2020 Minnesota Timberwolves Off-Season Thread

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Iceland12 said:
The Minnesota Timberwolves may be scheming to land Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton is a 6-foot-5 guard with an impressive 6-foot-8 wingspan. He’s a solid two-way player who would immediately improve the Wolves’ defense with his length and intelligence and add an intriguing element of playmaking on the offensive end of the floor.

Modest athleticism and a perceived cap on Haliburton’s ceiling are to blame for him not getting consistent steam in the top three the draft, but there’s been plenty of recent steam to suggest that he could be in play as early as pick No. 4.

If the Wolves aren’t going to take him first — and they definitely aren’t going to do that — and trade-backs have reportedly been difficult to work out to this point, how might they go about landing Haliburton?

The first credible mention of the Wolves’ interest in Haliburton came from early November, when the Midwest-based and longtime Journal Times reporter Gery Woelfel reported that the Wolves and Golden State Warriors both had “keen interest” in the Iowa State guard. Woelfel also noted that Minnesota’s front office had spoken with Haliburton “on multiple occasions”..

dunkingwithwolves.com

Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors: Wolves trying to land Tyrese Haliburton

Rumors are swirling that the Minnesota Timberwolves are doing what they can to select Tyrese Haliburton in the 2020 NBA Draft. Much has been made about who...
dunkingwithwolves.com dunkingwithwolves.com
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I think that wingspan is an over-rated measure for most NBA players. Johnny Flynn had an impressive wing-span also.
 


This draft will be interesting to watch in regards to how the revamped front office handles things. Still kind of in the honeymoon stage, although not MUCH longer, I am still optimistic that Rosas and company can accomplish what they want to make the team better in the next few days and get the player(s) they want.
 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns for four players and a first-round draft pick, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania. The Suns sent Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque and a first rounder to Oklahoma City, sources said. The first-round pick is protected from the first 12 picks in 2022, the first ten picks in 2023, the first eight selections in 2024 and is unprotected in 2025.

theathletic.com

Thunder trade Chris Paul to Suns

The Suns sent Ricky Rubio, Kelly Oubre, Ty Jerome and Jalen Lecque to Oklahoma City, plus draft compensation.
theathletic.com theathletic.com
 

Lakers and OKC made a trade this weekend.

By agreeing to trade for guard Dennis Schröder, the Lakers sent the NBA a strong message that they weren’t going to hide behind the championship trophy they earned inside the NBA bubble. They were going to set the tone for what will be one of the wildest NBA weeks in league history by acting first and getting one of the league’s top available guards.

With Rajon Rondo likely headed for too expensive of a payday for L.A. to match, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka agreed to send Danny Green and the No. 28 pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft to the Thunder for Schröder, a dynamic guard who was one of the best reserves in the NBA last season.

www.latimes.com

Why the Lakers had to make the trade for OKC's Dennis Schröder

The Lakers are close to finalizing a deal to trade guard Danny Green and the No. 28 overall draft pick for Oklahoma City guard Dennis Schröder.
www.latimes.com www.latimes.com
 


Iceland12 said:
Lakers and OKC made a trade this weekend.

By agreeing to trade for guard Dennis Schröder, the Lakers sent the NBA a strong message that they weren’t going to hide behind the championship trophy they earned inside the NBA bubble. They were going to set the tone for what will be one of the wildest NBA weeks in league history by acting first and getting one of the league’s top available guards.

With Rajon Rondo likely headed for too expensive of a payday for L.A. to match, Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka agreed to send Danny Green and the No. 28 pick in Wednesday’s NBA draft to the Thunder for Schröder, a dynamic guard who was one of the best reserves in the NBA last season.

www.latimes.com

Why the Lakers had to make the trade for OKC's Dennis Schröder

The Lakers are close to finalizing a deal to trade guard Danny Green and the No. 28 overall draft pick for Oklahoma City guard Dennis Schröder.
www.latimes.com www.latimes.com
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That trade for Schroder is a really good one for the Lakers. Green isn't the same player and the 28th pick is worse than our 33rd pick in the 2nd round. OKC made a mistake imo.

Ricky gets traded again... I think OKC did fine with that move.
 

Timberwolves are stuck with the pick...I say pick whoever you think you can build around and then trade Towns and Russell after the season. Build up some picks and maybe a player or two and hope to God that you can get one star out of there.

Okojie, Culver, Beasley (maybe) along with this #1 could be some decent building pieces. Probably nobody who can take a team on their back and win a conference, but good role players.

Then, add in the future players we draft or get in the trade and who knows. We aren't even close to being a 5-8 team and getting swept by the 1 seed in the second round good with Towns. Why hold onto the hope he's our answer.
 

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn 6m

The Rockets are finalizing a trade to send Robert Covington to Portland for Trevor Ariza and 2020 first-round pick and 2021 protected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN.
 

Adrian Wojnarowski

New Orleans is nearing completion of a deal to send G Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and what's described as "significant" draft compensation, sources tell ESPN. Teams are still working through the picks in trade.

Bucks are finalizing a package that includes three future first-round picks to the Pelicans in deal, sources tell ESPN.
 




TruthSeeker said:
So you're saying we got a good return on Covington? :)
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Maybe saying that they are dismantling the Houston Rockets. Certainly wouldn't want to try and describe the trade that sent Covington elsewhere.:LOL:

February 5, 2020: As part of a 4-team trade, traded by the Minnesota Timberwolves with Jordan Bell to the Houston Rockets; the Atlanta Hawks traded a 2026 2nd round draft pick to the Houston Rockets; the Atlanta Hawks traded Evan Turner and a 2020 1st round draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves; the Denver Nuggets traded Malik Beasley, Juan Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt to the Minnesota Timberwolves; the Houston Rockets traded Clint Capela and Nene to the Atlanta Hawks; the Houston Rockets traded Gerald Green and a 2020 1st round draft pick to the Denver Nuggets; and the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Keita Bates-Diop, Shabazz Napier and Noah Vonleh to the Denver Nuggets. (Pick is GSW's 2026 second-round pick) (Pick is BRK's 2020 second-round pick)
 

Iceland12 said:
Adrian Wojnarowski

New Orleans is nearing completion of a deal to send G Jrue Holiday to Milwaukee for Eric Bledsoe, George Hill and what's described as "significant" draft compensation, sources tell ESPN. Teams are still working through the picks in trade.

Bucks are finalizing a package that includes three future first-round picks to the Pelicans in deal, sources tell ESPN.
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Update:

The Milwaukee Bucks promised reigning back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo a reshaped roster to try to transform regular-season success into a championship push. In the span of hours as Monday night bled into Tuesday morning, the Bucks reached agreements on acquiring two significant players, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday and Sacramento Kings forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, sources told ESPN.

After executing the Holiday trade late Monday, the Bucks and Kings reached agreement in principle on a sign-and-trade that'll bring Bogdanovic and Justin James to the Bucks, sources said.

The Kings acquire versatile forward Donte DiVincenzo, D.J. Wilson and Ersan Ilyasova.

The trade also includes a pair of pick swaps and will ultimately amount to something similar to what the Pelicans received from the Lakerslast season in the deal that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles..

www.espn.com

Sources: Bucks to acquire Holiday, Bogdanovic

As they look to deliver on the reshaped roster they promised reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks reached agreements on acquiring two significant players, Pelicans two-way guard Jrue Holiday and Sacramento's Bogdan Bogdanovic, sources told ESPN.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 

Iceland12 said:
Update:

The Milwaukee Bucks promised reigning back-to-back MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo a reshaped roster to try to transform regular-season success into a championship push. In the span of hours as Monday night bled into Tuesday morning, the Bucks reached agreements on acquiring two significant players, New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday and Sacramento Kings forward Bogdan Bogdanovic, sources told ESPN.

After executing the Holiday trade late Monday, the Bucks and Kings reached agreement in principle on a sign-and-trade that'll bring Bogdanovic and Justin James to the Bucks, sources said.

The Kings acquire versatile forward Donte DiVincenzo, D.J. Wilson and Ersan Ilyasova.

The trade also includes a pair of pick swaps and will ultimately amount to something similar to what the Pelicans received from the Lakerslast season in the deal that sent Anthony Davis to Los Angeles..

www.espn.com

Sources: Bucks to acquire Holiday, Bogdanovic

As they look to deliver on the reshaped roster they promised reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks reached agreements on acquiring two significant players, Pelicans two-way guard Jrue Holiday and Sacramento's Bogdan Bogdanovic, sources told ESPN.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
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Good deals for Milwaukee. Holiday is a big upgrade.
 






@coolhandgopher I take it you're hoping we don't draft Edwards.

The GM's recent comments about taking talent and guys who can score, then using free agency to plug holes in the roster, might seem to indicate they are planning to take Edwards?
 

ANTHONY EDWARDS, WHO turned 19 in August, has been considered a likely top-three NBA pick for as long as anyone has been seriously scouting the upcoming draft. The Georgia guard is a pure shooter and a talented finisher, as plug-and-play in today's game as it gets. Draftniks liken him to a young Victor Oladipo or Donovan Mitchell. Former NBA champion and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins believes Edwards has the athleticism of a Russell Westbrook and the scoring ability of a James Harden.

Despite those lofty comparisons, Edwards is no sure thing. In fact, he may be the biggest wild card of the draft. His lone season at Georgia was marked by inconsistency in production and effort. No one who's watched him play doubts his ability. The question is whether he can put it all together.

How he got here, so close to realizing his dreams, is a story marked by unimaginable loss. That house on Lockwood Drive isn't the family hub it used to be. Edwards' mother died when he was 14 years old, and his grandmother died later the same year. His older brother Antoine and sister Antoinette took guardianship of him, but he was never in a stable place after that, moving from home to home..

He retells the story about the first time he dunked and how it signaled to him that he was talented and could accomplish something he might not have been able to in football, which was his first love. So that's the direction he went, simple as that, hanging up his cleats. "That's all I needed to see," he says.

So when after that did he get into basketball?

"I'm still not really into it," he says. "I love basketball, yeah. It's what I do."..

It's obvious he still has some growing up to do, Holland says; he needs structure, which is why he went to Georgia rather than turn pro and chase a paycheck overseas or in the G League. But what Holland didn't realize -- what he says he'd never heard before our interview -- was how much the loss of his mother and his grandmother changed Edwards, leading him to build what Holland believes is a shell to keep others out.

"It may be for his own sanity, who knows?" Holland says. "Maybe that's how he can keep himself so happy. Once you experience trauma and you understand how to deal with the trauma, and the way you've been dealing with the trauma has worked for a certain length of time, it might be best to stay that way."..

He's the best scorer in the draft and could be an immediate producer in the NBA with his versatility and skill set," says a pro scout. "Defensively, he has the tools and physical profile to be effective, but he was undisciplined and missed assignments. Edwards showed a lack of commitment at that end of the floor."..

That's the way Edwards consumes basketball, Holland says, in short bursts. When Edwards said he wasn't a fan of basketball, Holland says what he meant is he's not a fan of watching games like he does football. But make no mistake, Holland says, he's a student of the sport, breaking down clips of Bradley Beal's step-back on his iPhone.

Edwards is a tough nut to crack, isn't he? I ask.

Holland laughs.

"Right," he says...

www.espn.com

The pain and promise of top NBA draft prospect Anthony Edwards

As the biggest day of his life approaches, the Georgia star can't share it with the two people who meant the most to him, a loss that fuels his desire to excel at the next level.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 

From Hoops Hype:

- This is a roundabout way of saying that the ability to land a young star via trade appears at the moment to be a difficult one. And that could have an effect on second-year wing Jarrett Culver. While the Wolves were calling last week about moving up into the top 10, Culver’s name invariably came up. But sources confirmed an ESPN report that said that Rosas was hesitant to part with Culver unless the Wolves could parlay the return into a star.

9 hours ago – via Jon Krawczynski @ The Athletic

- Eric Woodyard: Projected No. 1 overall pick LaMelo Ball said he feels he should be the top selection because, “I feel like I’m born for this whole thing going on.”

18 hours ago – via Twitter E_Woodyard

-Christopher Hine: LaMelo Ball said on a Zoom call with reporters he’d “feel great” playing alongside D’Angelo Russell even if they’re two primary ball handlers.

19 hours ago – via Twitter ChristopherHine

-Rob Schaefer: LaMelo Ball confirms Warriors, Timberwolves, Pistons and Hornets as only teams he worked out for in person. No to Bulls (@Ian Begley on the question)

19 hours ago – via Twitter rob_schaef

- League sources say Minnesota is in discussions to package this pick with Jarrett Culver (the no. 6 pick in 2019) to acquire a second lottery choice (likely to select Haliburton). But if the Timberwolves stay put, Terry makes sense as a target. Terry, who attended DeLaSalle High School in Minneapolis, brings elite shooting and feel for the game; he’s ranked eighth on my board and is getting looks as high as the late lottery, though his range is more likely in the mid-to-late first.

20 hours ago – via nbadraft.theringer.com

- Christopher Hine: Rosas on restricted free agent Malik Beasley’s pending legal issues as it relates to his long-term trajectory with the Wolves. “We’re working through this together.” Rosas previously said Beasley was family and that they would help Beasley through process, he stood by that today.

2 days ago – via Twitter ChristopherHine
 
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1. Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, Georgia, Guard

Ever since the Timberwolves landed this pick by winning the NBA Draft lottery 20 years ago — wait, that was in August? — there have been rumblings about them liking all three of Edwards, James Wiseman and LaMelo Ball. Then came the reports about Minnesota looking to trade down.

If the T-Wolves do keep the top pick, Edwards seems to be the best fit next to D'Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. He needs to work on his decision-making and give more consistent effort defensively, but his scoring ability and athleticism are elite...

17. Timberwolves (via Nets): RJ Hampton, New Zealand, Guard

Again, the Timberwolves could package their picks in a trade. Everything is on the table.

Assuming Minnesota does choose a player, Hampton could be a decent upside gamble. The 19-year-old is a quick, explosive guard, but he will need some time to develop.

www.sportingnews.com

NBA mock draft 2020: What will Timberwolves, Warriors do with their picks amid constant trade rumors?

There isn't even a consensus on what the Timberwolves will do with the No. 1 pick, let alone how the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft will play out.
www.sportingnews.com www.sportingnews.com
 

coolhandgopher said:
So, it’s inevitable we’re taking Edwards, right? 🤣
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Nothing about what the Wolves are gonna do in this draft is inevitable. No, strike that. It's inevitable that more matter what they do their "fans" will whine about it for weeks. :LOL:
 

The Ringer:

Is LaMelo Ball too special to ignore? Will Anthony Edwards’s versatility prove too enticing? Or will they see James Wiseman as the interior sidekick to Towns? Gersson Rosas could also find a trade partner to move down in the lottery, pick up more pieces for his construction project, and maybe find a better-fitting prospect. This has the potential to be an awfully weird draft. Minnesota’s choice could all but ensure it unfolds that way.
 

The Ringer's pluses and minuses on Edwards and Ball. Personally think they should roll the dice on Wiseman but hope they can trade out of #1 and get a starter and a later 1st Rounder out of it

Edwards:

PLUSES
  • Elite measurables with long arms and a strong frame. He runs the floor like a gazelle, and he explodes vertically when he has space to launch.
  • Active rebounder. He displays a high motor and great instincts tracking the trajectory of missed shots on the offensive glass.
  • His best offensive role is as a screener who rolls hard to the rim since he can finish lobs or with touch. But he can also mix in pops to generate shots from the perimeter and keep defenses honest.
  • Strong post-up potential. Displays a rare blend of power and finesse and does a nice job of sealing off his man. But he currently lacks advanced power moves, instead defaulting to fadeaways.
  • Shooting upside: He has good mechanics and soft touch. But he lacks range and doesn’t have a track record of success shooting from midrange and 3.
  • Athletic rim protector whose mere presence can deter opponents. He’s good at assessing what’s in front of him. If his positioning and court awareness improves, he has elite potential.
  • High-character person who works hard on and off the court. He’s intelligent, too; These are positive personality traits that could aid his development.
MINUSES
  • Poor shot selection in high school; he played like he thought he was the second coming of Dirk Nowitzki. In college, he played more to his strengths, which needs to continue at the NBA level; the context of his situation will be key to his success.
  • He’s an all-world athlete in an open gym, but he slows down in games when he has to read the floor. Simplifying his role will be vital early on.
  • He has a weak handle, which limits him off the dribble. And as a playmaker, he misses open cutters and delivers inaccurate passes. He’s best suited to finish rather than create.
  • Chases too many blocks and ends up falling for pump fakes. (edit:Shades of KAT)
  • Sluggish lateral movement on the perimeter due to a lack of quickness and shoddy footwork. Defenders blow by him too often. At this stage, he’s not switchable.
  • Shaky team defender who tends to find himself in the wrong position or a beat late when rotating. He reads the floor slowly, so his pick-and-roll defense is particularly underwhelming.
Ball:

PLUSES
  • Ambidextrous passer with pinpoint accuracy and omnidirectional vision. He sees everything on the court, creating opportunities for teammates that most players simply don’t see or can’t pull off thanks to his innate ability to manipulate defenders.
  • Excellent ball handler who uses hesitations to put defenders on skates. He uses advanced moves but always remains in control, dictating the pace like a drummer would a song’s tempo.
  • Elite touch. Though he attempts too many floaters and shys away from contact, his ability to score creatively with either hand suggests he could develop into a finisher at the rim.
  • Attentive off-ball player who cuts and adjusts to space well behind the arc.
  • Great rebounder for his position like his older brother Lonzo. His instincts pop up here when tracking down boards.
  • Versatile defender. He’s quick laterally and quite large for a point guard. He has the size to comfortably switch onto wings.
MINUSES
  • Ball is a great passer, but he can’t be classified as a great playmaker yet because of his decision-making. He jacks up poor shots early in the clock and settles far too often rather than attacking the rim.
  • Poor shooting mechanics: He has no consistency with his form, other than his low release. As a solid free throw shooter with good touch on floaters, he has obvious upside. But his form—much like his brother’s—must be overhauled.
  • Rarely initiates contact and avoids it around the rim.
  • He doesn’t stay in his defensive stance and often keeps his hands down when closing out—or as Mark Jackson would say: “Hand down, man down.”
  • Defensive discipline: He defaults to switching instead of fighting over screens and he falls out of position off-ball when chasing steals.

The Ringer's 2023 NBA Draft Guide

Who will go no. 1 in 2023? Breaking down Victor Wembanyama, Scoot Henderson, and more.
nbadraft.theringer.com nbadraft.theringer.com
 
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I would be ok with Edwards only if they trade the #1 for the #3 and take him there. Way too many red flags to take him at #1 without getting more in a deal.

I'm still ok with taking Ball and keeping him.

I want what the Sporting News (above) guy is having. No way RJ Hampton is still there at #17. I would also be good with Precious at #17.

Taking Terry at #17 would be a Timberwolves thing to do.
 

tikited said:
I would be ok with Edwards only if they trade the #1 for the #3 and take him there. Way too many red flags to take him at #1 without getting more in a deal.

I'm still ok with taking Ball and keeping him.

I want what the Sporting News (above) guy is having. No way RJ Hampton is still there at #17. I would also be good with Precious at #17.

Taking Terry at #17 would be a Timberwolves thing to do.
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Jon K with a decent article on the possibilities for the Wolves in The Athletic.

He even discusses the fact that the Wolves have kicked around packing some things to move UP from #17 for someone they may really like. Sometimes they seem to like making moves for the sake of making moves but I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt.

All that taken into consideration, it's hard to imagine that they do NOTHING and make picks at #1 and #17 and #33 tonight?
 

Ogee Oglethorpe said:
Jon K with a decent article on the possibilities for the Wolves in The Athletic.

He even discusses the fact that the Wolves have kicked around packing some things to move UP from #17 for someone they may really like. Sometimes they seem to like making moves for the sake of making moves but I'm still giving them the benefit of the doubt.

All that taken into consideration, it's hard to imagine that they do NOTHING and make picks at #1 and #17 and #33 tonight?
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I trust keeping the picks more than making trades based on the Culver trade last season.
They were completely taken by surprise by Chicago taking Garland. That should never happen. Another reason to only make trades after the picks have been made.

I think you convinced me to check out the Athletic.
 

tikited said:
I would be ok with Edwards only if they trade the #1 for the #3 and take him there. Way too many red flags to take him at #1 without getting more in a deal.

I'm still ok with taking Ball and keeping him.

I want what the Sporting News (above) guy is having. No way RJ Hampton is still there at #17. I would also be good with Precious at #17.

Taking Terry at #17 would be a Timberwolves thing to do.
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Yeah I've been so interested in what they will do with #1 I keep forgetting about #17. Will be very interesting to see what they do there as that pick can really help the team in a lot of ways as well.
 

tmvander said:
Yeah I've been so interested in what they will do with #1 I keep forgetting about #17. Will be very interesting to see what they do there as that pick can really help the team in a lot of ways as well.
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Yep. I hope they don't try to be too smart and make Kahn like moves. A good player will be there at 17.

BTW...Jason Mantzoukas is my favorite actor right now.
 

tikited said:
Yep. I hope they don't try to be too smart and make Kahn like moves. A good player will be there at 17.

BTW...Jason Mantzoukas is my favorite actor right now.
Click to expand...
Ha yeah he's awesome...I just used this avatar in fantasy sports years ago when I joined GopherHole because my team name was based off The League...just carried over the avatar.
 

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