Identity crisis?

[minimus]

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[Guest84]

I would love to see the wolves add a bigger PG to the roster. This would allow some more defensive flexibility with switches and stuff. I just don't like Ant, Naw, and DDV out there at the same time as much anymore.

Plus, lets run some actual sets for Jaden next year. He has to be in the 15-20 ppg range next year.

[minimus]

I would love to see the wolves add a bigger PG to the roster. This would allow some more defensive flexibility with switches and stuff. I just don't like Ant, Naw, and DDV out there at the same time as much anymore.

Plus, lets run some actual sets for Jaden next year. He has to be in the 15-20 ppg range next year.

What about adding Demin or Kobe Sanders as nominal PG? Something like this:

Reid-McDaniels-Demin-Edwards-DDV/NAW

I'm not concerned about Demin or Sanders scoring/shooting, but I want my PG to defend within defensive scheme. I can see Demin defending weakest perimeter scorer. McDaniels/DDV/Edwards take biggest responsibility on perimeter, Demi playing free safety

[Klomp]

I would love to see the wolves add a bigger PG to the roster. This would allow some more defensive flexibility with switches and stuff. I just don't like Ant, Naw, and DDV out there at the same time as much anymore.

Plus, lets run some actual sets for Jaden next year. He has to be in the 15-20 ppg range next year.

What about adding Demin or Kobe Sanders as nominal PG? Something like this:

Reid-McDaniels-Demin-Edwards-DDV/NAW

I'm not concerned about Demin or Sanders scoring/shooting, but I want my PG to defend within defensive scheme. I can see Demin defending weakest perimeter scorer. McDaniels/DDV/Edwards take biggest responsibility on perimeter, Demi playing free safety

This is the kind of structure I would expect Connelly and Finch to lean into. With all of the on-ball defenders Minnesota has, I think that can be sacrificed somewhat if it comes with positional size and length. And we know that rarely do "point guards" really play "point guard" here. It's more about having a well-rounded game.

[minimus]

I would love to see the wolves add a bigger PG to the roster. This would allow some more defensive flexibility with switches and stuff. I just don't like Ant, Naw, and DDV out there at the same time as much anymore.

Plus, lets run some actual sets for Jaden next year. He has to be in the 15-20 ppg range next year.

What about adding Demin or Kobe Sanders as nominal PG? Something like this:

Reid-McDaniels-Demin-Edwards-DDV/NAW

I'm not concerned about Demin or Sanders scoring/shooting, but I want my PG to defend within defensive scheme. I can see Demin defending weakest perimeter scorer. McDaniels/DDV/Edwards take biggest responsibility on perimeter, Demi playing free safety

This is the kind of structure I would expect Connelly and Finch to lean into. With all of the on-ball defenders Minnesota has, I think that can be sacrificed somewhat if it comes with positional size and length. And we know that rarely do "point guards" really play "point guard" here. It's more about having a well-rounded game.

The problem is that outside of Demin, I dont see jumbo sized big wings playmakers in 2025 draft. Demin has natural ability to pass, but I dont know whether he is able to improve his body enough to handle physicality of NBA game.

I like Nique Clifford game, but I can see him function as secondary playmaker only in setup similar to NYK:

stretch five-out big Towns + two big wings in Anunoby and Bridges + elite scorer Brunson + do it all wing Hart

[Klomp]

What about adding Demin or Kobe Sanders as nominal PG? Something like this:

Reid-McDaniels-Demin-Edwards-DDV/NAW

I'm not concerned about Demin or Sanders scoring/shooting, but I want my PG to defend within defensive scheme. I can see Demin defending weakest perimeter scorer. McDaniels/DDV/Edwards take biggest responsibility on perimeter, Demi playing free safety

This is the kind of structure I would expect Connelly and Finch to lean into. With all of the on-ball defenders Minnesota has, I think that can be sacrificed somewhat if it comes with positional size and length. And we know that rarely do "point guards" really play "point guard" here. It's more about having a well-rounded game.

The problem is that outside of Demin, I dont see jumbo sized big wings playmakers in 2025 draft. Demin has natural ability to pass, but I dont know whether he is able to improve his body enough to handle physicality of NBA game.

I like Nique Clifford game, but I can see him function as secondary playmaker only in setup similar to NYK:

stretch five-out big Towns + two big wings in Anunoby and Bridges + elite scorer Brunson + do it all wing Hart

Here are the "point" guards who I think would merit consideration.

Kasparas Jakucionis, Jase Richardson, Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Nique Clifford, Walter Clayton, Kam Jones

Note: Not everyone will be there at 17, but I also would not rule out a Dillingham-style trade up. I don't question the ability of this franchise to aggressively make moves (even if they don't all work out). A few of these could also be targets with our pick currently at 31.

[shrink]

This is the kind of structure I would expect Connelly and Finch to lean into. With all of the on-ball defenders Minnesota has, I think that can be sacrificed somewhat if it comes with positional size and length. And we know that rarely do "point guards" really play "point guard" here. It's more about having a well-rounded game.

The problem is that outside of Demin, I dont see jumbo sized big wings playmakers in 2025 draft. Demin has natural ability to pass, but I dont know whether he is able to improve his body enough to handle physicality of NBA game.

I like Nique Clifford game, but I can see him function as secondary playmaker only in setup similar to NYK:

stretch five-out big Towns + two big wings in Anunoby and Bridges + elite scorer Brunson + do it all wing Hart

Here are the "point" guards who I think would merit consideration.

Kasparas Jakucionis, Jase Richardson, Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Nique Clifford, Walter Clayton, Kam Jones

Note: Not everyone will be there at 17, but I also would not rule out a Dillingham-style trade up. I don't question the ability of this franchise to aggressively make moves (even if they don't all work out). A few of these could also be targets with our pick currently at 31.

Here is the point guard I think merits consideration

Rob Dillingham

We paid an unprotected first, and a pick swap for that guy. That’s a fortune in trade value, and he needs to work out. I hope that next year’s starting backcourt is Ant (focused on his playmaking skills this summer) with Donte, but Rob needs to be in the rotation as instant offense off the bench, a spot starter, and maybe working towards becoming a full time starter soon.

[Klomp]

The problem is that outside of Demin, I dont see jumbo sized big wings playmakers in 2025 draft. Demin has natural ability to pass, but I dont know whether he is able to improve his body enough to handle physicality of NBA game.

I like Nique Clifford game, but I can see him function as secondary playmaker only in setup similar to NYK:

stretch five-out big Towns + two big wings in Anunoby and Bridges + elite scorer Brunson + do it all wing Hart

Here are the "point" guards who I think would merit consideration.

Kasparas Jakucionis, Jase Richardson, Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Nique Clifford, Walter Clayton, Kam Jones

Note: Not everyone will be there at 17, but I also would not rule out a Dillingham-style trade up. I don't question the ability of this franchise to aggressively make moves (even if they don't all work out). A few of these could also be targets with our pick currently at 31.

Here is the point guard I think merits consideration

Rob Dillingham

We gave an unprotected first, and a pick swap for that guy. That’s a fortune in trade value, and he needs to work out. I hope that next year’s starting backcourt is Ant (focused on his playmaking skills this summer) with Donte, but Rob needs to be in the rotation as instant offense off the bench, a spot starter, and maybe working towards becoming a full time starter soon.

It is possible to have more than one young guard on the roster, especially when really none of the guys listed overlap many skill sets with Rob. I'm still just as confident in Rob. I also see roster development as cyclical. I would expect if Dillingham slides into the rotation, another guard is still added to fill the development slot that would be departed by Rob in the process. NAW's longterm status is in limbo, Mike is approaching retirement, and I don't expect Donte to spend the rest of his career in Minnesota. There is plenty of room available to continue adding guards.

[shrink]

Here is the point guard I think merits consideration

Rob Dillingham

We gave an unprotected first, and a pick swap for that guy. That’s a fortune in trade value, and he needs to work out. I hope that next year’s starting backcourt is Ant (focused on his playmaking skills this summer) with Donte, but Rob needs to be in the rotation as instant offense off the bench, a spot starter, and maybe working towards becoming a full time starter soon.

It is possible to have more than one young guard on the roster, especially when really none of the guys listed overlap many skill sets with Rob. I'm still just as confident in Rob. I also see roster development as cyclical. I would expect if Dillingham slides into the rotation, another guard is still added to fill the development slot that would be departed by Rob in the process. NAW's longterm status is in limbo, Mike is approaching retirement, and I don't expect Donte to spend the rest of his career in Minnesota. There is plenty of room available to continue adding guards.

I believe Connelly’s longterm plan is for Ant to take on more of a playmaking role. It is the trend in the NBA to put the ball in the hands of your best player, particularly a player like Ant. It also makes the KAT trade make more sense at the time, instead of trading for an expiring and a longterm piece in DDV that plays Ants’ position as a back up.

So if that’s the plan, it clearly is going to limit the need for true PG’s, because the minutes won’t be there unless Ant is sitting. In addition, drafting a PG this year gives us two PG’s at the similar age and contract tracts. Also, Ant as PG also creates minutes for the cheaper SG’s like Clark and Shannon to develop, while getting the most out of DDV and NAW if he stays.

I don’t think Connelly should pass up on a PG he really likes in this draft simply out of principle, but it would make more sense to invest that pick elsewhere, even trading it forward a year, than draft another PG who might hurt the minutes of Dillingham, and reduce his trade value. I think this season, it would be better to grab a vet min PG until we know what Ant and Rob are going to look like in February of 2026.

[Klomp]

Here is the point guard I think merits consideration

Rob Dillingham

We gave an unprotected first, and a pick swap for that guy. That’s a fortune in trade value, and he needs to work out. I hope that next year’s starting backcourt is Ant (focused on his playmaking skills this summer) with Donte, but Rob needs to be in the rotation as instant offense off the bench, a spot starter, and maybe working towards becoming a full time starter soon.

It is possible to have more than one young guard on the roster, especially when really none of the guys listed overlap many skill sets with Rob. I'm still just as confident in Rob. I also see roster development as cyclical. I would expect if Dillingham slides into the rotation, another guard is still added to fill the development slot that would be departed by Rob in the process. NAW's longterm status is in limbo, Mike is approaching retirement, and I don't expect Donte to spend the rest of his career in Minnesota. There is plenty of room available to continue adding guards.

I believe Connelly’s longterm plan is for Ant to take on more of a playmaking role. It is the trend in the NBA to put the ball in the hands of your best player, particularly a player like Ant. It also makes the KAT trade make more sense at the time, instead of trading for an expiring and a longterm piece in DDV that plays Ants’ position as a back up.

So if that’s the plan, it clearly is going to limit the need for true PG’s, because the minutes won’t be there unless Ant is sitting. In addition, drafting a PG this year gives us two PG’s at the similar age and contract tracts. Also, Ant as PG also creates minutes for the cheaper SG’s like Clark and Shannon to develop, while getting the most out of DDV and NAW if he stays.

That's been my messaging all along.

[LSWF]

I don't think it's a crisis, but the team is not a championship quality team as currently constructed. Wolves are not deep enough with high level two way players to overcome the Thunder this year, probably not next year and possibly the year after. I don't think Ant and Jaden have peaked in their development and need to get better. Mike, Rudy, DDV and Julius are really good role players with warts. Building a championship team is going to take a lot of hard work and perhaps a bit of luck. At some point we are simply going to need draft picks and young players to hit the way Ant and Jaden have. We are not going to stay in the 2nd apron with a team that isn't good enough. If Dillingham, TSJ, Clark are not given the chance to play and develop next year I don't know how we get to the next level. This summer Connelly needs to show why he gets those big bucks.

[Klomp]

Next year, I think a really fun tempo lineup for stretches could be Rob / Ant / TJ / Jaden / Naz.

[Guest84]

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;si=t6AtrQPXLN_YXJAz

[minimus]

Here’s a perfect example of offensive layering in action:

Layer 1: Randle drives to the basket
Layer 2: DDV lifts to the top of the key to occupy the defense, Naz sets an off-ball screen for NAW, who gets a wide-open corner 3.

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This is exactly the kind of stuff MIN needs more of — layered offense, where off-ball movement and screening naturally create advantages, rather than relying purely on isolation or brute force.

Also, here’s something else MIN should be doing more often:
Edwards is too strong and physical not to be used as a screener. He’s already an elite 3PT shooter now, so defenders can’t ignore him off the ball. Just setting one hard screen can pull defenders out of help or open up a shooter — it’s simple but effective.

This is actually one of the most underrated things Steph Curry does. Even though he’s undersized, he consistently ranks among the best screen-setting guards in the NBA — because he’s willing and understands how to manipulate defensive rotations.

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This is a very interesting (as any Daniels video) video:

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It is interesting because it shows how much our offense can be improved by adding new concepts. MIN is not a pick-and-roll team so "Move the direction of drive" might be an interesting option.

[Danimals]

We already have a “Flow” of read and react offense, which is basically infinitely layered. The problem is we don’t not have the basketball IQ for it to thrive. It’s why we consistently underperform our talent level on offense.

[Klomp]

We already have a “Flow” of read and react offense, which is basically infinitely layered. The problem is we don’t not have the basketball IQ for it to thrive. It’s why we consistently underperform our talent level on offense.

I think IQ is hugely important this offseason

[minimus]

On February 26, after two back-to-back games against MIN, OKC played Brooklyn. I found that game really interesting because, even though OKC had their full roster — including Chet, Hartenstein, and Caruso — it was a close game.

Brooklyn got hot from three-point range, but what really stood out was how Day’Ron Sharpe killed OKC on the offensive glass, as a rim runner, and as a DHO passer.
Sharpe and Cam Johnson ran zoom action with a simple off-ball screen on almost every possession.
They also successfully doubled SGA very high on the perimeter in the first quarter, disrupting OKC’s flow.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn’s big wings made life difficult for OKC’s wings in one-on-one matchups.

Check out these highlights if you haven’t seen them:

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What’s fascinating is that Day’Ron Sharpe doesn’t have elite vertical pop or a crazy wingspan, nor does he have a 3PT shot — but he’s a 265-lb big man who sets really solid screens, is a monster on the glass, and can catch and pass the ball well.

He actually reminds me a lot of Thomas Sorber.
If that comparison holds, I think Sorber could solve MIN’s long-term depth issue at center — and grow together with Dillingham as a pick-and-roll duo.

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P.S. I also think MIN could benefit from having a big wing shooter like Cameron Johnson or Trey Murphy.
But honestly, I feel like Naz Reid can continue to evolve his game toward that wing archetype by improving his passing, ballhandling, and decision-making. If he takes that next step, it could really change the team’s offensive versatility.

[Klomp]

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[Baseline81]

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Hmm... sounds a lot like my reasoning as to why Towns shouldn't have been traded. I specifically recall talking about the chemistry between the team.

[Klomp]

Hmm... sounds a lot like my reasoning as to why Towns shouldn't have been traded. I specifically recall talking about the chemistry between the team.

Fair. However, the Towns contract just made things very difficult in the new NBA landscape. I think they knew they could get Gobert to decline his player option and take a smaller cap number. I think the 3 years, $171 million was staring them in the face. The value they got back in the trade might not have been "plus value" but it wasn't "negative value".

And I don't think simply not making the trade would have been the difference between making the Finals or not. In fact, I wouldn't have been surprised by an earlier exit, even if there were a few more regular season wins. I'd also say the team chemistry this year was pretty good, especially after the early season hiccups. That's just a product of being an Ant-led team.