Adrian Payen

[Brandon BassHole [enjin:8183321]]

How cool would it be, If Payne actually had received playing time and was on the rising stars team as well as Lavine, Maple Jordan, Shabazz, and Dieng lol.....oh well hopefully next year.

Side note: if Bennett was any good he would have been in it.. :/ awh well maybe Payne makes it next year.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Edit: Wrong thread.

[Monster]

I am a month behind in wolves games and so I haven't posted here but I was curious about what people thought about this trade. Here is where I am at based on what I've seen through games in early January
PF is a massive need there have been spots I wonder if Hummel is the better option at PF over Thad and Bennett. It sounds like Thad may be turning his season around but the Wolves need to be liking for PFs and getting one that's at least 6'9" would be good Payne has a lot of length and is athletic. Yep he is old but he has a lot of skills. Some of his weaknesses could be due to his lower lung capacity. He may never be able to play starter minutes. That's ok if he can be a legit fringe starter type that works well with the team that could be worthwhile. I like he seems to show some intensity and that he works hard. He can shoot the ball and that could be key as well. Bottom line for me is the wolves need a PF with length and they probably don't need a star just a guy that can actually play. Will Payne be that? Idk but its worth a shot and the good thing about adding him now is they can actually play him and see more what they have. I'm still assuming they need to add a PF in the draft though but hey right now a cheap worthwhile backup big with length sounds good too

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Good to see you on the board again, monster...haven't heard from you in awhile.

I was on vacation when this deal happened, so I haven't had a chance to weigh in. My conclusion is that this was a good, and potentially great, trade. While I don't like the idea of giving up a first rounder, it is highly protected, and my optimism about the future of this club leads me to conclude that the eventual pick lost may even be in the 20s...not a great loss.

As for Payne, I liked him a lot in college and actually was leaning a little more toward selecting him rather than Zach in the last draft. I like his length, character, and ability to stretch the floor. I understand the concerns about his rebounding numbers at MSU, but in all fairness they were better than Thad Young's at Georgia Tech. And 7.3 per game his final season is not bad, especially considering there was a lot of competition for boards on that team. I have no doubt he will rebound well in the NBA. I have been quite disappointed in our two PF's this year, and don't believe either one is the long-term answer. I recognize that AB was a far superior college player, but he has struggled in his first two years. Given a chance, I think Payne has a better chance than Young or Bennett to fill the 4 hole. This doesn't mean that Flip should shy away from Towns in the draft if he is the logical choice. But to pick up a player who was drafted 15th in a deep draft and fills an immediate need in exchange for a future pick that will be lower, and perhaps much lower, seems to me to be an excellent trade by Flip. Payne hasn't had the chance to show what he can do in the NBA because of injuries and Atlanta big man depth, but I'm excited to see what he can do for us after the break.

I'm fully aware that Thad Young has upped his game the past ten days, but I continue to think his rebounding and defense are not what I am looking for in a PF. I don't think it is going to happen because of Thad's contract, but I hope Flip is able to move him before the deadline so he can roll with a Payne/Bennett duo the rest of the season. If they are not able to show Flip enough in the final 30 games, Flip will know what he needs to do in the draft or free agency.

[Tactical unit]

Everyone knows ATL was trading from its depth and trying to free a roster spot to entice R. Allen to join them for the playoff run. They are looking to add a now piece and for that reason we shouldn't have had to give up as much as we did. So for those reasons Yuck explains this trade rather well from a GM perspective.

Now Payne himself, I actually think he is another "Payoff" player. When a player with athletic upside hits they "Payoff" in a rather large way. From watching him I remember suspect defense for someone regarded as being "good" defensively. I'd describe it as "good" defensive potential, but he looks lost from time to time on D. Hope he improve in that area.

[bleedspeed]

This trade could look good int he future and could work out. Or is could be a failure. Presently it is a bad trade. I think we overpaid to get him could have gotten more out of protected future first. Payne just doesn't have the upside others have and has yet to show anything in the pros. Just think we got Thad who was a proven player for the same pick. If I had to choose between Thad or Payne at this point. I would pick Thad even though he is paid more and 2 or 3 years older.

[The Rage Monster [enjin:8010341]]

It's been a while since I've been on here but better late than never.

I liked Payne in college and his potential as a two way PF so I love this trade. I'm not a fan of trading picks but if that's the route we had to go it's about time we make use of a first rounder in a smart way. We kept it highly protected so it won't turn into the Jaric situation again, we didn't trade it for a for player who we already knew was at best a role player like Bud, and we didn't use it to dump someone like we did with Wes.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

We might not KNOW that Payne is a role player at best yet, but that's his ceiling in my view. I'm just hoping he can be a good big off the bench. I don't see a future starter or better with him.

[bleedspeed]

I think of Payne I think of a less talented Eddie Griffin without the substance issues. At least that is his upside to me.

Shockingly EG was out of the league by 24.

[TheFuture]

I think of Payne I think of a less talented Eddie Griffin without the substance issues. At least that is his upside to me.

Shockingly EG was out of the league by 24.

Oh wow, Eddie griffin. I was sure he had figured it out and was going to be one hell of a player. I absolutely loved the way he played ball. Instead it just is another case of the what ifs.