Some of these are variable based on injuries and matchups:

• Boston: Neemias Queta, Mitchell Robinson, Tatum, George
• Brooklyn: Day'ron Sharpe, Randle, Noah Clowney (skinny 6'10), Danny Wolf (not muscular 6'9)
• New York: KAT, Anunoby, Hart, Andre Drummond
• Philly: Embiid, Dean Wade (not muscular 6'9), Dominick Barlow (skinny 6'9), Adem Bona
• Toronto: Jakob Poeltl, Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles (6'7, strong), (likely) Kawhi
• Chicago: Nic Claxton, Caleb Wilson (skinny 6'10), Jalen Smith, Zach Collins
• Cleveland: Jarret Allen, Evan Mobley, Nae'Qwan Tomlin (6'8, 210), ?
• Detroit: Jalen Duren, John Collins, Paul Reed, Ausar Thompson
• Indiana: Iviva Zubac, Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker/Jay Huff
• Milwaukee: Myles Turner, Kel'el Ware, Kyle Kuzma, Nate Ament
• Atlanta: Onyeka Okongwu, Jock Landale, Asa Newell (6'10, 220), Jalen Johnson/Lu Dort
• Charlotte: Moussa Diabate, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Naz, Grant Williams
• Miami: Bam Adebayo, Giannis, Bobby Portis, ?
• Orlando: Wendell Carter, Goga Bitadze, Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner/Noah Penda
• Washington: Deandre Ayton, Anthony Davis, Alex Sarr, AJ Dybantsa
• Denver: Jokic, Gordon, Marvin Bagley, Peyton Watson/Cam Johnson/Spencer Jones
• OKC: Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet, Jaylin Williams, Jalen Williams
• Portland: Donovan Clingan, Robert Williams, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija
• Utah: Jusuf Nurkic, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jaxson Hayes, Lauri Markkanen/Kyle Filipowski/Brice Sensabaugh/Ace Bailey
• Golden State: Al Horford, Draymond, Kristaps Porzingis/Jimmy Butler, Yaxel Lendeborg
• Clippers: Yanic Niederhauser, Brook Lopez, Rui Hachimura, Derrick Jones Jr.
• Lakers: Walker Kessler, Mamu, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia
• Phoenix: Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach, Miles Bridges, Ryan Dunn
• Sacramento: Domantas Sabonis, Maxime Reynaud, Dylan Cardwell, Keegan Murray
• Dallas: Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, Santi Aldama, Dereck Lively/Morez Johnson
• Houston: Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams/Clint Capela
• Memphis: Beef Stew, Cam Boozer, Zach Edey/Quinten Post, GG Jackson/Taylor Hendricks/Jerami Grant/Olivier Max-Prosper
• New Orleans: Derrick Queen, Zion, Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic/Herb Jones
• San Antonio: Wemby, Tobias Harris, Luke Kornet, Julian Champagnie

Part of why 2 traditional big lineups often get played off the floor is because the officials protect smalls more than bigs, so if the Wolves were playing the Pelicans, they'd create more advantages hunting Derrick Queen and Zion on defense than the Pelicans could create with them being guarded by Jaden or Ant or Jaylen Clark, especially since it's easier to double bigs than smalls. And modern bigs like Chet or Jaren Jackson aren't matchup problems for smaller, quicker players because they don't punish on the boards or in the post. Jaden/Ant/Jaylen Clark are as strong as at least 25% of the league's starting centers.

I'd be worried if they had to face Houston in a playoff series, but beyond that, which likely traditional big combinations actually can create more advantages than the Wolves can against them? The main concern in playoff series would be how they scheme when Jaden is guarded by a big.

Most Playoff Points Among Players Drafted In 2020 :

1. Anthony Edwards — 1,346 (52 GP)
   
2. Tyrese Maxey — 991 (52 GP)
   
3. Tyrese Haliburton — 679 (38 GP)
   
4. Jaden McDaniels — 667 (49 GP)
   
5. Desmond Bane — 582 (34 GP)
   
6. Payton Pritchard — 518 (76 GP)
   
7. Obi Toppin — 510 (56 GP)
   
8. Aaron Nesmith — 497 (60 GP)
   
9. Devin Vassell — 298 (23 GP)
   
10. Isaiah Joe — 241 (55 GP)

What are your favorite potential late season additions?

Specifically, these might be guys who are on bad teams that decide to trade them or buy them out closer to the deadline.

Mine are:
- Jerami Grant (buy out)
- Jabari Smith Jr (trade Ayo for him once Donte looks like he’s coming back)

Obviously a lot of what-ifs here. But I think when we strike out on Lebron, it will be smart to just sit tight, stay flexible, and jump on the next opportunity.

Edit: trading Ayo clearly a mistake lol. Disregard that. I still think Jabari Smith would be a great fit

Lefevre has been part of the Timberwolves organization since the 2019-20 season, initially working as a video coordinator and player development associate before moving up the coaching ladder.

2 Assistants coaches down. Interested to see if they bring someone from outside, or just keep promoting coaches within the system as they've done in recent years

I haven’t heard this discussed much. We have explored LeBron, the idea of a different FA signing, and the idea of a trade. (Which is difficult until Jan.)

There are teams with too many contracts right now. This is, of course, subject to change.

- Memphis has 20
- Detroit (if Duran returns) has 16
- Milwaukee has 17
- Atlanta has 17 (w/Kum)
- Charlotte has 18
- LAL has 16
- Dal has 16

Memphis might need to cut either Murray, Hendricks or OMP.
Detroit maybe Taurean Prince?
Milwaukee maybe Pete Nance? Kuzma?
Atlanta maybe Gueye?
Charlotte the other Gueye? Wishful thinking would be Diabate.
LAL maybe LaRavia?
Dal not sure.

Any of these guys worth a tire kick?
-

I think a lot of people here are still looking at basketball through the lens of positions instead of roles. Every day I see posts saying the Wolves “need a PF.” I used to think the same way 10-12 years ago: We need a shooting guard? DeRozan is available? Let’s sign him. That’s just not how roster building works anymore.

Every player fills a specific role. Julius Randle guarded 4s and some 5s, rebounded well enough, could switch onto the perimeter at times, created mismatches off the dribble, and was one of the team’s best passers. So what was he - a PF, an SF, or even a point guard? Jaden McDaniels spends most of his time guarding the opposing team’s best player. Does that make him a shooting guard? A power forward? People keep saying, “Slide Jaden to PF,” but offensively he’s been playing that role ever since KAT was traded. The real discussion shouldn’t be whether Jaden is a PF - it should be whether you want him guarding the ball or playing as a help defender.

What the Wolves are actually missing is a player who can rebound when Rudy or Joan is pulled away from the rim, and someone who can match up with big drivers like Zion, Banchero, Jaren Jackson Jr., or Randle. But here’s the thing: they were never good at guarding those guys. Zion has been giving the Wolves problems for years. That weakness didn’t suddenly appear because Randle left. Also, do you think keeping Naz and playing him at 4 would have solved all the problems?

What did change is that the Wolves can now play a much more aggressive style defensively. They can go over screens, rotate better, and be more disruptive on the perimeter. Randle struggled with those things - he literally lost the game vs Blazers at home by failing to get over a simple screen, leading to Grant’s game-winner. Same about Naz who was even worse at many things on defense besides shot blocking. Now, offensively, all four players around the center can shoot, attack closeouts, finish, and move the ball. Instead of worrying about opponents hunting the Wolves’ weak defenders, the Wolves should be forcing opponents to rethink playing small guards who can’t defend.

Rebounding is still a concern, no doubt. But having three tall guards who can each average around five rebounds helps. Teams like Houston will still create problems, and a few others will too. You can’t build a roster with no weaknesses. Every contender has them. The Spurs struggled against a quick guard who forces them to help in five-out lineups. OKC clearly missed another shot creator after JDub got hurt, and they lost depth because of the second apron.

Of course it would be nice to have a 6’9” wing who can guard every position, rebound, shoot, and handle the ball. Those players are also among the most valuable archetypes in the league - they cost premium assets and make $30M+ a year. In a salary-cap 2nd apron league, every team has to make trade-offs. The Wolves traded some size and versatility for speed, skill, and offensive flexibility. That’s not perfect, but it’s a reasonable direction to take.

That’s why I don’t understand when people ask, “This guy is available - can he play PF?” Especially when they’re talking about players like DeRozan, Kuminga, or, more recently, Hezonja. You can’t just open 2K, move someone to a different position, and expect it to work in real life. Can they guard multiple positions? Can they rebound? Can they consistently space the floor? Can they thrive without the ball? Those are the questions that matter. DeRozan, Kuminga, and Hezonja all need the ball to be effective. So what’s the plan - have Ant and LaMelo stand in the corners while Hezonja creates offense? He might technically be a power forward - that’s the position he played in Europe, but shot creation is probably the last thing the Wolves need right now.

This really should be understood for the fans of the other teams involved. I know the Timberwolves fans are more rational.

Shams stated:

"According to my understanding over the last couple of weeks, the focus has been primarily on Eastern Conference teams: Cleveland, Miami, and Philadelphia."

The focus.

He also stated:

"From a basketball perspective, I know that Minnesota has definitely been high on LeBron James list."

This is the same issue that fans misinterpreted regarding the quote, "trust the process."

When LeBron and his team are focusing on those three teams, they're trying to find a reason why they are better than the other two. It does not mean he's going to an Eastern team or any one of those teams.

That doesn't mean they will find better reasons. I don't like tearing people down given sports have the power to bring people together, but some of these fans are actually irrational and possibly insane thinking the Timberwolves are not still high on his list.

The media caters to this fan base because that's where the money from clicks and marketing comes from. This was again confirmed by Rich Paul last night when he stated:

"98% of the media do not have any information regarding LeBron's free agency. These people don't know anything."

They keep running with this narrative though; they won't stop because they know how to manipulate these fans.

I will warn any fans from these other teams: if and when LeBron chooses the Timberwolves, don't blame LeBron, Rich Paul or Shams because you wanted to hear what you wanted to hear. It's not their fault. It's 98% bs/misinterpretation and 2% truth. This is why the odds sit where they are on the prediction market.

The media loves this ongoing story, and the analysts blaming LeBron for wanting attention love the attention from the audience much more. It brings in a lot of money for the networks and producers push this narrative on purpose. They're intentionally creating debate.

Giving the other teams a chance by focusing on them is not only good for LeBron's business but also shows smart business acumen and etiquette.

Just because the media and their followers are ignoring us, doesn't mean LeBron and his team are. Again, that's why Rich Paul had to clarify this last night on his podcast.

We not only have a basketball fit that's perfect and high on the list, but a business and legacy fit also.

Post your wildest, weirdest takes for the next season!

I'll start: LeBron will sign here, but only after waiting until the regular season starts and signs 5 different 10 day contracts so he can give each team a trial period.

From an article in the Athletic today. Good trade Tim

“It’s definitely going to be ups and downs. First year together maybe a lot of downs. We’ll celebrate both of them.”

Source: http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx8Q9pssDZTlVBhPxNpwhSettb-EgDm4ug?si=LLP5v7t7oe1i-c6Z

Seems kinda low for a guy tied with the most DPOYs

Additionally, former Timberwolf and MVP Kevin Garrett is listed as the 3rd greatest of all time

per C Hines insta story.

SO HYPE TO WITNESS. already best buds it’s gonna be crazy chemistry

Running a Trade Machine, that would send Josh Green to New Orleans for Sad diq Bey but they are 1.1 mil over allowable incoming. Can a team send cash considerations to cover that allowable income or are they just not able to make it work?

I’m gonna leave this here:

"Keep the main thing the main thing," Edwards told Lane Florsheim of the Wall Street Journal."A lot of people get somewhere and lose sight of the reason they got all this fame or money. I just want to keep getting better at basketball."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10132501-nbas-anthony-edwards-a-lot-of-people-lose-sight-of-why-they-got-fame-or-money

Reddit gave me the auto option to cross post here, so why not.