RealGM

It's probably premature to make this thread, when they could still win it all perfectly, but this thread is focused more on the future...you don't have to be a genius to realize that they are very good and have a superstar and future face of the league in Edwards ,a modern Allstart level big who shoots 3, and a young perennial DPOY candidate in McDaniels all locked up long term...+the current DPOY, 6 man and a deep bench...but next year with the KAT extension, The financial situation will get very complicated, Rudy and Conley are not getting any younger, Kyle expires and they have no picks that they can use to make trades... Is it fair to say that this year is the peak of this group? If they fall short, what do you think they will do, rinse and repeat? What would you do? Guys, as always, happy to read your ideas...

All depends on their willingness to spend the tax

2nd apron will torpedo their whole team.

Edwards, McDaniels, Gobert and KAT isn't going to be viable unless they win a championship, especially in a smaller market. Not to mention all the ownership stuff going on.

I would try one more year (assuming they lose to the Nuggets), the team is clearly a contender, maybe they get a break next season or get a good matchup. After that, it's going to be hard to keep the team together financially.

famicommander wrote:2nd apron will torpedo their whole team.

2nd apron is a killer if you need to improve your team, because you have no MLE, can't agregate salaries to trade for a better player, etc.

But if you already have your 8-9 core players like the Wolves, and if the ownership is okay to spend money (and that's a big question mark right now), 2nd apron isn't really a problem.


The first 6 games of this TWolves give us an idea of what the celling of this team is, and it's championship level.

Their last 3 games have shown us that this team is still mentally weak and can struggle offensively.

I think there is hope for this team and it seems reasonable to give this group another year to see what they've got.

Wolves are in amazing situation. One of the best teams they have ever had in franchise history - with one of the NBAs brightest young (22) stars Edwards. Who is locked in for 5 more years.

Gobert is their oldest star (Conley not a star). But is Gobert’s 7’2 DPOY style really going to take that much of a dip in age? Biggest question with Gobert, is will he opt out next offseason for more years and discounted price per year.

If they trade Towns, he probably is at his highest trade value over the last few years. It might be a when (not if) they trade Towns. Connelly can shape the team how he wants AROUND Edwards. Towns should secure another age fitting core player for Edwards to peak with (including McDaniels and Reid).

If/when Towns is traded, they already have his backfill on roster in Reid. Who has already - and should again - take a nice value contract to stay in MN, but this time to earn his keep as a starter.

Kineto wrote:

famicommander wrote:2nd apron will torpedo their whole team.

2nd apron is a killer if you need to improve your team, because you have no MLE, can't agregate salaries to trade for a better player, etc.

But if you already have your 8-9 core players like the Wolves, and if the ownership is okay to spend money (and that's a big question mark right now), 2nd apron isn't really a problem.


The first 6 games of this TWolves give us an idea of what the celling of this team is, and it's championship level.

Their last 3 games have shown us that this team is still mentally weak and can struggle offensively.

I think there is hope for this team and it seems reasonable to give this group another year to see what they've got.

it's the nba, stagnation is regression, if you're not getting better every offseason you're getting worse

They have a bright future. Young (but with some vets) up and coming.

Meat wrote:

Kineto wrote:

famicommander wrote:2nd apron will torpedo their whole team.

2nd apron is a killer if you need to improve your team, because you have no MLE, can't agregate salaries to trade for a better player, etc.

But if you already have your 8-9 core players like the Wolves, and if the ownership is okay to spend money (and that's a big question mark right now), 2nd apron isn't really a problem.

The first 6 games of this TWolves give us an idea of what the celling of this team is, and it's championship level.

Their last 3 games have shown us that this team is still mentally weak and can struggle offensively.

I think there is hope for this team and it seems reasonable to give this group another year to see what they've got.

it's the nba, stagnation is regression, if you're not getting better every offseason you're getting worse

Nah. Most legit contending teams are plenty good enough to win it again, the usual problem is just that teams either have players who outplay their bargain-bin contracts or younger players who outgrow rookie deals. So you usually have to figure out how to replace those guys as they pare off, and hope that fit and chemistry stays solid along the way.

In MIN's case the issue is that they might not be at legit contending status who could win a title if things break right, so they won't know if they should run it back or make some significant moves. They probably want to keep the core together but given the price of much of the core they can't be complacent about it.

Towns + McDaniels + NAW

FOR

Franz Wagner + Suggs + WCJ

Money crunch solved and core set for years.

Gobert | WCJ | Reid
Reid | WCJ (battle for starting gig)
Wagner
Edwards
Suggs | Conley

I'm gonna sidestep KAT's extended salary (which to me is too high) and speak on whether or not McDaniels' will improve offensively. If he continues to be a 10ppg player as a starter, I am not sure their future is that great outside of Ant just becoming unstoppable. He needs to level up to 16-18ppg nightly to couple with his elite defense (and stop fouling so much).

Concerning.

That Glen Taylor / Lore+Arod ownership dispute is quiet now cause of the playoffs but that’s a ticking time bomb.

Already reports Connelly may opt out since he was brought in by Lore and Arod not Taylor.

Will the team be able to spend as needed to keep up with this roster’s rising cost while this dispute remains unsettled?

Can argue about the small roster building details but ultimately successful teams are all about the ownership and how smart and resourceful they are. Wrong owner in control and nothing else matters.

Chuck Everett wrote:I'm gonna sidestep KAT's extended salary (which to me is too high) and speak on whether or not McDaniels' will improve offensively. If he continues to be a 10ppg player as a starter, I am not sure their future is that great outside of Ant just becoming unstoppable. He needs to level up to 16-18ppg nightly to couple with his elite defense (and stop fouling so much).

He needs to re-work his three ball so he doesn’t lean back.

I think they’ve allowed him to do that because prior to this year he’s shot ok, but his balance on threes is not good.

Eye test tells me that when he sort of steps forward out of the three attempt, instead of fading back, it goes in more.

Midrange he actually looks alright when he naturally fades, probably because he’s a heckuva lot closer.

dockingsched wrote:Concerning.

That Glen Taylor / Lore+Arod ownership dispute is quiet now cause of the playoffs but that’s a ticking time bomb.

Already reports Connelly may opt out since he was brought in by Lore and Arod not Taylor.

Will the team be able to spend as needed to keep up with this roster’s rising cost while this dispute remains unsettled?

Can argue about the small roster building details but ultimately successful teams are all about the ownership and how smart and resourceful they are. Wrong owner in control and nothing else matters.

A top Wolves reporter (he started The Athletic) was on with a top sports radio guy who’s actually not a joke at all, and that radio guy (also the former biggest sports writer in town) drew the conclusion that Lore and ARod look to have a solid case for closing out the sale.

For what it’s worth.

thinktank wrote:

dockingsched wrote:Concerning.

That Glen Taylor / Lore+Arod ownership dispute is quiet now cause of the playoffs but that’s a ticking time bomb.

Already reports Connelly may opt out since he was brought in by Lore and Arod not Taylor.

Will the team be able to spend as needed to keep up with this roster’s rising cost while this dispute remains unsettled?

Can argue about the small roster building details but ultimately successful teams are all about the ownership and how smart and resourceful they are. Wrong owner in control and nothing else matters.

A top Wolves reporter (he started The Athletic) was on with a top sports radio guy who’s actually not a joke at all, and that radio guy (also the former biggest sports writer in town) drew the conclusion that Lore and ARod look to have a solid case for closing out the sale.

For what it’s worth.

I’ve seen that too, seems like it’s headed for a pretty heated battle if Taylor isn’t going to back down.

I like the future for the Wolves but they can easily F it up if they're not careful

Astaluego wrote:It's probably premature to make this thread, when they could still win it all perfectly, but this thread is focused more on the future...you don't have to be a genius to realize that they are very good and have a superstar and future face of the league in Edwards ,a modern Allstart level big who shoots 3, and a young perennial DPOY candidate in McDaniels all locked up long term...+the current DPOY, 6 man and a deep bench...but next year with the KAT extension, The financial situation will get very complicated, Rudy and Conley are not getting any younger, Kyle expires and they have no picks that they can use to make trades... Is it fair to say that this year is the peak of this group? If they fall short, what do you think they will do, rinse and repeat? What would you do? Guys, as always, happy to read your ideas...

Sure seems like they should run it back. It’s a solid team. Maybe there is a small tweak here or there, but I think they should at least give it another year or two. Continuity is inportant.

I don’t think they can win a championship with how they’re currently constructed. Ant needs a running mate

Regardless what happens the rest of the post season the 2025 offseason will be brutal for them

They need to trade Gobert