All Things 2024 Minnesota Timberwolves Off-Season Thread

[Gopher_In_NYC]

We needed much better interior defense to beat the Mavs. I still have PTSD watching their centers soar for lob dunks. Donte and Randle aren't going to help with that.

Donte isn't going to have as many opportunities for catch and shoots if you have two ball stoppers (Ant and Randle).

Agree to disagree.

As noted by KG, we lost the first three games to the Mavs by 13 points with KAT’s interior D and horrific 3 point shooting (not the answer).

Double D will open the floor and provide better spacing being one of the best 3 point shooters in the league. There is more than one way to win and you seem fixated on one; open minds open bro. In my experience.

Brunson is a ball dominate guard, last time I . If you have a catch and shoot wing, the ball with find him as it did in NY, and as the Finch and Minnesota Mike will make sure it does. Plus Randle was on the team with him already, last season and it wasn’t an issue when they played together.


Furthermore, after your incessant caterwauling about the Gobert trade, your Bradley Beal comments and calling the fourth most prolific 3 point shooter a non/ difference maker, sorry, but I hardly consider you an NBA expert, just another middle aged dude with opinions - like me , so it’s all good. I trust Tim and the FO, know far more than experts, like you or me.

Lastly, maybe you want to peruse an article where three paid NBA writers commented on the trade, two of them are humble enough to say, they’re not sure regarding the trade.

How KAT fits in New York: NBA insiders break down the blockbuster trade

NBA Insiders break down questions on the trade that sends Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Wolves.

www.espn.com

 

[Slim Tubby]

DD is the real gem of this trade:

1. He shoots the 3 with great volume and efficiency

2. Can play both guard positions giving Dilly time to develop

3. He's a tremendous defensive player on the perimeter

4. He still has 3/$36M left on a great contract and averaged 18 points/game last year in the Playoffs

5. I've yet to read a single Knicks fan post that was happy about his departure

That leaves us with Randle. Volume shooter, above average rebounder, solid distributor and a very strong propensity to get lazy on defense when his offense is flat.

There has to be another corroborating trade, right? Randle will 100% opt out after this coming season and seek a full Max contract.

The DET draft pick is essentially worthless unless Cunningham transforms into MJ overnight.

As much as I like the addition of DD, this is still a terrible haul for a 28 year old player in his prime, a 2-time All NBA player and 4-time All Star. And did I mention that KAT is Ant's best friend on the team?

This deal was solely about the owner's bank account and most certainly not about winning a Championship.

I'll still watch every game, though. Go Wolves!

 

[Iceland12]

Read more stories saying that it was either a confusing or a bad trade for both teams. Tend to agree unless somebody in Timberwolves management was desperate to get Keita Bates-Diop back.

 

[tikited]

DD is the real gem of this trade:

1. He shoots the 3 with great volume and efficiency

2. Can play both guard positions giving Dilly time to develop

3. He's a tremendous defensive player on the perimeter

4. He still has 3/$36M left on a great contract and averaged 18 points/game last year in the Playoffs

5. I've yet to read a single Knicks fan post that was happy about his departure

That leaves us with Randle. Volume shooter, above average rebounder, solid distributor and a very strong propensity to get lazy on defense when his offense is flat.

There has to be another corroborating trade, right? Randle will 100% opt out after this coming season and seek a full Max contract.

The DET draft pick is essentially worthless unless Cunningham transforms into MJ overnight.

As much as I like the addition of DD, this is still a terrible haul for a 28 year old player in his prime, a 2-time All NBA player and 4-time All Star. And did I mention that KAT is Ant's best friend on the team?

This deal was solely about the owner's bank account and most certainly not about winning a Championship.

I'll still watch every game, though. Go Wolves!

I'm not 100% on the Glen saving money train. I think it was more about getting out from salary cap hell. But, I do think we didn't get enough for Towns. Add another #1 pick and my mind is changed.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

I'm not 100% on the Glen saving money train. I think it was more about getting out from salary cap hell. But, I do think we didn't get enough for Towns. Add another #1 pick and my mind is changed.

The ESPN article talked about how this gives us much needed cap flexibility. I’m not even sure what the Knicks had in first round picks after the Bridges trade.

I’m looking at this as a one year rental - if it works great! If it’s not a fit, fo a sign and trade. I think they realized they can’t get any further with KAT and this might have been the best deal they could find?

I

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Agree to disagree.

As noted by KG, we lost the first three games to the Mavs by 13 points with KAT’s interior D and horrific 3 point shooting (not the answer).

That being said, they never get to that series without Towns defense against Jokic.
Really don't have a clue how it will all pan out and as you mentioned earlier, going to give Connelly the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

That being said, they never get to that series without Towns defense against Jokic.
Really don't have a clue how it will all pan out and as you mentioned earlier, going to give Connelly the benefit of the doubt.

Good point and it’s not always a perfect fit with trades.

Regardless if how this works out, I love how aggressive Connelly is - it’s exciting.

 

[atsgopher]

DD is the real gem of this trade:

1. He shoots the 3 with great volume and efficiency

2. Can play both guard positions giving Dilly time to develop

3. He's a tremendous defensive player on the perimeter

4. He still has 3/$36M left on a great contract and averaged 18 points/game last year in the Playoffs

5. I've yet to read a single Knicks fan post that was happy about his departure

That leaves us with Randle. Volume shooter, above average rebounder, solid distributor and a very strong propensity to get lazy on defense when his offense is flat.

There has to be another corroborating trade, right? Randle will 100% opt out after this coming season and seek a full Max contract.

The DET draft pick is essentially worthless unless Cunningham transforms into MJ overnight.

As much as I like the addition of DD, this is still a terrible haul for a 28 year old player in his prime, a 2-time All NBA player and 4-time All Star. And did I mention that KAT is Ant's best friend on the team?

This deal was solely about the owner's bank account and most certainly not about winning a Championship.

I'll still watch every game, though. Go Wolves!

Probably not as bad as your framing here.

We traded a 2x all nba 28 year old, 4 time all star

for a

2X all nba 29 year old 3 time all star, whose 2 all nba teams were in the last 4 years. And all star appaearances were also recent. He’s figured it out since 2021.

when KAT got tibs it was a struggle mentally.

When Randle went to Tibs, he answered the call, or rose to the challenge.

We got a Ball stopper that is less efficient, but he gets 2 more assists per game for the last 4 years than KAT.

We traded the best Shooting big of all time. For another gaurd that made more threes in one season than KAT can make in 2 seasons.

Randle has done his work less efficiently than KAT. However, for most of that time the NBA was double teaming him.

Think about that; we split the two things KAT had: shooting and his inside game. That actually could make us more versatile although, it’ll take work.

Rudy taught KAT some D. He can teach a more willing, more mentally tough guy.

This can work.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Probably not as bad as your framing here.

We traded a 2x all nba 28 year old, 4 time all star

for a

2X all nba 29 year old 3 time all star, whose 2 all nba teams were in the last 4 years. And all star appaearances were also recent. He’s figured it out since 2021.

when KAT got tibs it was a struggle mentally.

When Randle went to Tibs, he answered the call, or rose to the challenge.

We got a Ball stopper that is less efficient, but he gets 2 more assists per game for the last 4 years than KAT.

We traded the best Shooting big of all time. For another gaurd that made more threes in one season than KAT can make in 2 seasons.

Randle has done his work less efficiently than KAT. However, for most of that time the NBA was double teaming him.

Think about that; we split the two things KAT had: shooting and his inside game. That actually could make us more versatile although, it’ll take work.

Rudy taught KAT some D. He can teach a more willing, more mentally tough guy.

This can work.

Good post

My aforementioned ESPN article, also mentioned that both play with the grit Finch likes, vs. KAT, whose softer

 

[atsgopher]

Good post

My aforementioned ESPN article, also mentioned that both play with the grit Finch likes, vs. KAT, whose softer

With KAT we didnt have a bully option.

We have a bully option, and substantially better 3.

Even Straight up avg:
KAT shooting 2.2/5.3 3P
Randle shooting 1.7/5.3 3P

We lost a soft nosed and gained a hard nose.

Finch will jave to figure it out. But Randle is tough. Rudy and Karl were not.

What do you think of Randle’s passing? I have not watched him a ton.

My personal KAT take is he did get much better at completing passes. Yet he’s never been good. Way too many awkward ones, that are effectively bad, because they don’t facilitate the next pass/ or shot. They are passes that slow the ball, which means they allow D to catch up and don’t facilitate the next pass.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

With KAT we didnt have a bully option.

Yup.

We have a bully option, and substantially better 3.

Even Straight up avg:
KAT shooting 2.2/5.3 3P
Randle shooting 1.7/5.3 3P

We lost a soft nosed and gained a hard nose.

i think he’ll be fine as a defender, especially with the team’s culture.

Finch will jave to figure it out. But Randle is tough. Rudy and Karl were not.

Finch loves him and was one of his coaches when he established himself as a legit NBA player with the Pelicans in 2018-2019. It would be shocking to me, if he wasn’t consulted and gave it his blessing also.

What do you think of Randle’s passing? I have not watched him a ton.

Very good passer and can hit the open shooter for a 3.

My personal KAT take is he did get much better at completing passes. Yet he’s never been good. Way too many awkward ones, that are effectively bad, because they don’t facilitate the next pass/ or shot. They are passes that slow the ball, which means they allow D to catch up and don’t facilitate the next pass.

Agreed.

I hate teams thst stand pat and don’t strive to get better - thus involves risk.

I think Randle is underrated and people will be pleasantly surprised. Psychologically, some people don’t like change, so that can unwittingly bias their opinions.

 

[atsgopher]

Yup.

i think he’ll be fine as a defender, especially with the team’s culture.

Finch loves him and was one of his coaches when he established himself as a legit NBA player with the Pelicans in 2018-2019. It would be shocking to me, if he wasn’t consulted and gave it his blessing also.

Very good passer and can hit the open shooter for a 3.

Agreed.

I hate teams thst stand pat and don’t strive to get better - thus involves risk.

I think Randle is underrated and people will be pleasantly surprised. Psychologically, some people don’t like change, so that can unwittingly bias their opinions.

Appreciate the take.

What’s with the contradictions on ball stopper vs great passer? In the press?

I read people say both.

Is it, he took a long time to develop instincts, so he can pass, but was slow to recognize for years when, then the ball stop tag it still follows him?

Or do you have any idea?

Seems to me we got a guy who only has improved and has the right makeup.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Or do you have any idea?

Seems to me we got a guy who only has improved and has the right makeup.

I think you nailed it.

He was the man at Kentucky, as the second ranked player in his class, so he didn’t really have to have a well-rounder game.

His game has evolved continually, as evidenced by winning the Most Improved Player for the 2020-2021 season, his seventh season in the league- that’s amazing and speaks to you last sentence.

 

[Spaulding!No!]

So long softy! If he was the man in his KY season he would beat the badgers instead he was soffffffffft.

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Read an article on The Athletic. The writer said in his opinion that this is all about the Wolves getting below the Second Apron - because that limits a lot of the moves you can make. His bottom line was - the Wolves are Ant's team. Trading KAT gives the team more flexibility to build around Ant while keeping Naz.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

So long softy! If he was the man in his KY season he would beat the badgers instead he was soffffffffft.

Sounds like you’re an authority on being soft, Mr. ED

 

[Iceland12]

From The Athletic:

What does this mean for the Knicks?​

In Towns, the Knicks acquired the player they’ve pursued for years. They contacted the Timberwolves about Towns a couple of years ago, last year and again after that, according to league sources..
Towns brings a couple of elements the Knicks desperately need, especially with Mitchell Robinson targeting a December return at the earliest following offseason ankle surgery. There aren’t many 7-footers in NBA history with Towns’ shooting touch.

And the Knicks, who otherwise only have Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims as their two healthy centers, now have help on the boards, an area Thibodeau wants to control as much as any coach in the league. — Fred Katz, national NBA writer
The Knicks don’t make this four-year return to competence without Randle, who signed with the franchise in the summer of 2019 and helped renovate its image over the past half-decade. He’s slid onto three All-Star and two All-NBA teams since his arrival in New York. He provided a consistent 20 points and 10 boards per game and made passes no one else on the team could even attempt thanks to his size and strength. He gave the Knicks a unique element in the post.

Of course, Towns can do the same — and does it as a 7-footer with an endless array of down-low moves.

DiVincenzo’s departure means the end of the “Nova Knicks” that never were. He just broke the franchise record for 3-point makes in a season, but Towns, a 40 percent long-range shooter, will make up for the spacing the Knicks lost by dealing last season’s top sniper.

How this changes Minnesota’s trajectory​

The Wolves will have a hard time replacing Towns’ shooting and, perhaps surprisingly, his defense on Denver Nuggetsstar Nikola Jokić. The team feels like it is better suited to contend for the long haul with the flexibility this deal provides..
The Wolves made the deal to maximize Edwards’ window for the long haul, team sources told The Athletic. The Wolves wanted to make sure Edwards could be on a competitive playoff team for much longer than just the next two years and believe the flexibility this move provides will aid that pursuit. Dealing Towns also could help them retain Reid, a wildly popular player in Minnesota who could be a free agent next summer. — Krawczynski

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

From The Athletic:

What does this mean for the Knicks?​

In Towns, the Knicks acquired the player they’ve pursued for years. They contacted the Timberwolves about Towns a couple of years ago, last year and again after that, according to league sources..
Towns brings a couple of elements the Knicks desperately need, especially with Mitchell Robinson targeting a December return at the earliest following offseason ankle surgery. There aren’t many 7-footers in NBA history with Towns’ shooting touch.

And the Knicks, who otherwise only have Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims as their two healthy centers, now have help on the boards, an area Thibodeau wants to control as much as any coach in the league. — Fred Katz, national NBA writer
The Knicks don’t make this four-year return to competence without Randle, who signed with the franchise in the summer of 2019 and helped renovate its image over the past half-decade. He’s slid onto three All-Star and two All-NBA teams since his arrival in New York. He provided a consistent 20 points and 10 boards per game and made passes no one else on the team could even attempt thanks to his size and strength. He gave the Knicks a unique element in the post.

Of course, Towns can do the same — and does it as a 7-footer with an endless array of down-low moves.

DiVincenzo’s departure means the end of the “Nova Knicks” that never were. He just broke the franchise record for 3-point makes in a season, but Towns, a 40 percent long-range shooter, will make up for the spacing the Knicks lost by dealing last season’s top sniper.

How this changes Minnesota’s trajectory​

The Wolves will have a hard time replacing Towns’ shooting and, perhaps surprisingly, his defense on Denver Nuggetsstar Nikola Jokić. The team feels like it is better suited to contend for the long haul with the flexibility this deal provides..
The Wolves made the deal to maximize Edwards’ window for the long haul, team sources told The Athletic. The Wolves wanted to make sure Edwards could be on a competitive playoff team for much longer than just the next two years and believe the flexibility this move provides will aid that pursuit. Dealing Towns also could help them retain Reid, a wildly popular player in Minnesota who could be a free agent next summer. — Krawczynski

It’s Naz’s world

 

[jamiche]

Agree to disagree.

As noted by KG, we lost the first three games to the Mavs by 13 points with KAT’s interior D and horrific 3 point shooting (not the answer).

Double D will open the floor and provide better spacing being one of the best 3 point shooters in the league. There is more than one way to win and you seem fixated on one; open minds open bro. In my experience.

Brunson is a ball dominate guard, last time I . If you have a catch and shoot wing, the ball with find him as it did in NY, and as the Finch and Minnesota Mike will make sure it does. Plus Randle was on the team with him already, last season and it wasn’t an issue when they played together.


Furthermore, after your incessant caterwauling about the Gobert trade, your Bradley Beal comments and calling the fourth most prolific 3 point shooter a non/ difference maker, sorry, but I hardly consider you an NBA expert, just another middle aged dude with opinions - like me , so it’s all good. I trust Tim and the FO, know far more than experts, like you or me.

Lastly, maybe you want to peruse an article where three paid NBA writers commented on the trade, two of them are humble enough to say, they’re not sure regarding the trade.

How KAT fits in New York: NBA insiders break down the blockbuster trade

NBA Insiders break down questions on the trade that sends Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks and Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo to the Wolves.

www.espn.com

I'll keep "caterwauling" about the Rudy trade until they win a championship with him because that's expressly what they brought him here to do. The day he arrived meant that another valuable player would have to ultimately leave. If they had won a title, that would have been well worth the enormous price of all of the draft picks and losing KAT. Hasn't happened yet. TC's record is still spotty. The Rudy trade is incomplete at best. The Conley trade was a home run. Resigning Naz, especially if they can keep him, was a home run. Drafting Rob Dillingham, even he's not so sure about. Drafting Shannon I think will be a home run.

DD has played for four teams in five years and has a career average of 10ppg, so let's wait a bit before we declare him to be our Ray Allen.

I think a team with Ant, Randle, Conley, Rudy and Jaden as starters, for all of its talent, will be surprisingly easy to defend. I don't think this combination of players will share the ball well. Very happy to be wrong.

 

[Slim Tubby]

Read an article on The Athletic. The writer said in his opinion that this is all about the Wolves getting below the Second Apron - because that limits a lot of the moves you can make. His bottom line was - the Wolves are Ant's team. Trading KAT gives the team more flexibility to build around Ant while keeping Naz.

Except this trade doesn't get the Wolves below the 2nd Apron according to what I read on other NBA Salary Cap sites.

Randle told the Knicks he'll accept nothing less than a Max deal extension after this season. There's ZERO chance he gets that from the Wolves.

Randle won't command any real value in a possible trade IMO. Bad teams won't waste salary or assets while rebuilding and good teams will be looking to add a vital piece, not send them out.

Maybe TC has another move up his sleeve but this trade could realistically end up being KAT for a bench player + 2nd Round Pick salary dump. (I love DD but he's a Wing and not a PG and will obviously not start in front of Ant or Jaden.

Let's also not forget that TC declined an extension after last season and can walk to another team after this year.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Except this trade doesn't get the Wolves below the 2nd Apron according to what I read on other NBA Salary Cap sites.

Randle told the Knicks he'll accept nothing less than a Max deal extension after this season. There's ZERO chance he gets that from the Wolves.

Randle won't command any real value in a possible trade IMO. Bad teams won't waste salary or assets while rebuilding and good teams will be looking to add a vital piece, not send them out.

Maybe TC has another move up his sleeve but this trade could realistically end up being KAT for a bench player + 2nd Round Pick salary dump. (I love DD but he's a Wing and not a PG and will obviously not start in front of Ant or Jaden.

Let's also not forget that TC declined an extension after last season and can walk to another team after this year.

In Tim we trust.

Not surprised by him mot taking the extension, until the ownership fiasco is settled.

Would you want to work for AROD? Methinks, he’d be hands on.

 

[TruthSeeker]

In Tim we trust.

Not surprised by him mot taking the extension, until the ownership fiasco is settled.

Would you want to work for AROD? Methinks, he’d be hands on.

Exactly. It was a power play. He can tell ownership how much money needs to be spent, and where, to win.

If ownership doesn't play ball, then he can threaten, and will walk. That'd look really bad, especially because Lore and A-Roid wanted him.

 

[jamiche]

In Tim we trust.

Not surprised by him mot taking the extension, until the ownership fiasco is settled.

Would you want to work for AROD? Methinks, he’d be hands on.

ARod is window dressing. Lore and Bloomberg (if he really is a part of it) have the money.

 

[jamiche]

Exactly. It was a power play. He can tell ownership how much money needs to be spent, and where, to win.

If ownership doesn't play ball, then he can threaten, and will walk. That'd look really bad, especially because Lore and A-Roid wanted him.

Don’t agree. Connelly is certainly a valued employee, but he’s an employee. He’s not even a star player. The owners always have the power.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Don’t agree. Connelly is certainly a valued employee, but he’s an employee. He’s not even a star player. The owners always have the power.

If you live in the produce aisle as an employee, you have tons of leverage, in my experience.

Most employees fill back office roles in companies; they’re not responsible for generating revenue or making strategic decisions which affect said revenue; so, they can’t comprehend that lane, and what kind of luscious greens it affords you, if you produce the produce.

Furthermore, all you have to do is compare his overall results, what the team has accomplished thus far, with his predecessors. The Wolves have 24 national games this year; dollar dollar bills y’all. Exposure = monetizing opportunities.

 

[jamiche]

If you live in the produce aisle as an employee, you have tons of leverage, in my experience.

Most employees fill back office roles in companies; they’re not responsible for generating revenue or making strategic decisions which affect said revenue; so, they can’t comprehend that lane, and what kind of luscious greens it affords you, if you produce the produce.

Furthermore, all you have to do is compare his overall results, what the team has accomplished thus far, with his predecessors. The Wolves have 24 national games this year; dollar dollar bills y’all. Exposure = monetizing opportunities.

Precisely. Gerson Rosas has an affair with another employee and he's gone. Anthony Edwards, Gerson's pick, can sleep with virtually anyone he wants and he stays.

POBO's come and go. It's the players who have the leverage.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Just getting out of KAT's insane contract makes this a huge win for the Wolves. They already have Naz who plays just as good if not better than KAT when he gets KAT like minutes. I'm a big fan of DiVencenzo which is a huge bonus on top.

It's great to finally have someone competent is running the Wolves after all of the years of suffering.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

Precisely. Gerson Rosas has an affair with another employee and he's gone.

Everything I saw/read about it said it was that AND that he created a dysfunctional/toxic work environment.
So you get a half ️

Anthony Edwards, Gerson's pick, can sleep with virtually anyone he wants and he stays.

POBO's come and go. It's the players who have the leverage.

To further clarify, as you’re seemingly missing the point, Tim has leverage with His relationships/position with ownership based on his performance; this of course does not preclude others (players to use your example) from having leverage with Their relationships/position with ownership, as those Are mutually exclusive in this context. The context is the key - more than one thing can be true and assigning a binary analysis (right or wrong), many times misses the more complex truths.

This is my last post on this subject, cause at this juncture, you can either understand my point or not, either way, it’s all good.

 

[jamiche]

Everything I saw/read about it said it was that AND that he created a dysfunctional/toxic work environment.
So you get a half ️

To further clarify, as you’re seemingly missing the point, Tim has leverage with His relationships/position with ownership based on his performance; this of course does not preclude others (players to use your example) from having leverage with Their relationships/position with ownership, as those Are mutually exclusive in this context. The context is the key - more than one thing can be true and assigning a binary analysis (right or wrong), many times misses the more complex truths.

This is my last post on this subject, cause at this juncture, you can either understand my point or not, either way, it’s all good.

I understand your point perfectly. I don't agree with it.

 

[Lou Brown]

Shot in the dark - if anyone has season tix. Looking to take my nephew to a game. He’s a huge fan. I’d be interested in buying 3 tix.

Thanks!