I see a lot of Wolves Writers and Reporters defending Tim Connelly on the Randle salary dump last night. And that’s fine, I agree it’s a better outcome than most think but let’s stop defending Tim Connelly’s entire Tenure in Minnesota.
The Wolves almost beat the Grizzlies in Rd 1 of the Playoffs with a 21 Year Old Edwards and a 22 Year Old McDaniels and a 22 Year Old Reid and a 26 Year Old KAT.
You then traded 5 1sts and Kessler for Gobert which then made it harder to Keep KAT long term because of Gobert’s Contract and McDaniels/Reid’s looming extensions and the CBA.
We then traded KAT for Randle, Donte, and a 1st.
The Wolves had a Modern Day Front Court with KAT. And a group around him that was developing and already a borderline 50 Win Team.
The paint was open for Ant to attack with a 5 out lineup. Then Connelly pivoted to Gobert and Randle in our front court and messed up the spacing on the court.
Here is the Totality of the 2 Biggest Trades that Connelly has made:
Traded away:
KAT (30 Years old currently)
Kessler (23)
5 1sts
Received:
Gobert (34 Currently)
Donte
Beringer
Randle (who was salary dumped)
That’s poor asset management and it feels like we have been trying to navigate a narrow road since trading 6 1sts of Value for Gobert.
Lots of people go back to “well we got to 2 Western Conference Finals with Gobert.”
And I would say, but I just saw the Knicks with KAT at Center win a Ring. I think we could have gotten to multiple Western Conference Finals with KAT here and Gobert not on the Roster while having Kessler and 5 1sts to use to help aid the roster in trades and assets to help get us over the hump. I also think that’s a better fit for our Superstar (ANT) on the court for Spacing.
@matthew_foutz@KevinOConnor Can you explain a little more? Were they actually going to be in the 2nd apron? Why are they capped if it's used? Just trying to understand...thanks.