Rotation thread 2024/2025

[minimus]

Luka is not big, he is 6'10 and probably around 240, and his lack of athleticism makes him smaller. He is a siv on defense. Offensively he is solid. Love him at the end of the bench getting minutes when necessary and the game dictates it. Now find his polar opposite to sign to play when the game dictates it as well.

We won this game without Rudy. Against best С in NBA.

Watch on YouTube

And we were close to win this game against former NBA champions. Without Rudy.

Watch on YouTube

But I agree that we need Rudy 100% in playoffs.

We won games without Edwards too? It's about having a balanced and well-rounded bench and right now we do not have any other big, banging type of centers other than Rudy. Even he isn't super physical.

We have the most talented, deep and balanced roster, in whole Minnesota Timberwolves, my friend. That is why you (and some other fans) are concerning about 3rd string rotation. Before Towns trade the same discussion about PG position, now about C. We have 6th man of the year as our backup big, we have 3xAll Star game player who can play C, common!

P.S. And yes, we won games without Edwards last year, when he rolled his ankle against ATL.

[minimus]

The 19 Timberwolves players by their primary position, to demonstrate where they have holes.

Mike Conley Rob Dillingham ((Daishen Nix))
Anthony Edwards Donte DiVincenzo Nickeil Alexander-Walker ((Jaylen Clark))
Jaden McDaniels Joe Ingles (Terrence Shannon Jr.) (Keita Bates-Diop) (Josh Minott)
Julius Randle Naz Reid (Leonard Miller) (PJ Dozier)
Rudy Gobert (Luka Garza) ((Jesse Edwards))

5 Starters, 5 top reserves, (6 deeper bench), ((3 two way))

We need a reliable back up center, and maybe a vet back up PG if Rob struggles, or other options can’t playmake.

With Donte flamethrowering from 3pt line it is much, much easier to build a functional offense. Even Nix can do it as emergency PG. In 2021-22 MIN used McLaughlin and Nowell to run offense in 2nd unit with Beasley.

As for rim protector we still have Jesse Edwards who is basically poor version of Gobert

[minimus]

It would be great to have a young rim-protecting big to backup Gobert that we could groom as his successor.
It would help us in not having to change our system if Gobert gets hurt or in foul trouble.
Naz is fine at the 5 against 2nd units, but if Gobert misses games it will hurt us a lot.

Walker Kessler type or even Jericho SIms.

I remember three things about Sims:

- he had a crazy vertical
- he played in MIN in HS
- I liked his scouting report before the draft as late 2nd round candidate

P.S. I told you, one day TC will bring back Walker Kessler

[FrenchMinnyFan]

After I calm down I feel this was the right trade to make. Scoring will be better défense will remain elite and on my opinion we got the best bench of the NBA!

[Klomp]

The interesting thing about the backup C discussion is that you could say we functionally lost both our backup and our third-string centers this offseason (Finch turned to Kyle before turning to Luka).

[Klomp]

The 19 Timberwolves players by their primary position, to demonstrate where they have holes.

Mike Conley Rob Dillingham ((Daishen Nix))
Anthony Edwards Donte DiVincenzo Nickeil Alexander-Walker ((Jaylen Clark))
Jaden McDaniels Joe Ingles (Terrence Shannon Jr.) (Keita Bates-Diop) (Josh Minott)
Julius Randle Naz Reid (Leonard Miller) (PJ Dozier)
Rudy Gobert (Luka Garza) ((Jesse Edwards))

5 Starters, 5 top reserves, (6 deeper bench), ((3 two way))

We need a reliable back up center, and maybe a vet back up PG if Rob struggles, or other options can’t playmake.

In terms of building a functional rotation:

Conley / Edwards / McDaniels / Randle / Gobert
DiVincenzo / Alexander-Walker / Reid
--------
Those 8 are locked in whenever healthy. From there, I think the next spot or two comes down to what a particular lineup needs. I could see any of Ingles, Dillingham, Shannon, Miller, Minott, Bates-Diop, Garza be cycled through.

[cmoss84]

PG
(48) [Mike-17] Donte-17, RD-10, NAW-4

SG
(48) [Ant-28] Donte-10, NAW-6, Joe-2, TSJ-2

SF
(48) [Jaden-26] TSJ-7, Joe-5, Ant-4, Donte-3, NAW-3

PF
(48) [Naz-20] Julius-24, Jaden-4

C
(48) [Rudy-30] Naz-8, Julius-6, Garza-4

Do we have the most depth in the entire league? With a potential MVP candidate, a multiple DPOY winner, and 6man winner? We could almost use hockey shifts. This is going to be tough to get legit minutes in the (12-man?) rotation. The competition is going to be fierce. It does feel like NAW is the odd man out. Is it more likely he gets traded now or at deadline? Maybe he goes to Detroit to sweeten their pick?

TOTAL MINUTES
[Mike-17] [Ant-32] [Jaden-30] [Naz-28] [Rudy-30]

Donte-30, Julius-30, NAW-13, RD-10, TSJ-9, Joe-7, Garza-4

[Klomp]

We've basically established that our regular Top 8 is

Mike / Ant / Jaden / Julius / Rudy, with Naz / Donte / Nickeil off the bench. In this grouping, I would lean toward Joe being the ninth in a 8.5-man rotation Finch is playing, where he'd not get the full minutes as the other bench guys.

However, with this being the case...

Read on Twitter

In these games, I wonder if Finch might lean into the youth.

As an example:
Donte / Ant / Jaden / Julius / Rudy, with Naz / Nickeil off the bench as the primary seven. The last spot and a half would go to any two or three of Rob, TJ, Josh or Leonard

[minimus]

Conley-DDV-Dillingham + Nix
Edwards-NAW-DDV + Clark
McDaniels-Ingles-TJ-Dozier
Randle-Reid-Miller-MInott
Gobert-Reid-Garza + J.Edwards

So let say we are winning 20 point in 4qtr against tanking team. How amazing it will be that as our 3rd unit MIN will play:

Garza-Miller-TJ-Clark-Rob ???

[wolves_89]

One question that will be interesting to track is how much Dillingham and Shannon actually play. Before the KAT trade, it seemed likely there would be opportunities for both, but adding DiVincenzo and his 2300 minutes drastically reduces the rookies' potential roles.

A second question will be who claims the role as the 4th big. Due to foul trouble or injury, somebody from the KBD, Minott, Miller, or Garza group is going to have to play a decent number of minutes over the course of the season.

[minimus]

One question that will be interesting to track is how much Dillingham and Shannon actually play. Before the KAT trade, it seemed likely there would be opportunities for both, but adding DiVincenzo and his 2300 minutes drastically reduces the rookies' potential roles.

If we are crashing opponents (which I hope) I want rookies to play all minutes possible. Finch was kind of too conservative sometimes when he emptied the bench only with 3 minute in buyouts

A second question will be who claims the role as the 4th big. Due to foul trouble or injury, somebody from the KBD, Minott, Miller, or Garza group is going to have to play a decent number of minutes over the course of the season.

Garza and Miller are more than enough for 4th big

[wolves_89]

A second question will be who claims the role as the 4th big. Due to foul trouble or injury, somebody from the KBD, Minott, Miller, or Garza group is going to have to play a decent number of minutes over the course of the season.

Garza and Miller are more than enough for 4th big

I am highly skeptical that Garza and Miller would be able to fill in for Rudy for any length of time, but at the moment they are what we have. Also, If I had to guess at the 4th big role to start the season, I would bet on Minott getting the minutes.

[DaMplsKid]

Likely realistic rotation to start the year

Conley, DD
Edwards, NAW
McDaniels, Ingles
Randle, Naz
Rudy, Naz

I still would like to add [img]more%20size[/img] to the front line

Because of this I could see Garza getting some run. I know he kinda comes off as the token bench white guy and his defense/rim protection isn’t great. However he played well when given mins try’s 110% and can score and rebound. I mean Boston gave Luke Kornet mins last year. I am saying it was a major reason or even a small reason but what Garza showed last year could have help elevate some the Towns trade.

A few things I am most interested in with our rotation is how deep does Finich go? Does Dilly, TSJ get minutes.

How do we handle Conely’s mins? Limited in games or just give him complete nights off? Or both?

Do we go small ball with Randle at the 5 and Jaden at the 4? If so can we still rebound?

Wish we could watch 5v5 of.
Mike,DD,Jaden,Randle,Garza
Vs
Dilly,NAW,Ant,Naz,Rudy

[winforlose]

So this might be controversial, but I don’t think we trade for DDV (god I want to call him Big Ragu,) unless we lack faith in RD, (Not sure if I should call him Dilly,) especially on defense, for the coming season. I would send RD to Iowa to develop his defense while working with him to fully transition to PG. I would use TSJ as my 9th man and Jingles as my 10th.

My starting 5 is Conley/Ant/MCD/Randle/Rudy

My first sub is Jaden out for Naz (at least in the preseason,) and run Conley/Ant/Naz/Randle/Rudy.

Next subs are Rudy and Mike out at the same time. Bring in DDV, move Randle to the 5 and bring back Jaden to defend either the 3 or the 4. I hate small ball, but we don’t have a lot of big depth. Naz and Jaden share the 3/4 on defense and Randle defends the 5. Ant and Randle play the entire 1st quarter.

To start the 2nd Ant and Randle are the bench. You run Conley/NAW/TSJ/Jaden/Rudy. This is what I call the pro defense lineup. It exists to spell Ant, Randle, and Naz who all come in to finish the quarter. This also works in the 2nd half, but you will make adjustments to keep Jaden and Mike fresh for the end of game. That is where DDV and Jingles can slot in.

Edit to add minutes

PG: MC 25, DDV 23
SG: Ant 34, NAW 14
SF, Jaden 23, TSJ 8 or 9, Naz the rest.
PF: Randle 20, Jaden 10, Naz 18
C: Rudy 33, Randle 15

[Klomp]

So this might be controversial, but I don’t think we trade for DDV (god I want to call him Big Ragu,) unless we lack faith in RD, (Not sure if I should call him Dilly,) especially on defense, for the coming season. I would send RD to Iowa to develop his defense while working with him to fully transition to PG. I would use TSJ as my 9th man and Jingles as my 10th.

I don't think "lacking faith in" is the right way to frame it. I think it's more about not putting those kinds of expectations onto a 19-year old rookie. They still believe in his potential, but the potential is not fully realized.

[winforlose]

So this might be controversial, but I don’t think we trade for DDV (god I want to call him Big Ragu,) unless we lack faith in RD, (Not sure if I should call him Dilly,) especially on defense, for the coming season. I would send RD to Iowa to develop his defense while working with him to fully transition to PG. I would use TSJ as my 9th man and Jingles as my 10th.

I don't think "lacking faith in" is the right way to frame it. I think it's more about not putting those kinds of expectations onto a 19-year old rookie. They still believe in his potential, but the potential is not fully realized.

100% agree. I meant this season, and with that much responsibility/accountability in his rookie year with his defense and frame.

[KGdaBom]

So this might be controversial, but I don’t think we trade for DDV (god I want to call him Big Ragu,) unless we lack faith in RD, (Not sure if I should call him Dilly,) especially on defense, for the coming season. I would send RD to Iowa to develop his defense while working with him to fully transition to PG. I would use TSJ as my 9th man and Jingles as my 10th.

My starting 5 is Conley/Ant/MCD/Randle/Rudy

My first sub is Jaden out for Naz (at least in the preseason,) and run Conley/Ant/Naz/Randle/Rudy.

Next subs are Rudy and Mike out at the same time. Bring in DDV, move Randle to the 5 and bring back Jaden to defend either the 3 or the 4. I hate small ball, but we don’t have a lot of big depth. Naz and Jaden share the 3/4 on defense and Randle defends the 5. Ant and Randle play the entire 1st quarter.

To start the 2nd Ant and Randle are the bench. You run Conley/NAW/TSJ/Jaden/Rudy. This is what I call the pro defense lineup. It exists to spell Ant, Randle, and Naz who all come in to finish the quarter. This also works in the 2nd half, but you will make adjustments to keep Jaden and Mike fresh for the end of game. That is where DDV and Jingles can slot in.

Here you go hating on Dilly again. Seems like you want any and every excuse to put him down. DDV is a very good SG. He is not a PG at all. Dilly is a potentially great PG. He isn't a SG except in a pinch. We could have tremendous faith in Dilly and still want to trade for DDV. When Conley retires I sure hope we turn to Dilly to replace him in the starting lineup and not give DDV any consideration at PG at all.

[winforlose]

So this might be controversial, but I don’t think we trade for DDV (god I want to call him Big Ragu,) unless we lack faith in RD, (Not sure if I should call him Dilly,) especially on defense, for the coming season. I would send RD to Iowa to develop his defense while working with him to fully transition to PG. I would use TSJ as my 9th man and Jingles as my 10th.

My starting 5 is Conley/Ant/MCD/Randle/Rudy

My first sub is Jaden out for Naz (at least in the preseason,) and run Conley/Ant/Naz/Randle/Rudy.

Next subs are Rudy and Mike out at the same time. Bring in DDV, move Randle to the 5 and bring back Jaden to defend either the 3 or the 4. I hate small ball, but we don’t have a lot of big depth. Naz and Jaden share the 3/4 on defense and Randle defends the 5. Ant and Randle play the entire 1st quarter.

To start the 2nd Ant and Randle are the bench. You run Conley/NAW/TSJ/Jaden/Rudy. This is what I call the pro defense lineup. It exists to spell Ant, Randle, and Naz who all come in to finish the quarter. This also works in the 2nd half, but you will make adjustments to keep Jaden and Mike fresh for the end of game. That is where DDV and Jingles can slot in.

Here you go hating on Dilly again. Seems like you want any and every excuse to put him down. DDV is a very good SG. He is not a PG at all. Dilly is a potentially great PG. He isn't an SG. We could have tremendous faith in Dilly and still want to trade for DDV. When Conley retires I sure hope we turn to Dilly to replace him in the starting lineup and not give DDV any consideration at PG at all.

Here you go again accusing me of hating people I don’t. RD is undersized and cannot play NBA, (yet.) to put him in the rotation to a contender is like playing a first round QB in the home opener, a bad idea. Let them learn and develop first. DDV has solid AST/TO rates the past few years and can absolutely play PG. I believe we brought him in to play PG2 while developing RD. Next year DDV goes to SG and Dilly is PG2. Also when Mike rests/misses games or when DDV misses games use RD.

[Norseman79]

Likely realistic rotation to start the year

Conley, DD
Edwards, NAW
McDaniels, Ingles
Randle, Naz
Rudy, Naz

I still would like to add [img]more%20size[/img] to the front line

Because of this I could see Garza getting some run. I know he kinda comes off as the token bench white guy and his defense/rim protection isn’t great. However he played well when given mins try’s 110% and can score and rebound. I mean Boston gave Luke Kornet mins last year. I am saying it was a major reason or even a small reason but what Garza showed last year could have help elevate some the Towns trade.

A few things I am most interested in with our rotation is how deep does Finich go? Does Dilly, TSJ get minutes.

How do we handle Conely’s mins? Limited in games or just give him complete nights off? Or both?

Do we go small ball with Randle at the 5 and Jaden at the 4? If so can we still rebound?

Wish we could watch 5v5 of.
Mike,DD,Jaden,Randle,Garza
Vs
Dilly,NAW,Ant,Naz,Rudy

I don't mind Garza playing some, but I think we need a defensive and rebounding 7' on the bench too. Kind of a bizarro Garza. If Rudy gets hurt, we are dead

[KGdaBom]

So this might be controversial, but I don’t think we trade for DDV (god I want to call him Big Ragu,) unless we lack faith in RD, (Not sure if I should call him Dilly,) especially on defense, for the coming season. I would send RD to Iowa to develop his defense while working with him to fully transition to PG. I would use TSJ as my 9th man and Jingles as my 10th.

My starting 5 is Conley/Ant/MCD/Randle/Rudy

My first sub is Jaden out for Naz (at least in the preseason,) and run Conley/Ant/Naz/Randle/Rudy.

Next subs are Rudy and Mike out at the same time. Bring in DDV, move Randle to the 5 and bring back Jaden to defend either the 3 or the 4. I hate small ball, but we don’t have a lot of big depth. Naz and Jaden share the 3/4 on defense and Randle defends the 5. Ant and Randle play the entire 1st quarter.

To start the 2nd Ant and Randle are the bench. You run Conley/NAW/TSJ/Jaden/Rudy. This is what I call the pro defense lineup. It exists to spell Ant, Randle, and Naz who all come in to finish the quarter. This also works in the 2nd half, but you will make adjustments to keep Jaden and Mike fresh for the end of game. That is where DDV and Jingles can slot in.

Here you go hating on Dilly again. Seems like you want any and every excuse to put him down. DDV is a very good SG. He is not a PG at all. Dilly is a potentially great PG. He isn't an SG. We could have tremendous faith in Dilly and still want to trade for DDV. When Conley retires I sure hope we turn to Dilly to replace him in the starting lineup and not give DDV any consideration at PG at all.

Here you go again accusing me of hating people I don’t. RD is undersized and cannot play NBA, (yet.) to put him in the rotation to a contender is like playing a first round QB in the home opener, a bad idea. Let them learn and develop first. DDV has solid AST/TO rates the past few years and can absolutely play PG. I believe we brought him in to play PG2 while developing RD. Next year DDV goes to SG and Dilly is PG2. Also when Mike rests/misses games or when DDV misses games use RD.

You say you don't hate Dilly, but your posts speak far louder than your disclaimer here. Dilly certainly can play NBA right now. I'll hold that position until if/when it's proven false. You will hold the opposite position because you hate Dilly.