How we keep Love: Start Dieng, Pek off the bench

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/31/extra-pass-gorgui-diengs-breakthrough-opens-options-for-minnesota-timberwolves/

Nice article about Gorgui here. I have to agree with Horatio...regardless of whether Pek is a Wolf next year or not, G needs to be our starter. This article reminds us how early he is in his basketball career...didn't even know the foul rules when he was at Louisville...and that suggests an enormous upside. Just look at the learning curve we have seen this year.

Much has been said about how much better G fits with Love on the defensive end, but I would argue they are a better fit on the offensive end too. Because Pek is not an adept passer or mid-range shooter, he is forced to play inside where he interferes with Love's developing post game. Gorgui has shown a propensity to find the open man and to hit the mid-range jumper, and looks like he may be comfortable playing inside and outside. Love and G's acumen for passing sets up the opportunity for an impressive high/low game that just isn't present now with Pek and Love. They can make each other more potent on offense.

I'm still on board with offering Pek in the off-season in a quest for a 2-way SG, but not being enamored of Eric Gordon, I'm skeptical that this can get done. Pek could provide some effective offense off the bench in that case.

[mjs34]

I like the Pek backup plan if there isn't any trades that fit into what we need. It should help to keep him fresher, and reduce his chances of missing games. I don't like the Pek/Dieng pairing though, because that forces G to guard a quicker smaller PF, and I think that is more likley to get him into foul trouble and pull him away from the basket more. Dieng while being good at altering shots, is also a very good rebounder.

I agree with Porkchop that a Pek/Dieng combo should never be considered as a backup plan if Love leaves. If it is a trade and we get some picks back, we may be able to reload, but if Love walks (which is the more likely scenario) we will need to bottom out again.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I guess I would also lean towards Pek as a 2nd unit guy. What we miss on that unit is a consistent scorer. Pek is a black hole that scores at a fairly efficient rate. This skill is probably a better fit for the Wolves, as it gives that 2nd unit the scoring punch they need while fitting Pek and Dieng into roles that benefit the team as a whole. Love gets his complimentary defender and Pek gets to score with second unit.

And Alex brings up a good point in that we may not want Dieng planted against all starting centers. Pek could certainly start or play more minutes in needed games, but the reality in the new NBA is that there aren't that many large centers that need to be locked down. The ones listed above are certainly the exception and not the rule.

In the end, Pek would be an expensive backup, but he would certainly fill many of our needs for that unit.

[Coolbreeze44]

I'd like to see Pek moved in a last ditch effort to make a leap forward next year. We may have to include other assets, but try to find that two-way wing that can move the meter. This team actually plays just fine without Pek in the lineup. Everybody likes the guy and rightfully so, but his value to us is what he can bring in a trade right now.

[bleedspeed]

Interesting. On KFAN Kevin Lynch didn't think Dieng was a starter material.

[The Rage Monster [enjin:8010341]]

While it would be nice to have the luxury of bringing Pek off the bench I just don't think it's feasible. $12 million is too much to pay a back up center when we are over the cap and also have significant weaknesses at both SG and SF. If we had a young two way player (like Kawhi) who was still on his rookie contract then it would be different. A sign and trade for Deng would be ideal in my opinion.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

While it would be nice to have the luxury of bringing Pek off the bench I just don't think it's feasible. $12 million is too much to pay a back up center when we are over the cap and also have significant weaknesses at both SG and SF. If we had a young two way player (like Kawhi) who was still on his rookie contract then it would be different. A sign and trade for Deng would be ideal in my opinion.

Agreed with this.

[bleedspeed]

I think Deng is to old and overrated. Bulls don't even miss him. I would like to find someone 28 or younger.

[The Rage Monster [enjin:8010341]]

I think Deng is to old and overrated. Bulls don't even miss him. I would like to find someone 28 or younger.

Deng is perfect then since he is 28. Pek is also 28 so trading for Deng wouldn't make us an older team if you're worried about that.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Interesting. On KFAN Kevin Lynch didn't think Dieng was a starter material.

Kevin needs to start watching the games.

I'll never forgive Lynch for missing the final shot against Georgia Tech to knock us out of the tournament.