Wolves 2018 offseason (Full Version)

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David Levine -> Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 11:00:43 AM)

Because its never too early to start...




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 11:00:57 AM)

Jon Krawczynski✔@JonKrawczynski
Interesting from Glen Taylor on @wccoradio: Wolves will lean heavily on Butler this summer to help recruit FAs to try to convince them to play for less $ to join a winner.

11:04 AM - Apr 23, 2018

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David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 11:01:05 AM)

A grim, but likely accurate post from "Suspicious Sal":

The real issue in this series is Rose's "good" play.

If there was any doubt that Thibs would re-sign Rose, that is pretty much gone now. How much is Rose’s agent going to steal from them? If its the full mid-level exception, then they will be hard-capped and won’t be able to re-sign Bjelica. If it’s the tax-payer mid-level exception, they still have to make a decision if its worth going over the tax for Bjelica, a player who has not figured prominently in the playoffs. Maybe an outside market won’t develop for Rose, and he is willing to come back for the veteran minimum, but I don’t expect Thibs and Layden to have the discipline to win that stare-down with Rose’s agent.

Then they have decide if they want to address there roster imbalance with Teague, Rose, Crawford, and Jones. Is Thibs going to commit to playing 3 point guard bench units again? He can point to the Trail Blazers and Clippers using those lineups, but I don’t think its something anyone prefers to do.

Keeping all of them for injury depth, but not playing all of them would make sense given Crawford’s age and Rose’s history, but Jones is the only player that Thibs could bench without having someone get ****ed off and causing trouble—perhaps Thibs wouldn’t care about a disgruntled bench player. More likely he would prefer to bench Jones anyway—that appears to be the case based on his playoff rotations.

What about a trade? Thibs might view Rose as a starter caliber player, but I don’t think they ship Teague out, given Rose’s injury history. Thibs could have a come-to-Jesus moment and realize that Crawford is absolutely killing their defensive rating to the point where he grades out as one of the worst players in the league, but its game 4 of the playoffs and he still hasn’t had it. Which brings us back to Jones—the only player of the quartet with real trade value—potentially enough trade value to acquire a late first round pick or a suitable backup wing.

So unless there is a major shakeup involving Wiggins, we are most likely looking at the Wolves losing Bjelica in free agency, and Tyus Jones getting traded.




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 11:01:35 AM)

Its sad how just a year ago we were the up and coming envy of the league, but it feels like since then we've been passed (both in performance and future potential) by so many young, exciting teams. Philly, Utah, Milwaukee...just to name 3.

We're capped out, we have few assets to use to get better and we're suddenly not even a young team anymore:

Ages of our Top 10 in MPG:

1: 28
2: 23
3: 22
4: 32
5: 29
6: 38
7: 29
8: 21
9: 28
10: 29




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 1:00:45 PM)

There is an obvious Chicago slant to this piece, but Butler has some telling quotes. I think if we continue to build around KAT and Wiggins, Butler might bolt:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jimmy-butler-back-in-a-bulls-uniform-someday-not-as-far-fetched-as-it-sounds/




JT2 -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 1:32:24 PM)

Moving forward, this team is in a bad place, on multiple fronts.




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 1:57:59 PM)

From "The Country Club" at TWolvesCentral:

If the luxury cap is $121 mil next year, we're already over without even factoring in MLE, our first round pick, and any vet signings. The cost for us to be at ~ $135 mil (assuming MLE to Rose plus assorted other salaries and the first round pick) puts us to $21 mil in tax. It'd cost $24 mil to just fire Thibs now and then let a new FO work some magic on keeping us below $121 mil (probably by trading Butler and Taj for multiple players on contracts of varying lengths).




TJSweens -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 2:02:39 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

There is an obvious Chicago slant to this piece, but Butler has some telling quotes. I think if we continue to build around KAT and Wiggins, Butler might bolt:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jimmy-butler-back-in-a-bulls-uniform-someday-not-as-far-fetched-as-it-sounds/


I love Jimmy Buckets, but his single minded devotion to Thibs is a bit troubling to me. It's to the point of just being butt blind to a lot of horrible decision making.




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/24/2018 2:04:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

There is an obvious Chicago slant to this piece, but Butler has some telling quotes. I think if we continue to build around KAT and Wiggins, Butler might bolt:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jimmy-butler-back-in-a-bulls-uniform-someday-not-as-far-fetched-as-it-sounds/


I love Jimmy Buckets, but his single minded devotion to Thibs is a bit troubling to me. It's to the point of just being butt blind to a lot of horrible decision making.


Its because Jimmy still sees himself as the kid that has to scratch and claw and fight for everything he has. His only chance to get out of hell was to work twice as hard as everyone else and then work 3 times as hard to stay there.

So Thibs resonates with him.




Karl Juhnke -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 8:46:45 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

From "The Country Club" at TWolvesCentral:

If the luxury cap is $121 mil next year, we're already over without even factoring in MLE, our first round pick, and any vet signings. The cost for us to be at ~ $135 mil (assuming MLE to Rose plus assorted other salaries and the first round pick) puts us to $21 mil in tax. It'd cost $24 mil to just fire Thibs now and then let a new FO work some magic on keeping us below $121 mil (probably by trading Butler and Taj for multiple players on contracts of varying lengths).


There is no way they should bring Rose back. Completely senseless. Yes I appreciate the spark he provided in our ONE playoff win. But come on. He's only good in flashes. Any time he gets extended minutes he looks gassed and his effectiveness goes way down.

Thibs and Rose did each other a favor and each got a little something out of it for this year, but anything beyond that is crazy.




Karl Juhnke -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 8:49:05 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

There is an obvious Chicago slant to this piece, but Butler has some telling quotes. I think if we continue to build around KAT and Wiggins, Butler might bolt:

https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jimmy-butler-back-in-a-bulls-uniform-someday-not-as-far-fetched-as-it-sounds/


I love Jimmy Buckets, but his single minded devotion to Thibs is a bit troubling to me. It's to the point of just being butt blind to a lot of horrible decision making.


Its because Jimmy still sees himself as the kid that has to scratch and claw and fight for everything he has. His only chance to get out of hell was to work twice as hard as everyone else and then work 3 times as hard to stay there.

So Thibs resonates with him.


I think Jimmy will head back to Chicago. Jimmy, Zach and Dunn. The nucleus.




TJSweens -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 9:19:08 AM)

Yep, I have the dread feeling that we gave up LaVine, Dunn and Markkanen for a 2 year rental of Butler.




Karl Juhnke -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 10:14:09 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: TJSweens

Yep, I have the dread feeling that we gave up LaVine, Dunn and Markkanen for a 2 year rental of Butler.


It actually made sense for Chicago. They knew they weren't going to be a factor for a couple of years. So rent out Butler, let someone else take on his salary for a while, accumulate and develop other pieces, then bring him back.




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 11:22:12 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

From "The Country Club" at TWolvesCentral:

If the luxury cap is $121 mil next year, we're already over without even factoring in MLE, our first round pick, and any vet signings. The cost for us to be at ~ $135 mil (assuming MLE to Rose plus assorted other salaries and the first round pick) puts us to $21 mil in tax. It'd cost $24 mil to just fire Thibs now and then let a new FO work some magic on keeping us below $121 mil (probably by trading Butler and Taj for multiple players on contracts of varying lengths).


There is no way they should bring Rose back. Completely senseless. Yes I appreciate the spark he provided in our ONE playoff win. But come on. He's only good in flashes. Any time he gets extended minutes he looks gassed and his effectiveness goes way down.

Thibs and Rose did each other a favor and each got a little something out of it for this year, but anything beyond that is crazy.


Of course Rose will be back.

Thibs loves him, Rose loves being here. And Thibs will use the (incorrect) media slobbering over Rose during the series as excuse #1 to give him a healthy raise.




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 11:22:27 AM)

Good stuff here:

Exit Interview: Minnesota Timberwolves

https://www.theringer.com/nba/2018/4/26/17283022/minnesota-timberwolves-playoffs-thibodeau




TJSweens -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 1:21:33 PM)

Cool. There's even a link to a fire Thibs petition.




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 1:26:06 PM)

From Bobby Marks' Insider column:

The recent March 1 waiver buyout period could serve as a preview for the Timberwolves this offseason.

Despite Minnesota signing guard Derrick Rose, there was reluctance among agents to send their potential buyout candidates to Minnesota with the uncertainty of playing time. Why send a soon-to-be free agent who gave up money with his prior team to a new city, only to see limited minutes without a defined role?

How this narrative translates into free agency will dictate whether the Timberwolves are a team fighting for the last playoff spot or one entrenched in the top five in the West.

With Andrew Wiggins' $147 million extension set to take effect, Minnesota will be pressed up against the luxury tax. The Wolves will have only $5.4 million of the $8.6 million midlevel exception and the minimum exception to sign six players, with the team needing to add a shooting guard, small forward and power forward. Using the full exception would hard cap the club.

Unlike last year, when the lure of money played a part in signing Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson, the front office will now have to recruit free agents to accept less money and a lesser role.

While you could look to the draft to help fill the void, remember that 2017 first-round selection Justin Patton appeared in one game and spent most of the season in the G League.

If Patton develops along with the Wolves' two draft picks in June, it would stabilize the bench for the future and not put Minnesota in a position to bargain shop each summer.
Edit / Delete




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 1:26:25 PM)

I guess on the plus side, we can only offer Rose 5.4M...




Phil Riewer -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 1:36:17 PM)

https://dunkingwithwolves.com/2018/04/18/2018-nba-draft-3-players-for-the-timberwolves-20th-pick/

Keita Bates-Diop




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 1:41:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

https://dunkingwithwolves.com/2018/04/18/2018-nba-draft-3-players-for-the-timberwolves-20th-pick/

Keita Bates-Diop


I'm not a fan of Bates-Diop, but I love that they have Jacob Evans on there. He's been one of my favorites at our pick for a while.




Matt Lang -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 3:05:00 PM)

NBAdraft.net has us taking Gary Trent Jr

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/gary-trent-jr




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 3:07:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Matt Lang

NBAdraft.net has us taking Gary Trent Jr

http://www.nbadraft.net/players/gary-trent-jr


I could live with it.

Much rather have Evans.




Karl Juhnke -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 3:55:17 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Karl Juhnke

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

From "The Country Club" at TWolvesCentral:

If the luxury cap is $121 mil next year, we're already over without even factoring in MLE, our first round pick, and any vet signings. The cost for us to be at ~ $135 mil (assuming MLE to Rose plus assorted other salaries and the first round pick) puts us to $21 mil in tax. It'd cost $24 mil to just fire Thibs now and then let a new FO work some magic on keeping us below $121 mil (probably by trading Butler and Taj for multiple players on contracts of varying lengths).


There is no way they should bring Rose back. Completely senseless. Yes I appreciate the spark he provided in our ONE playoff win. But come on. He's only good in flashes. Any time he gets extended minutes he looks gassed and his effectiveness goes way down.

Thibs and Rose did each other a favor and each got a little something out of it for this year, but anything beyond that is crazy.


Of course Rose will be back.

Thibs loves him, Rose loves being here. And Thibs will use the (incorrect) media slobbering over Rose during the series as excuse #1 to give him a healthy raise.


Ugh




David Levine -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 4:50:03 PM)

There is not a single opponent in the league where playing Bjelica over Taj makes more sense than Houston.

Yet Thibs played him 9 MPG. Not a typo. He played 47 minutes over the 5 games.

Why would he ever want to come back? It took Butler getting hurt for him to get more than 15MPG...




JT2 -> RE: Wolves 2018 offseason (4/26/2018 5:30:40 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: David Levine

There is not a single opponent in the league where playing Bjelica over Taj makes more sense than Houston.

Yet Thibs played him 9 MPG. Not a typo. He played 47 minutes over the 5 games.

Why would he ever want to come back? It took Butler getting hurt for him to get more than 15MPG...



And probably not a worse player vs. team match up in the league than Gibson vs. Houston.

The Thibodeau criticisms are endless and justified, but this one is a real puzzler.




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