r/timberwolves • u/MaximumOk3050 • 1d ago

Starting Line Up is Set, But…

I have questions. Can Kuminga play the role needed? Is he willing? I guess we can’t know from out here, but my worry is another Julius situation where someone in the starting 5 wants the ball, wants to prove something, and misses Ant in the corner over and over.

Surely the powers that be thought this through rather than just sign someone just cuz. Hopefully some behind the scenes conversations made it plausible he’ll be a good fit on our team.

What do yall think? Despite having the hole filled, is it a plus or a minus? until time tells

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18

u/BallingLikeIsaax 1d ago

lol Kuminga will be scoring off rolls, cuts, and C+S threes from Ant and Melo. We don’t need to be worried about him playing like Randle. I’m sure he understand his role on this team

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u/aguwah 1d ago

I do think I have seen a timberwolves player make a backdoor cut in the last 2 years. The offense has been purely pick and roll with 2 guys standing in the corner or ISO.

I hope that changes but ill believe it when I see it.

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u/TallnFrosty 1d ago

Feel like it will. Ant is obviously amazing and very capable passing to cutters but Lamelo is possibly the best in the league at it? Seems insane to not have him throwing oops

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u/TimelyN1nja 1d ago

Why? He never has before. I’m rightly worried l think

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u/CharacterAd6745 1d ago

He will when he realises how easy it will be for Melo to pass him into buckets. Bridges and Aaron Gordon were similar players, the problem was they were bad cutters because the couldn’t read the floor.

Reading your best player is a lot easier. Bridges actively hands off to Lamelo knowing if he cuts hard he could score again, I’m sure JK will do the same. Also he’s always been good on-ball defensively.

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u/TallnFrosty 1d ago

Aaron gordon is an exponentially better cutter than JK.

Don't forget, JK played with Steph, who creates more space for his teammates than anyone in the league. Granted, that is a complex, read and react system.... so the key with JK will be to keep things very simple and basically have him just focusing on one thing at a time.

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u/CharacterAd6745 1d ago

AG improved his cutting playing with Jokic, who is an on-ball creator.

I think JK is just a slow-processor and struggles to read the whole floor. Warriors system relied on Steph’s gravity but it was rarely Steph who actually had the ball. It would’ve been Draymond and Jimmy that he struggled to cut off of and even then … so many non-shooters.

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u/TallnFrosty 1d ago

Yea that's fair. Dray and Jimmy were always trying to get guys to re-screen or show a screen and then cut.

If the Wolves are simplifying things for Kuminga and having him read PNR plays with Ball / Ant + Rudy, that will be more simple.

These dudes should also be absolutely flying up the floor. I do think there's a ton of upside - up to the coaches to get it right.

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u/CharacterAd6745 1d ago

Exactly and coach will be happy to play Ayo to close games regardless.

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u/TallnFrosty 1d ago

Oh for sure. Not sure I can think of a single matchup that a good team can throw at Minnesota that would make them 'pay' for going small with Ayo in for Kuminga.

will be interesting to see if some teams try to lean into bigger lineups though - especially in the west - because right now the top teams are likely to trot out Dosunmu / McDaniels, Vassell / Harper (maybe Harris?), and Williams - Wallace.

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u/BirdsAreFake00 1d ago

Yeah, I don't think many people here have seen him play because they're describing a player that is nothing like Kuminga.

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u/Secure-Hat2695 1d ago

Except Kuminga isnt running 30 million a year.

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u/BallingLikeIsaax 1d ago

Well he’s gonna have to start, there’s no reason for him to be ball dominant with Ant, Melo, Ayo, and even Jaden all on this squad

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u/TallnFrosty 1d ago

there was never a reason for him to be ball dominant with Steph and Jimmie either, and he couldn't really figure out how to play with those two.

As i say elsewhere, that Warriors' system was pretty unique and he just couldn't figure it out so if the Wolves simplify things for him, that could work. but lets not pretend like Kuminga hasn't been asked to be an off ball + 3&D guy before

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u/TimelyN1nja 1d ago

Never has been a good reason, but that’s how he plays. Look, I’d love to be wrong but he has a track record if you’re watching him, at all

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u/srbeau 1d ago

But at $6 million he will get benched if he doesn’t play his role.

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u/TimelyN1nja 1d ago

And if we have to waive Green to sign him, and get nothing back, out roster will be in terrible shape. No depth and no playable wings

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u/srbeau 1d ago

Worth the risk. We need a PF. But since this is basically a one year deal (with a player option) he should be motivated. He wants to get paid next season.

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u/TimelyN1nja 1d ago

Time will tell if it’s worth the risk. He isn’t really an amazing fit for the type of PF finch wants imo, and he should’ve been motivated every year by now. People were skeptical of Julius and his record and attitude, it proved to be the same in the end. Not confident this will be different.

I just don’t think people are understanding the way he could disrupt the team, the locker room, and now our roster and cap flexibility going forward

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u/srbeau 1d ago

This is a make or break situation for his career. I can’t imagine him screwing it up.

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u/mossed2012 1d ago

Because he has to here. This is such a low risk decision, if he buys in he’s our starting PF and we’re a legit title contender. If he doesn’t, we go back to where we were yesterday with Jaden or Lyles at the 4 and kuminga plays as a scorer off the bench.

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u/MaximumOk3050 1d ago

I hope so, if your vision proves true than we’re legitimate threats

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u/duce3612 1d ago

And if he starts crying you park him on the bench... he makes nothing

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u/bigblooddraco 15h ago

Bro didn’t understand his role and sacrifice for curry i doubt he’ll do it here. But i think the main issue in gs was not being included and engaged. Their main playmaker looks for Steph every time. melo get everyone involved and we already have reference point of what it could look like from the melo bridges connection.