WOJ: Spurs draft Rob Dillingham 8th, then trade him to the TWolves for an unprotected 2031 first

[FlyingArrow]

This is a strange thread to read. The Spurs' goal is to win as many championships as possible, not just win games. To do that, they need ways to improve when Wemby is at the peak of his powers, they are paying tons of salary, and their own draft picks are terrible because they keep winning. At that time, it's so hard to sign anyone, or draft anyone, and your picks aren't that valuable in trade, either.

This was a great trade for the Spurs' the day it was made. Unprotected picks are hard to come by, especially that far in the future. The Spurs' should tank this season and next season, too. Then you go all in. You have Wemby + 3 other high draft picks. You sign a couple of expensive stars to go with them before being limited by the salary cap as you have to re-sign the draft picks. Then you go rattle off multiple chips while constantly reloading with the picks of other teams, like these MN picks. This trade helps set up a dynasty, not just a run to the second round.

As an owner, it would solidify the GM's job to see him value the long term good of the franchise. Not short term moves to help his perceived job security.

[dirkdiggler4177]

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

[JJ_PR]

I think the Wolves got fleeced. They gave up an unprotected first and an unprotected swap for... Rob Dillingham? The Wolves historically are an inconsistent organization, imagine if the Spurs get a top 5 pick from the Wolves while making a deep playoff push at the same time.

Spurs are a great organization, and they clearly won this trade. They had already selected a point guard that very same draft, a better one at that.

[One_and_Done]

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

If the Wizards had tried to get good this year, where would that lead them? 27 wins instead of 17? I doubt the owners wants to spend much above the minimum required just to save face so they can try to hand over the 6th pick instead of the 1st. That's where this looks to be heading.

[GreatWhiteStiff]

This is a strange thread to read. The Spurs' goal is to win as many championships as possible, not just win games. To do that, they need ways to improve when Wemby is at the peak of his powers, they are paying tons of salary, and their own draft picks are terrible because they keep winning. At that time, it's so hard to sign anyone, or draft anyone, and your picks aren't that valuable in trade, either.

This was a great trade for the Spurs' the day it was made. Unprotected picks are hard to come by, especially that far in the future. The Spurs' should tank this season and next season, too. Then you go all in. You have Wemby + 3 other high draft picks. You sign a couple of expensive stars to go with them before being limited by the salary cap as you have to re-sign the draft picks. Then you go rattle off multiple chips while constantly reloading with the picks of other teams, like these MN picks. This trade helps set up a dynasty, not just a run to the second round.

As an owner, it would solidify the GM's job to see him value the long term good of the franchise. Not short term moves to help his perceived job security.

Taking a player like Dillingham or some other guy and giving him playing time and having him develop in nba games for the future when Wemby is really good (which could be quite soon I think, though I guess not since you and the spurs are acting as if on a different timeline) is not really short term thinking. That said I don't hate the spurs move or anything.

[dirkdiggler4177]

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

If the Wizards had tried to get good this year, where would that lead them? 27 wins instead of 17? I doubt the owners wants to spend much above the minimum required just to save face so they can try to hand over the 6th pick instead of the 1st. That's where this looks to be heading.

But they would know like 6 years going into that season they would not have their pick. That is why you will see a lot of mediocre teams going forward, a lot of teams don't own their picks.

[One_and_Done]

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

If the Wizards had tried to get good this year, where would that lead them? 27 wins instead of 17? I doubt the owners wants to spend much above the minimum required just to save face so they can try to hand over the 6th pick instead of the 1st. That's where this looks to be heading.

But they would know like 6 years going into that season they would not have their pick. That is why you will see a lot of mediocre teams going forward, a lot of teams don't own their picks.

That's not how it's going to go down. The more likely scenario is the Wolves keep trying to win (as they are doing with the Towns trade), but at a lower cost. They will still be good, but will gradually decline as their older players age out. Then, Ant has his contract ending right before the picks are due. If Ant leaves because the Wolves have turned into a mediocre 40-44 win team, then it's likely the Wolves won't be able to pivot; they'll just fall to the bottom.

[dirkdiggler4177]

If the Wizards had tried to get good this year, where would that lead them? 27 wins instead of 17? I doubt the owners wants to spend much above the minimum required just to save face so they can try to hand over the 6th pick instead of the 1st. That's where this looks to be heading.

But they would know like 6 years going into that season they would not have their pick. That is why you will see a lot of mediocre teams going forward, a lot of teams don't own their picks.

That's not how it's going to go down. The more likely scenario is the Wolves keep trying to win (as they are doing with the Towns trade), but at a lower cost. They will still be good, but will gradually decline as their older players age out. Then, Ant has his contract ending right before the picks are due. If Ant leaves because the Wolves have turned into a mediocre 40-44 win team, then it's likely the Wolves won't be able to pivot; they'll just fall to the bottom.

lol. That is not how it is going down, then you write a whole story on what is going to happen. You should work in the stock market. I'm not saying It won't happen, but like most traded picks they end up not being worth that much. It will be an interesting future considering how few teams own their own picks now.

[kenwood3333]

The value of a high draft pick, even a first overall is overrated. Just look at people's perception of the Hawks with the past #1 pick, no one think of the team's present or future highly. In fact when talking about the Hawk most people forgot they had a #1 pick.

[hippesthippo]

Trading for DDV kind of feels like an admission that Dillingham won't get many minutes this year.

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

This is such an odd thought process for me. You already traded the pick (specifically talking about the pick and not the swap), it's not yours no matter where it falls, so why should its placement affect your thought process at all? If you aren't a legit contender and you can better prepare your team for the future by trading assets who may help you win a few more meaningless games, or develop young talent by giving them more minutes in place of win now veterans, you do that.

[Quentin]

I didn't mind the trade for the Wolves. I just don't understand why they picked Dillingham.

[DwayneSchintzus]

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

They can try all they want, its the TIMBERWOLVES.

Also, the Spurs are betting on how long it will take this team to fall apart, and how long it would take them to rebuild something. The gamble is that the Wolves will need to break up this team (already happening) and that they won't be able to field a very good team for a few years afterwards.

If the Wizards or Pistons needed to field a "as good a roster as they can" this season, what would it really matter?

[dirkdiggler4177]

Trading for DDV kind of feels like an admission that Dillingham won't get many minutes this year.

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

This is such an odd thought process for me. You already traded the pick (specifically talking about the pick and not the swap), it's not yours no matter where it falls, so why should its placement affect your thought process at all? If you aren't a legit contender and you can better prepare your team for the future by trading assets who may help you win a few more meaningless games, or develop young talent by giving them more minutes in place of win now veterans, you do that.

Well, if you dont own your own pick there is no value in having a bad team. You dont sell tickets and there is a limit of how much an players will accept losing. Also as a GM you want to keep your job. If the owner goes like, we are in last and we dont have a pick. The culture sucks and we are not selling tickets. You fired.

[ejftw]

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

I mean, it was the same situation in 2011-12 when the Wolves owed a first to New Orleans (which they gave up WITH Sam Cassell to acquire Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers in 2005, and was sent to New Orleans in the Paul trade).

Minnesota finished a putrid 26-40, missed the final deed by ten games and Pelicans got the 10th overall selection. I mean, I guess they did better than the 17-65 the year before, but still far from a worthless pick.

[Tetlak]

Trading for DDV kind of feels like an admission that Dillingham won't get many minutes this year.

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

This is such an odd thought process for me. You already traded the pick (specifically talking about the pick and not the swap), it's not yours no matter where it falls, so why should its placement affect your thought process at all? If you aren't a legit contender and you can better prepare your team for the future by trading assets who may help you win a few more meaningless games, or develop young talent by giving them more minutes in place of win now veterans, you do that.

Well yeah, Dillingham is a sparkplug type. That archetype of player, combined with being a rookie, always meant he was never going to get consistent minutes. The Wolves quite honestly lacked quality depth. I mean they were in a position to have to play rookies as their 9th and 10th men. If they had one perimeter injury, they were screwed. I don't look at the DDV acquisition as an indictment on Dillingham. It's simply something they had to do regardless.

[G R E Y]

Hmm. Well things just took a turn...

[hippesthippo]

Trading for DDV kind of feels like an admission that Dillingham won't get many minutes this year.

The problem with these picks is that coming into that year, the Timberwolves know they don't have their pick, so they will try to get as good as roster as they can that season. Meaning it is a pretty worthless pick.

This is such an odd thought process for me. You already traded the pick (specifically talking about the pick and not the swap), it's not yours no matter where it falls, so why should its placement affect your thought process at all? If you aren't a legit contender and you can better prepare your team for the future by trading assets who may help you win a few more meaningless games, or develop young talent by giving them more minutes in place of win now veterans, you do that.

Well yeah, Dillingham is a sparkplug type. That archetype of player, combined with being a rookie, always meant he was never going to get consistent minutes. The Wolves quite honestly lacked quality depth. I mean they were in a position to have to play rookies as their 9th and 10th men. If they had one perimeter injury, they were screwed. I don't look at the DDV acquisition as an indictment on Dillingham. It's simply something they had to do regardless.

That's fair, it's hard to argue with adding a strong depth piece. Also, it could just as easily say something about how many minutes they want/expect from Conley in the regular season, so the possibility of getting legit run is still there for Dillingham.

This is a strangely popular topic here --it's been on the front page of the General Board pretty consistently since the draft-- so, I'm sure we'll hear plenty more about during the season.

Who do you project as the current starters for the Timberwolves after the trade?

[sfernald]

No minority at all. Many sports analysts and personalities believe this and Wemby is the most likely to surpass Ant after Ant becomes the best. That is if he can stay healthy and skinny 10 feet tall centers don't have a good track record of staying healthy.

I think you are hearing people talk about him as the "face of the NBA" and translating it as "best player in the NBA". These are two different categories, however, for most people.

You have a bit of a point. Face of and best player aren't necessarily the same thing. Ant's personality and style of play could make him the most popular while not being the best.

Has he stopped gay bashing?

[Tetlak]

Trading for DDV kind of feels like an admission that Dillingham won't get many minutes this year.



This is such an odd thought process for me. You already traded the pick (specifically talking about the pick and not the swap), it's not yours no matter where it falls, so why should its placement affect your thought process at all? If you aren't a legit contender and you can better prepare your team for the future by trading assets who may help you win a few more meaningless games, or develop young talent by giving them more minutes in place of win now veterans, you do that.

Well yeah, Dillingham is a sparkplug type. That archetype of player, combined with being a rookie, always meant he was never going to get consistent minutes. The Wolves quite honestly lacked quality depth. I mean they were in a position to have to play rookies as their 9th and 10th men. If they had one perimeter injury, they were screwed. I don't look at the DDV acquisition as an indictment on Dillingham. It's simply something they had to do regardless.

That's fair, it's hard to argue with adding a strong depth piece. Also, it could just as easily say something about how many minutes they want/expect from Conley in the regular season, so the possibility of getting legit run is still there for Dillingham.

This is a strangely popular topic here --it's been on the front page of the General Board pretty consistently since the draft-- so, I'm sure we'll hear plenty more about during the season.

Who do you project as the current starters for the Timberwolves after the trade?

Conley
Ant
McD
Randle
Gobert

Reid
DDV
NAW
Ingles

Garza/Dillingham spot minutes

[165bows]

Well yeah, Dillingham is a sparkplug type. That archetype of player, combined with being a rookie, always meant he was never going to get consistent minutes. The Wolves quite honestly lacked quality depth. I mean they were in a position to have to play rookies as their 9th and 10th men. If they had one perimeter injury, they were screwed. I don't look at the DDV acquisition as an indictment on Dillingham. It's simply something they had to do regardless.

That's fair, it's hard to argue with adding a strong depth piece. Also, it could just as easily say something about how many minutes they want/expect from Conley in the regular season, so the possibility of getting legit run is still there for Dillingham.

This is a strangely popular topic here --it's been on the front page of the General Board pretty consistently since the draft-- so, I'm sure we'll hear plenty more about during the season.

Who do you project as the current starters for the Timberwolves after the trade?

Conley
Ant
McD
Randle
Gobert

Reid
DDV
NAW
Ingles

Garza/Dillingham spot minutes

Pretty solid group really. Will be fun to see how they pan out.