Thoughts on Minny

[GrindCityHustle]

They have a dangerous luxury tax situation on the horizon with talent that doesn't justify the contracts they have per say.

I feel like they are stuck with Gobert and gave McDaniels an extension when they still gotta pay Randle the rest of his big contract.

To me they might need to poach dudes like Nicholas Claxton or Coby White who can run with Ant-Man. Conley is also old now and they need some waiver wire vets like Dinwiddie for cheap to bring along Rob
Mainly their only choice seems to be flyer type guys undervalued by the league. Basically some smart vets who can play in the Wolves system who are seasoned. Kind of like how Riley had that team around Wade in 06 that meshed well with his talent.

Also their second best talent is really Randle who gets injured and isn't playoff tested. I think McDaniel fits well but he seems to not be a real scorer. He is an important defensive guy but wasn't thrilled with that contract.

Anyone concerned how this Minny team is set up or are they better than I am giving them credit for.

[cupcakesnake]

They have a dangerous luxury tax situation on the horizon with talent that doesn't justify the contracts they have per say.

Not sure what you mean by luxury tax situation but a lot of the wolves cap/apron issues were mitigated by the KAT trade. In terms of long term money, our top 6 is locked in with fairly steady contracts. Gobert extended but with a pay cut. Randle's contract isn't that big (he's the 55th best paid player in the league). McDaniels contract is fine.

If Gobert's decline continues, his player option year will be pretty bad, but if that contract ends up only one bad year, I think we'll be happy with that outcome.

To me they might need to poach dudes like Nicholas Claxton or Coby White who can run with Ant-Man. Conley is also old now and they need some waiver wire vets like Dinwiddie for cheap to bring along Rob
Mainly their only choice seems to be flyer type guys undervalued by the league. Basically some smart vets who can play in the Wolves system who are seasoned. Kind of like how Riley had that team around Wade in 06 that meshed well with his talent.

No idea why you're picking these specific players. Claxton and Coby aren't available for cheap. No one seems interested in Dinwiddie.

The Wolves are one of many teams discovering that the cheapest way to surround an expensive core is try to develop young guys. Minnesota has used the draft to fill out the roster with Dillingham, Terrence Shannon Jr, Jaylen Clark, Joan Beringer etc. I'm not sure how familiar you are with these young guys, but Minny fans are pretty invested in those 4. Shannon and Clark look more than ready to play rotation minutes. Beringer is a very intriguing long term Rudy replacement. A lot hinges on Rob becoming a starting level player and the jury is out on that. He shows flashes.

Most fans would rather the team invested minutes in draft picks, rather than bring in "flyer type guys" to play those minutes.

Also their second best talent is really Randle who gets injured and isn't playoff tested.

We went to the conference finals with Randle last year so I don't really see him a not "playoff tested" anymore. He brutally murdered the Lakers and Warriors and played his role of secondary playmaking driver very well. His game did not hold up against OKC's historic defense. I think Randle in his role on the Wolves is a pretty nice second piece on offense, but great defenses will be able to mess with him. OKC isn't really a fair comparison for anyone. Everyone played worse against them. Even Jokic.

I think McDaniel fits well but he seems to not be a real scorer. He is an important defensive guy but wasn't thrilled with that contract.

McDaniels was excellent on offense for us in the playoffs, and really the whole second half of the season. Once Finch let him start driving the basketball, rather than spotting up, he showed a very reliable handle, rim attack, and pull up counter game. 14.7ppg on 51/38/89 shooting was everything we needed from a 3rd or 4th option in this specific offense. His season averages haven't taken an obvious leap yet, but for those following his game know he's become a much better player. He's primed for a mini breakout season.

Anyone concerned how this Minny team is set up or are they better than I am giving them credit for.

We've made 2 straight Western Conference Finals, but got beaten convincingly both times. That's sort of where we're at. Very strong 2-way team, but there are contenders that are a level up on us. The T-Wolves have a good shot against any team in the West, but I don't really see us beating the Thunder.

[LarsV8]

Controversial take, I don't think Anthony Edwards can be a best player on a championship team.

[HMFFL]

I have been vocal about the T Wolves over the years, because as a fan of the game, it would be nice to see the team have some success.

Their frontcourt won't have any success until Randle does his part. He needs to stay close to the basket. It's nice that he has some range on offense but he needs to post up.

Move on from Rudy Golbert. Consider sending him back to Utah, ao they can fill some payroll numbers, and acquire Lauri Markkanen. T Wolves need to generate more offense from their frontcourt. Kristaps Porziņģis is another good option that fills a need.

I look forward to seeing if their young guards mature any. Their development is key to the teams success. I think Bones Hyland can surprise some people and be productive.

And Jaden McDaniels needs to shoot more and become a bigger factor on offense. The frontcourt is very flawed.

[HMFFL]

Controversial take, I don't think Anthony Edwards can be a best player on a championship team.

He needs to shoot more on his midrange shooting and increase his shooting accuracy. An increase in attempts needs to happen.

[Wolveswin]

Controversial take, I don't think Anthony Edwards can be a best player on a championship team.

I mean, you know it’s controversial because you said so.

I would hope we (collective we) are better than saying a newly turned 24yo star player isn’t best player on championship team. But we must not be because you said it.

No need for me to laundry list the players who were not the best player on championship team before age of 24. That list is long and includes all the GOATs (real or controversial GOATs). So let’s pump the breaks. We can be better than that.

[Wolveswin]

Wolves are who we thought they were. They are WCF team at best. With little bad luck having a team this good same timeline as Presti dynasty in already tough west.

So do wolves sit back and be satisfied being WCF team? Or try to be more when they are severely hamstrung already?

[LarsV8]

Controversial take, I don't think Anthony Edwards can be a best player on a championship team.

I mean, you know it’s controversial because you said so.

I would hope we (collective we) are better than saying a newly turned 24yo star player isn’t best player on championship team. But we must not be because you said it.

No need for me to laundry list the players who were not the best player on championship team before age of 24. That list is long and includes all the GOATs (real or controversial GOATs). So let’s pump the breaks. We can be better than that.

My general rule of thumb is that we tend to know who a player is and what they will be by the end of their fourth season.

At that point, they have generally made all the leaps they will make, and additional improvements will only be incremental or on the margins.

Now there always exceptions, but I just don't see it with him.

[UcanUwill]

Their team is expensive, but I do not think anyone is overpaid. That said, I do not believe they are title contenders, most people have them as bottom title contenders, but I personally do not see it. Denver and OKC are contenders in the west, if I had to pick third and fourth teams, I would pick Clippers and Houston before Minny. I know they made conference finals twice in a row, but I can not imagine them going further myself, IDK, could easily be wrong.

[Wolveswin]

Controversial take, I don't think Anthony Edwards can be a best player on a championship team.

I mean, you know it’s controversial because you said so.

I would hope we (collective we) are better than saying a newly turned 24yo star player isn’t best player on championship team. But we must not be because you said it.

No need for me to laundry list the players who were not the best player on championship team before age of 24. That list is long and includes all the GOATs (real or controversial GOATs). So let’s pump the breaks. We can be better than that.

My general rule of thumb is that we tend to know who a player is and what they will be by the end of their fourth season.

At that point, they have generally made all the leaps they will make, and additional improvements will only be incremental or on the margins.

Now there always exceptions, but I just don't see it with him.

Ugh. We are talking about player who is 23 or younger. SGA didn’t look this good at 23 and younger. Nor did Jokic. Or Giannis.

If you are honest and tell me at 23 and younger you didn’t see it in the folks and others - sure - ok I get ya.

[Shaka_Zulu]

Wolves is fine despite losing key rotation guy in NAW. Because Shannon Jr and Clark jr are both very capable young replacements (Shannon Jr will suprise ppl).



But Naz Reid needing to improve in playoffs and stop laying goose eggs (he got paid now so expectations needs to be higher). Unlike Mcdaniels who allways improves offensively in playoffs.



But besides that, the biggiest hurdle and poison pill in our midst is Rob Dillingham. I rarely speak in absolute terms about young talents, everything I seen of this kid screams will be a dud. Both eye test and statistically super dissapointing.



And he needs to pan out because Conley despite being a great leader who I give huge credit for our improvement past 3 years, is 38 now. He is steady hand and can spot up, but his playmaking has less value now that he can barely score. P&Rs they just look off him cuz they know he can't generate his offense at all and score a lick inside. Ants gets doubled in playoffs cuz Conley/Rudy are no offensive threats at all (but atleast Rudy anchors the D).




So in a sense, our PG situation is really increasingly dire. One super young and one super old. And neither good enough.


Its to the point I would be suprised in post all-star break if dillingham even has rotational minutes.


But look out for Beringer, still super raw 18 year old, but he will suprise alot of ppl how good he is already (needs to work on foul rate though).

[Wagonband]

I don't think they will make the next step. They will be again a 1st or 2nd round exit, and if Edwards doesn't play well rumors will start about whether this is the team for him in the future or not

[Shaka_Zulu]

I don't think they will make the next step. They will be again a 1st or 2nd round exit, and if Edwards doesn't play well rumors will start about whether this is the team for him in the future or not

What do you mean again? This same exact team has been back to back western conference finals team.


I get every season this team will have doubters, but same was said last 2 years and nothing of it is adjusted despite the consistency in being 2nd best western playoffs team.


Ant instead being media driven goaded to leave for greener pastures is premature, one thing if it was before Wolves of previous era, would felt the pressure to leave then.

But its the reverse. He is actually ahead of schedule, because how many 23 year old 1st options had back to back WCFs in their first few years into playoff ball?

[bonita_the_frog]

I don't think they will make the next step. They will be again a 1st or 2nd round exit, and if Edwards doesn't play well rumors will start about whether this is the team for him in the future or not

They will AGAIN be a 1st or 2nd round exit?
Wolves made the CONFERENCE FINALS in 2024 and 2025.
Wolves always got Denver's number and are way too athletic for the Lakers, AND they beat OKC by 143-101 in Game 3 and were robbed in Game 4 when the officials didn't give them enough time to win the game...as the clock showed 0.6 when the fan caught the ball and the officials only gave Wolves 0.3...

[shrink]

My general rule of thumb is that we tend to know who a player is and what they will be by the end of their fourth season.

At that point, they have generally made all the leaps they will make, and additional improvements will only be incremental or on the margins.

Now there always exceptions, but I just don't see it with him.

So are you saying that after his fourth season, you expected Ant to lead the league in three pointers in season 5?

[Wagonband]

I don't think they will make the next step. They will be again a 1st or 2nd round exit, and if Edwards doesn't play well rumors will start about whether this is the team for him in the future or not

What do you mean again? This same exact team has been back to back western conference finals team.


I get every season this team will have doubters, but same was said last 2 years and nothing of it is adjusted despite the consistency in being 2nd best western playoffs team.


Ant instead being media driven goaded to leave for greener pastures is premature, one thing if it was before Wolves of previous era, would felt the pressure to leave then.

But its the reverse. He is actually ahead of schedule, because how many 23 year old 1st options had back to back WCFs in their first few years into playoff ball?

My bad, it was really early in the morning for me hah. I had a bracket in my mind and i don't see the T-Wolves going to the WCF again this year, and i've honestly forgotten what's happened last 2 years already it's been such a long offseason i only remember OKC winning and the Hali injury lol

[shrink]

I have a hard time predicting what the Wolves will be this year. I go back-and-forth on whether the two WCF’s are predictive of this season. Part of me wants to give them credit, because Finch has been upsetting western conference rivals to reach the WCF, sometimes spectacularly. That should count for something. On the other hand, last year it looked to me like six teams were in the same “you can be #2 behind OKC” tier, and MIN happened to be the one to get there, with the coveted sixth seed.

I think the Wolves are going to get off to a good start, with the continuity of bringing back eight of their nine rotation players from last year, and all their starters. As it happens every summer, they couldn’t attract useful free agents, but Ant, McDaniels and Naz are young and have plenty of room for internal growth. DiVincenzo should be better, and Randle really figured it out in the second half of the season and he was the Wolves best player in the first two playoff series. TJ Shannon will replace some of the NAW absence, and he’s looked great when he gets minutes. However, the Wolves are very thin at both PG and C, and an extended injury to Gobert or Conley could really hurt them.

[MoneyTalks41890]

I definitely think Ant can be the best player on a chip team if he continues to grow.

I’m not a personal believer in Randle. I like Naz in there better frankly. Rudy is solid especially on his new extension. That’s not the issue.

McDaniels is a fine 4th guy/defensive player.

So my big questions are who is the point guard and who is number 2 scorer?

[bonita_the_frog]

Wolves and OKC were the best teams in the NBA after the all-star break, so Wolves the 2nd best team in the NBA, based on the regular season.
In the playoffs it would have to be OKC and Indiana.
But Wolves took 2 or 3 months to have chemistry last season, so they are A LOT better than a 49 win team.

So there's a good chance Wolves will win 55+ games this season, unless they are unable to make-up for the loss of Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
They really should though, because the Wolves are young and improving each year, except for Conley and Gobert and Randle, but Gobert and Randle will probably be just as good in 2025-26.

[bonita_the_frog]

ISo my big questions are who is the point guard and who is number 2 scorer?

Julius Randle in the 2025 playoffs averaged 21.7 points,.502 field,.385 downtown, and he'll be better than ever next season because he took a while to find chemistry.

As for the Point Guard, looks like they didn't need anything more than Conley, to reach the Western Conference Finals.
That's a credit to how great Ant Edwards is!

But Conley is useful because he doesn't turn the ball over, and will hit the open shot, that's all he needs to do... he made .410 downtown last season.