Illini in the Pros (Basketball)

[the juiceman cometh]

I mean he's in the top 6 of their rotation. Barring injury, he'll definitely play.

By what metric is he in the top 6 of their rotation? He wasn't last year. Jaylen Clark and Bones Hyland both got more run than him. And nobody from the T-Wolves has said he's "top 6" in the rotation. It's all just conjecture at this point, and the fact that they're loading up on guards does not indicate comfort with TSJ as thier top guy off the bench.

He played significant minutes over 7 games in the playoffs due to injuries to Ant and Ayo, and did really well, but Ant and Ayo aren't injured anymore. We're reading way too much into that. There was a lot of noise last offseason about TSJ having earned more playing time this past season, and the end result was less playing time. Maybe it'll be true this time, but it is far from a guarantee. Like last season he's most likely going to be competing with Hyland and Clark, and now Isaiah Evans, all season for minutes. Minutes will probably fluctuate based on who is looking good at any given point in time.

Plus now there's also LaMelo in the mix. With Lamelo, I don't even think it's a lock that Ayo starts tbh.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

They're definitely going to fill out their roster, but even right now you have Ball/Edwards/McDaniels and then Conley/Ayo probably taking whatever is left there even with their roster being short 3 or 4 players. Biggest swing for TSJ would be if they actually come through on the postseason commentary that they like him more with the ball in his hands out top, because then maybe he can supplant an aging Conley.

I don't think they'll be super eager to add more guards. Frontcourt depth is the issue as it currently stands.

I think TSJ can supplant Conley.

Playoffs:

TSJ -- averaged 22.6mpg and 11.8pts.
Conley -- averaged 14.0mpg and 4.4pts

Now yes TSJ does have 3 less games played. He was in the doghouse for whatever reason, then they lost two starters, and his production (and minutes) took off.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

By what metric is he in the top 6 of their rotation? He wasn't last year. Jaylen Clark and Bones Hyland both got more run than him. And nobody from the T-Wolves has said he's "top 6" in the rotation. It's all just conjecture at this point, and the fact that they're loading up on guards does not indicate comfort with TSJ as thier top guy off the bench.

Hyland was really bad in the playoffs. Jaylen Clarke can't shoot, and wasn't even in the rotation. When they had injuries, they chose TSJ for those minutes over both of those guys.

What happened in the playoffs matters more because that's how the season ended.

As the roster currently stands, I think he's top 6 behind Ant / Ayo / Ball / McDaniels / Gobert (I do think they could add something to the frontcourt, but have limited resources to do so).

He played significant minutes over 7 games in the playoffs due to injuries to Ant and Ayo, and did really well, but Ant and Ayo aren't injured anymore. We're reading way too much into that. There was a lot of noise last offseason about TSJ having earned more playing time this past season, and the end result was less playing time. Maybe it'll be true this time, but it is far from a guarantee. Like last season he's most likely going to be competing with Hyland and Clark, and now Isaiah Evans, all season for minutes. Minutes will probably fluctuate based on who is looking good at any given point in time.

Donte D. was hurt. He'll miss next season with a torn Achilles.

 

[WhereDoWeStandWithStorr?]

By what metric is he in the top 6 of their rotation? He wasn't last year. Jaylen Clark and Bones Hyland both got more run than him. And nobody from the T-Wolves has said he's "top 6" in the rotation. It's all just conjecture at this point, and the fact that they're loading up on guards does not indicate comfort with TSJ as thier top guy off the bench.

He played significant minutes over 7 games in the playoffs due to injuries to Ant and Ayo, and did really well, but Ant and Ayo aren't injured anymore. We're reading way too much into that. There was a lot of noise last offseason about TSJ having earned more playing time this past season, and the end result was less playing time. Maybe it'll be true this time, but it is far from a guarantee. Like last season he's most likely going to be competing with Hyland and Clark, and now Isaiah Evans, all season for minutes. Minutes will probably fluctuate based on who is looking good at any given point in time.

Plus now there's also LaMelo in the mix. With Lamelo, I don't even think it's a lock that Ayo starts tbh.

TSJ got minutes ahead of those guys when the lights were brightest (Bones, Clarke, Conley).

 

[the juiceman cometh]

TSJ got minutes ahead of those guys when the lights were brightest (Bones, Clarke, Conley).

Sure, becasue of a specific need the team had, particularly with Ant injured. Barring another injury to Ant, they don't have that need next season, so all bets are off.

Btw, TSJ also played a bigger role towards the end of his rookie season, and into the playoffs, and that resulted in the exact same assumption that his role would be expanded. In fact, Finch said that TSJ's role would be expanded. Instead, Hyland, who did not even play in the 2025 playoffs after being signed as a 2-way player, and Clark, who played half the minutes TSJ did in those playoffs, jumped him in the rotation.

I'm not saying TSJ won't have a bigger role. I'm just not understanding how we can be so sure about it. I hope it happens, but honestly I think there are better situations out that he could be traded into and that's still my hope for him.

 

[NarrowJ]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2070144928261587152

I like Shannon starting over Ayo in that scenario. Just for fit purposes.

McDaniels starting at the 4 in the NBA at 180lbs sure is interesting

Our fans have issues with Morillo playing the 4 in college at 210lbs

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

McDaniels starting at the 4 in the NBA at 180lbs sure is interesting

Our fans have issues with Morillo playing the 4 in college at 210lbs

McDaniel is 6"9 while Morillo is 6"7.

I do think the 4 is far and away the biggest problem on their team.

 

[mysterio2525]

TSJ is absolutely primed for a big role, and deservedly so. Proven it in the playoffs.

you could have said that last year and they didn't push him into prominence until they had to. injuries did slow tsj last year but let's hope you are right!

 

[PleaseMakeABowlGame]

Minnesota had way more depth last year than they will next season. obviously doesn't guarantee anything.

 

[ChiefGritty]

McDaniels starting at the 4 in the NBA at 180lbs sure is interesting

Our fans have issues with Morillo playing the 4 in college at 210lbs

Yeah, even with Gobert back there as rim protector, I don't really see how that works.

There could be another move yet to come here, we will see. Could involve TSJ, who knows.

But as it pertains to TSJ's place on that roster as it stands, they have just had too many players in general the last couple of years, and that's no longer true as a ton of their fringe was on expiring deals, DiVincenzo is hurt, and now they've traded guys. There aren't a lot of bodies now, even if all the bodies are perimeter guys.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

Donte D. was hurt. He'll miss next season with a torn Achilles.

Donte D was hurt early in game 4 of the first round. TSJ played 7 minutes in that game (and Conley played 20, Hyland 19). When Ant also got injured and missed game 5, he played 13 minutes (Conley 16, Hyland 23).

His minutes significantly ticked up (and he got the start) in game 6 which was the first game that both Ayo and Ant were out. He got good minutes and the start again in game 1 vs the Spurs when Ayo was still out and Ant was eased back in (just 25 minutes). Got another start in game 2 when Ayo was eased back in and just played 10 minutes.

After that, when Ant and Ayo were fully healthy, you start to see his minutes tick back down (and actually, Conley's to tick back up to the point where by the last two games of the Spurs series they're playing similar minutes).

All this to say that Donte D's injury was not the driver of increased minutes for TSJ. It took Donte D getting injured, Ant getting injured, TSJ having a big impact in just 13 minutes after Ant's injury, AND Ayo subsequently getting injured, for TSJ to get the opportunity to play major minutes. That's quite a confluence of events and I think we're putting too much stock in the predictive value of that.

 

[GForce]

I don't get this move by the Twolves. They lost to the Spurs b/c of their front court... Randle's poor shooting and Goebert's inability to shoot beyond 2 feet, so Wemby could just park in the lane. If anything, the emergence of Ayo and TSJ kept them in it. So they reward our guys by going out and getting another lead guard (and injury-prone) and let a big man (Naz) with a decent jumper go. And now they have little room/assets to acquire any half-way decent big.

 

[Fly Illini Fly!]

Yeah, even with Gobert back there as rim protector, I don't really see how that works.

There could be another move yet to come here, we will see. Could involve TSJ, who knows.

But as it pertains to TSJ's place on that roster as it stands, they have just had too many players in general the last couple of years, and that's no longer true as a ton of their fringe was on expiring deals, DiVincenzo is hurt, and now they've traded guys. There aren't a lot of bodies now, even if all the bodies are perimeter guys.

They need a decent/good PF who's capable of playing legitimate minutes. If they can get that done, I actually like their roster.

Right now the losses of Randle and Reid will loom large, as they really lack size besides Gobert.

 

[ptgrd23]

I don't like the Lamelo trade. It makes you wonder why they signed Ayo if they were planning to play 2 ball dominant players like Lamelo and Ant.

I also don't think Ayo signs with Timberwolves if he knows the Lamelo trade is coming. I am confident Ayo wants to be a starter.

The Timberwolves GM has gone trade crazy

2022-3 Trading for Gobbert
2024-5 Trading away KAT
2025-6 Traded for Ayo
2026-7 Trading away Randle
2026-7 Trading for Lamelo

Not sure whether to applaud or cry.

I will say he was smart enough to trade for Ayo and draft TSJ

Better GM than the Bulls

 

[champaignchris]

T-Wolves going with the “Whoops! All guards!” roster configuration.

 

[ChiIllini75]

In a vacuum the Ball move makes sense. Ball should help alleviate the doubles that drove Ant crazy the last few years. He should also help them not need to rely on bigs finishing as many possessions. After an Ant double the release valve was often Randle which is less than ideal.

I think Ayo can fit in with Ball and Ant pretty smoothly. I am concerned TSJ struggles to fit again. Finch made the point that they finally figured out how to run TSJ with Ant by putting the ball in TSJ's hands. Not sure that works now except in small doses.

 

[NarrowJ]

Yeah, even with Gobert back there as rim protector, I don't really see how that works.

There could be another move yet to come here, we will see. Could involve TSJ, who knows.

But as it pertains to TSJ's place on that roster as it stands, they have just had too many players in general the last couple of years, and that's no longer true as a ton of their fringe was on expiring deals, DiVincenzo is hurt, and now they've traded guys. There aren't a lot of bodies now, even if all the bodies are perimeter guys.

We'll see what they add

I get that McDaniels is 6'9 but he is a 180lb wing who averages like 4 rebs per 30 mins

They'll be adding to the frontcourt for sure, unless they think TKR is the next coming (and good luck with that, if so)

EDIT: What I'm not understanding is the many people thinking their roster is complete... its June 25th... tons of roster churn still happening across the league from now until the season begins

 

[HensonHall71]

We keep saying this, like we kept saying this last offseason as well, but the Timberwolves keep adding guards to their roster. Actions speak louder than words, no?

Agreed- this is not a good trade for TSJ. The coach just said they figured out how to use TSJ and that was with the ball in his hands getting downhill and creating and getting to the rim. Then they add a ball dominate PG along with Ant and Ayo, TSJ will almost never have the ball in his hands. He'll get rotation minutes, but his role just took a step back from where he ended the season

 

[champaignchris]

We'll see what they add

I get that McDaniels is 6'9 but he is a 180lb wing who averages like 4 rebs per 30 mins

They'll be adding to the frontcourt for sure, unless they think TKR is the next coming (and good luck with that, if so)

EDIT: What I'm not understanding is the many people thinking their roster is complete... its June 25th... tons of roster churn still happening across the league from now until the season begins

A big part of what people aren’t understanding is that the T-Wolves have almost no cap flexibility and have traded away future draft assets for nearly a decade. They know the roster looks incomplete, they don’t understand how the Wolves plan to do anything about it.

I think there’s a pretty good chance they try to dump DiVincenzo’s contract and then sign a FA big. I would think that TSJ would be one of the T Wolves’ best available “sweeteners” to get a team to take that contract on.

 

[NarrowJ]

A big part of what people aren’t understanding is that the T-Wolves have almost no cap flexibility and have traded away future draft assets for nearly a decade. They know the roster looks incomplete, they don’t understand how the Wolves plan to do anything about it.

I think there’s a pretty good chance they try to dump DiVincenzo’s contract and then sign a FA big. I would think that TSJ would be one of the T Wolves’ best available “sweeteners” to get a team to take that contract on.

I do not think the 'almost no cap flexibility' is true. They actually just engineered significant breathing room and have more short-term flexibility now than they did at the end of the season. The two moves, Randle traded for a draft pick (Evans) and the Reid/Ball trade was a net positive that results in them sitting comfortably below that restrictive apron. They could add 3 veteran minimums, or even a mid-level exception plus 2 veteran minimums, plus there are cheap free agents and Ex-10s out there.

Agreed that there's a greater chance they trade TSJ than he plays 20+ minutes per game there this coming season. With the addition of Ball and knowing that McDaniels isn't going to play PF, this seems pretty clear.

 

[skamin7]

Any news on Boswell? Did someone pick him up as a free agent? I can't seem to find anything on it.

 

[the juiceman cometh]

I do not think the 'almost no cap flexibility' is true. They actually just engineered significant breathing room and have more short-term flexibility now than they did at the end of the season. The two moves, Randle traded for a draft pick (Evans) and the Reid/Ball trade was a net positive that results in them sitting comfortably below that restrictive apron. They could add 3 veteran minimums, or even a mid-level exception plus 2 veteran minimums, plus there are cheap free agents and Ex-10s out there.

Agreed that there's a greater chance they trade TSJ than he plays 20+ minutes per game there this coming season. With the addition of Ball and knowing that McDaniels isn't going to play PF, this seems pretty clear.

I don't actually think so. With the Ayo contract and Ball trade they have already eaten up the space created by the Randle trade and then some. They're now hard-capped at the second apron due to the Ball trade, and currently they are about $9.6 million under that hard cap.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2070149610916483542

I guess the upside here is that they may not actually be able to re-sign Hyland and/or Clark if they command anything above the vet minimum (Conley probably takes the minimum so I'm assuming they'd re-sign him) which could give some assurance to TSJ's prospects of playing. But the flipside is that the easy route to freeing up salary is dumping Josh Green's expiring deal and to do that you also have to give up something desirable. Without a ton of future picks to trade, I think TSJ looks like a viable candidate.

 

[NarrowJ]

I don't actually think so. With the Ayo contract and Ball trade they have already eaten up the space created by the Randle trade and then some. They're now hard-capped at the second apron due to the Ball trade, and currently they are about $9.6 million under that hard cap.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2070149610916483542

I guess the upside here is that they may not actually be able to re-sign Hyland and/or Clark if they command anything above the vet minimum (Conley probably takes the minimum so I'm assuming they'd re-sign him) which could give some assurance to TSJ's prospects of playing. But the flipside is that the easy route to freeing up salary is dumping Josh Green's expiring deal and to do that you also have to give up something desirable. Without a ton of future picks to trade, I think TSJ looks like a viable candidate.

Maybe I'm just not sure where they were at when the season ended then... assumed they had less than $9.6M

The tweet you posted mentions them signing up to 4 more players, which is what I was originally getting at saying the roster was incomplete

 

[the juiceman cometh]

Maybe I'm just not sure where they were at when the season ended then... assumed they had less than $9.6M

The tweet you posted mentions them signing up to 4 more players, which is what I was originally getting at saying the roster was incomplete

Before doing anything, they had almost $17 million in space below the first apron.

Randle's cap hit was $33 million. Reid's $23 million. That's about $56 million going out.

Ball's cap hit is about $41 million. Ayo's about $19 million. Josh Green about $15 million (rounded down on ball and Ayo, so rounded up on Green). So that's about $75 million coming in.

So now they're about $3 million above the first apron, with about $9.6 million to go to the second apron (where they are hard-capped).

Yes, they have 4 spots to fill, but $9.6 million to do it (barring further trades) so essentially they have to find 4 guys at or below the veteran minimum. Not going to be impact guys. Unless they do it via trade. And via trade, their best bet is freeing up that Josh Green contract but you're going to have to sweeten that deal somehow.

 

[NarrowJ]

Before doing anything, they had almost $17 million in space below the first apron.

Randle's cap hit was $33 million. Reid's $23 million. That's about $56 million going out.

Ball's cap hit is about $41 million. Ayo's about $19 million. Josh Green about $15 million (rounded down on ball and Ayo, so rounded up on Green). So that's about $75 million coming in.

So now they're about $3 million above the first apron, with about $9.6 million to go to the second apron (where they are hard-capped).

Yes, they have 4 spots to fill, but $9.6 million to do it (barring further trades) so essentially they have to find 4 guys at or below the veteran minimum. Not going to be impact guys. Unless they do it via trade. And via trade, their best bet is freeing up that Josh Green contract but you're going to have to sweeten that deal somehow.

I think we're conflating traditional cap space with luxury tax/apron flexibility. The Bird rights allowed them to sign Ayo without using available cap space.