Okogie’s future on the Wolves

[TaylorTag]

He’s entering a pivotal year of his career and does not appear to be in the top 9 of the rotation.

With him set to be an RFA this off-season and a $4M cap hit this season, Okogie is also an interesting trade piece potentially. The Vanderbilt signing was all about adding a defensive force to our roster. With Vando playing a position we lack and Okogie playing positions we are relatively deep, would Gupta try to explore a trade involving Okogie?

Josh is a solid dude. He is great for the community, so
I wouldn’t mind offering him a long term deal that gives him security, but it would have to be at the right price.

In the meantime, he is one of the few players who might net us something positive in return in a trade deal

[Irishniner]

If he could shoot the 3 at 36-37% + he's going o earn a lot of money cos his defense combined with a decent shot he can play for any team. Without the shot he's not worth much though. If he hasn't the shot he might not feature much in our rotation.

[Klomp]

He’s entering a pivotal year of his career and does not appear to be in the top 9 of the rotation.

With his team option next year and a $4M salary, Okogie is also an interesting trade piece potentially. The Vanderbilt signing was all about adding a defensive force to our roster. With Vando playing a position we lack and Okogie playing positions we are relatively deep, would Gupta try to explore a trade involving Okogie?

Josh is a solid dude. He is great for the community, so
I wouldn’t mind offering him a long term deal that gives him security, but it would have to be at the right price.

In the meantime, he is one of the few players who might net us something positive in return in a trade deal

He doesn't have any team options left. Unless we decided to extend him (unlikely), he will be a restricted free agent next summer.

[TaylorTag]

He’s entering a pivotal year of his career and does not appear to be in the top 9 of the rotation.

With his team option next year and a $4M salary, Okogie is also an interesting trade piece potentially. The Vanderbilt signing was all about adding a defensive force to our roster. With Vando playing a position we lack and Okogie playing positions we are relatively deep, would Gupta try to explore a trade involving Okogie?

Josh is a solid dude. He is great for the community, so
I wouldn’t mind offering him a long term deal that gives him security, but it would have to be at the right price.

In the meantime, he is one of the few players who might net us something positive in return in a trade deal

He doesn't have any team options left. Unless we decided to extend him (unlikely), he will be a restricted free agent next summer.

Thanks for the clarification. Will update OP

[Dalvin]

He's the heir apparent to Gorgui Dieng. Great character guy, good for the community type of guy that's been with the 'Wolves since they were drafted. I hope he gets a deal in the right price so he can stay and people won't be itching to trade him away 'cause of his contract.

[winforlose]

People don’t seem to appreciate how much JO improved his inside game in the last 2 years. That tells me with the proper coaching and time he can improve his jump shooting. Even at 33% from distance he would be extremely dangerous. We need to re-sign him and let him develop (help him fix his shot.) I mean for gosh sakes he’s only 23.

[shangrila]

He’s entering a pivotal year of his career and does not appear to be in the top 9 of the rotation.

With his team option next year and a $4M salary, Okogie is also an interesting trade piece potentially. The Vanderbilt signing was all about adding a defensive force to our roster. With Vando playing a position we lack and Okogie playing positions we are relatively deep, would Gupta try to explore a trade involving Okogie?

Josh is a solid dude. He is great for the community, so
I wouldn’t mind offering him a long term deal that gives him security, but it would have to be at the right price.

In the meantime, he is one of the few players who might net us something positive in return in a trade deal

He doesn't have any team options left. Unless we decided to extend him (unlikely), he will be a restricted free agent next summer.

Unless he took the QO this year he'll be restricted next season (assuming we give him the QO then).

[Merc_Porto]

At this point i would try to keep the dream team we have. I wouldn’t trade Okogie for Simmons straight up either.

[FinnTheHuman]

People don’t seem to appreciate how much JO improved his inside game in the last 2 years. That tells me with the proper coaching and time he can improve his jump shooting. Even at 33% from distance he would be extremely dangerous. We need to re-sign him and let him develop (help him fix his shot.) I mean for gosh sakes he’s only 23.

I’m sorry but his efficiency is awful, so no, he didn’t improve, he actually regressed. He has tunnel vision when he attacks, it’s just straight line drives, and he just gets himself trapped in bad positions too many times.

He doesn’t have a 3pt shot and he doesn’t have a good inside game, he only has defense right now, and even there it’s only an energetic man defense, he’s not a standout team defender.

If he comes out with a 36% 3pt shot, then there’s a world where we keep him, otherwise he’s just not good enough.

I wonder why we have these awful seasons year after year if everybody’s so good. People have high hopes even for Layman after everything. Sorry, no.

And to the other poster who said he’s a high character guy: I didn’t like Okogie defending Vando from that journalist’s criticism of Vando’s shot, simply stating a fact that shots ain’t falling despite better mechanics. That screams comfort zone and insecurity, not high character.

[Dewey]

People don’t seem to appreciate how much JO improved his inside game in the last 2 years. That tells me with the proper coaching and time he can improve his jump shooting. Even at 33% from distance he would be extremely dangerous. We need to re-sign him and let him develop (help him fix his shot.) I mean for gosh sakes he’s only 23.

He is a great character guy, great team guy, but let’s be realistic - This is the NBA … shoot-pass-dribble with shooting being key. If he came into the league unable to shoot and still remains a non-threat, it could be time to cut the cord. If we wait 2-3 years more for him to maybe? get a 3-pt shot, how many more alternative options do we let pass by? IDK- Something to consider. It’s like having money invested in a certain stock that’s flat, others making bank… do you or when do you make a change?

[shrink]

I hate to say it, but if he hasn’t developed a much-needed three point shot by now, I just don’t think it’s coming.

He was Town’s closest friend before DLo got here, but I don’t think there is any rush to re-sign him. The team has too many one-way players. Without a three point shot, my guess is that if we made him an offer next year, it’s around the $3-4 mil range - but it’s likely he’d not back next year, and we use the slot for a player that has a higher ceiling.

[Klomp]

I hate to say it, but if he hasn’t developed a much-needed three point shot by now, I just don’t think it’s coming.

He was Town’s closest friend before DLo got here, but I don’t think there is any rush to re-sign him. The team has too many one-way players. Without a three point shot, my guess is that if we made him an offer next year, it’s around the $3-4 mil range - but it’s likely he’d not back next year, and we use the slot for a player that has a higher ceiling.

This is what I'm thinking too. I'd cap him at around a Layman contract.

[beezy]

The answer to Okogie's future? Not much. Enjoy him this year.

[Krapinsky]

Beverly makes Okogie expendable so long as he is on the team. I’ve always thought Okogie would flourish with a defined consistent role but coaching changes, injuries, and ever changing rotations have prevented that from happening. I do think he will be a 33% 3-point shooter this year.

[minimus]

It will be intersting to see how Gupta will manage this situation with Okogie extension. I hear a lot of critism of Rosas, but to be honest when he took this organisation with multiple bad contracts (Wiggins, Teague, Dieng) and only one good trading asset in RoCo. As he left organisation, MIN roster have multiple promising young players on rookie contracts (Bolmaro, Edwards, MCD), multiple young players on team friendly deals with team options (Vando, Beasley, Reid, Nowell, McLaughlin), two veterans on expiring deals (Prince, Beverly), two leaders who are eligible for extension next offseason (Towns, Russell???). Obviously there were misses such as Culver draft and Juancho deal, but we got Beverly in return.

I hope Gupta will continue this trend: he will negotiate new deals with players agent, signing team friendly deals. With regard to Okogie I believe they will wait and let the market define his value. Right now he is one of the worst shooters in NBA at his position, he is 9-10th player in rotation after Reid, Prince, Beasley, Beverly. I highly doubt they will re-sign him now, unless it is super cheap deal.

[Nick K]

At this point i would try to keep the dream team we have. I wouldn’t trade Okogie for Simmons straight up either.

[Nick K]

I was all for us drafting JO. He shot the 3 fairly well in college. Since the draft he's been a big disappointment.

JO has made a career out of one James Harden block. The guy tries hard but he's a mistake waiting to happen, plays out of control, and can't shoot a lick. The only reason we continue to keep him is we can't trade him. Nobody wants him.

I'd much rather have his roster spot for someone to develop.

[NebWolvesFan]

Okogie is right up there with Beasley as guys who will get traded this season. Everything the Wolves need JO to do, Beverley can do. When the season ends, Bolmaro will be ready to do what JO can do as a perimeter defender. Both Pat Bev and Bolmaro are way better shooters than Okogie. I like Okogie, but the Wolves made moves to replace him. He won't finish the year in Minnesota. Hopefully, Minnesota can get a good return.

[winforlose]

People don’t seem to appreciate how much JO improved his inside game in the last 2 years. That tells me with the proper coaching and time he can improve his jump shooting. Even at 33% from distance he would be extremely dangerous. We need to re-sign him and let him develop (help him fix his shot.) I mean for gosh sakes he’s only 23.

He is a great character guy, great team guy, but let’s be realistic - This is the NBA … shoot-pass-dribble with shooting being key. If he came into the league unable to shoot and still remains a non-threat, it could be time to cut the cord. If we wait 2-3 years more for him to maybe? get a 3-pt shot, how many more alternative options do we let pass by? IDK- Something to consider. It’s like having money invested in a certain stock that’s flat, others making bank… do you or when do you make a change?

Your point is well taken. That said, I just don’t think you are taking the whole picture into account. For example, Okogie’s numbers under Finch vs Ryan when Finch let him play at the elbow and cut rather than parking him in the corner and making him Chuck 3s. Also JO is one of (perhaps the best on the team, I would need to look it up) the best at getting to the line. He also shot a very high free throw percentage last season. I am not saying JO is God’s gift to basketball, but he is more complicated then a simple good or bad investment. I think he is more like a high end luxury car with some engine damage. You can sell and get a decent value or you can repair and have a great car at a bargain price.

[BlacJacMac]

People don’t seem to appreciate how much JO improved his inside game in the last 2 years. That tells me with the proper coaching and time he can improve his jump shooting. Even at 33% from distance he would be extremely dangerous. We need to re-sign him and let him develop (help him fix his shot.) I mean for gosh sakes he’s only 23.

He shot a career low from 0-3 feet and had the lowest FTA/36 of his career last year.

33% from 3 would be a massive increase for him. He's shot 28/27/27 for his career.

He was a non-factor on his team in the Olympics. That's not a good sign for a guy who wants to be in an NBA rotation.

http://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/men/2020/player/Josh-Okogie