StribSports Daily Delivery Michael Rand

Host Michael Rand starts with a recap of the NBA draft. Even though the Wolves ended up making a series of roster-clearing and salary-dumping moves Thursday and didn't use a second-round pick, they were the big winners this week. By getting two likely immediate rotation players in Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., they not only helped themselves but also re-imagined how teams will build rosters under the new collective bargaining agreement. Plus Rand has thoughts on the Twins and Lynx.
9:00: Star Tribune Wild writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand to preview the NHL draft and to look ahead to an interesting series of decisions for the Wild. They don't have much payroll flexibility, but they must improve after a disappointing result last year.
31:00: Team USA came unglued against Panama.

In this bonus edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand catches up with two honored guests from this week's Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Awards.
First up is Timberwolves big man Luka Garza, who shared wisdom about basketball and life (plus of course Caitlin Clark) in an on-stage Q&A with Rand during the award show.
Plus Rand had a chance to have an extended conversation with Mark "Dolo" Harris, who was honored with the Difference Maker award at the ceremony.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down a huge night at the NBA draft for the Timberwolves, who dealt away their 2031 first round pick to obtain the No. 8 pick Wednesday. They used that to take Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, then later chose Terrence Shannon Jr. at No. 27. It was a big swing for both the present and the future.
10:00: Jeff Day and Naila-Jean Meyers from the Star Tribune join Rand ahead of four huge days of gymnastics at Target Center. The U.S. women's and men's Olympic teams will be decided after the U.S. trials, with the biggest names in the sport competing in Minneapolis.
41:00: A nice win for the Twins and a big debut set for Thursday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, who took a 94-89 win over New York in the title game of the Commissioner's Cup. Though the victory doesn't count in the standings, it was the seventh in a row for the Lynx. Players pocketed $30,000 each for the victory, and the Lynx served notice about their place in the league. Plus Rand gets into another frustrating Twins loss and a bad stretch for Minnesota United.
9:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand ahead of the NBA draft, a two-night affair that starts Wednesday. The Wolves have picks No. 27 and 37. Can they nab their point guard of the future with what they have to work with?
31:00: Two giants of Minnesota hockey are headed to the Hall of Fame.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the 14 coaches in Timberwolves history and has a hard time complaining much about current coach Chris Finch, who just signed an extension Monday that will keep him in Minnesota for the next four seasons. It's a coaching list filled with forgettable seasons. Finch, on the other hand, has built something very good here.
7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a look at the payroll questions facing the Wolves and Wild as well as what both teams might do in their respective drafts this week. Plus a dissection of the Twins near the midpoint of their season.
35:00: Florida denies Edmonton's chance at history.

After a week off, the podcast returns with host Michael Rand and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse catching up on all they missed.
They start with the Twins, who Reusse boldly says are better than they were a year ago even if we haven't figured them out yet. More starting pitching depth and quality will be a key to unlocking their true potential this season.
From there, it is quite a journey from flooded ballparks to gymnastics to big spending in college athletics to Reusse's radical solution for the aging Williams Arena. Plus a little NBA and NHL draft talk as well.