Minnesota Timberwolves: Flip Saunders’ Interesting Possibility
I’ve tried to think about the Minnesota Timberwolves from every possible angle this season. I think about the present and whether they are having some sort of internal struggle about their identity. I think about just how much better off they are after the Kevin Love deal, even if the current results are skewing ugly, if not expected.
I think about how injuries are impacting the young players, both positively and negatively. And I think about the optimism that radiates from that young core and how it’s an optimism surprisingly novel in the history of this organization.
But in all that thought, a curious idea escaped me.
I was talking again this week to a pompous bank vice president who, in the aftermath of a 29-11 football betting run, now considers himself a savant in all matters of sport. His confidence has sprouted a self-titled moniker of “locksmith,” which he uses whenever he can.
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And while the pretentious grandstanding is nauseating, he made a hell of a point the other day in giving me a suggestion (demand) for my next Wolves column. It was good, if simple, idea about the Wolves future operations; it never crossed my mind.
He argued that Flip Saunders, as both the coach and GM, was in an interesting position when it came to trading and putting players in an optimal position to maximize their value in the trade market. Having both roles, there is no conflict about franchise direction and playing time.
It’s only one voice.
There was talk earlier in the season that Saunders wanted to strike a balance of competitiveness and development, but given the injuries and record, he probably knows where he’s going.
So, with one omnipresent voice and a reasonably clear direction, the vice president said that Saunders needs to target his trade pieces. Then, as the coach, he needs to develop a game plan to put them in a position to accumulate stats and make that player as attractive as possible to other teams.
Even though injuries have handcuffed their ability to make moves, the Wolves will undoubtedly still be sellers as the season progresses. There was word that they wanted to move Chase Budinger before the season started and Corey Brewer more recently.
Other names will appear on that list, most intriguingly Kevin Martin when he returns from injury, especially considering he was scorching in his short stint as the Wolves’ alpha dog.
The options for trade won’t be the problem, assuming that Saunders goes in that direction. But let me take Brewer as an example.
Saunders as GM decides that he likes what he’s seen from his young wings (and he should) and surmises that trading Brewer would be best for the organization. Saunders as GM already knows of some reported suitors and probably has a good idea of why they are interested in Brewer’s skill set.
He sets a plan of showcasing and advertising in motion that raises Brewer’s profile and gives those teams a view of precisely what they want to see.
Saunders as coach doesn’t need convincing of the plan; it’s his voice. He knows the state of the team for this season and realizes that there is no chance for a playoff berth in an absurdly deep and strong Western Conference. Winning is not of paramount concern.
Development and asset accumulation is; it isn’t a 76ers-like circus, but the narrative is a future outlook. Anyway, Saunders as coach tailors some game plans around Brewer, inflating his stats and putting Brewer in situations where he is doing things that the Rockets or the Cavaliers covet.
I’m not going to speculate on what that is exactly, but surely Saunders knows from conversations with the teams and watching film.
This doesn’t seem like a reasonable plan for a playoff-bound team. Really, it is compromising current success for future gain, but for a team whose only expectations are watching young players progress, it could be a prudent play.
I’m not even sure if there has been a precedent set for this kind of thing. Have there been a lot of coaches with total personnel control on rebuilding teams? Stan Van Gundy in Detroit appears to be one right now. Perhaps a trade between the Wolves and the Pistons would be an exercise in upper-hand showcasing futility.
They do have Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who the Wolves wanted in the draft two years ago.
Seriously, though, I was never much of a fan of the coach/GM role for one man. It seemed like nothing but an ego play. I’m not blaming the guys who have it; I would certainly want to “shop for the groceries” too, but evidence proved that it just isn’t that successful. I know I like this idea, though, especially for a team with modest goals.
Maybe it has been happening for years and I’ve been blind to obvious inner workings and basic franchise positioning.
I’m certainly not willing to concede it’s the brainchild of a grandiose bank vice president whose only basketball experience is joining a Thursday night men’s league and playing James Harden-like defense.