Wolves sign Vanderbilt (3/$14 million)

[RiRuHoops]

So another offseason coming to an end and Rosas still got no starting PF ? wtf

[gandlogo]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here that I recall from when we first acquired Vando. IIRC he was a superb passer for a big or am I not recalling this correctly? Does he have decent passing/facilitating skills for a big?

I don’t remember that as part of the scouting report when the Wolves acquired him, but he did show that ability in the G League. I think he even had a triple-double. He certainly hasn’t shown that in the NBA. His rebounding at all levels has been as advertised, however.

Triple doubles by your PF aren't supposed to happen. He may have excellent passing skills, but not getting the opportunity to display them at the NBA level.

It was the G League - which is substantially different than the NBA - and it was one game. For the season he averaged 3.6 assists, which was solid. He’s no Yinka Dare, but he seems to be nothing more than a league average passer.

[wolves_89]

I'm somewhat excited to see what Vanderbilt can develop into over the next couple of years. This will be his age 22 season and he only has a bit over 1200 NBA minutes played, so there is every reason to expect that he still has a lot of room for growth. He's already a top end defender and rebounder, so if he can add a bit to his offensive game he could be an extremely valuable rotation piece.

One thing I would really love to see is a McDaniels, Simmons, and Vanderbilt front line on the court together. The defense, switchability, and athleticism would be incredible.

[Klomp]

I'm somewhat excited to see what Vanderbilt can develop into over the next couple of years. This will be his age 22 season and he only has a bit over 1200 NBA minutes played, so there is every reason to expect that he still has a lot of room for growth. He's already a top end defender and rebounder, so if he can add a bit to his offensive game he could be an extremely valuable rotation piece.

No matter how active Vanderbilt was on the court, he can’t help but think back to a six-month period in 2018 in which he had surgeries on both feet, essentially immobilizing him through his draft process and pushing him down the NBA Draft board until the Denver Nuggets pulled off a draft night trade to grab him in the second round.

“I reflect on it all the time,” Vanderbilt told The Athletic. “I’m just grateful for being in this position. To play a full healthy season; the last time I played a healthy season was my sophomore year of high school.”

https://theathletic.com/2585144/2021/05/17/from-all-american-to-the-g-league-and-back-jarred-vanderbilts-long-road-of-resilience/

Through it all, he was a 5-star recruit and a Top 20 recruit in his class.

[Nick K]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here that I recall from when we first acquired Vando. IIRC he was a superb passer for a big or am I not recalling this correctly? Does he have decent passing/facilitating skills for a big?

I loved Vando coming out of KY. I never saw him as a great passer though. He could sure run the floor though. Early last year he had trouble dribbling, passing, shooting, and holding on to the ball. Maybe the game was too fast for him. But late in the year he made big strides in all areas. Sometimes guys just need more time.

I really like him. His energy is off the charts. If he continues to improve he'll be really good. Obviously he needs to put on a few pounds of muscle.

The coaches love him and so do his team mates. I have high hopes.

I like our team just as it is. Simmons could be a great supporting piece though if we don't mortgage the farm to get him.

[karch34]

This isn’t an unreasonable number for a back up big, and it’s a number that Vanderbilt can easily grow into, if he isn’t there already.

My question: At this point, who were we bidding against? If Rosas offered him $10 mil, was he going to say no?

Great question. No he wouldn’t say no because his RFA status prevented any team from going toomheavy. But I think going a little over at a cost that doesn’t hurt us, helps our image from the point of he wasn’t forced to take the lowest or near lowest deal. A little good will and slight concession saves face for both and that has positive vibes in a lot of areas. He gets more than minimum and Wolves show they aren’t trying to lowball players they like just because they can. Culture isn’t just on the court it’s everything you do. I think bigger picture it helps a lot more for perception than it hurts on balance sheet. Could blow up in our face but the idea is one I can get behind.

[Note30]

So another offseason coming to an end and Rosas still got no starting PF ? wtf

If he gets Simmons without giving up McDaniels or DLo, he'll have done well.

Simmons, Vando, Nathan Knight

Huge if tho.

[Krapinsky]

So another offseason coming to an end and Rosas still got no starting PF ? wtf

If we don’t get Simmons I expect to hear Collins to MN rumors at the deadline.

[KGdaBom]

They closed the thread about he who shall not be named, but now he continues to be named in other threads.

[shangrila]

So another offseason coming to an end and Rosas still got no starting PF ? wtf

If we don’t get Simmons I expect to hear Collins to MN rumors at the deadline.

I’d expect those “rumours” too, although there’d be no legs to them.

We just do t have enough for these guys. Simmons is unique in that he’s tanked his value so we might be able to get him for our hodge podge assortment. Other guys? Not so sure.

[Klomp]

Read on Twitter

[Klomp]

This kid was the No. 4 recruit in his class going into his junior season of high school. He has the ability, if he can just stay healthy. Of course, it's not a guarantee, but he's proven that his skills can translate to the NBA.

[younggunsmn]

I'm not a huge fan of 23 win teams handing out multiyear contracts to the guys at the end of their bench.
And in this case it puts us so close to the lux we can't even take a chance on a guy from the G-League or waiver wire, severely limiting our flexibility. Yet another sunk opportunity cost of poor cap management. Those 14th and 15th roster spots should be considered audtion spots you run players through until you find a piece that fits.
Where are we finding the next Trenton Hassell or Fred Hoiberg if we can't even tell an agent with a straight face we'd like to bring in his guy for a tryout.

Vanderbilt is a nice player, but his offensive limitations are glaringly obvious and I would not have given him 4 mil a year under the circumstances.
If he signs the QO, great. If not, you do the job they are paying you the big bucks for and go scout for a replacement.
Handing out multiyear deals to replacement level talent is the hallmark of perennial losers.
Maybe he'll outplay it, but more likely this is another Jake Layman deal.
Everybody talks about the big albatrosses, but we also started the offseason with ~20 million in overpaid bench fodder.

[Klomp]

I'm not a huge fan of 23 win teams handing out multiyear contracts to the guys at the end of their bench.
And in this case it puts us so close to the lux we can't even take a chance on a guy from the G-League or waiver wire, severely limiting our flexibility. Yet another sunk opportunity cost of poor cap management. Those 14th and 15th roster spots should be considered audtion spots you run players through until you find a piece that fits.
Where are we finding the next Trenton Hassell or Fred Hoiberg if we can't even tell an agent with a straight face we'd like to bring in his guy for a tryout.

Vanderbilt is a nice player, but his offensive limitations are glaringly obvious and I would not have given him 4 mil a year under the circumstances.
If he signs the QO, great. If not, you do the job they are paying you the big bucks for and go scout for a replacement.
Handing out multiyear deals to replacement level talent is the hallmark of perennial losers.
Maybe he'll outplay it, but more likely this is another Jake Layman deal.
Everybody talks about the big albatrosses, but we also started the offseason with ~20 million in overpaid bench fodder.

Not sure why it's assumed he's an end-of-roster guy....

[KGdaBom]

I'm not a huge fan of 23 win teams handing out multiyear contracts to the guys at the end of their bench.
And in this case it puts us so close to the lux we can't even take a chance on a guy from the G-League or waiver wire, severely limiting our flexibility. Yet another sunk opportunity cost of poor cap management. Those 14th and 15th roster spots should be considered audtion spots you run players through until you find a piece that fits.
Where are we finding the next Trenton Hassell or Fred Hoiberg if we can't even tell an agent with a straight face we'd like to bring in his guy for a tryout.

Vanderbilt is a nice player, but his offensive limitations are glaringly obvious and I would not have given him 4 mil a year under the circumstances.
If he signs the QO, great. If not, you do the job they are paying you the big bucks for and go scout for a replacement.
Handing out multiyear deals to replacement level talent is the hallmark of perennial losers.
Maybe he'll outplay it, but more likely this is another Jake Layman deal.
Everybody talks about the big albatrosses, but we also started the offseason with ~20 million in overpaid bench fodder.

Not sure why it's assumed he's an end-of-roster guy....

Without question not an end of the bench guy. A rotation guy and possible starter.

[old school 34]

I completely get how Vando's agent was pushing for say a Juancho type of deal. I'm glad they resigned him & think the # is extremely fair & if it leans anyway...it's more team friendly vs an overpay. For those that say it's an overpay....can you shoot out some examples of pf's...not just on rookie deals for less than say the 4.5 mil per that are significantly better...also, exclude I guess the ring chasing vet that signs a minimum deal with a contender (we don't get those benefits yet).

Not saying he's our answer, but he's also I think being paid about right...where there's some win win on both sides?

That said, the days of being an rfa is getting extremely tough....the blueprint is out there...if your not a starter or high end 6th man type....you're going to get squeezed borderline unfairly as the player....the days of Crabbe deals & now even the Tyus deals aren't working out well enough for teams to go there. Bench RFAs are just at the mercy of the rules & will just continue to get squeezed just to the point that they don't take the qualifying. Next up, Naz, Nowell, & Okogie all better take notice....guys can get upset...but best to just prepare for the reality.

Sent from my SM-G973U using RealGM mobile app

[shangrila]

I'm not a huge fan of 23 win teams handing out multiyear contracts to the guys at the end of their bench.
And in this case it puts us so close to the lux we can't even take a chance on a guy from the G-League or waiver wire, severely limiting our flexibility. Yet another sunk opportunity cost of poor cap management. Those 14th and 15th roster spots should be considered audtion spots you run players through until you find a piece that fits.
Where are we finding the next Trenton Hassell or Fred Hoiberg if we can't even tell an agent with a straight face we'd like to bring in his guy for a tryout.

Vanderbilt is a nice player, but his offensive limitations are glaringly obvious and I would not have given him 4 mil a year under the circumstances.
If he signs the QO, great. If not, you do the job they are paying you the big bucks for and go scout for a replacement.
Handing out multiyear deals to replacement level talent is the hallmark of perennial losers.
Maybe he'll outplay it, but more likely this is another Jake Layman deal.
Everybody talks about the big albatrosses, but we also started the offseason with ~20 million in overpaid bench fodder.

What?

[Klomp]

Something that's kinda crazy to think about.....

Jarred Vanderbilt is six months younger than rookie two-way player McKinley Wright.

[Nick K]

I'm not a huge fan of 23 win teams handing out multiyear contracts to the guys at the end of their bench.
And in this case it puts us so close to the lux we can't even take a chance on a guy from the G-League or waiver wire, severely limiting our flexibility. Yet another sunk opportunity cost of poor cap management. Those 14th and 15th roster spots should be considered audtion spots you run players through until you find a piece that fits.
Where are we finding the next Trenton Hassell or Fred Hoiberg if we can't even tell an agent with a straight face we'd like to bring in his guy for a tryout.

Vanderbilt is a nice player, but his offensive limitations are glaringly obvious and I would not have given him 4 mil a year under the circumstances.
If he signs the QO, great. If not, you do the job they are paying you the big bucks for and go scout for a replacement.
Handing out multiyear deals to replacement level talent is the hallmark of perennial losers.
Maybe he'll outplay it, but more likely this is another Jake Layman deal.
Everybody talks about the big albatrosses, but we also started the offseason with ~20 million in overpaid bench fodder.

I disagree. They are paying Vando 4 mil per year which is a super cheap in today's NBA. He may end up a starter!

The Wolves are not paying him for his offensive prowess either. Vando gives the team what they don't get from other players. Did the Bulls sign Rodman for his offensive prowess? No he's not Rodman. I hope you get the gist.

Also, you have to leave room for him to improve offensively. He showed signs late last year. He just needs minutes. Signing guys with potential to cheap contracts is the sign of a winner. Rosas seems to make one good move after another.

I questioned the Ricky trade initially but all things considered it was a great move that allowed us to sign Vando, Bolmaro and JMc. Rosas is on the ball for sure. Best pobo we've ever had by far. Not a high bar though.

[Klomp]

So another offseason coming to an end and Rosas still got no starting PF ? wtf

The guy many Wolves fans went goo-goo, gah-gah over was Larry Nance Jr, a guy who has career-best years of 10/7 or 9/8. His best per36 season was 14.5/11.5.

Last year at age 21, Vanderbilt averaged 10.9/11.5 per36. Not that far off.

Now factor in that Nance cost a 1st to acquire his $10m salary, while Vanderbilt will make 40% of that and didn't cost a 1st.