only drop scheme
* - rebounding
* - set screens for DLo, Beasley, be roller in PnR
* - stretch towards rim both from dunker spot and cutting

I mean I know about 1-3-1 is our main system, but with right personel we can play second big. The problem is that I don't see such player on 2020 FA market, Okongwu is an interesting prospect, but he is raw. Who else? Reggie Perry?

Bam is 6-9, 255lb

Hello. Reid.

I am afraid that Reid will never be even an average defender. I am obsessed by idea of getting someone who would be dominant in defense AND wouldn't be liability in offense. Imagine Jordan Bell with basketball IQ which would allow him to execute both in offense and defense within team flow.

[Jedzz]

Guys, I can't stop thinking about Bam/Dray Green type of player next to KAT instead of a big, but still undersized wing. It would not work before with Wiggins at PG and Culver/Okogie at SG, but it might actually work with Beasley/DLo against some opponents. In order to make it work he must be athletic/dynamic/physical enough to work on short rolls, be able to switch against C/PF/SF, pass the ball and shoot open 3s. It would not absolutely work with Dieng/Bell/Vonleh, because they don't have such skills. But I am just can't stop thinking how many issues it might resolve:

* - we can mitigate bad KAT-DLo defense by using Bam type of defender, it might resolve our issue when we use only drop scheme
* - rebounding
* - set screens for DLo, Beasley, be roller in PnR
* - stretch towards rim both from dunker spot and cutting

I mean I know about 1-3-1 is our main system, but with right personel we can play second big. The problem is that I don't see such player on 2020 FA market, Okongwu is an interesting prospect, but he is raw. Who else? Reggie Perry?

Bam is 6-9, 255lb

Hello. Reid.

I am afraid that Reid will never be even an average defender. I am obsessed by idea of getting someone who would be dominant in defense AND wouldn't be liability in offense. Imagine Jordan Bell with basketball IQ which would allow him to execute both in offense and defense within team flow.

Portland game in January. Lillard was going off and Wolves were doing normal scrambling early. Close enough game. Then Reid comes in just as Lillard went to rest. Reid blows up on defense and locks it down, Wolves go on a big run. Maybe 5 minutes of this before Lillard comes back in to try and stop it. Next two possessions are all Lillard, Reid stomps on him twice, the second time ending up on top of Never-say-Die Lilliard on the floor. The lead held, Reid I think had 6 boards in his first 4 or 5 minutes that game. Portland never recovers and Lillard looks shaken up rest of game. Reids actions amped up everyone after that point with Dieng KBD and Vonleh all have impressive boards the rest of the way. Boards were the reason they won, something like 55 to Porlands 39. Boards and the energy on defense that Reid brought to wake everyone up. Towns didn't play that game.

I'm more concerned that people don't really watch these days because of what I read. But I think you do, so I'm surprised you feel this way about his defense. I think his rim protection as a center is not what it should be because he's a PF and a F at heart and he's simply not tall enough.

[minimus]

I wonder if Stanley Johnson playing full time PF can be answer for us as defensive minded big. He has 3.8mil PO next season. He can't shoot 3s consistently, hence can't play SF. But he is a good defender, mobile, physical. He probably won't get enough opportunities behind OG and Siakam.

Watch on YouTube

[TheProdigy]

Guys, I can't stop thinking about Bam/Dray Green type of player next to KAT instead of a big, but still undersized wing. It would not work before with Wiggins at PG and Culver/Okogie at SG, but it might actually work with Beasley/DLo against some opponents. In order to make it work he must be athletic/dynamic/physical enough to work on short rolls, be able to switch against C/PF/SF, pass the ball and shoot open 3s. It would not absolutely work with Dieng/Bell/Vonleh, because they don't have such skills. But I am just can't stop thinking how many issues it might resolve:

* - we can mitigate bad KAT-DLo defense by using Bam type of defender, it might resolve our issue when we use only drop scheme
* - rebounding
* - set screens for DLo, Beasley, be roller in PnR
* - stretch towards rim both from dunker spot and cutting

I mean I know about 1-3-1 is our main system, but with right personel we can play second big. The problem is that I don't see such player on 2020 FA market, Okongwu is an interesting prospect, but he is raw. Who else? Reggie Perry?

Bam is 6-9, 255lb

Hello. Reid.

Bam and Reid aren't really comparable when it comes to their athleticism. Bam is a freak.

[Jedzz]

Guys, I can't stop thinking about Bam/Dray Green type of player next to KAT instead of a big, but still undersized wing. It would not work before with Wiggins at PG and Culver/Okogie at SG, but it might actually work with Beasley/DLo against some opponents. In order to make it work he must be athletic/dynamic/physical enough to work on short rolls, be able to switch against C/PF/SF, pass the ball and shoot open 3s. It would not absolutely work with Dieng/Bell/Vonleh, because they don't have such skills. But I am just can't stop thinking how many issues it might resolve:

* - we can mitigate bad KAT-DLo defense by using Bam type of defender, it might resolve our issue when we use only drop scheme
* - rebounding
* - set screens for DLo, Beasley, be roller in PnR
* - stretch towards rim both from dunker spot and cutting

I mean I know about 1-3-1 is our main system, but with right personel we can play second big. The problem is that I don't see such player on 2020 FA market, Okongwu is an interesting prospect, but he is raw. Who else? Reggie Perry?

Bam is 6-9, 255lb

Hello. Reid.

Bam and Reid aren't really comparable when it comes to their athleticism. Bam is a freak.

disagree to athleticism being different enough to allow one to PF and not the other.

I'm not going to compare players. Because if we are just throwing out random names we will never afford I'll pick better ones.

[minimus]

Guys, I can't stop thinking about Bam/Dray Green type of player next to KAT instead of a big, but still undersized wing. It would not work before with Wiggins at PG and Culver/Okogie at SG, but it might actually work with Beasley/DLo against some opponents. In order to make it work he must be athletic/dynamic/physical enough to work on short rolls, be able to switch against C/PF/SF, pass the ball and shoot open 3s. It would not absolutely work with Dieng/Bell/Vonleh, because they don't have such skills. But I am just can't stop thinking how many issues it might resolve:

* - we can mitigate bad KAT-DLo defense by using Bam type of defender, it might resolve our issue when we use only drop scheme
* - rebounding
* - set screens for DLo, Beasley, be roller in PnR
* - stretch towards rim both from dunker spot and cutting

I mean I know about 1-3-1 is our main system, but with right personel we can play second big. The problem is that I don't see such player on 2020 FA market, Okongwu is an interesting prospect, but he is raw. Who else? Reggie Perry?

Watch on YouTube

[Bruteque]

Nothing about McDaniels’ game is tough or physical. He’s about as skinny as a guy can get. Think under 200lbs at 6’10”. Also shot poorly this year. I think he’ll be at the Brooklyn pick if we want him.

Thank you for info! Yes, I was thinking about Brooklyn pick. 2020 SF draft class is so weak. I can think about Okoro as SF, because he is solid 6'6" 220lbs and 6'9"wingspan.

P.S. 6'4" DLo has 6'10"wingspan, 6'3"Okogie 7'0" wingspan, 6'4" Malik Beasley has 6'5" wingspan.

Pretty sure Malik Beasley has a 6'7" wingspan, not 6'5". I mean, he lacks length, but he's not quite that lacking.

[minimus]

Nothing about McDaniels’ game is tough or physical. He’s about as skinny as a guy can get. Think under 200lbs at 6’10”. Also shot poorly this year. I think he’ll be at the Brooklyn pick if we want him.

Thank you for info! Yes, I was thinking about Brooklyn pick. 2020 SF draft class is so weak. I can think about Okoro as SF, because he is solid 6'6" 220lbs and 6'9"wingspan.

P.S. 6'4" DLo has 6'10"wingspan, 6'3"Okogie 7'0" wingspan, 6'4" Malik Beasley has 6'5" wingspan.

Pretty sure Malik Beasley has a 6'7" wingspan, not 6'5". I mean, he lacks length, but he's not quite that lacking.

Yes, that seems to be true!

[minimus]

KAT and Reid are very specific set of bigs: both are not good screeners, both prefer to pop instead of rolling hard to the basket, neither is good PnR defender. With 1-3-1 scheme it is really concerning. I can see here three solutions:

1) a full time defensive stud at PF. See Aaron Gordon, Dray Green
2) a very mobile, athletic С while KAT and Reid plays a bit PF. A Bam Adebayo type of player
3) a very athletic big wing at PF that will create a massive mismatch problem for opponents. See Jaylen Brown

We need a rim runner, interior defender.

[minimus]

Another question is how high can DLo and KAT elevate role players in offense? Both KAT and Russell can distribute/facilitate and score at the same time, this might allow role players (JJ, Juancho, Okogie, Culver, Nowell, Layman, Beasley) playing more simplified basketball, playing their strengths, not weaknesses. If KAT and Russell can do it in offense, it might allow us to play more defensive minded players, for instance am athletic true big without 3pt shot.

[minimus]

But I was told that DLo can't play off the ball...

Read on Twitter

Honestly I think we could use a big defensive minded pass first PG. Sounds like Haliburton...

[Jedzz]

But I was told that DLo can't play off the ball...

Read on Twitter

Honestly I think we could use a big defensive minded pass first PG. Sounds like Haliburton...

Now you want to push Dlo off PG? That pushes beasely off the 2? This is like a chess board you guys want to continually flip off all the pieces and start over.

There is nothing wrong with him getting moments like that offball during games while he's the PG. It's going to come naturally on possessions where he dumps off a pass early on. Especially when the team only has two good shooters. Use him for it, sure!

But it's no excuse for adding one way defensive players that can't shoot. Please stop already. Nothing and Nobody should be added to this team ever again who struggles shooting in the NBA at least to average levels. If they can't, they don't belong here. Finding shooting capable players also willing to play defense is the job of the GM. If your pass first option can also shoot, great! But he's either playing off bench minutes or we are trading Dlo.

[Klomp]

Yeah, I don't think we need to go for Haliburton. The thing about Russell off-ball is that it's something he can do, not something he must do. So don't just peg him as an off-ball guy by bringing in a new PG, that doesn't really solve anything. If a guard has primary ballhandling ability, play the two together for spurts and give Russell some time off the ball, but I think it'd be foolish to make that his full-time role.

[minimus]

Okay, biggest needs:
* - secondary playmaker who can defend PG/SG
* - interior defense, rim runner, shot blocker, good screener

We draft Onyeka Okongwu, Theo Maledon. Resign Martin, Beasley, Juancho. Trade Culver, JJ, SRP for Aaron Gordon.

KAT/Okongwu/Reid
Gordon/Juancho/Okongwu
Okogie/Layman/Martin
Beasley/Okogie/Nowell
DLo/Maledon/ML

[Klomp]

There are a few thoughts I've had lately around how the team will continue building its rotation.

First of all, I think it's important to look at what the team wants from position groups. A lot has been made of the 1-3-1 system this year. However, I think you have to recognize that the 3 wing positions are not created equally. You could not slot Malik Beasley in at "PF", just like you couldn't slot Juancho Hernangomez in at "SG" even though they both can be characterized as one of the three wings in the system. If it makes you feel better to separate the three wings into two SG/SFs and one SF/PF, go ahead but I believe the premise is still the same.

I also believe that the team can get away with 1 of the 3 wings on the floor not being great shooters. I don't think they'd want multiple non-shooters on the court at the same time, but I don't believe shooting is a prerequisite for any player they look to add. If there is one position you could say it's important, I would argue it's at the "PF", though I think again that can depend on who's sharing the court with him at SG/SF (Johnson was having a career year in 3-point shooting at just 35% when the trade happened). I think at PF, the team really values defensive movement skills along with its floor spacing, which is the big reason why I've never felt Spellman, Reid or Dieng have been legitimate options for the team at the position.

I think most of the roster turnover this offseason will come at SG/SF. Beasley is the surest bet to return (unless another major trade happens), but beyond him are a lot of question marks. I think they will keep one of Okogie and Culver, but I believe one of them will be gone. I can't say for certain which one, as that could depend largely on trade value and opportunity. Culver is a bigger contract which may make it more enticing for them to want to move him, but it could also help sway teams to go for the value add in Okogie. I would also add that I believe Nowell will be likely to return. No reason to get rid of a young talent like that on a cheap, team-friendly deal, even if the path to regular playing time doesn't seem as clear. Martin could stick around on a 1+3, but with the roster crunch tightening I could see him moving on as well. I know we got Crabbe partly for his Bird rights, but he's underwhelmed somewhat so I could see the team pass on re-signing him unless it was a minimum deal.

Behind Russell, I believe they will try to bring back McLaughlin on a 1+3 deal. It's possible they bring in someone to compete with him, but I don't really see a big need to when Russell will soak up so many of the minutes there. Similar story with Reid behind Towns.

I think the PF group is an interesting one to watch this summer. First off, I should mention that I view Layman at PF in this system (call the position group SF/PF if you would like). I think Hernangomez has a good chance to be back, and I think the team really likes what Johnson brings to the table plus I think he likes it here. Vanderbilt is a young project who can be groomed to be a future piece of the puzzle as well. So all that tells me there's a chance we don't see much turnover in this group. With Johnson's longterm status up in the air, I wouldn't rule out bringing in a young guy to develop but I could see this group keeping the status quo here going into next season.

I've mentioned this before, but I like how Rosas seems to target young guys entering restricted free agency from good teams. These are guys looking for an opportunity to prove themselves. Many of them understand they won't get that opportunity with their current teams, and the teams recognize they might not be able to afford them anymore after restricted free agency. So both sides go into it looking to find a better opportunity. This is how we got Jake Layman on a good deal last summer and then obviously getting the two guys in the Denver trade. I know I just said I could see the PF group stay status quo, but one player who could fit this mold and would seemingly be a system fit is DJ Wilson from Milwaukee. Next season will be the last on his rookie deal. I don't necessarily see them re-signing him, but he did show in limited opportunities last season that he could be a solid player in this league. In some ways, has some size and skill set similarities to James Johnson. Another couple of Milwaukee guys who I think could be intriguing are Sterling Brown and Pat Connaughton, though Connaughton is unrestricted this summer.

A lot of questions still to be answered, but I believe in the Rosas vision and how he's executed up to this point. I'm excited to see how this roster continues to develop.

[shrink]

Okay, biggest needs:
* - secondary playmaker who can defend PG/SG
* - interior defense, rim runner, shot blocker, good screener

I agree on the first, and I think they envision Culver in that role. I don’t mind his fit with Russell or Beasley.

For the second, I think we need a PF/SF that can do most of those things, but he needs to be a three point shooter so we don’t minimize the match-up advantage Towns provides outside.