No comparison. Ricky is deceptively good on offense despite his field goal shooting percentage. He makes up for it with his assists, rebounds, adequate three point shooting and very good free throw shooting. Advanced stats love Ricky. Ricky has a good ORPM (36th overall) and Noel has a terrible ORPM (448th in league out of 463).
Camden0916 wrote:I'm on record for being one to suggest that trade and have already argued it thoroughly. Just wanted to put my name by my vote. Yes, I'd be all over that deal. The luxury of having both bigs be abnormally mobile and able to guard on the perimeter AND protect the rim is too enticing for me to pass up. Pair that with what I believe to be the best defensive mind in basketball in Coach Thibodeau and our defense should be among the elite -- if not the best -- in the NBA.
I recall you discussing it before and I'm a little surprised that it hasn't been brought up in a while or even in the media tbh. It makes a lot of sense on many levels and it has undoubtedly been discussed by both teams by now. I have no doubt about that. My best guess is Thibs has made it clear that he is a Dieng guy and that might limit the desire to make this deal.
I don't think it's a no brainier but I think overall I would probably do the deal. This team could use a complimentary PF and Noel could be that. Maybe there wouldn't be enough minutes for everyone but Towns, Noel, Dieng and Bjelica that could combine for a really complimentary front court that would be tough to deal with on both ends. I imagine Noel would be a fun lob target and good screen setter so he isn't completely worthless on the offensive end.
I can see the argument of staying tight and picking a player since they will cost less and it keeps roster flexibility because you don't absolutely have to play that guy big minutes right away and Noel probably comes in as the starter next to Towns pushing other guys down and maybe even out. Too much talent can be a good problem to have but it can also means losing guys if you had gone another direction.
It continues to feel that even though the Wolves are at #5 in a non-loaded draft they are still in a good position to add a nice player/s to their team one way or another.
Voted keep the pick but this is a tough one for me. I could see Noel being the missing piece to an absolute dominant defensive team, and also Ricky is the type of player who can feed him a lot of easy baskets. So if Thibs and company feel shipping the 5th pick for Noel is the best move I'd be on board. On the other hand, I think what trumps Noel is this team's need for another quality guard. This may be our best chance to get one. Of the 3 available, I'm still not sure who I would take (and some could be off the board), but again I trust our new people in charge to find the right guy.
Actually to sum it up for me, I'm not sure what we are going to do, but for the first time in years I really feel like we will get it right. As a Timberwolves fan this is truly an odd feeling. I've gotten used to expecting the worst.
I'd do it if Dunn is off the board. Noel under Thibs would be a defensive monster. He's fine offensively. He's an efficient scorer because he doesn't try to do too much. I think you can play him with Ricky with the rest of our starting 5 because Towns, Wiggins and Lavine are going to be handfuls that the other team is going to have to throw multiple guys at to stop letting Noel play clean up duty. A big rotation of Towns, Noel, Dieng can leave us balanced on the floor at all times offensively and defensive and Belly could get the cleanup minutes. Also frankly I'm not passing on any talent because of how it fits with Ricky. Ricky's not good enough to be building around him. He's either going to do the stuff needed to fit with our actual building blocks or he can get shipped out.
I torn, add another young player who's going to command a significant contract after next season just as our three youngsters are coming due, or add a (hopefully) final high draft pick with potential just beginning a rookie deal. With Noel you know what you're getting and you're paying for it, with a rookie you're betting on his potential, but on the cheap.
I don't know much, but I do know I'm glad I'm not the guy making these team making, or breaking decisions... and you should be too!
I don't mean to ruin the party, but the Sixers wouldn't pair Noel AND a first for our pick. That's poor value for them. Don't get me wrong, we should absolutely ask for that, but in the end that's just not plausible. Also think we'd be greedy if we didn't come off that price.
