longstrangetrip wrote:CoolBreeze44 wrote:AbeVigodaLive wrote:CoolBreeze44 wrote:AbeVigodaLive wrote:CoolBreeze44 wrote:AbeVigodaLive wrote:CoolBreeze44 wrote:TeamRicky wrote:Zgoda tweets we are expected to be calling Luol Deng this morning.
Does Miami have any interest in keeping him?
No. ALL their attention is playing musical spreadsheets with Durant, Whiteside and Wade.
I guess it's conceivable that they strike out and miss on all three... but why would Deng wait for that just to go back to a
team that didn't give him the time of day... and is gonna suck without those three there?
If that's the case, why should we?
Not following you exactly...
Obviously, Deng isn't at Durant's level. Or, Whiteside. And Wade's history in Miami and HOF career takes precedence too.
I don't see it as a knock against Deng necessarily. He is what he is. He's a
pretty solid complementary player. Nothing more.
Exactly right, so I'll pass.
Fair enough. But I think a guy like Deng could offer decent production/value for the Wolves.
As I've noted, an ALL-young team scares me. Deng has been through the wars and also offers a buffer/example/mentor/soapbox/connection with the new guy in charge in MN.
He just doesn't move the needle I talked about earlier.
While I agree with your main premise...that we don't want to spend big bucks on someone who doesn't move the needle...I see Luol Deng moving the needle better than almost anyone out there. He is a perfect fit here for so many reasons:
1) While he has always been an efficient scorer, he's not a guy that needs a lot of shots to be happy...only 10 shots per game last year with Miami. So while he's not a guy that defenses can ignore (like Prince last year), he won't take shots away from our stars.
2) SF might be Wig's best position down the road, but he was almost the worst rebounding SF in the league last year. Deng at SF and Wig at SG instantly makes us a much better rebounding team...and a much better defensive team.
3) The Wolves have struggled to score when the starters leave the floor. That all changes when Zach becomes our 6th man. I could see Zach challenging for 6th man of the year award next year, and teams with great 6th men generally are successful.
4) Transitioning to a new coach is always difficult, but having a guy on the court like Deng (and perhaps KG) who knows Thibs' coaching schemes will really ease the transition.
5) While some say he has lost a step athletically, he's only 31...and anyone who watched him harassing Derozen in last year's playoffs can attest to what a game changer he is defensively.
I have very little idea of how much he will cost, but I would give him anything under $20 million per year on a deal of 3 years or less. He just makes so much sense for us, and I think he will end up here.
Agree with almost everything, LST. I do think he's lost a step athletically, but
he's still really effective on both ends because he's a smart, skilled player. He's the definition of a swiss army knife. Offensively, he can score inside and out, off the ball and one-on-one, he can handle the ball, he can and does pass freely, selflessly, and intelligently. He can his the 3 a little bit, and hits FTs too. Defensively, he still makes up for slowing down a bit with his length and intelligence, guarding ball-handling forwards well, and off the ball too. A good rebounder and just an all-around pro.
In addition to giving us a longer lineup if he plays the 3, he can also play the 4 and help us go small. He'd fit well next to anybody. His passing in particular would help make the team better.
Play a lineup with Rubio, Wiggins, Deng, Dieng, and Towns and we've got great length and defense and some shooting from the 3, 4, and 5. Swap LaVine for Wiggins if you want more outside shooting. Or get a guy like Troy Daniels.
Put him next to LaVine, Dunn, and Bjelica, and he can focus on defense. Put him out there with Rubio and/or Dunn, and he can score.
Any combo of Towns, Deng, and Dieng at the 4 and 5 can play both sides of the ball well.
