Constructing the Timberwolves rotation

[Jedzz]

I am really excited to see the rebuilt Wolves roster and to finally start getting some clarity about the future. There are a number of questions that need to be answered including:

1. Will Culver and/or Okogie be able to hit open shots. For those two the difference between being a high end role player and just another bench guy is the ability to make 3s at an average or better rate.
2. Can Vanderbilt turn potential into production. The way the roster is constructed there will be plenty of PF opportunities for a player who can defend and rebounder at a high level.
3. How fast will Edwards adapt to the NBA level. The speed at which he figures things out will have a big impact on the timeline for the team.
4. Can Towns, Russell, Beasley, and Hernangomez become average team defenders. The group is almost certain to provide high level offense, and if they could couple that with average defense the team might be better than expected.
5. How will the SG/SF rotation shake out. Russell, Rubio, and Beasley are going to get their minutes, the question is how will the rest of the minutes be distributed between Edwards, Culver, and Okogie.

Good questions. Find out in one month.

[KGdaBom]

Based off what I’ve seen of his limited offensive ability, I don’t see Davis taking Reid’s minutes unless I’m missing something.

He was really really bad last season but he’s a nice guy to have around in the lockerroom apparently.

I remember him flat out destroying the Wolves on multiple occasions. I haven't paid attention to him in a while. Neeva is assuring us all that he sucks giant donkey dong.

[KGdaBom]

You accepting what they are planning is a longshot.

I'm hopeful. Always hopeful.

You can't be both. Sorry

Yes I can because I am.

[Shaka_Zulu]

Other than Davis, the depth chart on ESPN has been updated.

Interesting enough, the site has chosen the following starters:
PG - Rubio
SG - Russell
SF - Edwards
PF - Hernangomez
C - Towns

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/depth/_/name/min

Best thing of all, they predict Jaden McDaniels as 3rd PF! Hope its sign of things to come lol. Do not expect him to be seen as part of rotation.


Vanderbilt is nowhere to be seen there, and according to them, Culver will be odd man ouf/in the dog house.

[Dewey]

Other than Davis, the depth chart on ESPN has been updated.

Interesting enough, the site has chosen the following starters:
PG - Rubio
SG - Russell
SF - Edwards
PF - Hernangomez
C - Towns

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/depth/_/name/min

Best thing of all, they predict Jaden McDaniels as 3rd PF! Hope its sign of things to come lol. Do not expect him to be seen as part of rotation.


Vanderbilt is nowhere to be seen there, and according to them, Culver will be odd man ouf/in the dog house.

Seriously ??? Your buying into ESPN? Wow... as they say ... hook - line - sinker

[Shaka_Zulu]

Other than Davis, the depth chart on ESPN has been updated.

Interesting enough, the site has chosen the following starters:
PG - Rubio
SG - Russell
SF - Edwards
PF - Hernangomez
C - Towns

https://www.espn.com/nba/team/depth/_/name/min

Best thing of all, they predict Jaden McDaniels as 3rd PF! Hope its sign of things to come lol. Do not expect him to be seen as part of rotation.


Vanderbilt is nowhere to be seen there, and according to them, Culver will be odd man ouf/in the dog house.

Seriously ??? Your buying into ESPN? Wow... as they say ... hook - line - sinker

Not buying, hoping, any indication or sign that McDaniel might see NBA minutes sooner then we think is welcomed by me

[Danimals]

I think our depth chart will look something like:

Russell - Rubio - McLaughlin
Beasley - Edwards - Nowell
Culver - Okogie - McDaniels
Hernangomez - Layman - Vanderbilt
Towns - Davis - Reid

Culver, Okogie, Edwards could all be swapped around with each other on the depth chart.

I think our best lineup, strictly for winning will be:

Rubio
Russell
?
Davis
Towns

With one of Beasley, Edwards, Culver, Okogie, Layman, Hernangomez taking the last spot. Hopefully it is Edwards, and then Hernangomez can defend enough to over take Davis.

It will be interesting to see how much we prioritize winning vs development. It will definitely impact lineups.

[old school 34]

Based off what I’ve seen of his limited offensive ability, I don’t see Davis taking Reid’s minutes unless I’m missing something.

He was really really bad last season but he’s a nice guy to have around in the lockerroom apparently.

I remember him flat out destroying the Wolves on multiple occasions. I haven't paid attention to him in a while. Neeva is assuring us all that he sucks giant donkey dong.

Yeah, I thought Davis spent the majority of last year recovering from a broken leg...so all things considering...probably not the sole season to evaluate him.

Can be our Erv Johnson...just coming off the bench instead

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[old school 34]

Vando

The management have been raving about him, but it's still a long shot.

You accepting what they are planning is a longshot.

I'm really hoping for JMac as well for that last spot & icing on the cake would be trading a Culver or Okogie before 1 of them loses significant value due to someone falls out of the rotation. It could bounce around early on like last year...but eventually someone will be out....& we can wait to say we let that play out...but if it's out there now...I'd jump?

Still don't want to let the Culver to Atl deal go? Atl gets BB officially done, Collins extension signed....then let's get serious Culver & Bolmaro for Hunter & let's go (that's not too rose-colored, is it?).

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[gandlogo]

A little more context for the Reid v Davis discussion. According to basketball-reference.com Davis has attempted exactly zero three pointers in 668 NBA games. Conversely, Reid shot 97 of them in 32 games.

[Jedzz]

A little more context for the Reid v Davis discussion. According to basketball-reference.com Davis has attempted exactly zero three pointers in 668 NBA games. Conversely, Reid shot 97 of them in 32 games.

I could be wrong but I don't know if Davis is really in their plans for playing much. I think his contract amount was more a less a tool for moving the other two players out. Has happened before, right? But I don't have much to go on with this. Just guessing.

[Jedzz]

I wonder what they are waiting for or expecting in return for Culver or Okogie or whoever they plan on moving. It seems likely but who knows, maybe they waste the first half of the season trying to jumble this all around until a deadline move, if there is a deadline trade session this year.

[andyhop]

Starting line up should be

Rubio
Russell
?
Probably has to be Hernangómez
KAT

No idea which of the not ideal options will get the SF role

[Macwolf527]

A little more context for the Reid v Davis discussion. According to basketball-reference.com Davis has attempted exactly zero three pointers in 668 NBA games. Conversely, Reid shot 97 of them in 32 games.

I could be wrong but I don't know if Davis is really in their plans for playing much. I think his contract amount was more a less a tool for moving the other two players out. Has happened before, right? But I don't have much to go on with this. Just guessing.

I had the same thought. With Rosas preaching sustainable winning, it didn’t seem logical for Naz to miss out on minutes for development for a 31 year old who doesn’t fit your style of play or timeline. I do see Davis stepping up in cases of injury or foul trouble, but not heavy rotational minutes.

It made sense to move contracts to accommodate McLaughlin as your third PG. I know some question sending out the 2nd rounder, but if you get Jordan signed for 3 years with an option on the 3rd year, then its just as good as a 2nd after picking him up as an undrafted FA.

[Neeva]

Just hope the second the knicks are getting aint 2022.. anyone hear what year it is?

[andyhop]

I had the same thought. With Rosas preaching sustainable winning, it didn’t seem logical for Naz to miss out on minutes for development for a 31 year old who doesn’t fit your style of play or timeline.

Why would you believe what Rosas says though.

I mean I love Rubio but he doesn't at all fit into the system or age profile we have been told that the Wolves want and given the roster make up is certainly going to be taking minutes away from someones development.

[Jedzz]

A little more context for the Reid v Davis discussion. According to basketball-reference.com Davis has attempted exactly zero three pointers in 668 NBA games. Conversely, Reid shot 97 of them in 32 games.

I could be wrong but I don't know if Davis is really in their plans for playing much. I think his contract amount was more a less a tool for moving the other two players out. Has happened before, right? But I don't have much to go on with this. Just guessing.

I had the same thought. With Rosas preaching sustainable winning, it didn’t seem logical for Naz to miss out on minutes for development for a 31 year old who doesn’t fit your style of play or timeline. I do see Davis stepping up in cases of injury or foul trouble, but not heavy rotational minutes.

It made sense to move contracts to accommodate McLaughlin as your third PG. I know some question sending out the 2nd rounder, but if you get Jordan signed for 3 years with an option on the 3rd year, then its just as good as a 2nd after picking him up as an undrafted FA.

Davis' 5 million deal is also another tool for matching in possible near future moves or expired and gone afterwards. Which is sad when you think of the deal JMac ($1.4 or 1.6) might get offered, if anything, for what he proved as a player.

[Jedzz]

I had the same thought. With Rosas preaching sustainable winning, it didn’t seem logical for Naz to miss out on minutes for development for a 31 year old who doesn’t fit your style of play or timeline.

Why would you believe what Rosas says though.

I mean I love Rubio but he doesn't at all fit into the system or age profile we have been told that the Wolves want and given the roster make up is certainly going to be taking minutes away from someones development.

You can't win much without some veteran leadership. i think Dlo/Towns and team want to start wining. Rubio also provides great help to the development of the younger players by creating and feeding them. So I understand why he works enough. Doesn't mean they aren't overloaded with guards with him though. It could be argued that Dlo and Towns are veterans enough now. But they don't have much playoff experience yet either. Rubio only has slighly more really. Someone like Rondo would have ultimately provided more of that for half the cost, but less production too and they would have had to lure him here intead of trade.

[minimus]

One question. Who will you bet your money on:

32yo Gallo playing PF
25yo Juancho playing PF
26yo Dario Saric playing PF
28yo Bertāns playing PF

[Merc_Porto]

One question. Who will you bet your money on:

32yo Gallo playing PF
25yo Juancho playing PF
26yo Dario Saric playing PF
28yo Bertāns playing PF

Dario has been a center for the Suns and a really good one. To win right away? Obviously not Juancho.

The best contract? I guess Juancho. Because i'm thinking of flexibility and only that.