Article: Should the Wolves Try to Extend Gorgui Dieng

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I agree it makes sense to try to extend him, with a certain cap obviously on how high we're willing to go.

You really need depth to make a run in the playoffs these days - these playoff teams are so damn good now. Even if Cam's dreams came true and we signed Horford, that still leaves the cupboard bare after Bjelica and Dieng. And Bjelica was shaky for a good part of last season. We simply can't afford to have to trot out an Adriean Payne or Greg Smith type player in a playoff series, even if only for 10-12 minutes per game. Dieng gives us depth and insurance in the event KAT gets hurt.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Extend him. He's good on both sides of the ball and can play the 4 or 5, which gives us flexibility building the roster going forward. Pek's contract was a mistake, but let's not overreact to that and make a mistake the other way. Plus he'll be cheaper this summer than next summer. You know somebody's going to throw crazy money at him next summer.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Dieng would be great value on a $10M per year deal moving forward. If you can get him on that type of a contract, I say go for it (after FA has passed), but if his agent is thinking $15M per year, I don't see how a deal gets done yet.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Cam, My guess is that Dieng's agent (and Dieng himself) would be insulted by that kind of offer considering what other solid, but not great, big men have received lately as well as what is ultimately happening to the cap.

Skilled bigs with solid all-around games are hard to come by. Ones that stay healthy are even harder to come by.

I was down on Dieng after last season's train-wreck defensively and through the first third or so of this season as well. But from the time he got inserted into the starting lineup through the end of the season, he really impressed me. Defensively he's still a little balky, but I have to believe Thibs can coach him up.

[kekgeek]

Cam, My guess is that Dieng's agent (and Dieng himself) would be insulted by that kind of offer considering what other solid, but not great, big men have received lately as well as what is ultimately happening to the cap.

Skilled bigs with solid all-around games are hard to come by. Ones that stay healthy are even harder to come by.

I was down on Dieng after last season's train-wreck defensively and through the first third or so of this season as well. But from the time he got inserted into the starting lineup through the end of the season, he really impressed me. Defensively he's still a little balky, but I have to believe Thibs can coach him up.

Agreed, we are able to how good weakness in defense (low post) when he plays PF, he is able to use his strengths in his mobility when he plays pf. Also when he plays center it is usually against backup centers and there are not many backup centers that are going to bully him.

I think he is going to get around 12-16 mil a year and I would strongly consider doing it because I don't know how we are going to replace his production and get another consistently healthy big

[thedoper]

I don't give him more than what we gave a healthy Pek. Serviceable bigs can be found, look at what Toronto got out of Biyambo. 12 would be an absolute max i would go for Gourgi. I think he can be replaced.

[Monster]

Dieng would be great value on a $10M per year deal moving forward. If you can get him on that type of a contract, I say go for it (after FA has passed), but if his agent is thinking $15M per year, I don't see how a deal gets done yet.

I agree I think it's a little difficult for both sides to decide on his contractual value is.

Dieng is a big and those guys tend to get paid and we have been debating on his contractual value for months on this board. At this point everyone seems to want him back and all things considered Cam's suggestion of 10 million a year would likely make everyone thrilled to bring him back at that number. My point is Dieng went from promising but somewhat underwhelming to a guy that everyone wants back because of his various contributions. I can't help but wonder if a few months from now we might be saying similar things about Bazz after saying similar things about Dieng's overall impact a few months ago that we do about Bazz. All of us would love for that to happen. We will see that's about all there is to say about Bazz. Dieng needed to prove himself and had a really nice season. MAYBE Bazz can have similar growth under a top head coach.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I just don't see how paying Gorgui Dieng $16M per year right now is a wise move. He started 39 games this year and had success, but is that enough for you to offer him $64M over four years? To me, it isn't and I really don't want to have a $16M player coming off my bench, which is again where I feel he's best suited. Not to mention the Wolves don't have to extend him this summer, so if Dieng is looking for that financial security he'd need to understand that the Wolves don't have to make a move. They'd only do so if it's favorable for them, which is why around $10M per ($12M per, whatever, not my money) makes sense if something were to get done.

39 games as a starter: 12.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 BPG in 31.1 MPG.

"Solid" is a very accurate description of Gorgui, but man, I get really uneasy about paying guys big money when the market is littered with other solid players that could potentially replace him.

[kekgeek]

I just don't see how paying Gorgui Dieng $16M per year right now is a wise move. He started 39 games this year and had success, but is that enough for you to offer him $64M over four years? To me, it isn't and I really don't want to have a $16M player coming off my bench, which is again where I feel he's best suited. Not to mention the Wolves don't have to extend him this summer, so if Dieng is looking for that financial security he'd need to understand that the Wolves don't have to make a move. They'd only do so if it's favorable for them, which is why around $10M per ($12M per, whatever, not my money) makes sense if something were to get done.

39 games as a starter: 12.5 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.4 BPG in 31.1 MPG.

"Solid" is a very accurate description of Gorgui, but man, I get really uneasy about paying guys big money when the market is littered with other solid players that could potentially replace him.

I do agree with you but backup bigs are getting 10 mil a year now, with the cap going up that I'd why I said he will get 12 to 16. Also I do think it is a little risky to let him get to free agency because with the cap going up more teams will have cap space to "burn". In any other year I would say let the market decided his value but I believe the market will be skewed the next 2 years

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

I'd go with the 12 or 13 per year as others here have suggested. I'm all for keeping these guys (top 5 or 6) together as long as possible instead of just searching for cheaper replacements. I know that's not always good business, but I'd pay a little more for Dieng. He has that fire.