All Things 2025-2026 Minnesota Timberwolves In-Season Thread

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jamiche said:
You used a ridiculous hypothetical and I pointed out the absurdity of the straw man argument.

Finch is managing a roster that has been mismanaged. The situation is becoming analogous to the Vikings. The wolves have almost nothing to show for every draft since Connelly took over. The top draft contributor over the four years is Jaylen Clark. That's just bad. Dilly is a bust. TJ can't go right and the league has figured that out. Leonard Miller waves a damn good towel. Berenger is raw. Really raw. Minott is gone. Zikarsky looks like he might have some NBA ready skills. I hope they don't let draft order politics get in the way of giving him some kind of a chance this year over Berenger, while Berenger tries to figure it out.

The team needs a pg and a backup center who can play some defense. That's Connelly's job.

Outside of Spoelstra and Kerr there aren't any coaches in the league who are more than a terrible 2-3 weeks from being fired. That's the NBA. Finch is a fine coach. Your concerns are misdirected.
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Both of you are correct. Finch has been the best in the franchise history, but he is majorly flawed and the bar is ridiculously low.

Our genius GM hasn't been very impressive lately.

I actually stopped watching a while ago for sanity reasons. I'll pick up again....maybe.
 

tikited said:
Both of you are correct. Finch has been the best in the franchise history, but he is majorly flawed and the bar is ridiculously low.

Our genius GM hasn't been very impressive lately.

I actually stopped watching a while ago for sanity reasons. I'll pick up again....maybe.
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Their inability to close games this year has been really frustrating.
 

tikited said:
Our genius GM hasn't been very impressive lately.
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Tim Connelly's draft history as Wolves GM:

2022
Walker Kessler (Drafted for UTA)
Wendell Moore Jr (Bust)
Josh Minott (Bust but decent for Celtics)

2023
Leonard Miller (Professional towel waver)
Jaylen Clark - Good Pick

2024
Rob Dillingham (Bust...so far)
TSJ (League figured out he can't go to his right and minutes dwindled)

2025
Joan Berenger (TBD...not ready)
Rocco Zikarsky (TBD...not ready)

The Gobert trade crippled his options but not much help added for a team wanting to "win now".
 

"The Minnesota Timberwolves have been big-game hunting for a point guard.

There were rumors that they inquired about Memphis’ Ja Morant, have kicked the tires on Kyrie Irving, and now have their sights set on a more realistic target. That’s where the Bulls come in.

According to a source, Coby White has been inquired about, and time is of the essence in the Bulls making a decision. The source said that Minnesota is not looking to wait until February and the trade deadline to get a deal done, looking to fix the primary ball-handling situation that’s been an issue all season long for them."

https://chicago.suntimes.com/b...s-grow-around-bulls-coby-white
 

jamiche said:
You used a ridiculous hypothetical and I pointed out the absurdity of the straw man argument.

Finch is managing a roster that has been mismanaged. The situation is becoming analogous to the Vikings. The wolves have almost nothing to show for every draft since Connelly took over. The top draft contributor over the four years is Jaylen Clark. That's just bad. Dilly is a bust. TJ can't go right and the league has figured that out. Leonard Miller waves a damn good towel. Berenger is raw. Really raw. Minott is gone. Zikarsky looks like he might have some NBA ready skills. I hope they don't let draft order politics get in the way of giving him some kind of a chance this year over Berenger, while Berenger tries to figure it out.

The team needs a pg and a backup center who can play some defense. That's Connelly's job.

Outside of Spoelstra and Kerr there aren't any coaches in the league who are more than a terrible 2-3 weeks from being fired. That's the NBA. Finch is a fine coach. Your concerns are misdirected.
Click to expand...

I don’t remember the Vikings making the NFC championship the last 2 seasons, it’s not even close to the same situation.

The coaching staff isn’t responsible for developing players? Who has Finch made significantly better?

There are far more than 2 coaches that are better than Finch. The problems have remained consistent as players have changed under his leadership. I hope they trade for a PG. Then when it solves nothing, you’ll realize you don’t know what you’re talking about. Although you’ll never admit it.
 



kg21 said:
Well, what do you think?

www.minnesotasportsfan.com

MN Timberwolves Have Trade Offer Out on Starting NBA Guard

The Minnesota Timberwolves are hunting for backcourt help, and reportedly have an impatient offer on the table for Bulls starting guard Coby White.
www.minnesotasportsfan.com www.minnesotasportsfan.com
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I call BS on this particular trade offer even though I believe we probably have inquired about him along with Irving, Derrick White, Holiday and Murray.

White is not a PG or primary ballhandler, he's terrible on defense, a poor distributor, turnover prone and he's a high usage player. All of that adds up to being a terrible fit next to Ant.

He's also a FA after the season and rumored to be seeking $30-35M/year on his next deal which we simply cant afford. Even if we traded Naz for nothing but pure Cap space in return, we still wouldn't get below enough the Cap enabling us to re-sign him.

I wouldn't trade DDV straight up for White let alone add in TSJ and a Pick. My best offer would be Conley, TSJ and Miller. That would get outbid by another team but even that offer from the Wolves would be a waste of tradable salaries knowing we can't retain White next year.
 

Apparently, Connelly been talking to NOP about Alvarado and Bey and the rumored deal looks good on paper:

MIN in: Bey ($6.2M) & Alvarado ($4.5M)

NOP in: Dillingham ($6.5M), TSJ ($2.7M), Miller ($2.2M) & 2027 Pick Swap

* Bey is a versatile 3&D player that can play/defend three (3) positions with shooting splits of 46/35/78 this season.

* Alvarado is an efficient PG currently shooting 44/38/84. He's marginal at best on defense but he's an up tempo, high effort player similar to JJ Barea.

C Gobert/Reid
PF Randle/Bey
SF McDaniels/Clark
SG Edwards/DDV
PG Alvarado/Conley

Personally, this would be a no-brainer for the Wolves but I'm not sure why NOP would be that interested in Dilly when they already have a young, promising PG prospect in Fears.
 

Slim Tubby said:
I call BS on this particular trade offer even though I believe we probably have inquired about him along with Irving, Derrick White, Holiday and Murray.

White is not a PG or primary ballhandler, he's terrible on defense, a poor distributor, turnover prone and he's a high usage player. All of that adds up to being a terrible fit next to Ant.

He's also a FA after the season and rumored to be seeking $30-35M/year on his next deal which we simply cant afford. Even if we traded Naz for nothing but pure Cap space in return, we still wouldn't get below enough the Cap enabling us to re-sign him.

I wouldn't trade DDV straight up for White let alone add in TSJ and a Pick. My best offer would be Conley, TSJ and Miller. That would get outbid by another team but even that offer from the Wolves would be a waste of tradable salaries knowing we can't retain White next year.
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DDV doesn't take pressure off of Ant!

White can do that.

I'd do that trade in two seconds Shannon Jr. is a dime a dozen.
 



kg21 said:
DDV doesn't take pressure off of Ant!
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DDV isn't a PG...and neither is White.
kg21 said:
White can do that.
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How many games have you watched of White this year? He's a small SG and high volume chucker that can't guard a fire hydrant. There's a reason CHI wants to dump him and wants nothing to do with signing him to a $30M/year long-term extension.
kg21 said:
I'd do that trade in two seconds Shannon Jr. is a dime a dozen.
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One of the Bulls beat writers disagrees with your valuation of the trade:

What would Coby White-Wolves trade look like?​

As for what a potential trade would look like, the Wolves are in a bit of a tricky spot. They need to match White’s salary ($12.9 million) in the deal, but since they are a first-apron team, they can’t take back more than they give up.

If Chicago wanted Shannon back in the trade, it would have to look something like this:

Wolves receive: Coby White

Bulls receive: Mike Conley, Terrence Shannon Jr., Leonard Miller (or Joe Ingles), Draft capital

That would satisfy all the financial requirements while also netting the Bulls Shannon, who could then slot in nicely to their wing rotation moving forward.
pippenainteasy.com

Bulls need to ask for this Wolves player in a Coby White trade

If the Chicago Bulls trade Coby White to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they need to get back Terrence Shannon Jr. in the deal.
pippenainteasy.com pippenainteasy.com

And you didn't address the fact that it's virtually impossible to re-sign White after the season. Trading away Conley, TSJ and Miller as far as talent goes means nothing. They're expendable.

Trading away their contracts and Bird Rights is the problem. When White signs with another team in the offseason that can pay him more, his current salary slot is dead cap space for the Wolves that can't be filled by signing another player because we're a first Apron team.

The trade you posted would be an unmitigated disaster for the Wolves for a variety of reasons and further handicap our efforts to build around Ant. Honestly, trading for Vukevic and/or Dosunmu would be much better Bulls trade targets than an expiring White.
 

Slim Tubby said:
DDV isn't a PG...and neither is White.

How many games have you watched of White this year? He's a small SG and high volume chucker that can't guard a fire hydrant. There's a reason CHI wants to dump him and wants nothing to do with signing him to a $30M/year long-term extension.

One of the Bulls beat writers disagrees with your valuation of the trade:

What would Coby White-Wolves trade look like?​

As for what a potential trade would look like, the Wolves are in a bit of a tricky spot. They need to match White’s salary ($12.9 million) in the deal, but since they are a first-apron team, they can’t take back more than they give up.

If Chicago wanted Shannon back in the trade, it would have to look something like this:

Wolves receive: Coby White

Bulls receive: Mike Conley, Terrence Shannon Jr., Leonard Miller (or Joe Ingles), Draft capital

That would satisfy all the financial requirements while also netting the Bulls Shannon, who could then slot in nicely to their wing rotation moving forward.
pippenainteasy.com

Bulls need to ask for this Wolves player in a Coby White trade

If the Chicago Bulls trade Coby White to the Minnesota Timberwolves, they need to get back Terrence Shannon Jr. in the deal.
pippenainteasy.com pippenainteasy.com

And you didn't address the fact that it's virtually impossible to re-sign White after the season. Trading away Conley, TSJ and Miller as far as talent goes means nothing. They're expendable.

Trading away their contracts and Bird Rights is the problem. When White signs with another team in the offseason that can pay him more, his current salary slot is dead cap space for the Wolves that can't be filled by signing another player because we're a first Apron team.

The trade you posted would be an unmitigated disaster for the Wolves for a variety of reasons and further handicap our efforts to build around Ant. Honestly, trading for Vukevic and/or Dosunmu would be much better Bulls trade targets than an expiring White.
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Ant is boxed on one side of the floor often.

If you go to the other side of the floor, no one can take advantage of that.

White would thrive in that situation. We need someone who can put the ball on the floor. Someone who has to be defended on the other side. Ant's job would be much easier and White would be a problem for other teams.

White can also open some things up for Ant. Ant has to work so hard for everything.

Put Naz Reid in the deal. Reid is making 25 million per year and is a turnstile on defense. Gawd, get off his contract.
 

Slim Tubby said:
Apparently, Connelly been talking to NOP about Alvarado and Bey and the rumored deal looks good on paper:

MIN in: Bey ($6.2M) & Alvarado ($4.5M)

NOP in: Dillingham ($6.5M), TSJ ($2.7M), Miller ($2.2M) & 2027 Pick Swap

* Bey is a versatile 3&D player that can play/defend three (3) positions with shooting splits of 46/35/78 this season.

* Alvarado is an efficient PG currently shooting 44/38/84. He's marginal at best on defense but he's an up tempo, high effort player similar to JJ Barea.

C Gobert/Reid
PF Randle/Bey
SF McDaniels/Clark
SG Edwards/DDV
PG Alvarado/Conley

Personally, this would be a no-brainer for the Wolves but I'm not sure why NOP would be that interested in Dilly when they already have a young, promising PG prospect in Fears.
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Alvarado doesn't even start for New Orleans. There's zero chance he starts over DDV. DDV will be your starter unless they trade him.
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
I don’t remember the Vikings making the NFC championship the last 2 seasons, it’s not even close to the same situation.

The coaching staff isn’t responsible for developing players? Who has Finch made significantly better?

There are far more than 2 coaches that are better than Finch. The problems have remained consistent as players have changed under his leadership. I hope they trade for a PG. Then when it solves nothing, you’ll realize you don’t know what you’re talking about. Although you’ll never admit it.
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Nice try. You are pretzeling like deuce. I didn't say or imply that Finch is the third best coach in the league. I said he was a fine coach, which he is. A coach who has taken a team with no recent draft help to two straight WCF's. He's also one of many coaches in the league who could be gone after a 12 game or so losing streak, Kerr and Spo being the exceptions.

Players who have improved under Finch:
Ant
Naz
Rudy (years 2,3)
Jaden
Julius (second half of last year)
NAW
Jaylen
KAT

Pretty nice core.

At least you are finally off the Dilly (6'7" 240lbs) train.

Keep trying.
 



GopherWeatherGuy said:
Alvarado doesn't even start for New Orleans. There's zero chance he starts over DDV. DDV will be your starter unless they trade him.
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So don't start Alvarado. He'll still end up playing as many minutes as DDV at PG if not more. He doesn't start for NOP because they're giving their rookie (Fears) a chance to develop with their starters. If you compare overall #'s, Alvarado is clearly the better player right now.

NOP also have Dejounte Murray expected to return from injury at some point so Alvarado could be expendable for them. Plus, as you mentioned, we could then move DDV for depth at C/PF.
 
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kg21 said:
Ant is boxed on one side of the floor often.

If you go to the other side of the floor, no one can take advantage of that.

White would thrive in that situation. We need someone who can put the ball on the floor. Someone who has to be defended on the other side. Ant's job would be much easier and White would be a problem for other teams.

White can also open some things up for Ant. Ant has to work so hard for everything.

Put Naz Reid in the deal. Reid is making 25 million per year and is a turnstile on defense. Gawd, get off his contract.
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Regardless of which of us is correct, it sounds like a move is almost a certainty with all of the Connelly/Wolves trade rumors floating around. Reports are coming out that Conley's career could potentially be over with his Achilles tendinopathy getting significantly worse in the past week or so.
 

GopherWeatherGuy said:
The coaching staff isn’t responsible for developing players? Who has Finch made significantly better?
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Finch's first full season as Wolves HC was 2021-22:

Anthony Edwards
2021-22: Averaged 21/4/3
2025-26: Averaging 29/5/4

Naz Reid
2021-22: Averaged 8/4/1
2025-26: Averaging 14/6/2

Jaden McDaniels
2021-22: Averaged 9/4/1
2025-26: Averaging 16/5/3

Randle is also flourishing under Finch as well as guys like NAW and Clark. If you're going to hold the Coach accountable for poor execution on the court by the players, you also need to give him credit for their development under his watch.

Nobody is claiming that Finch is a perfect coach. Far from it. His substitution patterns and waiting too long to call a TO during runs by the other team is maddening. He's still a Top 10 coach in the NBA and would be the most coveted guy on the market if we parted ways.

This team was never better than when Conley was still functioning as an above average PG. Run the offense, distribute, play defense, shoot the occasional open 3 and maintain an above average Assist-to-TO ratio.

It's also what we're currently missing.
 

kg21 said:
Ant is boxed on one side of the floor often.

If you go to the other side of the floor, no one can take advantage of that.

White would thrive in that situation. We need someone who can put the ball on the floor. Someone who has to be defended on the other side. Ant's job would be much easier and White would be a problem for other teams.

White can also open some things up for Ant. Ant has to work so hard for everything.

Put Naz Reid in the deal. Reid is making 25 million per year and is a turnstile on defense. Gawd, get off his contract.
Click to expand...
More on Coby White:

Bulls' Coby White decision is now crystal clear (just not in the way they hoped)​

This surely was not Chicago's plan.

White, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, didn't make his 2025-26 season debut until Nov. 16. He's only played in seven games since then.

While his 22.6 points-per-game average looks good upon first glance, his field-goal percentage (43.1) is his lowest since 2021-22, and his 3-point percentage (30.2) and free-throw percentage (80.4) are the worst of his career.

To put it bluntly, White is hurting the Bulls more than he's helping them.

It isn't fair to blame all the struggles on White. But it is fair to blame him for some, especially on the defensive end. The backcourt combination of him and Josh Giddey is among the most dreadful in the NBA.

pippenainteasy.com

Bulls' Coby White decision is now crystal clear (just not in the way they hoped)

Chicago's season is quickly going off the rails, which makes the Bulls' plan to either trade or re-sign Coby White painfully obvious.
pippenainteasy.com pippenainteasy.com
 

Hawks at Pistons on now. Might be a good game.
Edit: turns out to be the least contested game so far.
 
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Tons of credible steam that DDV could be headed back to the Knicks. Sounds like Deuce McBride or Mitchell Robinson would be coming back but nearly impossible to complete with both teams at the Apron unless a 3rd team gets involved.

Giving up DDV for a C like Robinson makes no sense unless there's another deal lined up for a CG like Coby White. I'd much rather have McBride over White if I had my choice.
 



I almost turned it off heading into the fourth because I'd read this script before. Then I almost turned it off when the dubs made their run after the wolves went up by twelve with six minutes left because I'd read this script before. Stayed with it and it was a pleasure not to see this team die a long slow death or a sudden quick death under pressure. I hope this is the start of more focus.

Rudy almost looked...sort of....maybe....kind of....athletic.

For those who criticize Finch for his ATO's, one of the announcers last night said the wolves were ranked second in ATO's this season.

I don't understand why teams don't put more backcourt ball pressure on the wolves. I know it means expending energy and manpower but the wolves can't get the ball into the frontcourt when contested. They desperately need a competent pg.

I think Curry can keep doing this until he's 50. He's a pleasure to watch.
 

Was tempted to stop watching around the 2 minute mark. Good challenge when Donte lost the ball out of bounds. Donte with a couple huge 3’s also in the last couple of minutes.
 




Wemby is just insane to watch. I hope he can stay healthy long term
 

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