Constructing the Timberwolves rotation

[Merc_Porto]

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I second it!

To build a team around? Yeah, NO.

[KGdaBom]

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I second it!

To build a team around? Yeah, NO.

Until proven otherwise I'd still choose LeBron.

[Midw35t]

Bam 2.0 Onyeka Okongwu. Git r dun. Go Wolves.

You either underestimate Bam or overestimate Okongwu.

Neither

I spent a couple hours watching more tape on Okongwu today.

I see where you draw some similarities to Bam. He is a definite lob threat, has some of the spins/multiple footwork at the rim, and he goes to the rim with reckless abandon - always looking to slam it with authority (God damn I wish KAT would assertive himself more like that).

He is also fluid defensively and has the instinct/timing on blocking shots.

The differences: he doesn't have the same agility, strength, or size/height/length. Nor the ball handling to take it and run, spin moves in space, or passing instincts/ability. He does have potential to at least space the floor to mid-range right now, to at least keep it honest.

The biggest question is if he can develop the premier Bam abilities. That's a lot to ask/expect.

But I can see a poor man's Bam there.

[KGdaBom]

You either underestimate Bam or overestimate Okongwu.

Neither

I spent a couple hours watching more tape on Okongwu today.

I see where you draw some similarities to Bam. He is a definite lob threat, has some of the spins/multiple footwork at the rim, and he goes to the rim with reckless abandon - always looking to slam it with authority (God damn I wish KAT would assertive himself more like that).

He is also fluid defensively and has the instinct/timing on blocking shots.

The differences: he doesn't have the same agility, strength, or size/height/length. Nor the ball handling to take it and run, spin moves in space, or passing instincts/ability. He does have potential to at least space the floor to mid-range right now, to at least keep it honest.

The biggest question is if he can develop the premier Bam abilities. That's a lot to ask/expect.

But I can see a poor man's Bam there.

Nothing poor about him. I'd say he has every bit as much agility or more than Bam. He's basically the same height and weight as Bam. He has better defensive instincts than Bam. I'd say he's a potential DPoY. The things that Bam is better at he wasn't better at when he entered the league. Bam is 4 years older. It's possible Okongwu develops all the things Bam did and maybe he doesn't. I wouldn't mind at all seeing how well OK has developed four years from now as a member of our Minnesota Timberwolves.

[theGreatRC]

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I second it!

To build a team around? Yeah, NO.

Until proven otherwise I'd still choose LeBron.

For the next 10 years, i'd choose Luka..If everyone was young, yeah Bron..

[Merc_Porto]

For the next 10 years, i'd choose Luka..If everyone was young, yeah Bron..

Luka or Giannis, that's tough.

(Still, Luka for me)

[shrink]

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Maybe Russell is just saying that to get Bam to think about coming here. If so, kudos. I’d love Bam on this team.

[minimus]

Back to 2017

If given the chance to start over, 29 percent of the league’s general managers would choose to rebuild around Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns beat out Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks (21 percent) and LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers (19 percent), and was also voted the league’s best center (28 percent) and the most likely player to have a breakout season (21 percent).

P.S. Still dont understand how Thibs ruined everything so quickly...

[Jedzz]

?Who can be the Wolves version of Danual House and can they have someone like that at 3.7 million/yr?

[PerkinsFor3]

?Who can be the Wolves version of Danual House and can they have someone like that at 3.7 million/yr?

So, a budget Covington? Might want to give Hutchinson on the Bulls a try.

[Klomp]

?Who can be the Wolves version of Danual House and can they have someone like that at 3.7 million/yr?

Jake Layman

[minimus]

?Who can be the Wolves version of Danual House and can they have someone like that at 3.7 million/yr?

Jake Layman

Josh Okogie

[PerkinsFor3]

What are the toughts and expectations on Nowell and Martin?

[minimus]

What are the toughts and expectations on Nowell and Martin?

Nowell lacks confidence. He looked good in Iowa, but was completely lost in MIN, couldn't hit wide open threes. Better defender than expected, good effort. Solid athlete. On bargain deal.

Martin is a very streaky shooter, has confidence though, he didn't practice much with main team, because he has two way contract. A big wing, solid athlete. He is from Louisville, like DLo.

[Klomp]

What are the toughts and expectations on Nowell and Martin?

Nowell lacks confidence. He looked good in Iowa, but was completely lost in MIN, couldn't hit wide open threes. Better defender than expected, good effort. Solid athlete. On bargain deal.

Martin is a very streaky shooter, has confidence though, he didn't practice much with main team, because he has two way contract. A big wing, solid athlete. He is from Louisville, like DLo.

If there's not another PG/SG added, I think Nowell has a serious chance to fight for back-end rotation minutes. Fits into the Beasley role better than anyone on the team other than Beasley.

To your point on Martin minimus, I think Martin probably practiced with the Timberwolves more than we think, it just doesn't get reported as such. But he played the same number of games in Iowa as McLaughlin did (unless you're talking about how McLaughlin wasn't practicing down the stretch to preserve days on two-way contract).

I think the team likes both players, and I think both could easily return.

[minimus]

What are the toughts and expectations on Nowell and Martin?

Nowell lacks confidence. He looked good in Iowa, but was completely lost in MIN, couldn't hit wide open threes. Better defender than expected, good effort. Solid athlete. On bargain deal.

Martin is a very streaky shooter, has confidence though, he didn't practice much with main team, because he has two way contract. A big wing, solid athlete. He is from Louisville, like DLo.

If there's not another PG/SG added, I think Nowell has a serious chance to fight for back-end rotation minutes. Fits into the Beasley role better than anyone on the team other than Beasley.

To your point on Martin minimus, I think Martin probably practiced with the Timberwolves more than we think, it just doesn't get reported as such. But he played the same number of games in Iowa as McLaughlin did (unless you're talking about how McLaughlin wasn't practicing down the stretch to preserve days on two-way contract).

I think the team likes both players, and I think both could easily return.

Yeah, I remember this interview, regarding playing three games in three days.

Watch on YouTube

I also want to say, that as much as Jedzz is rooting for Nowell, I am rooting for Kelan.

* - he is a perfect big wing for the modern NBA. I like what Crowder does for MIA, but I think with some experience Kelan can play the same role for us
* - it seems like he has this "next-man-up" mentality. He is mature, mentally prepared, a well-spoken guy
* - I like his 502 connection with DLo
* - he played here in Germany for local team, in my city

[minimus]

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Shooting, slashing, scoring from low/high post, scoring on the move, offensive rebounding, passing. This guy is a complete package. I am looking forward to see KAT playing more is a rolling man, he has good touch around the rim, body control, and mobility to be a very dangerous rolling big man.

[old school 34]

Nowell lacks confidence. He looked good in Iowa, but was completely lost in MIN, couldn't hit wide open threes. Better defender than expected, good effort. Solid athlete. On bargain deal.

Martin is a very streaky shooter, has confidence though, he didn't practice much with main team, because he has two way contract. A big wing, solid athlete. He is from Louisville, like DLo.

If there's not another PG/SG added, I think Nowell has a serious chance to fight for back-end rotation minutes. Fits into the Beasley role better than anyone on the team other than Beasley.

To your point on Martin minimus, I think Martin probably practiced with the Timberwolves more than we think, it just doesn't get reported as such. But he played the same number of games in Iowa as McLaughlin did (unless you're talking about how McLaughlin wasn't practicing down the stretch to preserve days on two-way contract).

I think the team likes both players, and I think both could easily return.

Yeah, I remember this interview, regarding playing three games in three days.

Watch on YouTube

I also want to say, that as much as Jedzz is rooting for Nowell, I am rooting for Kelan.

* - he is a perfect big wing for the modern NBA. I like what Crowder does for MIA, but I think with some experience Kelan can play the same role for us
* - it seems like he has this "next-man-up" mentality. He is mature, mentally prepared, a well-spoken guy
* - I like his 502 connection with DLo
* - he played here in Germany for local team, in my city

I like both as well & seems Wolves do as well...but you can really broaden it out and put 5 of those guys in the similar bucket including Vanderbilt, Naz, & JMac....obviously the latter two had the greatest rotation impact last year....but all on non-guarantees or 2-way rfa's....with the #'s crunch on roster spots...some of these guys just aren't making it most likely?

How much does this little upcoming 2 week mini camp impact these guys...don't want to over emphasize it...but last chance to leave significant impression?

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[minimus]

If there's not another PG/SG added, I think Nowell has a serious chance to fight for back-end rotation minutes. Fits into the Beasley role better than anyone on the team other than Beasley.

To your point on Martin minimus, I think Martin probably practiced with the Timberwolves more than we think, it just doesn't get reported as such. But he played the same number of games in Iowa as McLaughlin did (unless you're talking about how McLaughlin wasn't practicing down the stretch to preserve days on two-way contract).

I think the team likes both players, and I think both could easily return.

Yeah, I remember this interview, regarding playing three games in three days.

Watch on YouTube

I also want to say, that as much as Jedzz is rooting for Nowell, I am rooting for Kelan.

* - he is a perfect big wing for the modern NBA. I like what Crowder does for MIA, but I think with some experience Kelan can play the same role for us
* - it seems like he has this "next-man-up" mentality. He is mature, mentally prepared, a well-spoken guy
* - I like his 502 connection with DLo
* - he played here in Germany for local team, in my city

I like both as well & seems Wolves do as well...but you can really broaden it out and put 5 of those guys in the similar bucket including Vanderbilt, Naz, & JMac....obviously the latter two had the greatest rotation impact last year....but all on non-guarantees or 2-way rfa's....with the #'s crunch on roster spots...some of these guys just aren't making it most likely?

How much does this little upcoming 2 week mini camp impact these guys...don't want to over emphasize it...but last chance to leave significant impression?

Yes, with so many moving parts in our roster it's hard to predict who make final rotation. I like Vanderbilt, Martin and Nowell a lot, and it makes sense to give these guy an extended run before season begins, but it totally depends on draft/trade/FA results.

For me it is a big question though: managing organization in such messed up situation like 2020 year. It is easy to fail when there are many deadlines out of normal dates. See LAL situation with Davis trade when Pelinka couldn't orchestrate trade with NOP in a right way to save room for 3rd star, Pelinka lost time with Kawhi, couldn't get a third star etc. It is all about right time management process, decision making. I am very nervous about coming changes, since expectations after last trade deadline are so high. Vertiginously high.

[shrink]

I like Martin, but I doubt he’s back. We just don’t have the roster spaces.

8 players we owe guaranteed money (KAT, Russell, Johnson (po), Culver, Layman, Okogie, Evans, Spellman)
2 free agents with Bird rights (Beasley, Juancho)
1 or more MLE (not using it when FA salaries will be cheaper by Covid is wasting an asset)
1 cheap FA (McLaughlin)
3 cheap team options (Naz, Vanderbilt Nowell)
3 picks (#1, #17, #33)

Martin is #19, and we need to get to #15. I don’t think we can find four on this list that would be more valuable (or cost us less to remove with Evans) to justify a spot for Martin.