Thoughts on an Ideal, semi-realistic roster setup for next season.

[Calinks]

I've been thinking about how we can get a playoff team together next season and my thoughts have changed a bit over the last couple of months. Right now I think this is my ideal setup we could enter into next season with.

I'm assuming we don't get the pick, if we do this would obviously change out options.

I think we have a bench problem, it needs some more firepower. I don't think it's realistic to see DLO come off the bench next season.I haven't liked the idea of bringing Beasley off the bench either but I think it's a lot more possible now with the evolution of Edwards and how big a role Beasley could have off the bench.

Basely would be a nice shot in the arm to the bench but I think it still needs another good player who can score consistently and hopefully create their shot.

As for the starters, I think Dlo, Ant, KAT are good locks but we need another veteran big, preferably a rim protector, defender, rebounder type. Would like this player to be a high-level guy, and that would be hard to find but I think that's an ideal missing piece. Someone to take pressure off of KAT and someone who can really hurt teams with their presence.

Then we need a defensive SF who can shoot, Jaden might be able to fit this role next season. I think Jaden, KAT, and a good defensive big would be really a really solid defense frontline. Dlo and Ant would be problematic but I think they could keep it together enough to not kill us every night.

As for the bench I like some of our pieces. Naz is a good backup, Beasley could be instant offense. Jmac has fallen off this season but he may be good enough to get backup PG minutes next season, if he plays like he did last year, he would be good here. We still need a good PF and SF. Okogie could maybe get some spot minutes here at the 3 but I'd like to get another vet, a solid two-way guy to take one of these two spots.

Beyond that we fill out the rest of the roster with role guys. Basically, I think we need two good vets, move Beasley to the bench to provide some more umpf. We put something like that together I think we can be a playoff team barring injuries. Even if a guy does go down for some time like KAT, our new defensive big could hopefully pick up a lot of the slack (rebounding, defense) and it won't be so bad.

[Worm Guts]

I’d like to think Towns, Russell and Edwards can carry us offensively and we just need to add toughness, defense and ideally some shooting around them. We definitely need some interior defense.

[Note30]

Edwards and Towns could carry us offensively, add Beasley off the bench and we're good. Where we are wanting is defense and the guard spot and big spot.

I don't see how we can cover for Towns and Edwards without 3 plus defenders in the same lineup.

[Note30]

I don't know why there is such a focus on us being good offensively. We're average/middling at the moment and that's with significant injuries to our best players.

If we improved our defense we would be a force.

[Mcfale313]

Starter:

C. Towns
PF. McDaniels
SF. Cunningham
SG. Edwards
PG. Russell

Bench rotation:
6thman: Beasley
Backup PG: Rubio
Backup wing/big: Vando/Reid

Injury sub: Nowell/Hernagomez

[Baseline81]

What do folks think about trading for Horford?

I know he's overpaid ($27M in 2022 and $26.5M in 2023), but could he help defensively in the frontcourt? I honestly haven't followed him since his move to OKC.

Obviously, Rubio would need to be involved in such a trade.

[Calinks]

I think offense is still an issue, mainly shooting. We need more knock-down guys but I also think we need offense from the bench. Right now the bench isn't that potent. We have a chance to be fairly deep if we can shore up a couple of areas.

[Worm Guts]

I think offense is still an issue, mainly shooting. We need more knock-down guys but I also think we need offense from the bench. Right now the bench isn't that potent. We have a chance to be fairly deep if we can shore up a couple of areas.

I don’t know then. We pretty much need to trade Dlo. Three top offensive guys should be able to carry the team. Dlo is taking up too much cap if he’s not one of those guys. We can’t really afford to add more.

[shrink]

Personally, I don’t think another bench scorer is the problem. I think we need better defense from both the starters and reserves.

With a young team, hopefully some of this will come from internal development, but I think we also need some defense right now.

I like that you’re looking at the team without assuming the pick. Nearly all of other threads like this give us a huge push by winning a top three pick. That’s fun to think about , but it’s unlikely, so I prefer threads like this.

[old school 34]

Personally, I don’t think another bench scorer is the problem. I think we need better defense from both the starters and reserves.

With a young team, hopefully some of this will come from internal development, but I think we also need some defense right now.

I like that you’re looking at the team without assuming the pick. Nearly all of other threads like this give us a huge push by winning a top three pick. That’s fun to think about , but it’s unlikely, so I prefer threads like this.

I enjoy these type of threads, but I think the plan has to have contingencies right....while the draft pick mathematically is unlikely...it still very much drives which way we go...a top 3 pick makes the next move significantly less complicated. Second, while we've seen Finch do a great job getting the players to buy into roles....we need to be 100% confident that Beasley would buy into 6th man...his shooting is critically important to this team, but moving him back into the SL would mean taking DLo or Ant out...don't know we can get out of that box as easily? But after you know those two things for certain....that helps figure out the 2 primary goals for next offseason--1) who's the 5th starter (Cunningham or a big), & 2) who best compliments your 2nd unit core (Naz & Beasley hopefully).

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[ClarkeW]

After giving it some thought, I think that the most realistic acquisition we could make to improve this team next year is Richaun Holmes. He’s a do-it-all big man who could play next to Towns and take on some of the dirty work for him. Can’t shoot threes, but would do well in a lineup with guys who can (Towns, D’Lo, Ant, McDaniels).

Would probably necessitate some sort of sign and trade situation with Sacramento to get him. I’m guessing he signs a 3-4 year deal in the $12M-$15M per year range, so to match salaries somewhat we’d probably need to send Beasley or Rubio. Maybe in a best case scenario it could be Culver & Hernangomez? I’m not really sure who would have the leverage in those trade negotiations.

Starting to veer into unrealistic territory here, but if you could get Holmes without giving up a major asset and keep the pick, our lineup could look something like this...

PG: D’Angelo Russell / Ricky Rubio
SG: Anthony Edwards / Malik Beasley
SF: Cade Cunningham / Josh Okogie
PF: Richaun Holmes / Jaden McDaniels
C: Karl-Anthony Towns / Naz Reid

Okay, I know I’ve lost track of the point of the thread. But damn, I would be excited to see that lineup play games for us next year. We’re only two players away from making it happen. Everybody just cross your fingers and believe haha.

[Klomp]

I think we have a bench problem, it needs some more firepower. I don't think it's realistic to see DLO come off the bench next season.I haven't liked the idea of bringing Beasley off the bench either but I think it's a lot more possible now with the evolution of Edwards and how big a role Beasley could have off the bench.

Basely would be a nice shot in the arm to the bench but I think it still needs another good player who can score consistently and hopefully create their shot.

Seeing the team less reliant on Beasley's skill set makes me think a trade is more likely than I thought at the deadline. It was important for Saunders, but less so for Finch I think.

[Dewey]

1. We need to find a legit team leader.

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2. Defense ... soft as charmin - need serious help
3. Move Beasley and/or DLo

[minimus]

1) basketball Gods appreciate our decision not to tank: gives us #3 pick. We draft Suggs
2) trade

MIN IN: Baynes, Aminu
MIN OUT: Rubio, Culver

CHI IN: Rubio, Culver
CHI OUT: Aminu, Sato

TOR IN: Sato
TOR OUT: Baynes

Why for MIN? Create some room both in terms of playing time and cap room. Get defensive minded veteran bigs
Why for CHI? Bring a true PG, go in win-now mode with LaVine and Vucevic, get defensive-minded prospect in Culver
Why for TOR? Get a stop gap insurance at PG if Lowry leaves

3) trade Juancho for late 2nd round pick
4) sign Torrey Craig for 6mil/2yrs deal
5) re-sign Vando for Hinkie deal

KAT/Naz/Baynes
McDaniels/Vando/Aminu
Okogie/Craig/Layman
Edwards/Beasley/Nowell
DLo/Suggs/Bolmaro

The main ideas behind this roster are following:

1) there is no available PF on the market for our assets (Rubio, Beasley, Culver, FRP). We wont be able to fix PF/SF position via trade. We should prioritize development of young players such as McDaniels, Vando, Reid
2) McDaniels-Okogie pairing in defense looked good in a few games after ASB. It might work against smallball lineups, while Vando-Reid at PF might be temporary solution against heavy frontcourts
3) KAT-Edwards-DLo trio should be enough for top-10 offense with first unit. Reid-Beasley-Suggs should form decent scoring punch as a bench unit.
4) Aminu and Craig are helping to develop a defensive consistence. Both playing behind young players, providing mentoring. Baynes provide some physicality
5) Rosas vision of having multiple ballhandlers is one of implementation of space&pace concept, when ability to control tempo, efficient use of shooters and multiple PoAs can make difference. Current combination of ballhandlers Edwards-DLo-Rubio-McLaughlin-Nowell is not ideal, but I see Suggs as an ideal candidate to make two head PGs lineups work. He is a good defender, has size, athleticism, slashing, shooting and passing ability. He should fit seamlessly next to shooters such as DLo and KAT and create dynamic backcourt with Edwards. DLo-Edwards-Suggs-Bolmaro-Nowell backcourt have good potential in defense, leadership. It definitely has more size, more athletecism than current backcourt.

[jpatrick]

The name that’s come up a bunch is Myles Turner. Went to the Pacers Digest forum, much more active than their forum here. They expect him to be traded and not for a bunch either.

The problem. The toe injury that sidelined him generally requires surgery with a six month recovery time. Plus, there tends to be long lasting soreness, even after recovery. Blake Griffin apparently had similar surgery a couple years ago. I haven’t seen any reports that Turner has even undergone surgery yet.

Okay, most of the above is from an Indy Star article interviewing a surgeon that never examined Turner, so it’s possible the injury isn’t that bad. But a seven footer that was never that mobile to begin with having a chronic foot injury. Scary stuff.

[Klomp]

The name that’s come up a bunch is Myles Turner. Went to the Pacers Digest forum, much more active than their forum here. They expect him to be traded and not for a bunch either.

The problem. The toe injury that sidelined him generally requires surgery with a six month recovery time. Plus, there tends to be long lasting soreness, even after recovery. Blake Griffin apparently had similar surgery a couple years ago. I haven’t seen any reports that Turner has even undergone surgery yet.

Okay, most of the above is from an Indy Star article interviewing a surgeon that never examined Turner, so it’s possible the injury isn’t that bad. But a seven footer that was never that mobile to begin with having a chronic foot injury. Scary stuff.

I definitely want to monitor the Pacers situation.

[TaylorTag]

If we are to run it back with this crew, but with a couple of additions, don’t we have to clear cap? The only players that I can see be expendable is Rubio and Culver (and maybe Hernangomez, but not sure how much of a market there is for him)..

Who is trading for Rubio and/or Culver?

Feel like Wolves fans have to start there before projecting the roster..

Note: if I am wrong about our cap situation, for real please let me know — curious if there is a way we can keep Rubio without us triggering the luxury tax

[Klomp]

Note: if I am wrong about our cap situation, for real please let me know — curious if there is a way we can keep Rubio without us triggering the luxury tax

First of all, let's start here:

Read on Twitter

We go into free agency with 10 players on guaranteed contracts, two nonguaranteed contracts, and two players due qualifying offers. Those 14 players altogether total $135,014,758.

[Neeva]

If we are to run it back with this crew, but with a couple of additions, don’t we have to clear cap? The only players that I can see be expendable is Rubio and Culver (and maybe Hernangomez, but not sure how much of a market there is for him)..

Who is trading for Rubio and/or Culver?

Feel like Wolves fans have to start there before projecting the roster..

Note: if I am wrong about our cap situation, for real please let me know — curious if there is a way we can keep Rubio without us triggering the luxury tax

The Bulls will be a desperate team that could use Rubio/Culver also the Raptors seem to be interested in Rubio especially if they lose Lowry.

[Calinks]

The name that’s come up a bunch is Myles Turner. Went to the Pacers Digest forum, much more active than their forum here. They expect him to be traded and not for a bunch either.

The problem. The toe injury that sidelined him generally requires surgery with a six month recovery time. Plus, there tends to be long lasting soreness, even after recovery. Blake Griffin apparently had similar surgery a couple years ago. I haven’t seen any reports that Turner has even undergone surgery yet.

Okay, most of the above is from an Indy Star article interviewing a surgeon that never examined Turner, so it’s possible the injury isn’t that bad. But a seven footer that was never that mobile to begin with having a chronic foot injury. Scary stuff.

Myles would be a big time target just don't know how we get him. If he has to have surgery or whatever I don't care, get him. I think Myles alone would really push us into playoff contention. We would be covered 3-5 on the defensive end.

Moneywise it would be complicated but I'd also even look into Stenen Adams. He has had a down season but I think he would be nice next to Towns. He's also only 27 so though he seems kind of washed up, he shouldn't be at all physically.

If we do get the pick that dramatically altes rour options.