The 2025 Wolves Off Season

[BlacJacMac]

Kevin Love is expected to be bought out, can sign with any team, and wants to be on a contender.

MIN has never been able to get free agents to want to come here. For many years, we weren’t a bad team, and free agents only knew Minnesota weather from their games here in the winter. Love knows what it’s like to be here, and we are a contender that definitely needs a back up center. He could bookend his career, perhaps helping his original team make a big playoff run.

I'd take him back in a heartbeat, but don't know if he can beat out Le Berricade for minutes.

He is going to LAL

Apparently going to Utah after-all. He might be traded later, but it sounds like he won't be bought out.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/veteran-kevin-love-utahs-training-173922399.html

[shrink]

I wonder if Tim Connelly scored any points with Malik Beasley when he signed him despite the gun charges in 2020 that led to a 12 game suspension? I criticized the move at the time, and worried about the message it sent, but Beasley played well and kept his head on straight the whole season. Malik is also familiar with the state of Minnesota, playing with Ant, Jaden and Naz, and being coached by Finch, who knows how to use him.

Today, he is still without a team, with GMs afraid to offer him a deal until after the criminal and NBA investigations are complete. I wonder if Beasley would accept a small 1 + 1 deal, with the second year a player option? If he wouldn’t accept a vet min deal, we still have the $5.685 mil tax-payer MLE. Using it would mean more lux taxes and trigger the second apron, but that would likely be fine.

By the deadline or next year, we could look to rehab Donte’s trade value, and cash out on him.

[Domejandro]

I wonder if Tim Connelly scored any points with Malik Beasley when he signed him despite the gun charges in 2020 that led to a 12 game suspension? I criticized the move at the time, and worried about the message it sent, but Beasley played well and kept his head on straight the whole season. Malik is also familiar with the state of Minnesota, playing with Ant, Jaden and Naz, and being coached by Finch, who knows how to use him.

Today, he is still without a team, with GMs afraid to offer him a deal until after the criminal and NBA investigations are complete. I wonder if Beasley would accept a small 1 + 1 deal, with the second year a player option? If he wouldn’t accept a vet min deal, we still have the $5.685 mil tax-payer MLE. Using it would mean more lux taxes and trigger the second apron, but that would likely be fine.

By the deadline or next year, we could look to rehab Donte’s trade value, and cash out on him.

My impression is that Malik Beasley not being able to find a squad is more-so a reflection of discomfort from the league.

[shrink]

I wonder if Tim Connelly scored any points with Malik Beasley when he signed him despite the gun charges in 2020 that led to a 12 game suspension? I criticized the move at the time, and worried about the message it sent, but Beasley played well and kept his head on straight the whole season. Malik is also familiar with the state of Minnesota, playing with Ant, Jaden and Naz, and being coached by Finch, who knows how to use him.

Today, he is still without a team, with GMs afraid to offer him a deal until after the criminal and NBA investigations are complete. I wonder if Beasley would accept a small 1 + 1 deal, with the second year a player option? If he wouldn’t accept a vet min deal, we still have the $5.685 mil tax-payer MLE. Using it would mean more lux taxes and trigger the second apron, but that would likely be fine.

By the deadline or next year, we could look to rehab Donte’s trade value, and cash out on him.

My impression is that Malik Beasley not being able to find a squad is more-so a reflection of discomfort from the league.

Right. Even though the feds said he was “not the target of the investigation,” it doesn’t mean he’s cleared. And the NBA is doing its own investigation, and if he affected their lucrative gambling money, he would likely get banned. I’ve heard teams are waiting for the results of those two investigations.

[minimus]

So basically Juzang is a copy of Klay Thompson without athleticism (defense)? They have similar measurements:

Juzang: 6-foot-5.25 without shoes and 209 pounds with a 6-foot-11 wingspan. He recorded a 32.5-inch maximum vertical leap.
Thompson: 6-foot-5.75 without shoes and 206 pounds with a 6-foot-9 wingspan. He recorded a 31.5-inch maximum vertical leap.

Now I am looking at two things: first, secondary skill that Juzang can provide (off-ball movement, passing, slashing or rebounding), second his contract situation, should TC give him a Gupta special?

P.S. I wonder why this preseason Juzang looks better than Dalton Knecht (was selected with the 17th overall pick). Both are 24yo, have similar measurements and skillset. Maybe different expectations and roles?

[minimus]

Also Juzang reminds me Taurean Prince in MIN: although Prince on paper could be a decent defender, he never showed it in MIN, instead he had a few good games when he got hot from 3pt.

[KGdaBom]

ESPN is projecting the Wolves to win 44 games. Last year they had us at 43. Screw them. We will win minimum 50 possibly 60.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected wins: 43.7
ESPN BET over/under total: 49.5

Why they project to be worse than their total: The Timberwolves were one of my model's big misses a season ago, winning 49 games while projected for 42.7. In part, Minnesota benefited from favorable health on the perimeter. Nickeil Alexander-Walker's departure means one of the Wolves' young guards will have to step into a rotation role, and Terrence Shannon Jr. -- the most likely contender ahead of the season -- projects poorly. But don't blame Minnesota fans for thinking their team is underrated after back-to-back trips to the conference finals.

[Klomp]

ESPN is projecting the Wolves to win 44 games. Last year they had us at 43. Screw them. We will win minimum 50 possibly 60.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected wins: 43.7
ESPN BET over/under total: 49.5

Why they project to be worse than their total: The Timberwolves were one of my model's big misses a season ago, winning 49 games while projected for 42.7. In part, Minnesota benefited from favorable health on the perimeter. Nickeil Alexander-Walker's departure means one of the Wolves' young guards will have to step into a rotation role, and Terrence Shannon Jr. -- the most likely contender ahead of the season -- projects poorly. But don't blame Minnesota fans for thinking their team is underrated after back-to-back trips to the conference finals.

They say "health" is a reason for being wrong last year, but really I think it's noteworthy that this team has built up a culture of playing through nicks and bruises when other teams force many of their players to take rest days when they otherwise are healthy enough to play.

Anthony Edwards has played 381 of 400 career games (95%).
Naz Reid has played 390 of 414 games since inserted in the rotation at 2020 trade deadline (94%).
Jaden McDaniels has played 341 of 369 games since the coaching change (92%).

That's 75 to 78 games played each year for three of our core players, so yeah I don't think missing on "health" is a valid excuse.

[KGdaBom]

ESPN is projecting the Wolves to win 44 games. Last year they had us at 43. Screw them. We will win minimum 50 possibly 60.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Projected wins: 43.7
ESPN BET over/under total: 49.5

Why they project to be worse than their total: The Timberwolves were one of my model's big misses a season ago, winning 49 games while projected for 42.7. In part, Minnesota benefited from favorable health on the perimeter. Nickeil Alexander-Walker's departure means one of the Wolves' young guards will have to step into a rotation role, and Terrence Shannon Jr. -- the most likely contender ahead of the season -- projects poorly. But don't blame Minnesota fans for thinking their team is underrated after back-to-back trips to the conference finals.

They say "health" is a reason for being wrong last year, but really I think it's noteworthy that this team has built up a culture of playing through nicks and bruises when other teams force many of their players to take rest days when they otherwise are healthy enough to play.

Anthony Edwards has played 381 of 400 career games (95%).
Naz Reid has played 390 of 414 games since inserted in the rotation at 2020 trade deadline (94%).
Jaden McDaniels has played 341 of 369 games since the coaching change (92%).

That's 75 to 78 games played each year for three of our core players, so yeah I don't think missing on "health" is a valid excuse.

ESPN must want people to bet the under on the Wolves at 49.5. They're presenting it as easy money and only an idiot would bet the Over.

[Klomp]

ESPN must want people to bet the under on the Wolves at 49.5. They're presenting it as easy money and only an idiot would bet the Over.

Agreed. Like, I get that the West will be tough and we didn't make any flashy moves, but that's exactly why I think we could surprise some people. We have a somewhat favorable early schedule, and I think a hot start is very possible if they have the right mindset.

[ILC]

"don't blame Minnesota fans for thinking their team is underrated"

What a pompous thing to say lmao

Windhorst, Bontemps and McMahon used the same argument on their podcast for why they took the under. "They won 49 games last year and lost NAW, they won't be as good". They think 49 was an achievement last year.

No, they won 49 in spite of everything happening - late trade, chemistry issues, Mike declining/being injured, Randle and DDV missing time right when the team was starting to get going, DDV not playing well at all most of the season etc.

55 wins is my minimum expectation this year.

[Domejandro]

I don't think that 49.5 is an unfair baseline. Only three teams won more than 52 games last season.

[FrenchMinnyFan]

I will put some money on over 49.5 is my bookmaker offer it no doubt. We have chemistry we did not have last year, Ant and the young improving, DDV will play better, Mike is in better shape, Rudy got real holiday this year.... lot of reasons why whe should be at 52-57 win.

[KGdaBom]

I don't think that 49.5 is an unfair baseline. Only three teams won more than 52 games last season.

49.5 is reasonable. They're projecting us to win 43.7 which is unreasonable and a joke.

[minimus]

So it looks like MIN one year development cycle looks like this:

OUT: Towns, NAW, Anderson, Morris, unprotected first-round pick in 2031
IN: Randle, DDV, Dillingham, TJ, Clark, Beringer, Zikarsky, Juzang (needs to be re-signed). Plus Reid is re-signed for 5 more years.

Gobert/Reid/Beringer + Zikarsky
Randle/McDaniels/Miller + Freeman
McDaniels/TJ/Juzang
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Conley/Dillingham/Hyland + Newton

[TimberKat]

Why are we keeping Ingles on the roster? It seems to me Juzang should replace his spot at a cheaper price. Also, need another reliable PF / big SF, I don't think Miller is the answer and Joan isn't ready.

[TimberKat]

So it looks like MIN one year development cycle looks like this:

OUT: Towns, NAW, Anderson, Morris, unprotected first-round pick in 2031
IN: Randle, DDV, Dillingham, TJ, Clark, Beringer, Zikarsky, Juzang (needs to be re-signed). Plus Reid is re-signed for 5 more years.

Gobert/Reid/Beringer + Zikarsky
Randle/McDaniels/Miller + Freeman
McDaniels/TJ/Juzang
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Conley/Dillingham/Hyland + Newton

Looks like our 14 men roster will be:
Gobert/Reid/Beringer
Randle/?
McDaniels/TJ/Juzang
Edwards/DDV/Clark
Conley/Dillingham/Hyland

?= Miller or Ingles or Westbrook (I hope) or another big

[KGdaBom]

Why are we keeping Ingles on the roster? It seems to me Juzang should replace his spot at a cheaper price. Also, need another reliable PF / big SF, I don't think Miller is the answer and Joan isn't ready.

IMO Le Berricade is more ready than Juzang.

[Klomp]

Why are we keeping Ingles on the roster? It seems to me Juzang should replace his spot at a cheaper price.

It wouldn't be a cheaper price.

[BlacJacMac]

Any interest?

The Charlotte Hornets have waived veteran guard Spencer Dinwiddie, the team announced Thursday.

Dinwiddie signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Hornets in early July amid free agency, but Charlotte had to release a guaranteed salary ahead of next week's regular-season opener and chose his in an effort to get to the maximum of 15 standard contracts on the current roster.

Dinwiddie, who appeared in just two preseason games with Charlotte, averaged 14.3 points and 6.2 assists in 30 games as a starter for the Dallas Mavericks last season. He averaged 11 points, 4.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 27 minutes overall in 79 appearances for the Mavericks in 2024-25.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/46614780/sources-hornets-waiving-veteran-guard-spencer-dinwiddie