Going to Ditto the people calling out the importance of swapping Dlo for Mike Conley at the trade deadline last year. The fit is so much more seamless given how much Ant needs to ball in his hands. He's a great catch and shoot 3pt shooter and has synergy with Rudy in the PnR to involve him in the offense. Mike is also the floor general to set up the offense and get people in the right spots and despite his age he actually cares about defense and isn't a liability there like Dlo usually is. That means only KAT can be targeted by opposing offenses but he's playing the best defense of his career and has been a major plus there defensively so far this year. With no weak link defensively, and Gobert cleaning things up in the paint, their defense should remain elite all year. Top 5 minimum but definitely a favorite to be #1. Offensively, Finch just needs to make sure 1 of either Ant or KAT are out there on offense at all times and let KAT bully small ball defenders in the post more often.
Main weaknesses are defensive rebounding, especially long rebounds from missed 3s, and the lack of a true back up PG. Shake Milton has been disappointing to start the year and the team is going to have to either trade for a back up PG at the deadline or hope Jordan McLaughlin comes back healthy and effective to ensure the offense stops sputtering when Conley is on the bench. If they fix those issues they will be among the favorites in the conference with Denver, OKC, Phoenix, etc.
ANT still isn't playing great. He's a little inconsistent and his 3 ball is not falling but KAT embracing being the #2 scoring option and letting Gobert focus on defense has worked out for everyone. They really can use a true point guard with Conley being old and unproductive
Nov 25, 2023 Minnesota ranks in the top 3 in the NBA in defensive rating, blocks per game, mid-range field goal% and is fourth in net rating. With a 11-4 record, they are currently first place in the West.
Sliding KAT to the 4 creates a bigger problem defensively than they had with him at the 5.
And Gobert’s defender clogging up the lane for Ant creates a new offensive problem they didn’t have before.
I’m glad MIN is playing well right now but they’re never going to get past a healthy team in the playoffs when teams have time to strategize and make adjustments.
A 4 seed is stretch I’d say maybe 6th seed a lot of teams changed they roster unlike them so they have chemistry already Suns warriors clippers lakers maybe pelicans are all gonna pick up they play Dallas been good but still ain’t in best form Denver got Murray hurt Sac had fox miss some games Grizzlies got ja out for some games Okc looks promising The only west teams that ain’t. A factor is jazz blazers and spurs A lot of good teams no one knows how it’ll play out
I always thought this trade was fine. Most cant name the players they gave up, outside of Vanderbilt (who isnt a clear starter), and the draft picks aren't valuable if the Wolves make the playoffs.
By the time the picks come due, the Wolves will basically inherit a playoff spot as Lakers, Clips, Suns, and Warriors all age out
It still isn’t a good trade. Gave up way too much. I never thought it was one of the worst ever like some thought but they still gave up so much. The true test will be come the playoffs where Rudy has struggled the most. Doesn’t do any good to be better in the regular season if you still get a first round exit.
No it was still a disastrous trade, Ant just became a superstar which made up for it. If they had that center on the Jazz they would still be pretty good and still have all their assets.
The Conley trade was also huge for Minnesota. Conley is an unselfish vet that facilitates the offense and plays good defense. The perfect match next to Ant-man in the backcourt.
As a Wolves fan… No it was not. In a million years no it was not. Gave up way too much for him. The only way it won't be is if we win the championship.
No it wasn't Wolves would have been better off in the long run with Walker Kessler and the depth. That fact doesn't change just coz they have been good for 15 games this season
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Going to Ditto the people calling out the importance of swapping Dlo for Mike Conley at the trade deadline last year. The fit is so much more seamless given how much Ant needs to ball in his hands. He's a great catch and shoot 3pt shooter and has synergy with Rudy in the PnR to involve him in the offense. Mike is also the floor general to set up the offense and get people in the right spots and despite his age he actually cares about defense and isn't a liability there like Dlo usually is. That means only KAT can be targeted by opposing offenses but he's playing the best defense of his career and has been a major plus there defensively so far this year. With no weak link defensively, and Gobert cleaning things up in the paint, their defense should remain elite all year. Top 5 minimum but definitely a favorite to be #1. Offensively, Finch just needs to make sure 1 of either Ant or KAT are out there on offense at all times and let KAT bully small ball defenders in the post more often.
Main weaknesses are defensive rebounding, especially long rebounds from missed 3s, and the lack of a true back up PG. Shake Milton has been disappointing to start the year and the team is going to have to either trade for a back up PG at the deadline or hope Jordan McLaughlin comes back healthy and effective to ensure the offense stops sputtering when Conley is on the bench. If they fix those issues they will be among the favorites in the conference with Denver, OKC, Phoenix, etc.
ANT still isn't playing great. He's a little inconsistent and his 3 ball is not falling but KAT embracing being the #2 scoring option and letting Gobert focus on defense has worked out for everyone. They really can use a true point guard with Conley being old and unproductive
The trade is still an L for the Timberwolves but it’s not as bad as initially thought
Only beef I have with this is that you didn’t mention Mike Conley. Don’t think any of this would be happening without Mike.
Respect for your willingness to tilt your sentiment
You said this was the worst trade OAT.
Nov 25, 2023 Minnesota ranks in the top 3 in the NBA in defensive rating, blocks per game, mid-range field goal% and is fourth in net rating. With a 11-4 record, they are currently first place in the West.
This is just like the Utah team that was the one seed. Good but won’t win a chip
Well sure, but Walker Kessler is already 90% of what Gobert is yet is 10% of the cost.
Sliding KAT to the 4 creates a bigger problem defensively than they had with him at the 5.
And Gobert’s defender clogging up the lane for Ant creates a new offensive problem they didn’t have before.
I’m glad MIN is playing well right now but they’re never going to get past a healthy team in the playoffs when teams have time to strategize and make adjustments.
A 4 seed is stretch I’d say maybe 6th seed a lot of teams changed they roster unlike them so they have chemistry already
Suns warriors clippers lakers maybe pelicans are all gonna pick up they play
Dallas been good but still ain’t in best form
Denver got Murray hurt
Sac had fox miss some games
Grizzlies got ja out for some games
Okc looks promising
The only west teams that ain’t. A factor is jazz blazers and spurs
A lot of good teams no one knows how it’ll play out
Lower speech rate dude or plyback at .75
I always thought this trade was fine. Most cant name the players they gave up, outside of Vanderbilt (who isnt a clear starter), and the draft picks aren't valuable if the Wolves make the playoffs.
By the time the picks come due, the Wolves will basically inherit a playoff spot as Lakers, Clips, Suns, and Warriors all age out
KAT's has been playing lights out defense, but nobody is talking about it.
💥TRADE TOWNS‼️
Towns is untrustworthy.
Towns must be traded if the TWolves strive to become a relevant postseason team‼️
You would argue….last year they sucked….this year they are good
It still isn’t a good trade. Gave up way too much. I never thought it was one of the worst ever like some thought but they still gave up so much. The true test will be come the playoffs where Rudy has struggled the most. Doesn’t do any good to be better in the regular season if you still get a first round exit.
Wolves Back 🐺🐺
I think a big reason it’s working so well is that both Rudy and KAT have accepted that this is Ant’s team, which has been huge.
I think a big reason it’s working so well is that both Rudy and KAT have accepted that this is Ant’s team, which has been huge.
No it was still a disastrous trade, Ant just became a superstar which made up for it. If they had that center on the Jazz they would still be pretty good and still have all their assets.
Mention Mike Conley. Dont under estimate what he has done also.
The Conley trade was also huge for Minnesota. Conley is an unselfish vet that facilitates the offense and plays good defense. The perfect match next to Ant-man in the backcourt.
Gobert isn’t a playoff player
Still a L trade for the wolves
They gave up hella picks for the worst contract in the league 😂
Best trade in a long time!
Stay on that side lil bro
As a Wolves fan… No it was not. In a million years no it was not. Gave up way too much for him. The only way it won't be is if we win the championship.
What’s that saying? “It takes a big man to admit they are wrong and dumb.” Yeah that’s it.
No it wasn't Wolves would have been better off in the long run with Walker Kessler and the depth. That fact doesn't change just coz they have been good for 15 games this season
Mike Conley is a huge part also. Dude brings up everyone, is a solid leader/mentor for Ant, and is an assist machine.
Draft picks are soo overrated nowadays.. people forget that more likely a drafted player won't get a second contract
Don’t wanna hear this shit. Everyone made jokes about him being on the twolves…… and being worth 1st round picks.
Naz Reid
So weird seeing my team get so much coverage, but I love it
Love my wolves 🐺