Constructing the Timberwolves rotation

[Klomp]

How successful has our choices of who to play at PF been? You have heard the definition of crazy right?
Keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Hopefully Rosas isn't crazy. Vecenie and I are right. Okongwu is the perfect PF to play in our lineup. I still prefer Wiseman, because you just can't coach length. The player has it or he doesn't and Wiseman has it.

I guess we should just cut Towns then since he hasn't been successful. Only a crazy GM would keep him, right...?

The team is still being built. But you can still see trends and patterns of how it's being constructed.

[Domejandro]

The results were pretty solid going small-ball, our team just sucked overall.

[KGdaBom]

Sam Vecenie lays out a pretty convincing argument that Russel and KAT could be a top-ten offense, but their woes on the defensive end will only be fixed by surrounding them by plus defenders. As far as the rest of our key players, Okogie is a solid winger and Culver obviously has room to grow on the offensive end but is already fairly solid on D. As far as Beasely, pairing him with Russel does not make much sense, but Beasely could make a decent 6 man.

To what minimus and I were saying earlier, I think it's better to stay patient this year and continue to accumulate offensive talent. Right or not, offensive players seem to have higher perceived values.

I think going in on defense too soon could limit the team's overall upside. Do we have a Top 5 offense right now? Top 10? I think it might be borderline Top 10, but more likely 10-15, so by taking away offensive firepower, we're dropping that to middle of the road, while the defense would maybe only improve to middle of the road. Whereas, you wait for Minnesota to get up into the Top 5, taking away firepower would likely keep it Top 10 while improving the defense to middle of the road. What's better, a Top 10 offense and middle of the road defense, or a middle of the road offense with a middle of the road defense?

That's why I disagreed with Vecenie about starting Okogie over Beasley. If you want offense go with a starting lineup of Russell, Beasley, Hernangomez, Okongwu and KAT. That would be an explosive offense and I think Okongwu fits in beautifully with it. I'd probably start Okogie or Culver at the SF though. That would still be an explosive offense IMO, but better D. I like our lineup with either Wiseman or Okongwu in it.

[KGdaBom]

How successful has our choices of who to play at PF been? You have heard the definition of crazy right?
Keep doing the same thing and expect different results. Hopefully Rosas isn't crazy. Vecenie and I are right. Okongwu is the perfect PF to play in our lineup. I still prefer Wiseman, because you just can't coach length. The player has it or he doesn't and Wiseman has it.

I guess we should just cut Towns then since he hasn't been successful. Only a crazy GM would keep him, right...?

The team is still being built. But you can still see trends and patterns of how it's being constructed.

My point was legit. You come back with this BS. You're better than that I hope. What we have been doing at PF has not been working whatsoever and I don't think it would work with Avdija either. However, if they want to keep doing this they can choose to go that way. It will be better than what we got.
I see the trends and patterns and it's time to change those trends and patterns.

[Midw35t]

Dlo/Jmac/ Beasley or Culver for low minutes or a vet.
Beasley/ Okogie / Culver
Culver / Layman
Johnson/ Hernangomez / Vanderbilt
KAT/ REID

I see a huge problem all over if any starter gets hurt. Especially at the 3/4/5. All our picks or a trade needs to be only focused there.

I dont even like the idea of Culver or Okogie at the 3 right now, but that is where we are.

I can live with the backcourt with the 5 current guys. Wing/frontcourt is not good.

[Neeva]

Dlo/Jmac/ Beasley or Culver for low minutes or a vet.
Beasley/ Okogie / Culver
Culver / Layman
Johnson/ Hernangomez / Vanderbilt
KAT/ REID

I see a huge problem all over if any starter gets hurt. Especially at the 3/4/5. All our picks or a trade needs to be only focused there.

I dont even like the idea of Culver or Okogie at the 3 right now, but that is where we are.

I can live with the backcourt with the 5 current guys. Wing/frontcourt is not good.

What about the wolves three draft picks and Nowell.

[Midw35t]

Dlo/Jmac/ Beasley or Culver for low minutes or a vet.
Beasley/ Okogie / Culver
Culver / Layman
Johnson/ Hernangomez / Vanderbilt
KAT/ REID

I see a huge problem all over if any starter gets hurt. Especially at the 3/4/5. All our picks or a trade needs to be only focused there.

I dont even like the idea of Culver or Okogie at the 3 right now, but that is where we are.

I can live with the backcourt with the 5 current guys. Wing/frontcourt is not good.

What about the wolves three draft picks and Nowell.

Didn't wager Nowell here. He'd be fine as the 3rd pg/6th backcourt member/reserved for injury.

I mentioned utilizing the picks.

The point remains, all moves need to address the 3/4/5. The backcourt is already overcrowded and we dont know exactly what we have because of that. We have no true 3 or 4.

With the #1 I'm still for Wiseman as I think he is the most naturally gifted. Outside of that, we should be targeting the best 3/4 possible. Whether that takes a trade down, a trade out, or standing pat and trusting the scouting.

I do not want Edwards or Ball at this point.

[TaylorTag]

I'm not sure how random of a thought this is, but what about Montrzel Harrell is a front-court partner with KAT? I feel like he is the ideal PF we are looking for: a dynamic defender and can cover multiple positions. He doesn't shoot 3s which isn't great, but when your center is already one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, we can get away with that limitation..

Harrell is a free agent this year. Can test the market. I'm not sure what kind of contract Harrell will be expecting, but I wonder if he is not worth it a huge deal. He fits our timeline and has proven to be an efficient NBA player. Might take some convincing that the Wolves are best spot for him, but I'd love to have that conversation..

What would it take for us, in terms of corresponding roster moves, to make it work?

[minimus]

I'm not sure how random of a thought this is, but what about Montrzel Harrell is a front-court partner with KAT? I feel like he is the ideal PF we are looking for: a dynamic defender and can cover multiple positions. He doesn't shoot 3s which isn't great, but when your center is already one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, we can get away with that limitation..

Harrell is a free agent this year. Can test the market. I'm not sure what kind of contract Harrell will be expecting, but I wonder if he is not worth it a huge deal. He fits our timeline and has proven to be an efficient NBA player. Might take some convincing that the Wolves are best spot for him, but I'd love to have that conversation..

What would it take for us, in terms of corresponding roster moves, to make it work?

Harrell is neither a dynamic defender nor versatile defender. He is a role player so getting him before building our core doesn't make much sense.

[TheProdigy]

Trade with Atlanta: #1 and Okogie for #6 and DeAndre Hunter. At #6, draft Avdija, Okoro, or Vassell. At #17, draft Kira Lewis or Cole Anthony.

DLo/#17 (Lewis or Anthony)
Beasley/Culver
#6 (Avdija, Okoro, Vassell) / Layman
Hunter / Hernangomez
KAT / Reid

[TaylorTag]

Trade with Atlanta: #1 and Okogie for #6 and DeAndre Hunter. At #6, draft Avdija, Okoro, or Vassell. At #17, draft Kira Lewis or Cole Anthony.

DLo/#17 (Lewis or Anthony)
Beasley/Culver
#6 (Avdija, Okoro, Vassell) / Layman
Hunter / Hernangomez
KAT / Reid

Would rather keep #1

[TheProdigy]

Trade with Atlanta: #1 and Okogie for #6 and DeAndre Hunter. At #6, draft Avdija, Okoro, or Vassell. At #17, draft Kira Lewis or Cole Anthony.

DLo/#17 (Lewis or Anthony)
Beasley/Culver
#6 (Avdija, Okoro, Vassell) / Layman
Hunter / Hernangomez
KAT / Reid

Would rather keep #1

Normally I would agree with you but the talent differential between #1 and #6 this year is less than usual. I'd like to see us capitalize with a trade to a team that will put a premium on Edwards for his marketing potential. Atlanta makes sense.

I might be higher than most on DeAndre Hunter. I view him as the prototype 3&D that can switch and defend nearly every position. We need more of that if we're going to roll with KAT and DLo as our team leaders.

[Jedzz]

The results were pretty solid going small-ball, our team just sucked overall.

Well. Wolves are supposed to be a hybrid smallball team with Towns included. Speaking of which, he barely got a chance to play with some of the new players after the Feb trades, and I don't think it was ever everyone.

People keep pointing to the record of last season but most of the players are gone that built that record. Those remaining that had high minutes, Culver, Okogie,could still play better or get upgraded on.

PG starter filled Dlo - and backup could be thought of as filled if they sign Jmac already. Dlo/Jmac
SG Starter filled with Beasley if they can work that deal out. Backup guards, Culver/Okogie/Nowell
SF Starter could be Layman, backup is a NEED or else it's Okogie/Culver again.
PF Starter could be JJ or Juancho, whichever stays, could use depth if one goes
C starter filled with Towns, backup Reid.

This is not the team of last year's record that sucked. Infuse a little talent and let's see how it goes.

[KGdaBom]

Trade with Atlanta: #1 and Okogie for #6 and DeAndre Hunter. At #6, draft Avdija, Okoro, or Vassell. At #17, draft Kira Lewis or Cole Anthony.

DLo/#17 (Lewis or Anthony)
Beasley/Culver
#6 (Avdija, Okoro, Vassell) / Layman
Hunter / Hernangomez
KAT / Reid

A couple points of contention. In that trade we shouldn't have to give up Okogie. When trading for a SF why would we also want to use the #6 exclusively on SFs?

[KGdaBom]

Trade with Atlanta: #1 and Okogie for #6 and DeAndre Hunter. At #6, draft Avdija, Okoro, or Vassell. At #17, draft Kira Lewis or Cole Anthony.

DLo/#17 (Lewis or Anthony)
Beasley/Culver
#6 (Avdija, Okoro, Vassell) / Layman
Hunter / Hernangomez
KAT / Reid

Would rather keep #1

Close call. However, if we're going to waste the #1 on Ball I hope we trade back instead.

[TheProdigy]

Trade with Atlanta: #1 and Okogie for #6 and DeAndre Hunter. At #6, draft Avdija, Okoro, or Vassell. At #17, draft Kira Lewis or Cole Anthony.

DLo/#17 (Lewis or Anthony)
Beasley/Culver
#6 (Avdija, Okoro, Vassell) / Layman
Hunter / Hernangomez
KAT / Reid

A couple points of contention. In that trade we shouldn't have to give up Okogie. When trading for a SF why would we also want to use the #6 exclusively on SFs?

I agree, we could probably make the trade happen without giving up Okogie - I was just trying not to be a homer.

I think the PG-SG-SF-PF-C labels have really lost their value in describing positions these days. Guys in that 6'6 - 6'9 height and 210 - 230 pounds range offer defensive versatility because they can switch on screens without getting absolutely burned (assuming they have NBA quality athleticism and strength). So because of that, I like the idea of double dipping on similar sized wing players because it's what our team currently lacks.

[minimus]

Read on Twitter

I second it!

[KGdaBom]

Read on Twitter

I second it!

Bam 2.0 Onyeka Okongwu. Git r dun. Go Wolves.

[minimus]

Read on Twitter

I second it!

Bam 2.0 Onyeka Okongwu. Git r dun. Go Wolves.

You either underestimate Bam or overestimate Okongwu.

[KGdaBom]

Read on Twitter

I second it!

Bam 2.0 Onyeka Okongwu. Git r dun. Go Wolves.

You either underestimate Bam or overestimate Okongwu.

Neither