The Timberwolves have been encouraged by their play at the midway point of the season, but they know they still have a long way to go to achieve their goal of making the playoffs, as Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic writes. The team generally gets along well, which is important because chemistry has been in short supply in Minnesota for many years, Krawczynski notes.
Another major change is the defense has improved dramatically to this point, ranking 11th in the league entering Thursday’s game against Memphis. The last time the Timberwolves had a defensive rating better than 21st was 2013/14, when they ranked 12th. A major contributor to the team’s aggressive defense has been forward Jarred Vanderbilt.
“I think a couple of games we tried to change it up and go dropping, but we realized we’re just a better team when we’re aggressive and getting into the ball, being in the gaps, flying around and just making multiple efforts,” Vanderbilt said. “I think that was the biggest change for us.”
Minnesota is expected to be a buyer at the trade deadline, sources tell Krawczynski. The Wolves remain interested in Ben Simmons, but the Sixers haven’t shown any interest in Minnesota’s offers to this point. Myles Turner has been floated as a possibility, but Vanderbilt’s emergence has dampened that notion. Krawczynki believes the team should be targeting size off the bench and more three-point shooting.
Here’s more from Minnesota:
- The Timberwolves have hired Marquise Watts to become their new chief experience officer, the team announced. Watts previously worked at Under Armour, Adidas, and Klutch Sports Group. Jon Krawczynski and Shams Charania of The Athletic explore why Watt’s hiring is a significant move, noting that it’s the first major hire under new owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who are determined to change the perception of the franchise.
- Aaron Gleeman and John Hollinger of The Athletic explore how good the Wolves can be this season and what trades they should target ahead of the deadline, among other topics. Hollinger believes Jerami Grant or Harrison Barnes could fit nicely in Minnesota if Simmons is unattainable.
- Guard Jaylen Nowell recently suffered an ankle injury, but participated in shootaround Thursday. Coach Chris Finch said the injury doesn’t appear as serious as the Wolves originally thought, and while Nowell missed Thursday’s game against Memphis, Finch is hopeful he could return Sunday against Golden State, tweets Chris Hine of the Star Tribune.
DLo doesnt move the needle for Philly. Edwards or stop talking about Minn. DLo is too inefficient and too soft to be the focal point of a trade for the Sixers. You can argue about BS value, but doesn’t negate the fact that DLo is not a good fit. He was a good fit in 2015 not 2022.
I can’t imagine these teams lining up on a deal Edwards is arguably more effective than Simmons at this point and I agree D. Lo is not going to make it work on Philly’s end. Obviously Minny is not giving up Towns either.
Edward’s is a better scorer but Ben is still better by all metrics. PER, VORP, WS, BPM. But Edwards would fit better for the Sixers than BS long term. Minn wont give him up and yr right Towns makes zero sense for both.
Not sure what will fix Minn. They have talented players they just don’t have winners. But they’ll probably get a play-in.
It’s takes time to build culture. This year they have been moving in the right direction but they are not “one” player away from competing. Anyone that think a splash trade is going suddenly take Minnesota deep into the playoffs is dreaming. Give it another year of development, keep that financial flexibility, learn how to win close game vs good teams and a better option than BS might actually come along to take them above .500. Stay patient Wolves the future is brighter than it has ever been in Minnesota.
Minnesota just needs to stay the course, Ant is a superstar just let him grow into it, Bens not better by any metric this season and his value is what it is but I think Minnesota is right to keep Ant and KAT and Philly is right to want more than DLo, the teams don’t match up on a trade at all
That sounds like a Philly problem, not a Minnesota issue. Ben’s value is what it is. The fact is, Morey and Philly fans can whine and complain all they want until the cows come home, but the reality of the situation diesnt change. Ben just simply is worth what 29 other teams are willing to pay for him. It doesn’t go the other way around. The sooner Morey realizes this, the better off Philadelphia will be. There is a clear distortion here between what Philadelphia values Simmons as, and how the other 29 other teams value Simmons. I’d go with the 29 GMs.
The thing is, the more close to the deadline, the more desperate unseccesfull teams are or the gruntled stars, those thing will increase what teams will offer for Ben Simmons.
Philly Front Office has this in mind and I agree, they are not desperate because they are a lock in the Playoffs and Ben’s value is not going down.
Not that it would happen but Ant for Ben could easily really good deal.
I think Ben would help them a lot in heaps of areas. Obviously on defence is the obvious one. But I think Ben handling the rock he would get Dlo really good open looks, same with KAT.
I think Ben could get DLo consistently putting up about 23 points on 38% from deep (both would be career highs) while still getting about 4/5 assists a game.
I think the TWolves have the spacing to accommodate Ben aswell. You’ve got KAT, Reid, McDaniels, Beasley, Pat Bev and Nowell.
The deal would probably look a something like..
Ben Simmons and Mattise Thybulle for Anthony Edwards, Tauren Prince and Jake Layman.
Sixers waive Layman. TWolves also open up an extra roster spot, maybe sign Greg Monroe to an end of season deal.
TWolves then line up
DLo Beasley Simmons Vanderbilt KAT
Then off the bench
Beverly Bolmaro/Nowell Thybulle McDaniels Reid
As for the Sixers, Maxey and Ant would make a really exciting young backcourt. Great personalities, really good energy, good all round ability from them both and I think Ant would work well with Embiid. Both extremely talented, both hard working, both are really funny and it would be a positive locker room. Not to mention if Embiid goes down injured we can throw Drummond in as a starter and still be competing with Ant Harris and Maxey. Seth Curry would thrive off the bench with Danny Green next to him. Would still have Korkmaz, Niang and Prince as our forwards. Would be absolutely loaded.
From a Sixers perspective I’d even give up the above mentioned package and a first in order to get it done.
There is 0% chance Ant is getting traded for Ben Simmons. His (Ben’s) value just simply isn’t there
Like I said very very unlikely but I think on paper it could really be a great deal for both sides.
As for value I think Ben plus Thybulle plus a first for Ant and some bums to salary match is actually matching pretty even.
Today Ben is the better player but Edwards ceilling is yet to be prove. Ant has been playing better than his rookie season, there is no chance they are moving him, for Ben or for anyone.
As for Turner, heard the Raptors are really interested.
Wonder if they would part with OG Anunoby?
FVV Trent Jr Barnes Siakim and Turner as a starting 5
Would be an elite defensive team, really good three point shooting team, championship experience, good coach. Would tick all the boxes for going places
As a Raptors fan, I don’t think there’s any chance OG would even be considered to be a part of a Myles Turner swap. The Raptors have been rumored to be after virtually every available big man with length ever since Ibaka and Gasol departed. That doesn’t mean they’d over pay for one. Myles is a great player, and would be a good fit wherever he goes. I think it’s criminal how he’s being used with the Pacers. However with that being said, if the cost to the Raptors is Anunoby, I dont think we would be raising the ceiling of our team.
I do believe, however, that Gary Trent Jr would be available for a Myles trade, if Indiana were to be interested. We also own all of our future picks. I do think Myles deserves to Fetch a haul though, and I hope whichever team acquires him uses him rihht. I think he has a lot to grow, still.
Thanks for your insight as a Raptors fan.
I thought there could be a window for possibility considering both OG and Barnes are SF’s and I think Barnes has a brighter future.
Turner I think would be a terrific fit. Trent Jr Barnes Siakim are all great on ball defenders but Turner would give them elite rim protection too and that Raptors team would be really hard to score on with him.
Then offensively Turner can shoot the three ball and space the floor either from picks at the top of the key or on the corners. Not to mention I think Nick Nurse who is a terrific coach could get the best out of him.
He does struggle rebounding but Siakim and Barnes not rebound well and could help with that.
You could even try add Goran Dragic for TJ Warren as apart of the deal. Dragic your not even using and Warren is apparently about to return from injury and is on an expiring deal. He wouldn’t get an extension but could be handy coming off the bench in the playoffs
In a way, Turner is like the exact opposite of what Ujiri looks for. He likes the hardening affect that for instance the immigration experience affords, and Turner is a product of premium athletes growing up getting special treatment, celebrating small achievements like Americans are allowed to and even judged for.
This might be what Theone means… Also however, Turner might be subject to frustration if he had to play center all the time, so the Pacer situation is better for him than the Raptors. If Boucher is on, he is what they want.
Kinda racists but sure …
Kind of a short umanswerable insult-based post but sure…
I think Terrance Ross and Taddeus Young would be good. Schroeder from Celtics would be good for Minny
This Wolves new hire— that is all about race, and the dumb new owners hardly hide that. They think white when they think of the Wolves, and think that is bad.
“Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who are determined to change the perception of the franchise…” So… the Wolves must overcome all those whites— indeed, blondes— All those paying fans wanting them to succeed, such an obstacle.
As one clever TA commenter said, “So your saying this is an idea or something Taylor was lacking ? Hoping Watts can impact on the weather too !”
Joke ha. Of course nobody outside of LA, no matter the weather, is getting the FAs they think they deserve… so there has to be another way to get to the top.
Apparently Watts will make sure the owners spend adequately on shower heads. He has experience representing black athletes. He will make millionaires feel wanted and HC Finch will too, and that will do it.??
When I see them play, the Wolves have intentionally or not, the blackest style in the NBA, but nobody seems to be able to talk about it, so no adjustments can be made as a legit contender might do to get over the hump.
Not that more whites would help. Their problem of suffocating white guilt is everywhere, so fewer whites maybe… But spirit of conquerers does not resonate on the floor. Constant rap music on telecasts does nothing. The talent has been there but mumbling “Sorry we’ll do better” does not win.