Jeremy Lin (Photo : Elsa | Getty Images Sport)
Jordan Clarkson (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The NBA free agency talk shifts to the Minnesota Timberwolves with a new regime under Tom Thibodeau.
After coaching a band of grizzled veterans, Thibs takes on the challenge of handling a young team that has loads of talent. With full roster control aside from head coaching abilities, what should he do?
In an attempt to speculate on one of the better basketball minds in the league (at least to most observers), sportswriters have offered their suggestions on possible targets to improve the franchise.
Needless to say, two positions are amply covered: Center with Karl Anthony Towns, the likely rookie of the year and also Gorgui Dieng and even Nikola Pekovic. Shooting guard has Andrew Wiggins who can sometimes play the "three" and there's Zach Lavine who also moonlights at the point. The Wolves would still need better pure shooters, though.
In a list of priorities for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Bleacher Report writer Kelly Scaletta noted that the first thing they need is a backup point guard. They drafted one last year with Tyus Jones, but with Ricky Rubio being notoriously injury prone, a better option should be available to them.
Scaletta noted that "Thibodeau had an almost supernatural ability to make lemonade out of backup point guard lemons in Chicago, turning the likes of C.J. Watson, John Lucas III, Nate Robinson, D.J. Augustin and Aaron Brooks into regular contributors."
To this end, this batch of free agents has available options who can thrive in Thibs' system. Names mentioned were Jeremy Lin, Jordan Clarkson and Brandon Jennings.
Lin has recently stated in a previous report that he wants to stay with the Charlotte Hornets. His declarations were also discussed in this Jalen and Jacoby podcast on ESPN. Former player turned analyst Jalen Rose is not so convinced and he stated that Lin will play with the team that offers him the most money.
Jordan Clarkson is a restricted free agent and the Lakers can match any offer thrown at him, but Scaletta doubts on whether the Lakers are all in on keeping him. If the team has a chance to sign multiple max players like DeMar DeRozan, for instance, they would rather let him go.
Brandon Jennings is the unrestricted free agent that seems to be an easy acquisition. He is not at all committed to the Orlando Magic where he was traded to at the deadline. However, he is also quite injury prone and Thibs is not the best coach at handling them (see Derrick Rose).
