Minnesota Sports Forum

Q12543 wrote:

Mikkeman wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Regarding Deng. We played close to .500 ball after the allstar break under Mitchell. There's something seriously wrong if we can't make the playoffs next season under Thibs with this group plus another summer for them to improve, plus a top 5 or 6 pick, plus the addition of a couple solid free agents to shore up the bench. I see no reason to spend significant money to sign a 30 + year old free agent who would displace one of our core three (Towns, Wiggins or LaVine) in the starting lineup. This team is not going to complete for a championship next season. Deng is the kind of player you add when you need that final piece to get over the hump for a championship drive. We're not there yet. We need to strengthen our bench this summer through the draft and/or free agency. But we shouldn't do that in a way that would displace any of our core young starters. They need to play and grown together so they're in a position in 2-3 years to take us to the next level.

Golden State had won 47 games in previous year when they signed Iggy. Next season they won just couple of more games and it looked that their move wasn't that good. But one year later it looks like a brilliant move. I would be hoping that Deng would be our Iggy. In first year he would improve our starting five and then next year I hope Lavine would be already so good that he would push Deng to bench to be our sixth man from the bench. He could replace almost anyone from our starting five as first sub from bench.

It seems like most of the great contending teams have a mix of young, middle-aged, and older guys. If you truly believe we already have the makings of a "big three" in KAT, Wiggins, and LaVine, than I don't see why everyone else needs to be in the same age range.

The sooner we can get these guys playoff experience, the better in my opinion. Also, success begets success. Other veteran free agents may have more of a desire to come here if we start looking like a perennial playoff contender. So as the original older guys retire or become FAs, there are always others anxious to join the team because they are chasing a ring.

So I'm all for making a big spash or two. We have enough young talent on this roster.

I think that Deng's age would be actually pretty perfect for our team. Since he is already 31 so it might be more OK for him that he would become 1st player from bench after one year and Lavine would take his starting position. If we would sign Batum or Barnes instead of Deng, it would be much more tricky situation since I would think that they would expect to be starters several years. That might make it less probable to get Lavine to stay when he will be free agent.

I would still want to have Deng as starter for next season. I would try to sell the idea to Lavine so that he would have great opportunity to win 6th man award and that if he improves enough he will definitely have a starting position. Deng would be good fit also from that point that he could play wing minutes next to Lavine, Wiggins or even with Bazz or even minutes next to two of them as stretch four.

With Ricky, Wiggins, Deng, Dieng and Towns starting, I would hope that Thibbs would be able to get our starting five to play elite defense. Pretty much same way than Rubio, Wiggins, Prince, KG and Towns played elite defense in the beginning of the season. But this time our starting unit could play much more minutes together. Lavine could replace anyone in our starting lineup as 6th man from the bench. Even though I would hope he wouldn't play much PG minutes. But if he would come in for Towns, Dieng would slid for center position, Deng for PF and Wiggins for SF.

Duke13 wrote:I've said this before but I really hope the wolves stand pat and use this year to further evaluate our existing players and see how they fit together. We only had about 15 games where starters and bench were used together appropriately. I'm fine with the starting five, plus Belly, KG, Tyus, and Bazz plus the pick off the bench.
I really believe this is the route we will go. I'll be surprised if we try and make the big splash. I do think they need to find a couple players to possibly replace House of Payne and Rudez.

If we do sign a player I would hope our decision makers are smart enough to find a bargain like Miami found in Deng, 2 years at 10 million a year instead of the 3-4 years at 14 million a year he's gonna get this year while being two years older. Aldridge is gonna get paid this year after one productive year in the league. Good teams don't sign those free agents, they let them go and find cheaper options and coach players up.

Another thing, I think in a year or two when the expectations are to win in the playoffs I think we'll be a destination where productive vets could sign for under market value. How about Courtney Lee? I was gonna bring Larry Samders up earlier. What would people think about signing to to a 1 year deal. Although I don't know how he would be received by such intense competitors as Tibs or KG.

I think there won't be many bargains available next summer since almost all tams have a cap space to spend for signing free agents. I'd like the idea to sign Deng since he might want to sign with us with little discount since Thibbs is our coach.

Ummm, then wouldn't it possibly be a wise thing to let the other teams blow money irresponsibly. Again, I really believe flexibility with our cap in 2-3 years will be very important when building something sustainable for the next 10 years.

Barnes is such an average player who benefits greatly from the system and teammates. At 20 million a year, no thank you. I wouldn't risk allienating Lavine who has a much high ceiling.

I don't care how much cap room there is there will ALWAYS be bargain signings. There is still only so much money combined with roster spaces in the league. At some point there is sort of a saturation level and guys end up having to take lower salaries or short term deals. Sometimes teams have gotten lower tier guys for solid contracts at the beginning of FA by targeting those guys right from the start.

We need bench players, period. Whether it is Lavine or Dieng, we need depth. I think our best course of action is to add 2 bench players and our draft pick. I really do not want to upset the apple cart. I would be in favor of a good (but reasonably priced) 5 man, because Gorgui could come off the bench, but that is the only starter I would supplant.

I think we give next year a go with minor (but effective) additions and evaluate from there. Hopefully we win 45+ games and have a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses. Maybe it becomes clear that Ricky is not the PG we need and we make a run at Westbrook (dont kill me for suggesting it as a hypothetical) or someone else through FA or trade.

If Deng or Batum would play off the bench, I would love to have them, but they will command more money and more minutes that I truthfully think we can offer. Hopefully there are similar players who are a better bargain. Thibs and Layden, you are on the clock!

kurrdog53 wrote:We need bench players, period. Whether it is Lavine or Dieng, we need depth. I think our best course of action is to add 2 bench players and our draft pick. I really do not want to upset the apple cart. I would be in favor of a good (but reasonably priced) 5 man, because Gorgui could come off the bench, but that is the only starter I would supplant.

I think we give next year a go with minor (but effective) additions and evaluate from there. Hopefully we win 45+ games and have a better understanding of our strengths and weaknesses. Maybe it becomes clear that Ricky is not the PG we need and we make a run at Westbrook (dont kill me for suggesting it as a hypothetical) or someone else through FA or trade.

If Deng or Batum would play off the bench, I would love to have them, but they will command more money and more minutes that I truthfully think we can offer. Hopefully there are similar players who are a better bargain. Thibs and Layden, you are on the clock!

There are tons of guys i'd like on our teamf rom this free agency class. Like you, i'd prefer 2-3 bench players and to keep our draft pick. Here is a big list of guys I would like our front office to research and target early before the big names sign max contracts.

Marcus Thornton
JJ Hickson
Bismack Biyombo
Jared Dudley
Gerald Henderson
Mirza Teletovic
Ronnie Price
Jon Leuer
Jason Smith
Jordan Hamilton
Greivis Vazquez
Gerald Green
P.J. Hairston
Robert Sacre
Cole Aldrich
Ian Mahinmi
Jordan Hill
Solomon Hill
Marreese Speights
D.J. Augustin
Marvin Williams
Courtney Lee
Donald Sloan

I'd be very happy to pick up any 3 of these players for our bench at decent deals. That is where we will best invest our money.

We're not at a point where all we need to do is bargain shop. Still ignoring that we have three 21-year olds in the starting lineup. None of the guys on that list are going to help them enough.