AJ Lawson Thread

[Klomp]

I'm curious to see if Lawson gets re-signed to a two-way deal or if the team goes in a different direction. At the moment I believe the Wolves are the only team left with an open two-way spot.

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What the hell good does an open 2 way spot do? You can always release the player without impact on the cap. The player not only can play for Iowa (immediate improvement to G league team,) but also for the main roster (emergency depth.) Finally, you get to use the guy in practice and get him used to your system more quickly so he can contribute.

The first Iowa game isn't until Nov. 5, there's time.

[winforlose]

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What the hell good does an open 2 way spot do? You can always release the player without impact on the cap. The player not only can play for Iowa (immediate improvement to G league team,) but also for the main roster (emergency depth.) Finally, you get to use the guy in practice and get him used to your system more quickly so he can contribute.

The first Iowa game isn't until Nov. 5, there's time.

True, but the Timberwolves are practicing now, and Iowa will probably start practicing soon.

[shrink]

What the hell good does an open 2 way spot do? You can always release the player without impact on the cap. The player not only can play for Iowa (immediate improvement to G league team,) but also for the main roster (emergency depth.) Finally, you get to use the guy in practice and get him used to your system more quickly so he can contribute.

Perhaps it’s incentive? We have rewarded players like Naz and Minott for strong summer league play by having the ability to give them a contract. They rewarded Garza for a strong pre-season by upping his status to a two-way deal. Maybe having an open two-way will give incentive to all the players on the Iowa Wolves?

Also, unlike most years, we don’t need production from our two-way players. We have plenty of decent bench players to fill all our minutes.

[winforlose]

What the hell good does an open 2 way spot do? You can always release the player without impact on the cap. The player not only can play for Iowa (immediate improvement to G league team,) but also for the main roster (emergency depth.) Finally, you get to use the guy in practice and get him used to your system more quickly so he can contribute.

Perhaps it’s incentive? We have rewarded players like Naz and Minott for strong summer league play by having the ability to give them a contract. They rewarded Garza for a strong pre-season by upping his status to a two-way deal. Maybe having an open two-way will give incentive to all the players on the Iowa Wolves?

Also, unlike most years, we don’t need production from our two-way players. We have plenty of decent bench players to fill all our minutes.

True, but not having someone new in there is missing the chance to discover the next Garza or Reid or Minott. Without picks we need to develop young talent.

[minimus]

Perhaps it’s incentive? We have rewarded players like Naz and Minott for strong summer league play by having the ability to give them a contract. They rewarded Garza for a strong pre-season by upping his status to a two-way deal. Maybe having an open two-way will give incentive to all the players on the Iowa Wolves?

Also, unlike most years, we don’t need production from our two-way players. We have plenty of decent bench players to fill all our minutes.

I never thought about it, but you are right, at some point we can gamble on players who for instance are recovering from injuries, such as PJ Dozier.

[winforlose]

Perhaps it’s incentive? We have rewarded players like Naz and Minott for strong summer league play by having the ability to give them a contract. They rewarded Garza for a strong pre-season by upping his status to a two-way deal. Maybe having an open two-way will give incentive to all the players on the Iowa Wolves?

Also, unlike most years, we don’t need production from our two-way players. We have plenty of decent bench players to fill all our minutes.

I never thought about it, but you are right, at some point we can gamble on players who for instance are recovering from injuries, such as PJ Dozier.

1. Like PJ yes, actually PJ no. PJ has too many years of service to qualify.

2. My understanding is that two way contracts don’t impact the salary cap at all. We could sign someone today, try them out for a week, and drop them. It is real money out of ownerships pockets, but even that isn’t that high. The reason people don’t do this is credibility. If we try to poach another teams G league talent, we want them to know we are serious about them. But, so many guys were cut recently there must be someone we want a closer look at (without a promise of it working out.)

[shrink]

I see most of the Iowa roster as the “try out” guys.

EDIT: in fact, I can see it as a selling point to some of these guys that were roster cuts. If I was the GM of the Iowa Wolves, I’d approach these players and say

“Sorry that you didn’t make your last team. We see you as a potential NBA talent, and we think joining the Iowa Wolves is the best team to help your career and your dream of making the NBA. As you know, we have an additional two-way slot open, unlike most teams, so there is an immediate pathway back to the NBA if you play well. We also have a history of developing players in the G-League, and they have become important parts of the Timberwolves (Nowell, McLaughlin, Naz, etc). Finally, we are likely a playoff team where you’d have a chance to showcase your talent on a bigger stage. And next year, several vet players are expiring, so there is opportunity with us down the road. I think your best choice is to sign with Iowa over other G-League teams to help your career.”

[winforlose]

I see most of the Iowa roster as the “try out” guys.

EDIT: in fact, I can see it as a selling point to some of these guys that were roster cuts. If I was the GM of the Iowa Wolves, I’d approach these players and say

“Sorry that you didn’t make your last team. We see you as a potential NBA talent, and we think joining the Iowa Wolves is the best team to help your career and your dream of making the NBA. As you know, we have an additional two-way slot open, unlike most teams, so there is an immediate pathway back to the NBA if you play well. We also have a history of developing players in the G-League, and they have become important parts of the Timberwolves (Nowell, McLaughlin, Naz, etc). Finally, we are likely a playoff team where you’d have a chance to showcase your talent on a bigger stage. And next year, several vet players are expiring, so there is opportunity with us down the road. I think your best choice is to sign with Iowa over other G-League teams to help your career.”

Are there still G league free agents at this point? Haven’t they been getting scooped up and signed these past few weeks. I mean in theory we could tell some random dude to sign with Iowa on the hope of getting a two way. On the other hand we could poach a legit talent from another G league team and give him a two way. Now both rosters are better and Iowa weakens an opponent. Just a thought.

[BlacJacMac]

I see most of the Iowa roster as the “try out” guys.

EDIT: in fact, I can see it as a selling point to some of these guys that were roster cuts. If I was the GM of the Iowa Wolves, I’d approach these players and say

“Sorry that you didn’t make your last team. We see you as a potential NBA talent, and we think joining the Iowa Wolves is the best team to help your career and your dream of making the NBA. As you know, we have an additional two-way slot open, unlike most teams, so there is an immediate pathway back to the NBA if you play well. We also have a history of developing players in the G-League, and they have become important parts of the Timberwolves (Nowell, McLaughlin, Naz, etc). Finally, we are likely a playoff team where you’d have a chance to showcase your talent on a bigger stage. And next year, several vet players are expiring, so there is opportunity with us down the road. I think your best choice is to sign with Iowa over other G-League teams to help your career.”

Are there still G league free agents at this point? Haven’t they been getting scooped up and signed these past few weeks. I mean in theory we could tell some random dude to sign with Iowa on the hope of getting a two way. On the other hand we could poach a legit talent from another G league team and give him a two way. Now both rosters are better and Iowa weakens an opponent. Just a thought.

That's my thinking.

If there isn't a guy that you are sure you want on a 2-way, it's OK to hang onto it and see if someone around the league emerges.

[winforlose]

Lawson is once again signed with the college park Skyhawks as of November 3rd.

[minimus]

I know that Forbes looked good in preseason, but I wish we kept AJ Lawson not Forbes. Our atrocious shooting is not Forbes fault, but AJ looked better as scorer and defender

[winforlose]

I know that Forbes looked good in preseason, but I wish we kept AJ Lawson not Forbes. Our atrocious shooting is not Forbes fault, but AJ looked better as scorer and defender

Lawson is a variable. He has very little track record, and very little experience at this level. Forbes is much closer to a constant. He has a clear track record, well defined skill set, and he experience with multiple schemes at the NBA level.

Our terrible shooting is a function of not maximizing our shooters. For example, Ant was awesome in the catch and shoot last year. This year he mostly shoots pull 3s. Might not make much difference, but if it increases his shooting by even 3% that is the difference between average and well above average. One of many examples. That and the conditioning of being back in the NBA pace. Gotta get your legs under you before you shoot the long ball.

[minimus]

I know that Forbes looked good in preseason, but I wish we kept AJ Lawson not Forbes. Our atrocious shooting is not Forbes fault, but AJ looked better as scorer and defender

Lawson is a variable. He has very little track record, and very little experience at this level. Forbes is much closer to a constant. He has a clear track record, well defined skill set, and he experience with multiple schemes at the NBA level.

Our terrible shooting is a function of not maximizing our shooters. For example, Ant was awesome in the catch and shoot last year. This year he mostly shoots pull 3s. Might not make much difference, but if it increases his shooting by even 3% that is the difference between average and well above average. One of many examples. That and the conditioning of being back in the NBA pace. Gotta get your legs under you before you shoot the long ball.

Thats correct. But as I said Forbes is one trick pony. When his shot is not falling he is a minus player. IMO AJ Lawson has potential to develop into special player. But I agree that he would not resolve our shooting issues.

[Domejandro]

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[Klomp]

Nice reunion!

[Klomp]

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[theGreatRC]

Need guys like him to be something and pan out. Doesn't have to be him specifically, but if we can get one of Garza, Lawson, Wendell or Minott to pan out, it lessens the blow of not having a pick next year if we can have young guys on the roster with potential.

I actually thought he was gonna make the final roster, glad to see him back after a month.

[minimus]

Thank you Connelly!

[Calinks]

We need all the guard help we can get right now.

[winforlose]

We need all the guard help we can get right now.

Or we need Ant to wake up and remember who he is. This guy who has been playing in his jersey just doesn’t seem like Ant.