Danny Wolf - Michigan

[Klomp]

I just can't get Naz Reid out of my head when I'm watching Wolf. Probably not quite as athletic, but has a very similar dribble package, almost as if you were building Danny in NBA2K and Reid was one of your available options.

If your comeback is essentially that he's "too white" (ie stiff) to be Naz Reid, the Kelly Olynyk comparison is pretty good too. Mason Plumlee isn't a terrible comp either. All told, even though his ceiling might not be crazy high, I think his floor is pretty safe.

[Chuck Everett]

I just can't get Naz Reid out of my head when I'm watching Wolf. Probably not quite as athletic, but has a very similar dribble package, almost as if you were building Danny in NBA2K and Reid was one of your available options.

If your comeback is essentially that he's "too white" (ie stiff) to be Naz Reid, the Kelly Olynyk comparison is pretty good too. Mason Plumlee isn't a terrible comp either. All told, even though his ceiling might not be crazy high, I think his floor is pretty safe.

Naz Reid is a good comparison, because Naz is also an average to below-average rebounder/defender for his size, although Wolf is maybe 2-3 inches taller. However, Minnesota (wisely) believes Naz's offensive package is worth whatever his deficiencies are on the other end.

[Catchall]

Reminds a bit of Mehmet Okur. Maybe Wolf can do more off the dribble, and he's also a better passer.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Brad Miller

Brad Miller and Boris Diaw mixed together is how I would describe Derik Queen.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I have him over Queen. One player can actually shoot from three and is a real offensive hub with a handle, the other is a fun college player who can be a secondary creator and can't hit a three yet.

You are always spot on - I'm so confused with this. Maybe he is sick with the flu (allegedly) but he moves in quick sand.

You obviously missed Maryland's win over Rutgers. You probably missed the win at Nebraska. Queen has a nice crossover, can put it on the floor and pass behind his back in transition, and he draws a ton of fouls.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

You guys are insane if you think Danny Wolf, a third-year transfer player is better than Derik Queen.

Queen is a freshman who splits his rebounds and offensive touches with Julian Reese.

[FarBeyondDriven]

You guys are insane if you think Danny Wolf, a third-year transfer player is better than Derik Queen.

Queen is a freshman who splits his rebounds and offensive touches with Julian Reese.

Wolf is only 8 months older than Queen. Players develop on different timelines. They're similar talents that fit different roles. I personally have Queen ahead because with his big body he can bang down low and all teams need rebounders and he brings so much more to the table offensively than most centers. Queen might not be a shot-blocker but he's not going to be overpowered and dunked on so he'll hold his own against bigs and he has enough foot speed and lateral movement to step out, or at least on par with all the other centers. Too bad he's only 6'9".

Wolf will likely need to play the same role as Markkanen, Moritz and Porzingis. Totally feasible though. He'll be picked on on defense but so aren't those guys. Hopefully he'll find a role that gets him the ball in his hands alongside a shot-blocking center.

[RookieStar]

You guys are insane if you think Danny Wolf, a third-year transfer player is better than Derik Queen.

Queen is a freshman who splits his rebounds and offensive touches with Julian Reese.

Wolf is only 8 months older than Queen. Players develop on different timelines. They're similar talents that fit different roles. I personally have Queen ahead because with his big body he can bang down low and all teams need rebounders and he brings so much more to the table offensively than most centers. Queen might not be a shot-blocker but he's not going to be overpowered and dunked on so he'll hold his own against bigs and he has enough foot speed and lateral movement to step out, or at least on par with all the other centers. Too bad he's only 6'9".

Wolf will likely need to play the same role as Markkanen, Moritz and Porzingis. Totally feasible though. He'll be picked on on defense but so aren't those guys. Hopefully he'll find a role that gets him the ball in his hands alongside a shot-blocking center.

DAL is probably perfect for him then. AD Lively Gafford is probably in the encyclopedia ( anyone remember what that is ) as shot blocking centers. lol

[babyjax13]

You guys are insane if you think Danny Wolf, a third-year transfer player is better than Derik Queen.

Queen is a freshman who splits his rebounds and offensive touches with Julian Reese.

Wolf is only 8 months older than Queen. Players develop on different timelines. They're similar talents that fit different roles. I personally have Queen ahead because with his big body he can bang down low and all teams need rebounders and he brings so much more to the table offensively than most centers. Queen might not be a shot-blocker but he's not going to be overpowered and dunked on so he'll hold his own against bigs and he has enough foot speed and lateral movement to step out, or at least on par with all the other centers. Too bad he's only 6'9".

Wolf will likely need to play the same role as Markkanen, Moritz and Porzingis. Totally feasible though. He'll be picked on on defense but so aren't those guys. Hopefully he'll find a role that gets him the ball in his hands alongside a shot-blocking center.

DAL is probably perfect for him then. AD Lively Gafford is probably in the encyclopedia ( anyone remember what that is ) as shot blocking centers. lol

I actually love that fit, good thought.

[RookieStar]

Wolf is only 8 months older than Queen. Players develop on different timelines. They're similar talents that fit different roles. I personally have Queen ahead because with his big body he can bang down low and all teams need rebounders and he brings so much more to the table offensively than most centers. Queen might not be a shot-blocker but he's not going to be overpowered and dunked on so he'll hold his own against bigs and he has enough foot speed and lateral movement to step out, or at least on par with all the other centers. Too bad he's only 6'9".

Wolf will likely need to play the same role as Markkanen, Moritz and Porzingis. Totally feasible though. He'll be picked on on defense but so aren't those guys. Hopefully he'll find a role that gets him the ball in his hands alongside a shot-blocking center.

DAL is probably perfect for him then. AD Lively Gafford is probably in the encyclopedia ( anyone remember what that is ) as shot blocking centers. lol

I actually love that fit, good thought.

I mean... it worked for us in Moe being paired with Isaac during bench time. Moe is/was the 2nd leading bench scorer in the league behind Portis.

Plus DAL... when that shocking trade happened.. i mean who wouldve thought they let go of Kleiber??? So yeah they need someone to replace him to make all DAL fan forget him. Perfect fit. Younger bigger version.

[crows2]

You guys are insane if you think Danny Wolf, a third-year transfer player is better than Derik Queen.

Queen is a freshman who splits his rebounds and offensive touches with Julian Reese.

The argument for Wolf over Queen would be if you believe that Wolf can be a passable defender whilst Queen will be a huge negative on defense. I’m not arguing either way, but it’s a possible outcome.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

After watching Maryland vs. Michigan, I'm actually more impressed now with Danny Wolf. He plays like a 7' point forward.

[TheZachAttack]

After watching Maryland vs. Michigan, I'm actually more impressed now with Danny Wolf. He plays like a 7' point forward.

I think this is actually the challenge though. On tape, he doesn't really do any typical big man things in these games. Michigan uses him like a 7'0 Joe Ingles in a point forward role. He's not really setting screens, rolling to the rim, playing as the non-ball hander in two man games, posting up, or getting touches at the elbow. There are also questions on how much of the big man things he can do on defense as a defensive anchor.

If this is the case, then you have to be really creative and intentional about what your offense is and what your lineup construction looks like and which big you pair him with. And while he's really good for a 7'0 is he good enough to play as a wing/point forward on offense? If he's not what does that mean? And how does that hurt other parts of your offense if he can't do those big man things well.

It's not clear if he doesn't do those things because he's not asked to do them (which it seems clear he isn't) or he's not very good at those things. If you told me that he was doing the point forward things and also playing as the big and not just the ball handler in pick and roles, catching the ball in the middle of the floor and finding cutters like Sengun/Sabonis/Jokic, and physically dominating the paint... then I'm taking him in the lottery.

I do think he could fit in a 5-out offense concept, but then the other question is if he is a good enough shooter to consistently be a threat there. Then you say, okay well he can play the 4. But the concern is on defense he's not fast enough to cover in space.

TLDR: He might be a tweener and that's even more damning as a Center then it is as a wing/guard.

[FarBeyondDriven]

Thunder, Nets and Wizards would be ideal landing spots in late teens and beyond. They all have multiple first round picks and shot blockers which would allow him to be a playmaker that helps space the floor.

[165bows]

I just can't get Naz Reid out of my head when I'm watching Wolf. Probably not quite as athletic, but has a very similar dribble package, almost as if you were building Danny in NBA2K and Reid was one of your available options.

If your comeback is essentially that he's "too white" (ie stiff) to be Naz Reid, the Kelly Olynyk comparison is pretty good too. Mason Plumlee isn't a terrible comp either. All told, even though his ceiling might not be crazy high, I think his floor is pretty safe.

I agree about the ceiling, and not even so sure about the floor. Olynyk is a good comp imo but KO was an elite FG% guy by the time he left college, put up a .642EFG% his junior season.

Was interested in Wolf since Boston loves skilled bigs, but a guy who's primary value is offense that turns it over a ton and doesn't score at all efficiently seems like a red flag. IMO his best NBA skill might be his rebounding, unless it's just handling the ball a lot on a bad team.

Ie, he's just going to have to seriously increase his scoring efficiency to get minutes on a good team is my thought.

[Klomp]

I'm coming back around again on Danny Wolf, especially when it comes to thinking specifically about Minnesota. I was never really out on him, but he had somewhat settled into a lukewarm category for me.

I think his positional versatility on offense between C and PF is something Chris Finch would really value. Speaking to a possible PF role, I think it's important to look at actions where we've seen Julius Randle, Naz Reid and even Karl-Anthony Towns over the past few years. To me, that's very similar to how Wolf was used in Michigan and where he looked very comfortable. You could even point to how Finch has deployed big men in past stops Toronto (Siakam), New Orleans (Davis, Cousins), and Denver (Jokic). Finch has no problem running an offense through the hands of a big man, which could allow Wolf's game to flourish in the NBA like it did at Michigan.

[tmorgan]

I'm coming back around again on Danny Wolf, especially when it comes to thinking specifically about Minnesota. I was never really out on him, but he had somewhat settled into a lukewarm category for me.

I think his positional versatility on offense between C and PF is something Chris Finch would really value. Speaking to a possible PF role, I think it's important to look at actions where we've seen Julius Randle, Naz Reid and even Karl-Anthony Towns over the past few years. To me, that's very similar to how Wolf was used in Michigan and where he looked very comfortable. You could even point to how Finch has deployed big men in past stops Toronto (Siakam), New Orleans (Davis, Cousins), and Denver (Jokic). Finch has no problem running an offense through the hands of a big man, which could allow Wolf's game to flourish in the NBA like it did at Michigan.

I’ve been projecting Wolf to Minnesota via the Pistons pick for a while now. It makes sense, particularly if the dollar crunch leads to the end of Naz’s time with the team.

[BlazersBroncos]

I'm coming back around again on Danny Wolf, especially when it comes to thinking specifically about Minnesota. I was never really out on him, but he had somewhat settled into a lukewarm category for me.

I think his positional versatility on offense between C and PF is something Chris Finch would really value. Speaking to a possible PF role, I think it's important to look at actions where we've seen Julius Randle, Naz Reid and even Karl-Anthony Towns over the past few years. To me, that's very similar to how Wolf was used in Michigan and where he looked very comfortable. You could even point to how Finch has deployed big men in past stops Toronto (Siakam), New Orleans (Davis, Cousins), and Denver (Jokic). Finch has no problem running an offense through the hands of a big man, which could allow Wolf's game to flourish in the NBA like it did at Michigan.

I’ve been projecting Wolf to Minnesota via the Pistons pick for a while now. It makes sense, particularly if the dollar crunch leads to the end of Naz’s time with the team.

Ya, pretty legit fit if Naz leaves (And I think BRK overpays either him or Aldama). I think drafting Wolf and hedging with a cheap vet floor spacer is the route (Someone like Duop Reath for a meh SRP).

[thomas1897]

How would you compare Danny Wolf to Moritz Wagner or Alec Kessler or Bill Laimbeer or all of the others.

[JMAC3]

I think he is a good swing around 17-25, but probably going to be tough to ever become a starter with his skillset. I think his best fit is a stretch 5 next to an athletic front court partner but he still projects as a good reserve to me. The talk about him playing the 4, idk if he can really guard like that on the perimeter in the NBA, most 4s are just big wings at this point.