Minnesota Sports Forum

Cool, Legit two-way SGs are hard to come by these days. He's one of them and I think he will command $ well over the MLE. If I'm wrong, then hell yeah, we should go after him. But he never even crossed my mind because I think he'd cost too much.

Q12543 wrote:Cool, Legit two-way SGs are hard to come by these days. He's one of them and I think he will command $ well over the MLE. If I'm wrong, then hell yeah, we should go after him. But he never even crossed my mind because I think he'd cost too much.

I think he will make Batum money, I could be wrong but he is a player that will put people in seats

Thanks Q. Maybe there is another way to get this done. They don't need Pek, but how could we work a trade? Ideas? Seems like a guy that could be the missing piece for us. Maybe a three way with Pek going to Utah, Burke to Indy and Lance coming here.

Cool question who would you rather have Hayward or Lance

Great question Kek. I like Hayward better as an overall player, but think Lance would perform better with Ricky.

If anyone gives lance Bantum money lets laugh at them. He is going to get more than mid-level money but I don't think any team is going to give him more than 9 million a year if he even gets that.

"Value" changes significantly once players sign their first non-rookie deal. Since Stephenson's contract is ending, we can't look at his paltry salary as one of value, because it won't be moving forward.

1) Batum is overpaid. And yes... David Kahn was part of that.
2) Stephenson received a lot of glowing praise earlier this season for playing well for a great Indiana team. Maybe we didn't have enough of a sample size. Remember, Stephenson was a very big surprise. He was deemed an immature player who didn't seem like he'd reach the expectations many had for him when he was a teen. But, he played well for about 60 - 80 games... despite a penchant for chasing highlight plays and making dumb emotional decisions.
3) I expect Stephenson gets paid for those 60 - 80 games where he flashed nice (not all-world) all-around skills. Early in the season, there was talk of shaking up the Pacers roster to keep him for a slight discount. I don't see that happening anymore. I think the guy is going to chase the $10M mark and the Pacers will let him.
4) I prefer Gordon Hayward. Not at $10M... but I think he's the type of 3rd wheel who could flourish in the right system. In Utah, he was overwhelmed as THE guy, but he's flashed some nice all-around talent (5+ assists and rebs).

Abe, You are absolutely right about Lance's value being tied to his rookie contract. That is why it is CRITICAL that teams draft well. You need a pipeline of guys on rookie deals that play at or above average ball. The Wolves chronic inability to draft effectively has led to signing mediocre/average veterans to $4-5M per year deals. Dieng looks to be a huge value for us going forward, so credit to Flip for unearthing a great value in last year's draft. We need more of the same going forward....

I would love to have Hayward on this team. I am curious what he gets plaid. I think he would flourish next to Love and Rubio. Only way we get him is dumping Pek for nothing though. I think he is better then Batum and Stephenson.

I think in a perfect world you would want Lance's drive and "be the man attitude" in Batum. The wolves need a player like Lance, but I have a feeling he implodes after leaving the pacers for his next deal. I see a Stephen Jackson type of player when I look at him. A guy that can put up stats, play D when he wants to, but ultimately not succeed team wise.

I think Lance gets 10+ this offseason. Speaking about Batum being overpaid begs the question, would we trade Pek for Batum straight up. I would do it because I think batum is a better fit, and I see their talent levels to be equal.

I would love to grab Hayward, if we could move Pek for him.