Nerlens Noel

[Porckchop]

The Sixers and Wolves have already discussed Ricky before so there's mutual interest there.

Is Ricky and a future 2nd for Nerlens and their 24th doable?

Draft Dunn and wait for the inevitable 1 or 2 players to drop in the draft. Maybe score Valentine, Ellenson or Luwawu.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

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.

Then the answer is simple, we pass. I'd rather get a two way player on a rookie deal than pay Noel big money which he will be getting the same year we have to cough up for Dieng.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I didn't vote because my option wasn't on the board...my preference is still to trade #5 for two later first round pick in this relatively flat but deep draft.

If the choice were just the ones in the poll though, I think I would keep the 5th pick.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I think we've learned our lesson about picking up other teams' high draft picks (Beasley, Darko, Bennett)

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

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.

Then the answer is simple, we pass. I'd rather get a two way player on a rookie deal than pay Noel big money which he will be getting the same year we have to cough up for Dieng.

Well, you can pass. I'd take the deal straight up, and I know plenty others who would do the same. Noel has a chance to be one of the elite defenders in basketball -- arguably was just that his rookie season. Dieng doesn't have a ceiling anywhere near that despite his surprising growth on the offensive end. One's 26 years old, the other's 22 and entering his third season. And we could still lock both of them up for the near future. I think it's an easy decision.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I think we've learned our lesson about picking up other teams' high draft picks (Beasley, Darko, Bennett)

I'm hoping this was more of a joke than a real comparison of Noel to those guys... Actually, I know it was a joke. You're a funny guy! Well done. I actually miss Beasley, though.

[Monster]

I think we've learned our lesson about picking up other teams' high draft picks (Beasley, Darko, Bennett)

I'm hoping this was more of a joke than a real comparison of Noel to those guys... Actually, I know it was a joke. You're a funny guy! Well done. I actually miss Beasley, though.

I can't believe he left out top 3 picks Joe Smith, Chancey Billups and Kandiman.

[Lipoli390]

I have no interest in Okafor. I like Noel and I acknowledge that there is merit to the argument for trading our 5th pick to get him. But wouldn't do the deal for a couple reasons. First, he'd be expensive to keep with his contract set to expire soon and I'm looking ahead to the max contracts we'll eventually have to give both KAT and Wiggins along with a near max deal perhaps for LaVine. Second, Noel is strictly a one-way player and I don't like the idea of giving up a 5th pick and then having to pay a lot to retain that sort of player.

I think the talk about acquiring Noel reflects at least partially the "grass is greener" syndrome. It seems that Gorgui's abilities are too easily overlooked or marginalized by some Wolves fans. The stats provided by TeamRicky are instructive. Noel is a terrific defender, but a pretty poor offensive player and bad free-throw shooter. Gorgui is solid on both ends. He has a nice shot and hits from the free throw line. He's a solid rebounder and good shot-blocker. He's a fierce competitor as well. And he's developed really good chemistry with his teammates, especially KAT. I'd rather have Gorgui plus one of the guys we're likely to get at #5 than just Noel.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Question: How good would Gorgui Dieng look playing on that Philly roster? Might we understand the difference in point guard play too? I'd think that Ricky Rubio is quite the step up from Ish Smith, T.J. McConnell, Tony Wroten, and whoever else the Sixers brought in through that revolving door. How good does Dieng look offensively playing with Jahlil Okafor, Robert Covington, Nik Stauskas, and other questionable NBA talents instead of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, Shabazz Muhammad, etc.? I think situation matters, especially in this case.

I've already illustrated in the past that Noel is in fact better better than Dieng defensively, both by the numbers and the eye test. Do we think Noel couldn't play the same role offensively that DeAndre Jordan and Tyson Chandler play/played? Screen setter, roll to the hoop. Defenses have to honor that. Finish the opportunities created for him at the rim, attack the offensive glass, and make plays in transition. Noel's capable of excelling in that role as long as there are potent scorers around him. Minnesota looks to have that.

Also, I firmly believe that organizations can't be afraid to pay for talent. If -- when -- Noel comes in and performs well enough to where he commands a healthy contract, then pay him. His production defensively alone is going to get him paid well. To me, that's not a bad thing. Can always move pieces around in the future if need be.

[BloopOracle]

I gotta say I think I'm buying what Camden is selling, he really does have the potential to fit perfectly on both sides of the ball, combined with the fact that I'm not that hot on anyone in this draft at least at our slot.