Updates on former Wolves

[Domejandro]

I am getting progressively more distraught about Minnesota allowing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to walk.

We need TSJ to develop into NAW. That is why we drafted him. It may take a couple of years, but he has the potential.

While I like Terrence Shannon Jr., they are completely different types of player. NAW is a low-usage, efficient offensive player who is arguably the best screen navigator in the NBA. While TSJ has unique talent as an attacker/slasher (especially in transition), him developing into an even league-average defensive player is going to be a massive project. Another thing that people don't consider is that Terrence Shannon Jr. is less than two years younger than NAW. The idea that NAW was a fully developed project with no room for growth was a miscalculation, in my opinion.

NAW is averaging 20.1/3.4/3.7 on 46.2/37.6/85.9 splits through nineteen games. Even if he "comes back down to earth" to a degree, that is absurd offensive production for an excellent defensive player. Minnesota could have had him locked up on a four year, MLE deal (that is ~9% of the cap!), but instead punted that cap space on Mike Conley/Rob Dillingham (or Naz Reid). I think that mistake is the difference between being a real contender, and being the a middling squad. Minnesota has an opportunity to dig out of the hole with future moves, but even then, losing NAW is brutal for the team's depth. Not the end of the world, but it is a mistake worth acknowledging.

[winforlose]

I am getting progressively more distraught about Minnesota allowing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to walk.

We need TSJ to develop into NAW. That is why we drafted him. It may take a couple of years, but he has the potential.

While I like Terrence Shannon Jr., they are completely different types of player. NAW is a low-usage, efficient offensive player who is arguably the best screen navigator in the NBA. While TSJ has unique talent as an attacker/slasher (especially in transition), him developing into an even league-average defensive player is going to be a massive project. Another thing that people don't consider is that Terrence Shannon Jr. is less than two years younger than NAW. The idea that NAW was a fully developed project with no room for growth was a miscalculation, in my opinion.

NAW is averaging 20.1/3.4/3.7 on 46.2/37.6/85.9 splits through nineteen games. Even if he "comes back down to earth" to a degree, that is absurd offensive production for an excellent defensive player. Minnesota could have had him locked up on a four year, MLE deal (that is ~9% of the cap!), but instead punted that cap space on Mike Conley/Rob Dillingham (or Naz Reid). I think that mistake is the difference between being a real contender, and being the a middling squad. Minnesota has an opportunity to dig out of the hole with future moves, but even then, losing NAW is brutal for the team's depth. Not the end of the world, but it is a mistake worth acknowledging.

Even if the potential was always there, do you really think he gets the same opportunities on this squad. Let’s say he starts over DDV and gets 32 minutes (limiting DDV severely,) he still would be subject to Ant’s high usage, Randle’s ISO ball, Jaden’s need to be involved in the offense, and Rudy’s need to be involved in the offense. Not all situations are created equally.

[Slim Tubby]

I am getting progressively more distraught about Minnesota allowing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to walk.

We need TSJ to develop into NAW. That is why we drafted him. It may take a couple of years, but he has the potential.

In my opinion, I don't see a single basketball comparison between TSJ and NAW. Not a single trait. They are completely different players and TSJ is not someone that will ever develop into a primary ball handler in the NBA.

TSJ is a slightly undersized SF that needs to focus his attention on 3FG, rebounding and defense. We really miss NAW and his pairing next to Daniels is making Trae more available in a trade, too.

I still contend that Jrue Holiday is our best option assuming BOS hangs on to Derrick White. If POR fades, that's the guy I target especially when Scoot Henderson is back for the Blazers.

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[Slim Tubby]

I am getting progressively more distraught about Minnesota allowing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to walk.

We need TSJ to develop into NAW. That is why we drafted him. It may take a couple of years, but he has the potential.

While I like Terrence Shannon Jr., they are completely different types of player. NAW is a low-usage, efficient offensive player who is arguably the best screen navigator in the NBA. While TSJ has unique talent as an attacker/slasher (especially in transition), him developing into an even league-average defensive player is going to be a massive project. Another thing that people don't consider is that Terrence Shannon Jr. is less than two years younger than NAW. The idea that NAW was a fully developed project with no room for growth was a miscalculation, in my opinion.

NAW is averaging 20.1/3.4/3.7 on 46.2/37.6/85.9 splits through nineteen games. Even if he "comes back down to earth" to a degree, that is absurd offensive production for an excellent defensive player. Minnesota could have had him locked up on a four year, MLE deal (that is ~9% of the cap!), but instead punted that cap space on Mike Conley/Rob Dillingham (or Naz Reid). I think that mistake is the difference between being a real contender, and being the a middling squad. Minnesota has an opportunity to dig out of the hole with future moves, but even then, losing NAW is brutal for the team's depth. Not the end of the world, but it is a mistake worth acknowledging.

It's as if you stole my homework and turned it in as your own.

Perfectly stated.

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[winforlose]

I am getting progressively more distraught about Minnesota allowing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to walk.

We need TSJ to develop into NAW. That is why we drafted him. It may take a couple of years, but he has the potential.

In my opinion, I don't see a single basketball comparison between TSJ and NAW. Not a single trait. They are completely different players and TSJ is not someone that will ever develop into a primary ball handler in the NBA.

TSJ is a slightly undersized SF that needs to focus his attention on 3FG, rebounding and defense. We really miss NAW and his pairing next to Daniels is making Trae more available in a trade, too.

I still contend that Jrue Holiday is our best option assuming BOS hangs on to Derrick White. If POR fades, that's the guy I target especially when Scoot Henderson is back for the Blazers.

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TSJ already shares the attacking with NAW. TSJ was known for his defense in college before being told to focus on offense. He has the quick feet and lateral quickness to stay in front, but he needs to adjust to the NBA. Remember that NAW kept getting pushed further and further down the depth charts until we saved his career. TSJ also has been improving his 3 point shooting and that 3&D with ball handling and attacking is exactly what NAW was here.

P.S, comparing the Hawks to the Wolves is just not a good way to establish player role or value. NAW has different responsibilities and opportunities there compared to here. DDV and NAW were fighting for minutes and if NAW had stayed and won the 5th starter role who knows how DDV would be playing now? The same is true in reverse, how good would NAW be in 20-25 minutes off the bench? Is there any universe in which he has 14.7 FGA per game and 7 3PA per game? In the multiverse it could certainly happen, but in this universe with this team people would say he isn’t living up to the money.

[Slim Tubby]

Making an argument that the Wolves didn't utilize NAW in the most appropriate way doesn't address the fact that he is nothing like TSJ as a player. They are nothing alike and again, TSJ is an undersized SF and will never be the the ball handler and distributor that NAW is as a 1/2.

NAW could be taking all of the combined minutes from Conley/Dilly/Hyland and made DDV a valuable asset towards landing another big guy the caliber of a Gafford or Clowney.

It's water under the bridge now but we'd have 2-3 more wins this season if NAW was still here playing those minutes.

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[KGdaBom]

Making an argument that the Wolves didn't utilize NAW in the most appropriate way doesn't address the fact that he is nothing like TSJ as a player. They are nothing alike and again, TSJ is an undersized SF and will never be the the ball handler and distributor that NAW is as a 1/2.

NAW could be taking all of the combined minutes from Conley/Dilly/Hyland and made DDV a valuable asset towards landing another big guy the caliber of a Gafford or Clowney.

It's water under the bridge now but we'd have 2-3 more wins this season if NAW was still here playing those minutes.

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I agree we'd have more wins if we still had NAW, but who wouldn't we have if we still had NAW?

[Slim Tubby]

Making an argument that the Wolves didn't utilize NAW in the most appropriate way doesn't address the fact that he is nothing like TSJ as a player. They are nothing alike and again, TSJ is an undersized SF and will never be the the ball handler and distributor that NAW is as a 1/2.

NAW could be taking all of the combined minutes from Conley/Dilly/Hyland and made DDV a valuable asset towards landing another big guy the caliber of a Gafford or Clowney.

It's water under the bridge now but we'd have 2-3 more wins this season if NAW was still here playing those minutes.

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I agree we'd have more wins if we still had NAW, but who wouldn't we have if we still had NAW?

Good question. I don't know our Salary Cap as well as others on here but with dead weight salaries like Conley, Ingles, Miller and Hyland, I'm guessing we could've made it work without having to walk away from Naz.

Ironically, Naz would most likely be the centerpiece of any deal we make to upgrade at PG right now so it's almost as if we just pushed the problem down the road a little.

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[Klomp]

Good question. I don't know our Salary Cap as well as others on here but with dead weight salaries like Conley, Ingles, Miller and Hyland, I'm guessing we could've made it work without having to walk away from Naz.

Ingles, Miller and Hyland are minimum contracts. Take them off the payroll and you still have to fill the roster with minimum contracts, which doesn't improve the cap situation at all.

[winforlose]

Making an argument that the Wolves didn't utilize NAW in the most appropriate way doesn't address the fact that he is nothing like TSJ as a player. They are nothing alike and again, TSJ is an undersized SF and will never be the the ball handler and distributor that NAW is as a 1/2.

NAW could be taking all of the combined minutes from Conley/Dilly/Hyland and made DDV a valuable asset towards landing another big guy the caliber of a Gafford or Clowney.

It's water under the bridge now but we'd have 2-3 more wins this season if NAW was still here playing those minutes.

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I agree we'd have more wins if we still had NAW, but who wouldn't we have if we still had NAW?

Good question. I don't know our Salary Cap as well as others on here but with dead weight salaries like Conley, Ingles, Miller and Hyland, I'm guessing we could've made it work without having to walk away from Naz.

Ironically, Naz would most likely be the centerpiece of any deal we make to upgrade at PG right now so it's almost as if we just pushed the problem down the road a little.

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Mike is about 10 million, a minimum is somewhere between 2-3. So we lost 7 to 8 on rostering Mike. NAW cost 15 million which is 12-13 above the minimum. Maybe Naz and JR could have each sacrificed 2 in exchange for more add deals, but that is dangerous territory. Also remember as it stands we are only 3.5 below the 2nd apron. Any math that saved NAW would have been very complicated and required sacrifice by Naz and JR. Naz remember has never earned top dollar and JR doesn’t have that many long term contracts left.

[TimberKat]

I agree we'd have more wins if we still had NAW, but who wouldn't we have if we still had NAW?

Good question. I don't know our Salary Cap as well as others on here but with dead weight salaries like Conley, Ingles, Miller and Hyland, I'm guessing we could've made it work without having to walk away from Naz.

Ironically, Naz would most likely be the centerpiece of any deal we make to upgrade at PG right now so it's almost as if we just pushed the problem down the road a little.

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Mike is about 10 million, a minimum is somewhere between 2-3. So we lost 7 to 8 on rostering Mike. NAW cost 15 million which is 12-13 above the minimum. Maybe Naz and JR could have each sacrificed 2 in exchange for more add deals, but that is dangerous territory. Also remember as it stands we are only 3.5 below the 2nd apron. Any math that saved NAW would have been very complicated and required sacrifice by Naz and JR. Naz remember has never earned top dollar and JR doesn’t have that many long term contracts left.

If we didn't make the trade to get Dilly or not use DET pick, will have enough for a NAW, Ant, and DDV 3 guard rotation

[Slim Tubby]

I agree we'd have more wins if we still had NAW, but who wouldn't we have if we still had NAW?

Good question. I don't know our Salary Cap as well as others on here but with dead weight salaries like Conley, Ingles, Miller and Hyland, I'm guessing we could've made it work without having to walk away from Naz.

Ironically, Naz would most likely be the centerpiece of any deal we make to upgrade at PG right now so it's almost as if we just pushed the problem down the road a little.

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Mike is about 10 million, a minimum is somewhere between 2-3. So we lost 7 to 8 on rostering Mike. NAW cost 15 million which is 12-13 above the minimum. Maybe Naz and JR could have each sacrificed 2 in exchange for more add deals, but that is dangerous territory. Also remember as it stands we are only 3.5 below the 2nd apron. Any math that saved NAW would have been very complicated and required sacrifice by Naz and JR. Naz remember has never earned top dollar and JR doesn’t have that many long term contracts left.

Thanks, WFL and Klomp....that clears some misconceptions up for me.

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[Klomp]

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