#SLOE: People's Basketball Sim League

We start in the Wolves media room. The JNR is at the podium. Luka Doncic sits at a table behind him.

The JNR: Welcome to another year in Minnesota. Last year was another rough season in our rebuild after trading away our stars Luka Doncic and Ja Morant two seasons ago. We won 21 games and finished with the third worst record. The goal last season was to acquire a good pick, and once again we lucked out with the #2 pick.

This year felt different to us though. After acquiring so much young talent in the past year and seeing several of them fizzle out in training camp, we didn't want to see the same thing happen again. In addition, we weren't blown away by this particular draft class. So we put the pick on the market and looked around for good offers.

What we found was an opportunity to bring back one of Minnesota's favorite sons, Luka Doncic.

Luka waves.

The JNR: We sent the #2 pick along with Peter Harker and cash considerations for Luka, and we were ecstatic to welcome him back.

In free agency we used our cap space on Josh Hart and Grover Harrington. Training camp went well, as Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby continued their great progress.

I made the trade for Luka knowing that it may have been too early to make a push towards contention. I won't guarantee playoffs this year. But with the core we have, I think we can make a run at it.

Any questions for Luka or for me?

Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News:

What do you see as the ceiling for OG?


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AngryBanana wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 10:52 am Chet Youbetcha, Dimmadome News:

What do you see as the ceiling for OG?


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We think he can be an all star power forward for a team known for having historically good ones. He has some things to improve on but he's hard at work to make that happen.

With Luka/Odell taking up about 2/3 of the TWolves' cap for the next 2 seasons, how do you plan to continue adding talent to the team to build a contender by the time OGA and Mitch Robinson are heading into RFA?

That's the immortal question, isn't it? You want to make sure you have a good core before you're committed. Spending your time in tax hell while your ceiling is first round isn't what anyone wants. The trick is knowing how good the pieces fit before you have to pay. I will say that if I can tell early it isn't going to work, I'm not afraid to make moves.

JNR wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 11:40 am I will say that if I can tell early it isn't going to work, I'm not afraid to make moves.

Random Reporter: To build upon that statement, if that does indeed happen, are you more likely to trade Luka again to go young again with (hopefully) better overall talent, or move some of your youth in order to make a run?

Luka - any regrets from your time in Brooklyn? Anything you'd like to change/improve upon from your first Minnesota stint?

Xist2Inspire wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:03 pm

JNR wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 11:40 am I will say that if I can tell early it isn't going to work, I'm not afraid to make moves.

Random Reporter: To build upon that statement, if that does indeed happen, are you more likely to trade Luka again to go young again with (hopefully) better overall talent, or move some of your youth in order to make a run?

The second one is more likely

TheSyndicate wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 1:14 pm Luka - any regrets from your time in Brooklyn? Anything you'd like to change/improve upon from your first Minnesota stint?

Luka: No regrets at all. It was great playing in Brooklyn. I felt like I grew a lot in my time there. I needed to learn how to be the man. I hope I can bring that leadership back to Minnesota.

Luka has yet to make an impression on the Timberwolves in the way that a Chris Bosh or Andrew Wiggins did. What will Luka have to do to get himself to that level in T-Wolves lore?

garbageman wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2020 3:31 pm Luka has yet to make an impression on the Timberwolves in the way that a Chris Bosh or Andrew Wiggins did. What will Luka have to do to get himself to that level in T-Wolves lore?

Consistently lead the team into the postseason and produce well in doing so. I think he's capable but a lot of the responsibility is on me to make the right decisions to push him in that direction

With a strong backcourt, who do you hope will excel in your front court this season? Will OG be the key there this season?

greepleairport wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2020 5:25 pm With a strong backcourt, who do you hope will excel in your front court this season? Will OG be the key there this season?

OG's development is absolutely the key to our development. He'll be given more opportunity now than he ever has been.

What kind of player in the draft would have had to been available for you to not trade the #2 pick? Was the plan to use the pick for a win-now veteran like Luka the whole time or did the prospects available really push you to change direction?

Any concerns that you went too soon with Luka as a win now piece?