Can this roster be fixed within a year?

[Chello1]

How can we build this roster in the next year? I want to hear ideas including: losing our pick next year and retaining our pick next year. I don't see enough tradeable assets myself if we lose our pick. Someone help me stay positive!

[AbeVigodaLive]

Unless the Wolves keep the pick...

... and he's a transcendent superstar... it's very unlikely. Russell + Towns healthy on the court together will help in the "we're not the worst team in the league" sort of way.

But that's a far cry from legit playoff team.

[Baseline81]

How can we build this roster in the next year? I want to hear ideas including: losing our pick next year and retaining our pick next year. I don't see enough tradeable assets myself if we lose our pick. Someone help me stay positive!

Honestly, there's not much that can be done. As noted in other threads, decks chairs can be moved. One or both of Okogie ($2.7M) and Culver ($6.1M) should be dealt, even for as little as expiring contracts. The same could be said of Rubio ($17.0M). Doubtful the likes of Hernangomez and Russell are able to be traded without including compensation.

If Orlando is willing to part with Gordon for Beasley and salary filler, I would probably pull the trigger. The Wolves need a starting PF more than two SG (Beasley and Edwards), neither of which can defend.

As for the draft, losing the pick to Golden State will be a blow, especially with how this season has played out. If the team is fortunate enough to keep it, one of Cunningham, Mobley or Suggs will be an upgrade or provide a basis for moving on post-Towns.

It's doubtful anyone saw this happening -- combination of injuries, suspension, Covid-19 wreaking havoc on the team's supposed best three players. If healthy, along with a more competent coach, they shouldn't be the worst team in the league next year.

[Jedzz]

If Orlando is willing to part with Gordon for Beasley and salary filler, I would probably pull the trigger. The Wolves need a starting PF more than two SG (Beasley and Edwards), neither of which can defend.

Well this is one way of thinking that will keep them in the hole as always. You are actively choosing to bite off your foot to improve something else? This team can't exist with less shooting ability. So while yes they need a starting PF with consistent play, that doesn't mean you toss out maybe the only high level shooter that showed any consistency for this team. They just can't move Beasley unless whatever is coming back can shoot well. People have tried to point to slightly better outside shooting from AG, but that's no guarantee to stick once here and Edwards is no guarantee to ever average over 31% until the seasons he starts to. You are putting the team on the wrong side of probability to improve and build something, forcing them to draft yet again for shooting or die. And they might again not focus on shooting anyway given recent history of decisions. Do you really want to risk going into 2021-22 with less than 3 decent to good shooters?

[Baseline81]

Well this is one way of thinking that will keep them in the hole as always. You are actively choosing to bite off your foot to improve something else? This team can't exist with less shooting ability. So while yes they need a starting PF with consistent play, that doesn't mean you toss out maybe the only high level shooter that showed any consistency for this team. They just can't move Beasley unless whatever is coming back can shoot well. People have tried to point to slightly better outside shooting from AG, but that's no guarantee to stick once here and Edwards is no guarantee to ever average over 31% until the seasons he starts to. You are putting the team on the wrong side of probability to improve and build something, forcing them to draft yet again for shooting or die. And they might again not focus on shooting anyway given recent history of decisions. Do you really want to risk going into 2021-22 with less than 3 decent to good shooters?

Whether you like it or not, the moment the Wolves drafted Edwards and decided not to trade him, he essentially became a starter unless he can be included in a future deal for an all-star.

As has been pointed out several times, a starting lineup consisting of Russell, Beasley, Edwards and Towns unfortunately will not be a winning combination -- lack of defense. Hence, to balance the roster, I could see Rosas trading Beasley for Gordon (not saying it will happen).

How about you answer the OP?

[Klomp]

What level of "fixed" are you looking for? Championship contender, no. Playoff team, probably can be done.

[Big_Red1988]

How can we build this roster in the next year? I want to hear ideas including: losing our pick next year and retaining our pick next year. I don't see enough tradeable assets myself if we lose our pick. Someone help me stay positive!

I think if Finch can unlock DLo to play like he did when he led Brooklyn to the play-offs, rather than him just floating around the court like he did under Saunders. Plus have KAT turn into something like Jokic, then surround him with some cheap Vets that know how to cut to the basket. Rondae Hollis Jefferson would be great. Haha.
Then we need to implement some form of defence.

Ideally we still suck enough to stay in the bottom 3 to have the best chance of keeping our pick. Either way pick or not, I think we can make enough minor changes to get to the play-offs next year, but definitely not a contender.

[shrink]

One of the concepts I like to play with is the net value of the assets on a team. If we assume an active free trade market that allows young, win-later assets to be converted to older, win-now assets, then the organizations with the most total asset value have the best chance to be successful.

Right now, MIN doesn’t have a lot of positive assets. KAT, Malik Beasley, Anthony Edwards have value and maybe to a lesser degree, McDaniels-Okogie-Culver-Naz have a little value on the fringes. We have some negatives, the missing pick and DLo on a max deal, and that should be factored in too.

1. Our total overall assets is probably below average. Even if we converted to win now pieces, we aren’t at a level to create a team that could win a ring.

2. Despite that, we have KAT. Most teams don’t have a star piece of this caliber, locked up so long. There probably isn’t a full free market, and most teams won’t trade you a star.

3. We have several young players that can develop, and increase their trade value. DLo (and even KAT) could raise his value too.

In the end, we need our team to grow and become more valuable, and to make deals around the edges that also increases that value. I know Timberwolves fans are tired of being told this, but we need time to reach a point where we can go all-in to win.

[Jedzz]

Whether you like it or not, the moment the Wolves drafted Edwards and decided not to trade him, he essentially became a starter unless he can be included in a future deal for an all-star.

As has been pointed out several times, a starting lineup consisting of Russell, Beasley, Edwards and Towns unfortunately will not be a winning combination -- lack of defense. Hence, to balance the roster, I could see Rosas trading Beasley for Gordon (not saying it will happen).

How about you answer the OP?

The answer is not to get worse at shooting on purpose. This much know. Yes, he's shown he can flip a roster in any year.

[Macwolf527]

Am I the only one that wants to see this team with a healthy roster before blowing it up. Although it was early in the season, we went into Utah and beat them the 2nd game of the season. Since then, Utah has only lost 8 more games and just one more home game against the Suns.

I for one would like to see 15-20 games with a healthy roster before making any major moves. I don’t mind a move here or there to beef up the PF spot, but otherwise we still don’t know the full identity of this team. A veteran roster can handle losing your 1st and 2nd best players and still pull out a few wins. This roster is too young for that especially after not having a off-season or summer league. It definitely sucks to be in the basement record wise, but we have to exercise a bit of caution until fully healthy and back from suspension.

[shrink]

Am I the only one that wants to see this team with a healthy roster before blowing it up?

Yes you are. Weirdo.

Seriously though, you’re right. I don’t think we’ll see big changes at the deadline, but Rosas will have to do something.

I think Rubio gets traded.

[Macwolf527]

Am I the only one that wants to see this team with a healthy roster before blowing it up?

Yes you are. Weirdo.

Seriously though, you’re right. I don’t think we’ll see big changes at the deadline, but Rosas will have to do something.

I think Rubio gets traded.

I agree that Rubio gets traded. I never saw the fit anyway and I’m quite sure Rosas was thinking down the road by acquiring Ricky. His contract is more movable than James Johnson who was a 34 year old with an expiring contract. My speculation is that Ricky is tied to Toronto’s move of Lowry. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Danny Green (won championship with Toronto) and Rubio to the Raptors with Lowry going to the Sixers. Lowry downplayed his comments about being traded, which means he’s going somewhere he wants to be and Philly is home. Competing for a championship with your hometown team would be the ultimate high and just the fire Rivers would want from his PG. Add a 4th team and we get our PF. You heard it here 1st. Work your magic Gupta!

[NebWolvesFan]

I just want the Wolves to win some games, which is all you should want with a young team. Minnesota is the youngest team in the NBA and has battled injury and illness, so it shouldn't shock anyone that they are awful. I think if Minnesota finishes 2021-22 with a winning record, Finch will be a finalist for Coach of the Year.

I just really want to see Towns, Russell, and Beasley play together for a month. Not only has those three only played five games together, they weren't even five games in a row. They have had no chance to build any real chemistry. The closest they came was the at the beginning of the year. They played three preseason games and two regular season games together. And the fifth game was the Utah game. Damn, that feels like three years ago. I just want to see what this team will look like after a healthy April. They play 16 games in April. Do I think they could go 12-4 - of course not. Could they win six, seven or eight? Who knows. I want to see and quit speculating.

If Minnesota can acquire Gordon and Cunningham between now and the start of next season, and keep these players (Towns, Russell, Beasley, Edwards, McDaniels, and Reid), I could see them surpassing 40 wins - barring big injuries. That's about the best I could predict.

[Macwolf527]

I just want the Wolves to win some games, which is all you should want with a young team. Minnesota is the youngest team in the NBA and has battled injury and illness, so it shouldn't shock anyone that they are awful. I think if Minnesota finishes 2021-22 with a winning record, Finch will be a finalist for Coach of the Year.

I just really want to see Towns, Russell, and Beasley play together for a month. Not only has those three only played five games together, they weren't even five games in a row. They have had no chance to build any real chemistry. The closest they came was the at the beginning of the year. They played three preseason games and two regular season games together. And the fifth game was the Utah game. Damn, that feels like three years ago. I just want to see what this team will look like after a healthy April. They play 16 games in April. Do I think they could go 12-4 - of course not. Could they win six, seven or eight? Who knows. I want to see and quit speculating.

If Minnesota can acquire Gordon and Cunningham between now and the start of next season, and keep these players (Towns, Russell, Beasley, Edwards, McDaniels, and Reid), I could see them surpassing 40 wins - barring big injuries. That's about the best I could predict.

MONEY!!

[Klomp]

I just want the Wolves to win some games, which is all you should want with a young team. Minnesota is the youngest team in the NBA and has battled injury and illness, so it shouldn't shock anyone that they are awful. I think if Minnesota finishes 2021-22 with a winning record, Finch will be a finalist for Coach of the Year.

I just really want to see Towns, Russell, and Beasley play together for a month. Not only has those three only played five games together, they weren't even five games in a row. They have had no chance to build any real chemistry. The closest they came was the at the beginning of the year. They played three preseason games and two regular season games together. And the fifth game was the Utah game. Damn, that feels like three years ago. I just want to see what this team will look like after a healthy April. They play 16 games in April. Do I think they could go 12-4 - of course not. Could they win six, seven or eight? Who knows. I want to see and quit speculating.

If Minnesota can acquire Gordon and Cunningham between now and the start of next season, and keep these players (Towns, Russell, Beasley, Edwards, McDaniels, and Reid), I could see them surpassing 40 wins - barring big injuries. That's about the best I could predict.

Something I realized today...

The 40% shot (technically 40.1%) doesn't change if we finish with the second or third-worst record. It isn't until 4th that the odds drop to 36.6%. We just have to finish with a bottom-three record.

How important is that? Right now, there is a 3-game cushion between us and the No. 2 worst record. The gap between us and No. 4 is 6 games. Gives us extra breathing room to try to improve the roster in the second half without fear of necessarily hurting the lottery odds.

[Jedzz]

Am I the only one that wants to see this team with a healthy roster before blowing it up?

Yes you are. Weirdo.

Seriously though, you’re right. I don’t think we’ll see big changes at the deadline, but Rosas will have to do something.

I think Rubio gets traded.

I agree that Rubio gets traded. I never saw the fit anyway and I’m quite sure Rosas was thinking down the road by acquiring Ricky. His contract is more movable than James Johnson who was a 34 year old with an expiring contract. My speculation is that Ricky is tied to Toronto’s move of Lowry. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Danny Green (won championship with Toronto) and Rubio to the Raptors with Lowry going to the Sixers. Lowry downplayed his comments about being traded, which means he’s going somewhere he wants to be and Philly is home. Competing for a championship with your hometown team would be the ultimate high and just the fire Rivers would want from his PG. Add a 4th team and we get our PF. You heard it here 1st. Work your magic Gupta!

I agree with this way of thinking.

[Jedzz]

I just want the Wolves to win some games, which is all you should want with a young team. Minnesota is the youngest team in the NBA and has battled injury and illness, so it shouldn't shock anyone that they are awful. I think if Minnesota finishes 2021-22 with a winning record, Finch will be a finalist for Coach of the Year.

I just really want to see Towns, Russell, and Beasley play together for a month. Not only has those three only played five games together, they weren't even five games in a row. They have had no chance to build any real chemistry. The closest they came was the at the beginning of the year. They played three preseason games and two regular season games together. And the fifth game was the Utah game. Damn, that feels like three years ago. I just want to see what this team will look like after a healthy April. They play 16 games in April. Do I think they could go 12-4 - of course not. Could they win six, seven or eight? Who knows. I want to see and quit speculating.

If Minnesota can acquire Gordon and Cunningham between now and the start of next season, and keep these players (Towns, Russell, Beasley, Edwards, McDaniels, and Reid), I could see them surpassing 40 wins - barring big injuries. That's about the best I could predict.

Something I realized today...

The 40% shot (technically 40.1%) doesn't change if we finish with the second or third-worst record. It isn't until 4th that the odds drop to 36.6%. We just have to finish with a bottom-three record.

How important is that? Right now, there is a 3-game cushion between us and the No. 2 worst record. The gap between us and No. 4 is 6 games. Gives us extra breathing room to try to improve the roster in the second half without fear of necessarily hurting the lottery odds.

In any of the three places the chances are higher of 4th or worse than it is staying in top 3.

If someone was aiming to have the 5th pick, they would be really happy having the #1 worst record, because they would have the highest chances of getting the 5th pick. 47.9% chance of it working out for them getting 5th or a 59.9% chance of landing 4th or 5th.

That's really similar to say a team finishing 9th worst record having the best chance at staying at the 9th pick with 50.7%. You expect them to stay at 9th with very low chances of moving.

Seems like a pretty good chance at least two of the 3 worst records drop to 4th and 5th or worse if not all three. But, sure those three have the slightly highest chances at those top 3 picks. Tankers might not be happy this year.

To that I would usually say, who cares! Because in the top 3 hyped choices there often seems to be two sucker plays, and players like Steph going 7th, Haliburton going 12th, Lavine/Herro/Kobe's etc going 13th, Giannis 15th, Butler 30th Just find a real player at where ever you pick.

The problem is, they lose the pick if it ends up 4-6 and right now that range holds the highest cumulative chance over staying 1-3. The dumbest team does not dissapoint expectations as they race for last place. To this I say who cares! Because then they at least keep the 2022 pick and I get to watch all the annual tank beggers weep over not having a FRP to get excited for this year. Finally it would bite them in the keister for once.

[Norseman79]

I think the best answer is yes, but it depends if you want short-term success or long-term success, and if you mean rings or playoffs.

Trade for Gordon and Collins. Max Collins and hope to resign Gordon. With remotely competent coaching you are a playoff team. You will gut the bench and eliminate youth, but you will be good in the short-term.

[Jedzz]

I think the best answer is yes, but it depends if you want short-term success or long-term success, and if you mean rings or playoffs.

Trade for Gordon and Collins. Max Collins and hope to resign Gordon. With remotely competent coaching you are a playoff team. You will gut the bench and eliminate youth, but you will be good in the short-term.

Gordon and Collins? Who all are you trading out in this scenario? What's left? I don't max Collins unless I'm a team with no maxes at all or a team with a max slot with that single hole to fill to guarantee a trip.

[Krapinsky]

How can we build this roster in the next year? I want to hear ideas including: losing our pick next year and retaining our pick next year. I don't see enough tradeable assets myself if we lose our pick. Someone help me stay positive!

I think there is a scenario in which we could trade all of our young players for veteran role players who compliment Towns and Russell. It would be painful because it would mean moving on from McDaniels and Edwards at the very least.

How about MIN-MEM: Culver + Layman + 2nd for Kyle Anderson?

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ycxbwrao

How about a three teamer with MIN-DET-TOR: McDaniels + Beasley + McCaw (exp.) going to Detroit, Rubio going to Toronto, Powell and Grant going to MIN?

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y7pxrs4p

How about MIN-HOU: Edwards + Okogie + Juancho for Christian Wood + PJ Tucker + future Brooklyn first?

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=y7gqo353

Russell/McLaughlin
Powell/Nowell
Grant/Anderson
Wood/Tucker/Vanderbilt
Towns/Reid