Dieng is such a key to this franchise

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

I play the other side of the fence. The problem with deing is that he's pretty old for a rookie. He's the same age as Rubio for reference. Also to the point, the defense didn't improve at all numbers wise with deing in instead of pek.

I think reasonable expectations is for Deing to be a really good bench player. A guy who comes in and sparks the team with high energy and playmaking. Thinking him as some kind of cornerstone is setting your sights way to high.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I think Dieng can be our starting center and if were talking about Cleveland's #1 pick possible in trade with Love, then Embiid is the pick. That leaves us 3 bigs unless you think Embiid is a PF.

/don't think a trade with CLE is likely but just throwing that out there

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Embiid would not be my pick. It also wouldn't make sense to have three-starting caliber centers: Pek, Dieng, Embiid.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I also don't select Embiid if we were to get the first pick in exchange for Love. We are in good shape at center, even if we end up moving Pek. As much as I like to watch Wiggins, I think my choice would be Parker, because I think he can play PF in the NBA and we will need a Love replacement. A draft combo of Parker and Stauskas/Harris would make me feel a lot better about losing our superstar.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I also don't select Embiid if we were to get the first pick in exchange for Love. We are in good shape at center, even if we end up moving Pek. As much as I like to watch Wiggins, I think my choice would be Parker, because I think he can play PF in the NBA and we will need a Love replacement. A draft combo of Parker and Stauskas/Harris would make me feel a lot better about losing our superstar.

We're pretty much on the same page here. :thumb:

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

I also don't select Embiid if we were to get the first pick in exchange for Love. We are in good shape at center, even if we end up moving Pek. As much as I like to watch Wiggins, I think my choice would be Parker, because I think he can play PF in the NBA and we will need a Love replacement. A draft combo of Parker and Stauskas/Harris would make me feel a lot better about losing our superstar.

We're pretty much on the same page here. :thumb:

We're on the same page IF we were to get the first pick. But I just posted in the Love thread that I'm not optimistic about Cleveland giving up #1. I don't think Flip is going to receive any no-brainer offers.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

If Flip feels that Embiid is the best player, he should draft him (Most "experts" would agree he's the best player). He could play PF according to what I've read. However I like Parker too, I just don't trust the Wolves to make the right pick here (see the last 18 years of draft picks!)

[bleedspeed]

I think Shabazz is more of a key to this teams future. He has a lot to prove, but he could replace a bunch of Love's scoring and rebounding from the SF position.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

If Flip feels that Embiid is the best player, he should draft him (Most "experts" would agree he's the best player). He could play PF according to what I've read. However I like Parker too, I just don't trust the Wolves to make the right pick here (see the last 18 years of draft picks!)

No question that we have had a terrible drafting history, but Flip has only been the main decision maker in one of those years...and I would argue that he perhaps had the best draft in the league. My concern about drafting Embiid first goes beyond position fit...this is a guy who hurt his lower back halfway through his one year of college, and back injuries have a tendency to recur. I think the injury history is why Joel drops to #3 in so many mocks.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

If he really is a 7 footer who can hit 3's (according to Simmons) and play solid D, you HAVE to take him, recovering back problems or not. But this will all be a moot point as the best we'll get is Boston's #6 if anything.

Bleed, wouldn't that be fantastic if Bazz became our starting SF next season? Perhaps a new coach that gives Bazz and Dieng more PT, another solid pick this year and all this Love trade talk could also be moot.