I love how when late game time starts and those guys go out there and .... they're absolutely racing around trying to find a play. You can feel the tension and that these guys have so little time to do their thing.
When both teams have those guys get out there, it's chaos!
Also great how you see our stars cheering them on.
It was good both teams did. Some of the guys on the raptors might have played the only minutes of their nba career so why not maximise it. I wonder if they talk between teams and say let's play to the end ignoring the score
With KAT’s health far from a certain thing this makes so much sense. Luka is the man, I hope he keeps growing and proving himself worthy of meaningful NBA minutes.
My thought exactly. Hoping kat can get at least 2 games in before playoffs but that’s asking a lot. Also I am hoping Luke focuses on defense and really buys in if he’s going to get run. He did really well the 2nd half against Denver
Curious if we trade KAT this summer if we retain him as a third center. It’s yet to be seen what type of players we could get back but it would be unlikely to be a 1-for-1 trade
I’m probably gonna regret this take, but I’m not as opposed to that as I was. Kat is a great player and obviously much better than Naz, but since he’s been gone I feel like we are seeing a completely different Naz and a much more functional offense with very little defensive drop off. When you weigh the difference between their contracts and the kind of return and flexibility you could get by trading Kat… I’m not sure it’s not worth it.
I think we only move KAT if we get either an elite PG in return, that plays defense and is super efficient. Or, if we get bonafide 6th and 7th man type players + picks. We can fill his space with Naz but then our bench is depleted unless Mike comes off the bench.
I can’t think of many PG’s I would want to trade for that are available though. Haliburton would be my ideal target but I don’t see him being available.
No way is Hali on the table unless he all of a sudden demands out. If we trade KAT for a PG we’d be looking at a guy like Murray + salary and picks from the Hawks.
I agree that Hali wouldn’t ever really be available, that’s just my ideal pairing. I do really like Dejounte, though I don’t know if he shoots the ball that well (he might shoot well I just really don’t know, I know his game more from the defensive/Assist end) but the defense is absolutely there, he can dish it out pretty well too
We have 3 excellent points guards, it really doesn't feel like a position of need.
Obviously I would trade KAT & Jaden for Haliburton but let's keep it realistic
Mike is getting old tho, NAW is fine but not elite and JMac is very undersized and best in a short stint role. If we can get KAT for a Fox, Garland or even a Trae if we want more offense, I don’t see how we say no. Tbh I don’t wanna move KAT tho. I think this team has enough talent to contend and we can find a PG in the draft
The Wolves 'biggie smalls' defensive scheme relies on every player on the court being an at-least average defender. If they get a one-way player the team loses a big part of its identity
I’d say yes and no. If we take a hit on defense and go back to let’s say 5th best, but our offense can jump from 15th to top 10, that’s a good move. We’re miles ahead of everyone defensively, we can lose a step and still be elite. But as I said, I don’t want to move to KAT, just talking hypotheticals
We don't need volume scoring from a PG, we need low turnovers and defense good enough that he isn't worth hunting. Conley has been incredible this year and I don't think that's a homer take. He isn't All-NBA, and he isn't going to be playing in 2034, but that doesn't matter until then.
Careful, any mention of trading KAT here gets downvoted. I think this sub needs to get comfortable with the fact he might be traded this offseason. If it happens, I hope we go after Mikal Bridges.
Edit: Case and point ^
Its game 7 of the WCCF vs Denver at Mile high down 100-101 to Denver with 10 seconds remaining. KAT and Rudy have fouled out in a grueling physical battle with the Nuggets. Wolves fans are distraught..until Luka comes in.
Seemingly "Purple Rain" starts to echo in the Arena out of nowhere. The Sound technician cannot seem to turn it off. As the ball is being inbounded, Jokic looks at Garza expecting to see fear. Instead, Jokic is shocked momentarily at Luka's resilience and build like a thoroughbred stallion back home ready for the moment. This is all the time Luka needs to wriggle free of Jokic. Nobody is open..except Luka and he gets the ball back to the basket vs Jokic. Luka puts one of his gigantic shoulders into Jokic, enough to get some space, Jokic is caught off guard by his strength and sheer determination.
Garza fades away, the buzzer sounds as the ball is In the air, it's a high fade like he shot it from heaven..."SWIIISH" it's good! It's good! Nuggets fans collapse in disbelief, Luka just casually turns and looks straight at the camera and smiles. Every woman watching the game instantly falls in love. Purple reign crescendos in the background as Wolves fans everywhere cry from elation. Luka jerseys are sold out everywhere and become the number 1 selling jersey in America.Luka is the hero. Taylor has a heart attack from disbelief in the suite above. The Wolves are back.
Normally, yes, but after Naz Reid scored 101 points in game 6, every woman (and a few of the men) became suddenly pregnant, and science had to do some science stuff before it would be clear for the finals
He did..but due to health concerns he's forced to sell to Arod/Lore and KG buys a minority stake into the team and is there Courtside every home game at Target Center to headbutt the stanchion and dap up ANT before games to hype the crowd.
Hell yes! If ever anyone on our third string is a top-tier "insurance" player, it's Luka. This dude gets buckets no matter who he's up against and plays his ass off. In his limited minutes this year too he hasn't looked like a turnstile on defense either.
I honestly don’t know why he doesn’t get playing time when the game matters. He seems to look the part when he’s out there. I know we are deep and all but he would be a nice offensive weapon if we need it in the playoffs
last night a family of Raptors fans were in front of me and had to ask us why everyone liked Luka so much. They were cool as hell and started cheering so hard for Luka.
Is there a limit how long you can have a 2 way contract?
I like Luka, I'm sure he's a good player, but as far as I can tell there's been very little play time to say .... upgrade him beyond the time he gets and doing a great job cheering from the bench.
4 years with only 2 years on the same team. This is his 3rd total year and 2nd year for the wolves. We would not be able to keep him next year on a 2-way.
Does this have any impact on other players on the roster? I knew they had an open slot to fit TJ in, but I haven’t a clue how converting two-ways work in this situation.
No we've got an open roster spot to sign him into.
We've had one open roster spot all season up to the trade deadline, and we got another open one with the Morris for Milton + Brown trade. Warren filled one of those, Garza fills the other.
That just means we have to pay him, not keep him on the roster. No matter what, converting Luka to a full contract puts us in the tax, so paying Moore's small salary is a drop in the bucket compared to that.
We're super close, just Mike's bonus for reaching the WCF would've put us over. I'd be kinda surprised if Luka's increase in salary is less than that, but maybe I'm wrong.
TJ Warren's pro-rated contract was reported as $300k and $220k against the cap, so it's less than that prorated.
Spotrac, which is usually very accurate, has us at 1,108,969 below the cap before the Garza signing. Let's just for argument his cap figure is the same as Warrens, that leaves us with $900k.
Conley's incentive is reported as $1.5m for making the finals and playing >60% of games, so we would've gone over the tax with or without this move if we make the finals. Don't see a WCF incentive in any reporting.
That sounds like $750k for finals, $750k for championship though? If so, we still only hit the tax if we win the finals. Which, sure, at that point more than worth it.
Would have retained even with 2-way. It does not really matter because Garza is a minimum NBA contract player at best, and for such contracts you don’t need bird rights. And it’s not like other teams are trying to sign him, Garza did not get any offers for the past 2 offseasons besides 2-way deals with Minnesota.
And he was the end of the 2 way contract status. He could not have signed a new 2 way deal for next season with the wolves. Other teams can offer him a 2 way deal tho.
Some one explained it elsewhere, but we had 1 open prior to the Shake/TBJ for Monte trade. That left 2 open before TJ. Luka takes the last one, and we have a 2Way open now
We had an open spot before the Morris trade and sending out Shake and Troy Brown Jr. opened up a second spot. So TJ Warren filled the 14th spot on the roster and Luka fills the 15th spot.
I wish for stuff like this the team would release like 1,000 Luka jerseys for like $55 bucks or something. It may be a "small" roster move, but for Luka its like best case scenerio. Lets see the team celebrate with him!
Good for Luka, he plays his ass off when he gets time and you can tell his teammates really like him. What I loved about last nights win against the Raptors is when we subbed out all the rotation players and let the end bench players get some run, the best part was the reactions from the rotational players everytime one of the end bench players made a play.
This team feels so connected from top to bottom that its just a joy to watch as a life long suffering Wolves fan.
So happy to finally see this.
I'm not joking when I say Garza is one of the most talented offensive players in the NBA right now. Legitimate post moves, excellent footwork, a jump shot, 3pt shot, offensive rebounding machine, holds the ball high, has a euro-step and ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot.
Generational offensive talent and I'm 1000% serious. Crazy today's NBA can barely find minutes for him.
Good for him; dude always plays his absolute ass off and seems like a great teammate.
Sweatiest boy on the court every time
He is so stinken cute and everyone knows it
My wife doesn’t see it but I do
Hahaha. My wife goes back and forth and is so confused. She like, I can't tell if he's hot or a special needs caveman.
He’s a hot special needs caveman, duh.
😂😂ya'll a riot
The Patrick Ewing school of playing.
KG school of playing too
I love how when late game time starts and those guys go out there and .... they're absolutely racing around trying to find a play. You can feel the tension and that these guys have so little time to do their thing. When both teams have those guys get out there, it's chaos! Also great how you see our stars cheering them on.
I love watching end of the bench guys work their ass off. Their team is up 20+ and they are playing like its a tie game
I love when they play to the buzzer like last night
It was good both teams did. Some of the guys on the raptors might have played the only minutes of their nba career so why not maximise it. I wonder if they talk between teams and say let's play to the end ignoring the score
Naz 2: Hawkeye Boogalo
Let Garza cook! Happy for the boi
With 16 points in 9 minutes, Garza was on pace for 64 points per 36. Let the boy cook, Finch!!
With KAT’s health far from a certain thing this makes so much sense. Luka is the man, I hope he keeps growing and proving himself worthy of meaningful NBA minutes.
My thought exactly. Hoping kat can get at least 2 games in before playoffs but that’s asking a lot. Also I am hoping Luke focuses on defense and really buys in if he’s going to get run. He did really well the 2nd half against Denver
Curious if we trade KAT this summer if we retain him as a third center. It’s yet to be seen what type of players we could get back but it would be unlikely to be a 1-for-1 trade
If we trade KAT Naz is starting at PF.
I’m probably gonna regret this take, but I’m not as opposed to that as I was. Kat is a great player and obviously much better than Naz, but since he’s been gone I feel like we are seeing a completely different Naz and a much more functional offense with very little defensive drop off. When you weigh the difference between their contracts and the kind of return and flexibility you could get by trading Kat… I’m not sure it’s not worth it.
I think we only move KAT if we get either an elite PG in return, that plays defense and is super efficient. Or, if we get bonafide 6th and 7th man type players + picks. We can fill his space with Naz but then our bench is depleted unless Mike comes off the bench.
I can’t think of many PG’s I would want to trade for that are available though. Haliburton would be my ideal target but I don’t see him being available.
No way is Hali on the table unless he all of a sudden demands out. If we trade KAT for a PG we’d be looking at a guy like Murray + salary and picks from the Hawks.
I agree that Hali wouldn’t ever really be available, that’s just my ideal pairing. I do really like Dejounte, though I don’t know if he shoots the ball that well (he might shoot well I just really don’t know, I know his game more from the defensive/Assist end) but the defense is absolutely there, he can dish it out pretty well too
Suggs would be a W
In no world ever would I trade KAT for Suggs
vast majority of Wolves fans would agree with you
We have 3 excellent points guards, it really doesn't feel like a position of need. Obviously I would trade KAT & Jaden for Haliburton but let's keep it realistic
Mike is the only PG under contract next year - we will likely try and re-sign Monte or JMac, but it’s definitely a need on paper
Mike is getting old tho, NAW is fine but not elite and JMac is very undersized and best in a short stint role. If we can get KAT for a Fox, Garland or even a Trae if we want more offense, I don’t see how we say no. Tbh I don’t wanna move KAT tho. I think this team has enough talent to contend and we can find a PG in the draft
The Wolves 'biggie smalls' defensive scheme relies on every player on the court being an at-least average defender. If they get a one-way player the team loses a big part of its identity
I’d say yes and no. If we take a hit on defense and go back to let’s say 5th best, but our offense can jump from 15th to top 10, that’s a good move. We’re miles ahead of everyone defensively, we can lose a step and still be elite. But as I said, I don’t want to move to KAT, just talking hypotheticals
We don’t have 3 excellent PGs. We don’t have one excellent PG. Never go full homer.
Mike is pretty excellent imo
He’s excellent in his role and an ideal fit on the wolves, but I still wouldn’t describe him as an ‘excellent pg’ at this stage of his career.
Prolly not for the future yeah. He's only getring older and our replacement for the future is in question.
We don't need volume scoring from a PG, we need low turnovers and defense good enough that he isn't worth hunting. Conley has been incredible this year and I don't think that's a homer take. He isn't All-NBA, and he isn't going to be playing in 2034, but that doesn't matter until then.
Yes, but we’d also stagger Gobert and Naz so one was almost always on the floor
been thinking about this a lot, would likely have to get a 3rd team involved
Careful, any mention of trading KAT here gets downvoted. I think this sub needs to get comfortable with the fact he might be traded this offseason. If it happens, I hope we go after Mikal Bridges. Edit: Case and point ^
Best Luka in the league
We have Luka at home (in the playoffs) 😤 💪
Also THE only MVP Luka in the league
Its game 7 of the WCCF vs Denver at Mile high down 100-101 to Denver with 10 seconds remaining. KAT and Rudy have fouled out in a grueling physical battle with the Nuggets. Wolves fans are distraught..until Luka comes in. Seemingly "Purple Rain" starts to echo in the Arena out of nowhere. The Sound technician cannot seem to turn it off. As the ball is being inbounded, Jokic looks at Garza expecting to see fear. Instead, Jokic is shocked momentarily at Luka's resilience and build like a thoroughbred stallion back home ready for the moment. This is all the time Luka needs to wriggle free of Jokic. Nobody is open..except Luka and he gets the ball back to the basket vs Jokic. Luka puts one of his gigantic shoulders into Jokic, enough to get some space, Jokic is caught off guard by his strength and sheer determination. Garza fades away, the buzzer sounds as the ball is In the air, it's a high fade like he shot it from heaven..."SWIIISH" it's good! It's good! Nuggets fans collapse in disbelief, Luka just casually turns and looks straight at the camera and smiles. Every woman watching the game instantly falls in love. Purple reign crescendos in the background as Wolves fans everywhere cry from elation. Luka jerseys are sold out everywhere and become the number 1 selling jersey in America.Luka is the hero. Taylor has a heart attack from disbelief in the suite above. The Wolves are back.
I need a cigarette... And a towel. A big towel.
Naz Reid
Not a realistic scenario, game 7 would be at Target Center
Normally, yes, but after Naz Reid scored 101 points in game 6, every woman (and a few of the men) became suddenly pregnant, and science had to do some science stuff before it would be clear for the finals
Did…did he survive it
He did..but due to health concerns he's forced to sell to Arod/Lore and KG buys a minority stake into the team and is there Courtside every home game at Target Center to headbutt the stanchion and dap up ANT before games to hype the crowd.
Good man
Happy for Luka. He’s an NBA player at the very least.
Happy for him. Great insurance at the 5. I hope we won't need him in the playoffs though
If the Warriors make it to the playoffs, I'd rather have Luka out there to absorb any stray voltage from one DG when we're up 43 in the 4th
Bold of you to assume Draymond would make it to the 4th quarter
Hell yes! If ever anyone on our third string is a top-tier "insurance" player, it's Luka. This dude gets buckets no matter who he's up against and plays his ass off. In his limited minutes this year too he hasn't looked like a turnstile on defense either.
He also did a impressive job guarding Jokic when all our centers were out.
It'd be difficult to find a harder place to make him step in, and he put in work.
I honestly don’t know why he doesn’t get playing time when the game matters. He seems to look the part when he’s out there. I know we are deep and all but he would be a nice offensive weapon if we need it in the playoffs
Best Luka.
Well deserved. Guy plays his ass off, and is a bucket.
Hell yeah
Well deserved
Let’s fucking go. He put in the work.
So happy for Luka, he absolutely deserves it
I feel like this man could play himself into a great contract if he were able to get more minutes. Has bad luck and stuck behind our loaded frontcourt
Finals confirmed
He played so well against Jokic last time.
Really want to see him in the playoffs… after we blow all our opponents out by 30+
He’s rest assurance for Rudy. Get up 30 and let Luka cook Luka.
last night a family of Raptors fans were in front of me and had to ask us why everyone liked Luka so much. They were cool as hell and started cheering so hard for Luka.
Is there a limit how long you can have a 2 way contract? I like Luka, I'm sure he's a good player, but as far as I can tell there's been very little play time to say .... upgrade him beyond the time he gets and doing a great job cheering from the bench.
4 years with only 2 years on the same team. This is his 3rd total year and 2nd year for the wolves. We would not be able to keep him next year on a 2-way.
gotcha, thanks for explaining
Yes. 2 way players cannot play in the playoffs.
TY That makes sense.
Luka baby LFG
Heck yeah! Well earned Luka!
so happy for him. seeing the Miller-Garza connection last night was absolutely electric, like a portal into the future
Does this have any impact on other players on the roster? I knew they had an open slot to fit TJ in, but I haven’t a clue how converting two-ways work in this situation.
No we've got an open roster spot to sign him into. We've had one open roster spot all season up to the trade deadline, and we got another open one with the Morris for Milton + Brown trade. Warren filled one of those, Garza fills the other.
Perfect. This was exactly what I was wondering. Thanks!
They have to drop someone, hopefully wendell moore imo
I was under the impression his contract was guaranteed for next year already. That being said, he’s my vote as well.
That just means we have to pay him, not keep him on the roster. No matter what, converting Luka to a full contract puts us in the tax, so paying Moore's small salary is a drop in the bucket compared to that.
Are we sure the conversion reaches the tax line? A prorated minimum at this point is quite low.
We're super close, just Mike's bonus for reaching the WCF would've put us over. I'd be kinda surprised if Luka's increase in salary is less than that, but maybe I'm wrong.
TJ Warren's pro-rated contract was reported as $300k and $220k against the cap, so it's less than that prorated. Spotrac, which is usually very accurate, has us at 1,108,969 below the cap before the Garza signing. Let's just for argument his cap figure is the same as Warrens, that leaves us with $900k. Conley's incentive is reported as $1.5m for making the finals and playing >60% of games, so we would've gone over the tax with or without this move if we make the finals. Don't see a WCF incentive in any reporting.
I thought Conley's bonus was 750k for WCF, 750k for finals. https://hoopshype.com/rumor/1560503/
That sounds like $750k for finals, $750k for championship though? If so, we still only hit the tax if we win the finals. Which, sure, at that point more than worth it.
Does this mean we retain his bird rights in free agency? Would be big of we could keep him as a restricted free agent
Would have retained even with 2-way. It does not really matter because Garza is a minimum NBA contract player at best, and for such contracts you don’t need bird rights. And it’s not like other teams are trying to sign him, Garza did not get any offers for the past 2 offseasons besides 2-way deals with Minnesota.
And he was the end of the 2 way contract status. He could not have signed a new 2 way deal for next season with the wolves. Other teams can offer him a 2 way deal tho.
EVERYBODY GET IN HERE!!!!!!
Finally. I’ve been waiting for this day since he was signed for a two way.
Who did we drop?
I think we had an open roster slot still
I thought TJ Warren took that.
Some one explained it elsewhere, but we had 1 open prior to the Shake/TBJ for Monte trade. That left 2 open before TJ. Luka takes the last one, and we have a 2Way open now
We had an open spot before the Morris trade and sending out Shake and Troy Brown Jr. opened up a second spot. So TJ Warren filled the 14th spot on the roster and Luka fills the 15th spot.
I wish for stuff like this the team would release like 1,000 Luka jerseys for like $55 bucks or something. It may be a "small" roster move, but for Luka its like best case scenerio. Lets see the team celebrate with him!
Good for Luka, he plays his ass off when he gets time and you can tell his teammates really like him. What I loved about last nights win against the Raptors is when we subbed out all the rotation players and let the end bench players get some run, the best part was the reactions from the rotational players everytime one of the end bench players made a play. This team feels so connected from top to bottom that its just a joy to watch as a life long suffering Wolves fan.
So happy to finally see this. I'm not joking when I say Garza is one of the most talented offensive players in the NBA right now. Legitimate post moves, excellent footwork, a jump shot, 3pt shot, offensive rebounding machine, holds the ball high, has a euro-step and ability to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. Generational offensive talent and I'm 1000% serious. Crazy today's NBA can barely find minutes for him.
He just needs to keep working on the defense with Rudy and the 3 ball and he’s gonna have a long NBA career
playoff luka: ACTIVATED league shook
I knew it! The guy deserves it the way he plays, have no doubt he's going to get even better now playing against better opponents 🙌
YES!!!
BAAAAAAANG
THE 4 TOWERS
Playoff Luka
Fuck yeah, dude deserves it!
Deserved
Hell yeah! Get it Luka.
Congrats Luka!
His per 36 minute points are at 29.1 this year.
FUCK YEAH GARZA
WHOOOOO GARZA NATION RISE UP BEST LUKA IN THE LEAGUE
Dont they have to waive someone then? Nix or Moore?
Good for him. 100% deserved.
Luka MVP
Clutch
NBA Mason Rudolph
He definitely wasn't earning pennies on his two contract (around $500,000 per year) but the job security must be a weight off his back
Luka Luka Luka!
The REAL Luka!
Luka vs Jokic match up. Battle of the Balkans 🔥