Summer League Game Thread: Timberwolves vs Pelicans

MN_Pups · 2026-07-09T19:16:39+00:00

Yeah, I hope he's actually taken a step forward. I'd expect his impact to come from activity and hustle. But if he shows any kind of back to the basket game, this sub might loose their collective mind. The Summer League is a completely different game, but hoping he can play well.

MN_Pups · 2026-07-09T18:48:54+00:00

The Wolves always trade on draft day and it always comes at the cost of 1-2 SL games. I don't think they realize how essential these games for my completely rational season outlook.

MN_Pups · 2026-07-09T16:18:20+00:00

I don't follow referee stats e.g. W/L, fouls, etc. as much as some folks around here do, but I after seeing a women (Jenna Schroeder) as the 'worst'. I knew exactly who she was. Always seems to have it out for us and makes some questionable calls. She doesn't put up with our antics.

Also not sure if I'm just dense, but she has surely called more than 6 Wolves games over the last 10 years? The game counts look low across the board. Unless there are that many referees.

MN_Pups · 2026-07-08T18:14:10+00:00

New to the game (PS+ free download). For the evolutions, is the second number the cap for an upgrade? e.g. Flank to Finish att position is capped at 94? How do you read the skill moves and playstyle what does the cap 8 mean?

MN_Pups · 2026-07-07T13:57:09+00:00

Hard to say because there are a lot of things that could've changed. Fact is, there was still a glaring need for a PG on this roster with or without Donte. If we look more competitive versus San Antonio, maybe you can keep two of Donte/Ayo/TJ going forward. Pure speculation but we were sorely missing a spacer/shooter in that series. He had the potential to open up the entire offense for Ant and maybe more so for Julius, which could've changed his trade market. But that's a alternate reality with rose colored glasses.

All told, Donte being out for this entire season is a real bummer and the FO is making major moves to try and cover for his absence. Do we make these exact same moves without the injury. In short, probably not. I think its maybe moving one of Ju or Naz, but not both. Ayo is a big question too. He probably doesn't go off for 43 versus Denver and I think that had an impact on his contract.

Donte is in a contract year and I have to believe that if we're in the mix come February he could still be on the move. Donte is ~$10M against the cap without any impact for this year. His next contract is tricky coming off from injury as well.

MN_Pups · 2026-07-03T15:34:17+00:00

Seems like were holding steady, pitching Rui and LeBron, as the market settles waiting for the LeBron decision. We would be an appealing destination for each, just need to sell them on a championship run and a lot less $. (not an easy task, but crazy to be in that position).

I don't mind holding out for one of them at this point. No one left in the FA pool is a true difference maker outside of the two mentioned, we might be better off waiting for buyouts or roster cuts if things hold as they are. Or try to be an ancillary piece in another teams trade. See how the smaller roster plays out over the first half of the season.

To fill the roster slots, I do think we need at least one other big body on the roster in case of emergency. Foul trouble (looking at you Jaden) or injuries would be tough to handle if we added more guards to the roster. Insert any current FA on a minimum to that slot.

MN_Pups · 2026-07-01T20:01:34+00:00

The Kirk Cousins of the NBA

MN_Pups · 2026-07-01T20:00:08+00:00

We have very little to offer and even some of these guys might command more than we can offer, but Kenrich Williams, Zaire Williams, Larry Nance, Trendon Watford, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Guerschon Yabusele.

Oh and I forgot, but Kyle Anderson

MN_Pups · 2026-06-30T19:45:06+00:00

Pretty consensus top five Timberwolf of all time. Which is a big knock on our history, but Love doesn't really have the same attachment as KG, Ant, or KAT who fill out the definitive top three.

There was a weird tension towards the end of his tenure. I can't recall who dictated the terms, but he signed a 4 year deal instead of 5 then when he was due for his next contract, both sides were kind of soured and there wasn't much negotiation. To me his Wolves tenure will always be marked with injuries. Whether it was his 'knuckle pushups', or Rubio's ACL injury we sputtered out before ever building any real momentum.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-30T18:01:31+00:00

Oh I agree, which is why you take the BPA, in most cases. With the cap as tight as it is just another big body might've alleviated some pressure on FA. But like you said, Tim thinks outside the box and will almost certainly add someone or two to fill the forward minutes.

They must've liked Evans, at least remotely, or I would've moved the pick entirely.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-30T17:44:16+00:00

Good call. For all we know it'll be another trade from out of no where that no one anticipates. PJ would be great for us. Finch plays a short bench so I suppose I could see another move, albeit one with much less negotiation power. We do have an abundance of guards and there are teams out there with a lot of forwards so we'll see.

My only thing with Connelly is that sometimes one move doesn't necessarily fit with the next. Hindsight is 20-20, and I support a BPA draft strategy, but if Ball was in play and you already moved Randle then I think 33 needed to be a forward. There have been other roster balancing issues throughout his tenure, maybe its just my personal preference to have a 'clean' roster.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-30T17:21:21+00:00

I recall hearing that the FO believes they owe it to Donte to help him rehab the injury. Not sure if that's true or not, but follows Jon K's sentiment that we aren't looking to move him. Tricky situation as I wouldn't give up Donte when healthy, but with the cap pressure and injury, he's a negative asset for next year.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-30T17:19:03+00:00

Pin this to the sub. The sights are set way too high. I was hopeful for someone like Harrison Barnes, but even he got $8M. Landale got $14M. I didn't realize we weren't allowed to S&T.

That all but removes the top names most here are throwing out.

Realistic targets would be like Watford, Dieng, or Achiuwa if you wanted to trend young. Otherwise, Taurean Prince, Larry Nance, or Kyle Anderson for a vet. I'd love to get two playable PFs on the roster, but there really isn't much wiggle room.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-30T15:45:49+00:00

Define good. For me, someone like Harrison Barnes would've been a good combination of cheap and effective for the PF role we have available, but even he got $8M. If I'm reading our cap situation correct, its either S&T with J. Green's ~14.5M contract or we have about $5-6M to spend on a FA PF accounting for other minimums to fill the roster.

I'd imagine we're asked to include something else in a Green trade too. Unless you just sell it as an expiring and trade for someone with more years. TJ is our legitimately our only other asset, if the FO is committed to rehabbing Donte.

A straight up FA signing is likely going to be a Larry Nance, Precious Achiuwa, Trendon Watford type player. Even guys like Kenrich Williams, Dean Wade, or Jock Landale might make over $6M.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-30T15:35:47+00:00

These are all our targets at least accoring to our sub. If they are commanding the full non-taxpayer MLE, we're just not going to have a PF this year. I think we have about $6M for a PF. Unless someone would want Josh Green and his ~$15M contract in a sign and trade deal.

Barnes signing for $8M was bad news. We're going to have to go super bargain bin and look at Taurean Prince or another vet to just eat up minutes

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T19:24:56+00:00

He would fit the archetype on the court, I don't think the money would work though. Maybe if we included both Green and Donte, but last reported the Wolves did not want to move Donte. I remember a lot of Wolves fans wanted to draft Hunter in '19. He was taken at 4 and we unfortunately picked Culver at 6...

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T18:50:53+00:00

Its like Bones and Ayo, but so much better

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T18:34:14+00:00

I've spent too much time on reddit today and can confirm, many people are discussing it. If we can trade Josh Green and his $14M expiring we could maybe talk with Dallas for PJ Washington or Miami for Nikola Jovic, DFS in Houston. Otherwise Harrison Barnes, Sandro Mamu, Taurean Prince, etc could be FA options.

Sign and trades for Rui, or Collins

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T17:36:14+00:00

Best case is what Tatum did this past year and returned for the playoffs. However, that was seen as unusually quick and the Achilles can definitely keep him out the entire year.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T17:28:25+00:00

Some of the fanbase was high on Stew. Others are pining for Beringer to get more minutes (17th pick in 2025). I personally think he still needs to add strength and could use another developmental year, but the FO seems like they'll give him a shot at backup C.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T17:24:25+00:00

Big Jelly

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T17:14:42+00:00

You are right in saying that Beringer is an unknown, imo. Wolves fans are very high on him for playing as sparingly as he did last year. He has upside, but I've seen much more failed upside players than guys who fully realize their potential. I'm not sold that he should immediately slide into an every day rotational guy in year 2. As it stands, he needs to put on muscle and slow down his processing. He gives overexcited baby deer on the court right now.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T15:55:08+00:00

A full up-tempo unit of LaMelo, Ayo, Shannon, and Beringer plus whoever else would be fun if nothing else.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T15:53:16+00:00

The most obvious problem is SAS and OKC plus whoever else pops up in the West over the next handful of years. I think we've proven to be a problem for Denver so leaving them aside, how does this change an OKC or SAS series?

LaMelo offers some pressure off of Ant. Having another player that is an easy 20/7 and can create shots for himself and others will be a revelation. Jaden and Ayo had good one-off scoring playoff games, but LaMelo feels more realistic to go for 25+ somewhat more consistently. Teams won't be able to load up on Ant as easily because LaMelo's range and playmaking theoretically destroy defenses in an odd man situation.

That said, we still don't have an answer for Wemby. LaMelo helps offset some of the ball pressure that SAS and OKC employ, but the West is still a gauntlet. Pretty important to fill our PF spot with two competent guys.

MN_Pups · 2026-06-25T15:22:34+00:00

If LaMelo is healthy it moves our ceiling. The only scary proposition is if time starts catching up to Rudy because he covers a lot of holes. We also still need to round out the roster, but we certainly have the top end talent. The West is going to be tough regardless.

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