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The Timberwolves are set to hold their first official practice of the 2023-24 season on September 27.

Year ago I was excited as much as never before. Forbes was red hot in preseason and I though that he will replace Beasley for like third of Malik salary... Anyway, lets go Wolves!

My irrational pick to click is Troy Brown Jr. I think after years of trying to be the man and failing, he decided to become a hard-nosed defensive player who shoots only wide open 3s. And it works. I think he will be the perfect back-up to Jaden.

NebWolvesFan wrote:My irrational pick to click is Troy Brown Jr. I think after years of trying to be the man and failing, he decided to become a hard-nosed defensive player who shoots only wide open 3s. And it works. I think he will be the perfect back-up to Jaden.

Brown is one of the guys I’m most curious about going into training camp/this season. Right now I’d imagine that he’s starting the year out of the 9-man rotation and has to persuade Finch to either open up a 10th spot for him or beat out one of NAW/Milton.

Mamba4Goat wrote:

NebWolvesFan wrote:My irrational pick to click is Troy Brown Jr. I think after years of trying to be the man and failing, he decided to become a hard-nosed defensive player who shoots only wide open 3s. And it works. I think he will be the perfect back-up to Jaden.

Brown is one of the guys I’m most curious about going into training camp/this season. Right now I’d imagine that he’s starting the year out of the 9-man rotation and has to persuade Finch to either open up a 10th spot for him or beat out one of NAW/Milton.

You make a good point. With Naw/Milton/Naz/Anderson that's 9. We are freaking deep as hell.

Milton is the one I am most interested in seeing. He is supposed to be the goods of Beasley, Nowell, Forbes, and JMcL all roll into one player. I am thinking Milton and Naz are the bench 1-2 punch with Brown replacing Princess' productivities.

NebWolvesFan wrote:My irrational pick to click is Troy Brown Jr. I think after years of trying to be the man and failing, he decided to become a hard-nosed defensive player who shoots only wide open 3s. And it works. I think he will be the perfect back-up to Jaden.

Anyone who can involve our bigs will get a good opportunity to make a leap. I hope Brown is one of them

NebWolvesFan wrote:My irrational pick to click is Troy Brown Jr. I think after years of trying to be the man and failing, he decided to become a hard-nosed defensive player who shoots only wide open 3s. And it works. I think he will be the perfect back-up to Jaden.

I couldn't agree more.

The biggest factor in our success this coming year will be KAT but next is our improved bench. I can't help but think we will be so much better there.

We pretty much know what we'll be getting from the hold-overs. As you guys are pointing out, the ones to watch will probably be Milton and Brown.

Milton: I think his pedigree on a good playoff team definitely give him a leg up on the others in earning playing time and a regular role. He's had success not only playing with a great big man, but also sharing the court in two-big lineups. He is also a veteran, which is needed on what is still a fairly young roster. He gets a little too dribble-happy for my personal taste (shades of Barea) but that might be corrected if manning the second unit with Anderson.

Brown: Most people don't see his place in the rotation as cemented, and I agree. But he is youthful and malleable. I love how Ham described him as a Swiss Army knife, as I think that's how Finch would see him too. I'm not sure he's the primary backup to McDaniels, but he's someone who can be brought in if dealing with foul trouble and injuries. I think he's an option if they want to go smaller for a few minutes, he and McDaniels could be used together as the forwards pairing. We're looking for shooters and defenders, and Brown possesses both of those qualities. He's only 24, so he can keep getting better.

Klomp wrote:We pretty much know what we'll be getting from the hold-overs. As you guys are pointing out, the ones to watch will probably be Milton and Brown.

Milton: I think his pedigree on a good playoff team definitely give him a leg up on the others in earning playing time and a regular role. He's had success not only playing with a great big man, but also sharing the court in two-big lineups. He is also a veteran, which is needed on what is still a fairly young roster. He gets a little too dribble-happy for my personal taste (shades of Barea) but that might be corrected if manning the second unit with Anderson.

Brown: Most people don't see his place in the rotation as cemented, and I agree. But he is youthful and malleable. I love how Ham described him as a Swiss Army knife, as I think that's how Finch would see him too. I'm not sure he's the primary backup to McDaniels, but he's someone who can be brought in if dealing with foul trouble and injuries. I think he's an option if they want to go smaller for a few minutes, he and McDaniels could be used together as the forwards pairing. We're looking for shooters and defenders, and Brown possesses both of those qualities. He's only 24, so he can keep getting better.

Don't forget about Miller either. That kid can flat out rebound. He can score too but you don't need him so much for that. His skills translate to the big leagues. He might be a huge pleasant surprise.

Nick K wrote:Don't forget about Miller either. That kid can flat out rebound. He can score too but you don't need him so much for that. His skills translate to the big leagues. He might be a huge pleasant surprise.

I don't see him working his way into the regular rotation until the trade deadline at the absolute earliest

Klomp wrote:We pretty much know what we'll be getting from the hold-overs. As you guys are pointing out, the ones to watch will probably be Milton and Brown.

I disagree with this because I don't think we know what we will be getting from KAT and Rudy playing together due to how last season went with them basically never playing together fully healthy.

The other big question is who is Ant this year, is this the year he makes the leap to make his impact reflect his reputation.

andyhop wrote:

Klomp wrote:We pretty much know what we'll be getting from the hold-overs. As you guys are pointing out, the ones to watch will probably be Milton and Brown.

I disagree with this because I don't think we know what we will be getting from KAT and Rudy playing together due to how last season went with them basically never playing together fully healthy.

Yeah, can we establish a development environment with both Gobert and Towns, Anderson, Conley and Edwards, Reid, MCD and NAW. Can we go some small batches of practices, preseason games, video analytics and scouting to improve chemistry, work on small things, fundamentals? We need to build a foundation, that we did not have last season. No need to force things nor drama. Just keep working.

I'm always excited/happy to see the Wolves season start but this is the least hyped I have been in a while. Definitely a big drop from last season when we seemed poised to be great. I'll take it as a good sign as last year was a letdown.

Klomp wrote:

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Love his confidnece. That's my ideal thought too but again, the stupid cap fiasco complicates this. That said, I'd still try to go forward with Ant and KAT if possible but this has to be the season where we see if it can really work. If we don't thin so, then we will likely have to move Towns for some assets. If we do think it has a real shot at being something successful, we probably are just gonna have to bit the bullet on Gobert and move him for pennies on the dollar if we can't afford to keep him and rework the team, sometimes you just have to take big loss.

I'm excited to see the Wolves take a step forward this season. The biggest reason for my optimism is that for the first time that I can remember the organization has real continuity. The front office is stable, the coach is back, and the roster returned the top 8 guys from last year's squad. Add in that I truly believe this team has the most talent in at least 20 years (or maybe in team history) and everything seems to be in place for a real playoff run.

My biggest question going into training camp is how Finch can get the most out of the talent he has available. My top concern from last year was that Finch's system didn't fit the roster all that great and way too often the team felt like less than the sum of its parts. I still believe in Finch and hope that he proves that he deserves to be considered one of the top coaches in the NBA.

wolves_89 wrote:I'm excited to see the Wolves take a step forward this season. The biggest reason for my optimism is that for the first time that I can remember the organization has real continuity. The front office is stable, the coach is back, and the roster returned the top 8 guys from last year's squad. Add in that I truly believe this team has the most talent in at least 20 years (or maybe in team history) and everything seems to be in place for a real playoff run.

My biggest question going into training camp is how Finch can get the most out of the talent he has available. My top concern from last year was that Finch's system didn't fit the roster all that great and way too often the team felt like less than the sum of its parts. I still believe in Finch and hope that he proves that he deserves to be considered one of the top coaches in the NBA.

Finch talked about more structure this year to optimize the players, will see if he and Ant will follow thru with it. I agree with you that the big theme this off season is continuity. I know others are worry about the cap next year. We have to see how JMcD's contract turn out. Milton and Brown's contract are really only one year. Depending on where we end up, there will be roster changes next summer - Conley, KA, Milton, Brown, JMcD (maybe), Towns, Gobert, and Naz could all be in the conversation of a Embiid trade

TimberKat wrote:

wolves_89 wrote:I'm excited to see the Wolves take a step forward this season. The biggest reason for my optimism is that for the first time that I can remember the organization has real continuity. The front office is stable, the coach is back, and the roster returned the top 8 guys from last year's squad. Add in that I truly believe this team has the most talent in at least 20 years (or maybe in team history) and everything seems to be in place for a real playoff run.

My biggest question going into training camp is how Finch can get the most out of the talent he has available. My top concern from last year was that Finch's system didn't fit the roster all that great and way too often the team felt like less than the sum of its parts. I still believe in Finch and hope that he proves that he deserves to be considered one of the top coaches in the NBA.

Finch talked about more structure this year to optimize the players, will see if he and Ant will follow thru with it. I agree with you that the big theme this off season is continuity. I know others are worry about the cap next year. We have to see how JMcD's contract turn out. Milton and Brown's contract are really only one year. Depending on where we end up, there will be roster changes next summer - Conley, KA, Milton, Brown, JMcD (maybe), Towns, Gobert, and Naz could all be in the conversation of a Embiid trade

I think there is a very real scenario where the team does well this season and they largely run it back in 2024-25 as a second apron team. The Wolves are well positioned to do that if their results are good enough.

wolves_89 wrote:
I think there is a very real scenario where the team does well this season and they largely run it back in 2024-25 as a second apron team. The Wolves are well positioned to do that if their results are good enough.

Thats the big unknown going forward , just how much Tax are the new owners going to be happy paying because the future is very dependent on the answer to that

wolves_89 wrote:I'm excited to see the Wolves take a step forward this season. The biggest reason for my optimism is that for the first time that I can remember the organization has real continuity. The front office is stable, the coach is back, and the roster returned the top 8 guys from last year's squad. Add in that I truly believe this team has the most talent in at least 20 years (or maybe in team history) and everything seems to be in place for a real playoff run.

I love this perspective, but at the same time I bet that it factors into why Calinks said he doesn't feel as hyped. Limited player movement can often be boring as a fan.