Minnesota Sports Forum

Camden wrote:With the Wolves taking Towns, I'd expect Towns/Garnett in the starting lineup and perhaps a Pekovic/Dieng combo off the bench, that's if everyone is healthy.

That could work too, but I keep thinking that Towns can maximize his value by asserting himself as a stretch 4...I like his stroke from outside (even though Calipari didn't let him use it) and also think he has quick enough feet to guard the perimeter, and he could be a terrific weak side shot blocker playing out of the PF spot. If Pek isn't healthy, though, I think Flip will be forced to start Towns (or Okafor) at C.

You can play guys anywhere on offense, but Towns/Garnett gives us the best defensive pair of our bigs. I'd go that route.

I don't have enough info yet to really make a good prediction. Questions I have:

1.) How's Pek's rehab coming? If he's not going to be ready to start the year, then I want to draft Okafor and plug him in as our starting Center. I don't want to wait until December to find out Pek's just not going to be able to play much anymore.

2.) Can Towns be a PF in NBA? If so, (and Pek's healthy) then draft Towns and plug him in as our starting PF. Starters: Pek, Towns, Wiggins, Martin, Rubio sounds pretty good to me. Nice mix of two young studs and three very solid vets.

3.) What deals are going to be made? I doubt Flip stands pat and brings everyone back. They are going to make some moves. A vet PG seem pretty logical. But who knows what will happen between now and opening of camp. I doubt they bring back both Bennett and Payne. And I'm predicting they deal Bjelica for a pick or player which might fit in somewhere.

Carlos Danger wrote:I don't have enough info yet to really make a good prediction. Questions I have:

1.) How's Pek's rehab coming? If he's not going to be ready to start the year, then I want to draft Okafor and plug him in as our starting Center. I don't want to wait until December to find out Pek's just not going to be able to play much anymore.

2.) Can Towns be a PF in NBA? If so, (and Pek's healthy) then draft Towns and plug him in as our starting PF. Starters: Pek, Towns, Wiggins, Martin, Rubio sounds pretty good to me. Nice mix of two young studs and three very solid vets.

3.) What deals are going to be made? I doubt Flip stands pat and brings everyone back. They are going to make some moves. A vet PG seem pretty logical. But who knows what will happen between now and opening of camp. I doubt they bring back both Bennett and Payne. And I'm predicting they deal Bjelica for a pick or player which might fit in somewhere.

Your first question is a good one, carlos, but I don't know if Flip is going to have enough information by draft day. I know that Pek is limping around in a boot in Serbia, but that is as expected. I don't think Flip will know if Pek will be ready by opening day until training camp.

As for your second point, do you really think Flip would start Towns ahead of KG at PF? In a way it makes sense, because it's easier to work KG's 20 minutes into a rotation if he comes off the bench. But Flip didn't do that this year, and I don't see him doing it this year either... I think KG's a starter as long as he can play the game.

longstrangetrip wrote:
Your first question is a good one, carlos, but I don't know if Flip is going to have enough information by draft day. I know that Pek is limping around in a boot in Serbia, but that is as expected. I don't think Flip will know if Pek will be ready by opening day until training camp.

As for your second point, do you really think Flip would start Towns ahead of KG at PF? In a way it makes sense, because it's easier to work KG's 20 minutes into a rotation if he comes off the bench. But Flip didn't do that this year, and I don't see him doing it this year either... I think KG's a starter as long as he can play the game.

LST - I'm just guessing. I agree with Cam, that when you have the #1 overall pick, that guy has to be in the starting line up. I can't really see KG starting at this point. I assumed he'd be third option at both PF and Center. I feel that Payne is going to be the #2 guy at PF. I'm fully aware he did't play well last year. But it was a small sample and I highly doubt they'd give up on the guy after 30 games considering they gave up a 1st to get him. He certainly won't be a starter, but I'd be fine with him as back up PF along with Garnett.

I could see Pek coming off the bench with KG and the rook starting. KG is just so good at setting a defensive tone and energetic tone to start the game. Pek is concerned about his post-career health at this point. I do not think he will mind playing less and playing against more second unit guys now.

You can't let Pek decide who you pick first. I think Pek and Towns can play together. Okafor is a better version of Pek and I don't think they can play together. That said if you determine Okafor is the better prospect it doesn't matter that he can't play with Pek, you pick him.

TRKO wrote:You can't let Pek decide who you pick first. I think Pek and Towns can play together. Okafor is a better version of Pek and I don't think they can play together. That said if you determine Okafor is the better prospect it doesn't matter that he can't play with Pek, you pick him.

This is the answer. Pekovic has no impact in this decision.

TRKO wrote:You can't let Pek decide who you pick first. I think Pek and Towns can play together. Okafor is a better version of Pek and I don't think they can play together. That said if you determine Okafor is the better prospect it doesn't matter that he can't play with Pek, you pick him.

I think everyone would agree with this take, TKRO. I don't know how anyone could conclude that Okafor is the better prospect though. Towns should be Flip's choice because he is BPA. It's just a bonus that he fits our needs better.

TRKO wrote:You can't let Pek decide who you pick first. I think Pek and Towns can play together. Okafor is a better version of Pek and I don't think they can play together. That said if you determine Okafor is the better prospect it doesn't matter that he can't play with Pek, you pick him.

That's one way to look at it. But if Pek is healthy and you draft Okafor....how much did we actually improve the team? As you mentioned - they wouldn't seem like ideal fits together. A healthy Pek is actually a pretty decent player and he's going to get paid $12M/year.

I agree with you drafting Best Player Available is generally better than drafting for need. But everything I've read so far seems to indicates it's a coin flip between Okafor & Towns. If that's true, then it would make sense to consider need/fit IMO.