Next years draft
by Mplax on Jul 14, 2009 10:42 AM CDT
37 comments
Assuming we end up in the top 5 of next years lottery again, who do you take? As of now, our positional needs are: SF, SG, and C. I think we can all agree that PF is pretty much locked up unless we see the second coming of Kevin Garnett. PG better be locked up after we just drafted four (I know we only kept two...but still). C is not at all a lock, and while we have plenty of guys who could play there, no one who will play starter for a contender. SG and SF speak for themselves.
So, you can have ANYONE in the draft, who do you take?
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John Wall
He’s got the most talent. Then let the fun begin.
by Jose Cordoba on Jul 14, 2009 10:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So take another PG?
Interesting strategy. As of now he is obviously the BPA, which will probably change throughout the year, but a third highly ranked PG. We would have to deal someone then without a doubt. Personally, I am feeling Al Farouq Aminu…not that I know much about him besides he is a SF.
by Mplax on Jul 14, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
SF who can hit NBA 3
tall player 6-8ish 6-9ish who can play perimeter defence and hit nba 3’s.
by remiel6 on Jul 14, 2009 11:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Aminu
The problems with him are : He’s not a floor stretcher, and he’s somewhat of a hybred 3-4. Another guy that could have some serious intrest is Derrick Favors whose body and game are similar to Dwight Howard’s coming out of HS. If he puts on Muscle- he’s probably long enough to play the 5 at the next level.
by Jose Cordoba on Jul 14, 2009 1:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If Evan Turner improves as much YOY
next season as he did in the past season, he’s your man. Especially if he can consistently hit the outside “J”.
Aldrich, Turner, and Jerome Jordan would be ideal additions, and then prowl other teams for established 2s and 3s.
If not, let’s look to 2011’s draft!
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
by PoorDick on Jul 14, 2009 2:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What ever happened to
Mr. Born Ready, Lance Stephenson? Last I heard he wasn’t being recruited out of high school cuz of his off the court issues. He’s gonna be an ahole when he gets into the league if he ever does.
by Mplax on Jul 14, 2009 2:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think if the top two one-and-done candidates—Wall and Favors—don’t go DeAndre Jordan on us and are the real deal, and the Wolves have a shot at one of them, as always you got to do it and sort out the issues later, even though they play PG and, probably, PF, respectively.
But if the Wolves aren’t in that position and need becomes a bigger factor, I think you got to go wing (assuming Al’s knee is doing okay and Love avoids the dreaded T-Wolf Sophomore Ligament Curse). As of right now at this early date, that’s probably either Evan Turner or Aminu. We’ll have to watch if Aminu gets to play more on the perimeter this year.
I don’t think you go for a 5 unless it’s more of a rotational guy later in the draft (Jordan or Varnado or somebody like that). I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think of Jefferson and Love as more 4-5 tweeners in today’s NBA, rather than pure 4’s, or as bigs playing out of position when they’re at the 5. They’re not pure 4’s, because more and more teams are utilizing 4-out sets, meaning your 4 ideally can play in space. Even Love’s numbers were better at center this past year (small sample size noted, however). I’m just not convinced if you draft Aldrich for the express purpose of moving Al or Love to the 4 full time that it’s going to work as well as a lot of people think. I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, per say. Anytime you can find a legit, non-mechanical center, it’s a good thing. But I just worry the returns would be somewhat diminishing as opposed to adding a solid wing to what they have now.
I’m really torn between Turner and Aminu. If Rubio comes over and is as advertised—a brilliant pure PG who can really handle the ball for the bulk of the time he’s on the floor—then maybe Aminu makes sense, as he should be a good finisher type and doesn’t play on the ball nearly as much as Turner (at the NCAA level, at least). If the Rubio situation is still muddled and/or he ends up being traded, then maybe Turner would be a good match as a do-it-all type at the 2, a player type that could maybe play better with Flynn.
by jianfu on Jul 14, 2009 2:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
These
are excellent points. Aminu’s attractiveness may also be related to how well Corey the Cobra recovers and progresses.
However, with 96 minutes to divvy up at the 4-5 spots, and the propensity of big men to get injured, having both Aldrich and another more athletic “big” wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
Rooting for a Rubio Revolucion since roughly 10:20 a.m. on June 24th, 2009
by PoorDick on Jul 14, 2009 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
An intriguing thing about Aminu is the guy could probably play all 3 frontcourt spots, as he’s got the length to play the 5 and the athleticism to play the 3. I think he could consolidate the roles of Gomes and Smith—starting 3 who slides to the 4 when the Wolves bring in the “Go Team”— into one roster spot (but with more length, athleticism, and ceiling). I do worry that he’s “naturally” a 4, though. Despite all the Luol Deng comps he got coming into Wake, he played in the paint in High School and now his freshman season at Wake. We’ll see.
by jianfu on Jul 14, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cole Aldrich
If the rebuilding process is effective, he is the best chance Wolves will get for an impact center…..They still matter in the NBA even though many disagree. Shaq, Duncan & KG have been major players on 8 recent champs. Not saying Aldrich is in their league, but you have to go for one if you can get him.
PG – Rubio, Flynn
PF – Jefferson, Love
C – Aldrich, Jefferson
Still have Utah & Charlotte picks, Pekovic + $20 million in cap space to get impact SG & SF.
He also helps sell tickets if he has any talent at all. You shouldn’t reach for a guy based on where he grew up, but if all things are equal get the local guy. Joe Mauer over Mark Prior.
by Rumblebee on Jul 14, 2009 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you're somewhat confused
Considering Al played 20x more minutes at center this year than PF. He was so unproductive that he had a PER of 26.3 as anyone can attest this is borderline MVP territory. Even as bad as he was on D- The Differential was still plus 7. In 2007-2008- Al played the majority of his minutes at Center with a Plus 5 Per Differential. Translation: Al’s a Center (Although a Poor Defensive One) the Wolves issues had nothing to do with lack of production from this position. Even Kevin Love at Center had a Per Differential of Plus 3.
by Jose Cordoba on Jul 14, 2009 5:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree Jose
What this team needs in the big man rotation IMO is a long athletic, rim protector. Is Cole Aldrich that guy? I don’t think so, he is a solid all around center prospect, but from what I’ve seen he isn’t an elite athlete, and may have the same difficulty that Al and Love have in playing perimeter bigs.
I am not trying to say Aldrich wouldn’t be a great addition, talent is talent and clearly he is talented, I just don’t know if he is the type of player that would complete the 3 man big rotation, if you take alrdich, that means you likely have to move Love or Jefferson, and the rebuilding continues as we wait on another developing big man.
by Ebomb on Jul 14, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thing about Al being a Center or a Power Forward is
it all depends on who the opposing center and power forward are. If its KG at PF and Perkins at C, then he is a center. My point is Al has to guard the less perimeter oriented guy, no matter what position.
by Mplax on Jul 14, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not confused
Drafting Aldrich isn’t a reflection on Jefferson, it is more about Love. If Aldrich continues to develop he will be a top-3 player on a contending team, Love will never be more than a #4 player (the GM agrees with me on this one). I envision Love becoming one of the best 6th men in the league. Aldrich will protect the rim on defense, Jefferson will control the rim on offense, a great pairing!
Jefferson/Love starting at 4/5 will NEVER contend unless the Wolves can complement them with a Superstar, and then they win because of the Superstar, not Kevin Love. It would be great to get a Kobe/LeBron, but what are the odds we get one, and even more what are the odds he plays with the Wolves into his prime. If Aldrich becomes an All-Star the Wolves should be able to keep him around for 10-15 years. PER’s don’t get guys to sign contract extensions.
A simple question, how many teams with a front court the size of Jefferson/Love have contended for a title, especially when neither is a defensive wiz??
Dwight Howard would eat these guys alive in a seven game series!!!
by Rumblebee on Jul 14, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reply
I wouldn’t call either Bynum or Gasol- Great Individual Defenders.
As far as Kevin Love being nothing more than a Number 4 player then Kahn is confused about a players value. Anyone who nearly leads the league in Rebound Rate as a 20 Year Old rookie along with his Free Throw Attempt rate not to mention his ability to set screens and pass qualifies as a tremendous asset on a Championship Team perhaps more than Jefferson once he reaches Jefferson’s age.
Love isn’t that poor a defender considering his ability to maintain position and rebound (Which is a valuable defensive skill). The Wolves would have been really horrid on D if not for his contributions in making the Team- Top 5 in this area.
As far as Dwight Howard eating them alive- Howard’s game is awfully dependent on positioning and strength. He’s probably going to require a double against anyone (Like the Lakers often did) and hope that Orlando’s not making three’s at a 45% clip like against Cleveland. So I actually think Al and Kevin could help in this regard.
by Jose Cordoba on Jul 14, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Proved my point
Bynum-Gasol didn’t lead the Laker’s to the title, Kobe did. As I said, If the Wolves expect Jefferson/Love to start together, who will be their Kobe, and even if they find one, he’ll be out of here as soon as free agency is an option.
I know Love can get a bunch of rebounds at garbage time, and against the other teams backups, the problem is he gets destroyed trying to guard talented, normal sized PFs (Nowitzki destroyed him)!
I like Aldrich for reasons beyond talent. He’s a good fit for multiple reasons, and as I said in my original post, reality is 8 of the last 10/12 titles have been won by teams with a dominant 7 footer playing around the basket on defense.
by Rumblebee on Jul 14, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love's not a garbage-time rebounder...
He was as effective as a starter as he was off the bench. Second, he’s a freaking rookie guarding the toughest PF matchup in the NBA; even KG would’ve struggled as a rookie against a veteran Nowitzki. I know your larger point is that you prefer Aldrich, but what makes him capable of guarding Nowitzki?
As for the title-contending teams, that’s selective research to prove your point. The most-relevant frame of reference would be the seasons since the hand-checking rules changed, which was 04-05. That would mean the Spurs, Pistons, Heat, Mavs, Cavs, Celtics, Lakers, and Magic. Duncan was a forward/center playing next to a role player; Wallace/Wallace was a combination of mobile big guys; Shaq wasn’t productive in the ‘06 Finals (he didn’t score over 20 in any game and was in single digits in two of them) and played next to a mobile, undersized PF; Nowitzki played as a mobile 4 next to a role player (Dampier) at C; Ilgauskas isn’t a dominant C and played next to a mobile PF who lacked a post game; KG is a mobile 4 playing with a role player at C (Perkins); Bynum was more productive for the Magic than the Lakers when he was on the floor, and Odom played a lot as a mobile 4; and Lewis was a mobile 4 next to Howard, who would’ve been an undersized C ten years ago. I’m not against Aldrich, but the Wolves could get by with a role player as the big body in the rotation and find someone who could guard on the perimeter. If the Bulls accepted the Wolves’ top pick next for Noah, I’d do that deal because he’s a very good player who can play on the perimeter and would fill a bigger hole in the roster.
As for the comment that any great scorer would leave here, you’re so right. The Timberwolves are unredeemable, and no great player would want to stay here. Heck, they’d take the mid-level somewhere else just to get out of here. Maybe the team is just better off not getting good players, because obviously they’d never stay, even if the team improved.
by pagingstanleyroberts on Jul 14, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Discount long term signability at your own peril!
There is a twenty year track record showing the Wolves have to overpay to retain talented players. How many QUALITY players were willing to sign for the MLE to come here and win a title alongside KG??? I don’t remember one player giving up a comparable or better offer to come here when the Wolves were a player away from a title! Please don’t use Joe Smith or Olowokandi as examples of free agents the Wolves brought in. They had to cheat (overpay) to get Smith. Milwaukee has had similar difficulty attracting free agents. I’m not saying the Wolves can’t keep a star here, but be honest, it will be easier if he has local ties.
By the way, my point about dominant big guys winning titles recently is not “Selective Research.” It is a fact!!!!! Since Duncan won his first title, eight have been won by teams with Duncan, Shaq (4) and KG! You conveniently ignore the fact they were all a defensive presence, even if Shaq struggled offensively in ’06. By the way, was he struggling when he won 3 titles with the Lakers?
Wallace/Wallace five years ago would dominate Love/Jefferson…Thank you for giving me another example!
KG may not be a center, but unlike Jefferson he can block a shot near the rim or contest a drive to the hoop.
by Rumblebee on Jul 14, 2009 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
More facts..
NBA finals MVPs:
2009 Kobe SG (best player by playoff PER on the loser – Howard C)
2008 Pierce SF (Kobe SG)
2007 Parker PG (LeBron SF)
2006 Wade G (Dirk PF with a SF game)
2005 Duncan F/C (Billups PG)
So can I reasonably conclude that a dominant wing is required to contend for a title? Factually speaking 7 of 10 of the last finals teams had one. The 3 that did not had Hedo, who was the key to Orlando’s success in the Finals, Dallas, with a 7 footer who plays like a 3, and is often guarded by 3’s, and Duncan, who had Ginobili next to him with an identical PER and much higher eFG% and TS%. We have a great 5. We have a 4 who is 20 and already proven to be a highly effective player. We have Rubio and Flynn, who we all hope contains a star player. We need above average to star 2’s and 3’s and a better backup big.
To think that Cole, who is the same age as Love but decided not to enter what is thought to be a weak draft and a horrendous draft for bigs, is a top 3 and Love no better than a 4th best guy, is, frankly, a little silly. And being the 4th best player on a contender is not exactly a bad thing, and probably underestimates Love.
Last 10 4th best players on Finals teams by playoff PER:
Ariza, Pietrus (actually Gortat, but limited minutes), Ray Allen, Fisher, Finley, Gooden, Haslem/Posey tie, Dampier, Nazr Mohammed (not kidding), Rasheed (McDyess was 2).
So, maybe I am optimistic, but in my mind, if we ever get there, Love is easily in the upper half of that group.
Look, do I want a defender of the rim? Yes, and I agree contending teams have one (Bynum/Pau, Howard, Gortat / KG, Perkins, Pau, Turiaf / Duncan, Oberto, Z, Varejao, Gooden / old Shaq, old Mourning, Haslem, Dampier, Diop / Duncan, Nazr, Wallace, Wallace). But in no way shape or form does that player have to be better than Love or compromise Love’s position on the team – unless you think Dampier, Nazr, Haslem, or Gooden are better players than Love.
Anyway, not trying to be impolite or rude – hope it doesn’t come off that way. Just trying to make a point that Love can absolutely play big minutes on a 50 win team, Cole might be better than Love, but in no way is this assured by any stretch, and recent Finals feature dominant wings (and Hall of Famers).
by CaliWolf on Jul 15, 2009 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just to Clarify
Jefferson’s blocked a Higher Percentage of shots every year he’s been in the League-than KG this season. In fact if you compare Block-Shot rates they’re not all that close. This isn’t to deny that KG is a vastly better defender although you’re use of stats is skewed.
by Jose Cordoba on Jul 15, 2009 6:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Signability
I think we should give Ricky to NY for a chance at some tickets to MSG. That sounds about right.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jul 15, 2009 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I stand corrected
I did not check block stats, I should have said KG changes shots with his size and athleticism. Still not sure I am saying what I am thinking, but I hope you get my drift.
by Rumblebee on Jul 15, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love > Aldrich… Aldrich is a fine prospect, but I don’t think he’s a franchise-calibur talent.
by jianfu on Jul 14, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reply 2
The orginal argument was that you needed an elite post-defender to win a Championship. I don’t know was whether Love or Jefferson could be the best players on a Championship team (I both think they’re going to be Number 2 or 3 Options).
by Jose Cordoba on Jul 14, 2009 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just to be clear
I’m not anti- Cole Aldrich. I made this clear in the other post on the subject. I’m just against the idea that Al’s anything but a 5 or your take on Kevin Love.
by Jose Cordoba on Jul 14, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not criticizing Love, just being realistic
As I wrote earlier, I think Love could be the best 6th man in the league (a great asset for a contending team).
I know Love is a rookie and not ready to take on a Nowitzki, but I doubt he’d be able to stop him even if this was his 3rd year. I did not even mention what KG would do to Love. You guys have to be realistic, to be a contender the team needs a player capable of stopping a Nowitzki, Stoudamire, or KG – at least around the rim if not at the perimeter… Love can’t do either with these guys! Five years from now, Love will not be capable of stopping these guys or Blake Griffin, he just isn’t big enough. If Love gets stronger he will be too slow, if he tries to get faster he will be too skinny.
Maybe Aldrich won’t progress this season and not even be a top 5 pick, but I am assuming he will (we could say the same about any projected top 5 pick). However, assuming he is a top 5 pick, I will take the upside of a 6’11" center over the upside of a 6’7"/6’8" PF any day of the week!
I’ll throw out another question….Would you trade Love today for Blake Griffin?? I think Griffin and Aldrich will be comparable players in five years.
I also like the idea of getting Noah, but I would rather trade Flynn for him than next years #1 (which I think will be in the top 5). Noah is a good player, but I think he is at about the peak of his talent already.
by Rumblebee on Jul 14, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Clarify
I will take the upside of a 6’11" center over the upside of a “slow” 6’7"/6’8" PF.
by Rumblebee on Jul 14, 2009 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the Problem
1. Kevin Love’s not that slow as shown in his ability to close for rebounds away from the basket.
2. As far as trading Love for Griffin? Griffin also wouldn’t be able to shut down Dirk since he doesn’t exactly have great length or defensive instincts (Especially on the Perimeter) Love’s a proven NBA rebounder along with a better passer. Love’s also shown more of a probablity to develop an jump-shot. The other things that make Love so effective are ability to rebound away from the basket, set screens, and do other assorted little things. If the long-term idea was keeping Al than I would prefer Love to Griffin due to the fact that Love’s game compliments Al’s way better than Griffin’s.
3. I do agree with your assesment of Noah probably being near the peak of his performance.
4. If the idea that Cole Aldrich is likely to become an Elite-HOF Type talent like KG, Shaq, or Tim Duncan as implied this seems to be a Stretch. He’s Offensively Raw with his moves around the basket and he’s doesn’t establish position all that great either due to lacking lower-body strength. He’s also not what one would call a Freakish athelete for his size. I tend to see his upside as an Above-Average NBA starting center (Joel Pryzbilla with more offense)
by Jose Cordoba on Jul 15, 2009 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I see Aldrich as Rasho 2.0. Pryzbilla’s got a little more size and is really making a name as a tough rebounder and defender, but I think Aldrich will score a bit more. I’d ballpark Aldrich’s ceiling as that of Rik Smits’—and if he performed that well it’d be incredible. I really like Aldrich as a player, but is he better than Oden? Because that is what the argument for him seems to be suggesting.
I did a little digging into the value of a dominant center and general success, and I think that you are right in that the best teams all have good to great center play. However, there appears to be one other mitigating factor. Using 82games.com’s team production by position league comparison page, the top five teams in PER differential at the 5 were Orlanda, LA, Phoenix, Spurs, and Houston. All good teams. However, all of those teams also had at least one other (and sometimes 2) positions that ranked in the top ten league-wide. In fact, for the three years I could find data on, all teams in the top five for center production differential had at least one other position that was in the top ten, and while I haven’t looked up the precise playoff teams, I think it’s safe to say that 90% of the teams listed were playoff teams. Interestingly, out of the 15 teams listed, only 3 of them played in the Finals (two of which were this year).
In comparison, the Wolves ranked 7th in center PER diff. both this year and last while ranking no higher than 20th for any other position either year (actually averaged 26th in PER diff. ranking for position 1-4 for those two seasons).
In terms of the other positions the top center teams also excelled at, the most frequent other top ten position was PG (with 7 total top ten finishes), closely followed by SF. SG was last.
So, what’s the end game of this analysis? Yes, dominant center production does appear to be a common theme amongst playoff and championship caliber teams. However, all of those teams had at least one other position where they received top ten production (21 other top ten rankings for the three years I have data on) or top five production (9 times over three years)—again, this is for just the top five teams in center production in 08-09, 07-08, and 05-06. The Twolves have ranked 7th in center production the last two years, and would appear to be much better served upgrading their PG and SF production than upgrading their center production. Big Al (and for the number of minutes he played at the 5 last year, Love too) are fine where they are. Hopefully Flynn and Rubio will vault us up the PG rankings (we were 30th the last two years, ugh). If we could get even average production out of the 3, we’ll be very well situated.
All of this to say that while Aldrich is a very nice prospect, and your initial argument about good center play and good teams is sound but not complete, drafting Aldrich won’t improve the Wolves as much as drafting a dominant 3 will. Love is not the problem and doesn’t need upgrading at this point. Neither is Al. The best teams get excellent production from at least two positions, sometimes three, and we don’t need help at center, or even close to the rim. PG is looking promising. We just need a wing now.
Sorry for the length. Brevity isn’t really my thing apparently.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jul 15, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tip of the cap for this post. Nice stuff.
Now get back to work!
by jianfu on Jul 15, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're closing in on agreement
I also see Aldrich as slightly better than Pryzbilla, Rasho, and comparable to Smits, which I think will make him slightly better than Love (agree to disagree). I hopefully have not implied I think Aldrich has Superstar potential…I just think his upside is higher than Loves due to size, not ability.
The original post was who to draft next year. I think the pick will be top 5, and Aldrich may be best choice – based on talent and the intangibles I brought up earlier. The best player may ended up being Wall, but the Wolves do not need another PG…do they? I have defended Kahn on numerous posts for taking back-to-back PG’s, but two better be enough.
At THIS TIME there does not seem to be an All-Star caliber wing in the top five next year. What I really see is Aldrich being a #3 on a contender behind Big Al and just ahead of Love. Wouldn’t it be great to have that rotation of big men, where the worst 4/5 on the floor at any time is Kevin Love! I am also factoring in the extra 500 tickets a game Aldrich brings to the gate.
I totally agree getting an All-Star SG/SF is the key (this player will be the Wolves #1). I believe my original post stated pick Aldrich, then use some of the other assets to get the wing player/s. Between the Charlotte and Utah picks, Pekovic and cap space, they should be able to get an All-Star caliber SG/SF.
What I have written is based on a plan that the Wolves will have a solid eight man rotation in three years. Love would be one of the best 6th men in the league, Flynn is the top guard off the bench (10 minutes PG, 10 minutes SG) and perhaps Gomes is the other rotation player backing up SG/SF as necessary about 15 minutes a game. I think this team (with the unknown All-Star SG/SF) wins 55 games a year and contends for the next ten years!
by Rumblebee on Jul 15, 2009 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see your point
Aldrich may very well be the BPA at #5 next year, and if that’s the case, might as well take him. Not bad if your rotation at 4/5 is Al, Love, and Aldrich.
Certainly could be worse, like Kahn failing to address the 3 spot in some sort of meaningful way.
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
by biggity2bit on Jul 15, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get used to Brewer & Gomes
I think we’ll be seeing a lot of them at the 3 this year. I don’t see Taylor & Assoc. paying a few million to a free agent who isn’t much better than those two.
I think they would like to trade one of their overpaid, expiring PFs for an overpaid, expiring 3, but it may be easier said than done. They could get some value for Craig Smith, but he is someone that would be nice to keep around here for five years if he is willing to accept a reduced role and a little less money next year.
I think they are waiting out the Rubio situation, if he signs they may trade Bassy for a backup 3.
by Rumblebee on Jul 15, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no point in discussing this until after the College Season.
Right now, assuming no trades, which is unlikely, I would take a flyer on Xavier Henry, possibly (right now it is impossible to say) the best player at the 2-3.
by mnjayhawk on Jul 14, 2009 5:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
DraftExpress currently has Willie Warren going 3rd overall. Don’t think that’s going to happen.
Beyond Aldrich, there’s Flowers, Montiejunas, Ed Davis, Hensen, Aminu, and Greg Monroe currently projected as top-10 picks. That could all change drastically, of course, but early on the draftheads seem to like the big men in 2010.
by jianfu on Jul 15, 2009 9:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I posted this is the David Aldridge/David Kahn thread, but I suppose this is a better place for it:
Useless, baseless prediction: The Wolves will draft either Flowers or Aminu as their new-era power forward, and trade one of Al/Love (whoever’s left will be the 5).
FWIW. But Kahn’s gone on record about playing faster, relying less on low post play, stating that good teams instead need a high-usage perimeter player, he’s drafted two orchestrating point guards, and he’s shipped out McHale’s backcourt (e.g., role-playing shooters to make the PF look good). Just my hunch. Probably wrong.
by jianfu on Jul 15, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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