The title says it all: create the best pace-and-space team in MIN.
First, let’s try to evaluate our current players in terms of their fit in a pace-and-space offense and defense:
- Gobert – 3/10 → not the best style for Rudy; he thrives in structured systems. But in a system like Indiana’s, he might still average something like 7 points, 7 rebounds, 1 block just by cleaning up inside.
- Randle – 7/10 → can really shine thanks to his versatility and physicality.
- McDaniels – 8/10 → needs to improve as a fast break player.
- Edwards – 8/10 → also needs to improve as a fast break player and lead decision-maker.
- Conley – 2/10 → too old for a high-tempo system.
- DDV – 7/10 → had a good series vs. IND last year (16.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.6 APG, 45-46-84 splits).
- Reid – 8/10 → needs to improve fast break decision-making.
- NAW – 8/10 → needs to develop as a secondary ballhandler.
- TJ Shannon – 10/10 → an elite transition player.
- Clark – 10/10 → creates havoc in unorganized defenses.
- Dillingham – 10/10 → could be elite in a five-out system.
- Minott – 5/10 → lacks IQ and consistent 3PT shot, but size can help.
- Miller – 6/10 → lacks IQ, but has mobility (by big-man standards).
- Garza – 0/10 → too slow, too unathletic.
I took this trade framework from Domejandro (with some minor tweaks):
Domejandro wrote:CHI: Rudy Gobert
OUT: Nikola Vučević and Lonzo Ball (maybe swap #12 for #17, but keeping picks out for simplicity)
MIN: Kevin Durant and Lonzo Ball
OUT: Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle (likely sending draft capital to Phoenix)
PHX: Julius Randle, Nikola Vučević, and draft compensation
OUT: Kevin Durant
In my version, instead of Lonzo Ball (as much as I love his game, I don’t trust his knees), I’d target Jalen Smith. Then we re-sign Reid. We still need a PG, so I’d look to sign an under-the-radar FA: Tre Jones.
Let’s assume we trade the #17 pick but keep the #31. With that, we draft Adou Thiero. NAW leaves in a sign-and-trade.
Final rotation:
Smith / Reid / Miller
KD / Thiero / Minott
McDaniels / TJ / Clark
Edwards / DDV / Clark
Jones / Dillingham / Conley
Re-evaluating the lineup in pace-and-space fit:
- Smith – 6/10 → stretch five, 15–20 min of outside shooting, rebounding, some rim protection.
- KD – 8/10 → elite stretch-four, gives Edwards another outlet against doubles or hybrid zones.
- McDaniels – 8/10 → needs to improve fast break game.
- Edwards – 8/10 → same, plus needs to grow as lead decision-maker.
- DDV – 7/10 → reliable movement shooter, can run, jump, and shoot all game.
- Reid – 8/10 → can stretch the floor but must improve passing/decision-making.
- Jones – 8/10 → tough, high-IQ, pass-first PG; needs to improve 3PT shooting.
- Thiero – 7/10 → physical, tough, aggressive rim attacker; terror in open court, but needs to develop 3PT shot.
- TJ – 10/10 → elite transition weapon.
- Clark – 10/10 → defensive menace with veteran-level processing speed.
- Dillingham – 10/10 → can thrive in five-out systems.
- Minott – 5/10 → lacks IQ, but size can help in bursts.
- Miller – 6/10 → mobile for a big but needs to improve awareness.
- Conley – 2/10 → too old for a heavy pace system.
Key points:
- Smith–KD–McDaniels–Edwards–Jones may not look “sexy” on paper and would require heavy lifting from the KD–McDaniels–Edwards trio, but Reid, DDV, TJ, and Dillingham are ready to provide scoring punch and elevate the pace.
- It’s crucial to build a group of ballhandlers so that at least one is always on the floor — Jones / Dillingham / Conley — ensuring steady execution.
- Playing fast allows Finch to use more bench players; even those with lower basketball IQ can still contribute — just look at Indiana, where they’re playing Sheppard, Toppin, Mathurin, McConnell, Walker in the playoffs as part of their system.
- The real X-factor here is whether a fast-paced system amplifies the value of role players.
TJ can thrive; Thiero can be a walking mismatch and defensive anchor, helping cover Reid’s defensive gaps; Clark processes the game at a veteran level on defense; DDV can run, jump, and shoot all game; and Rob can slice defenses apart. To a lesser extent, Miller is an odd fit on the current roster, but as a mobile center, he can still be effective — same with Minott
