Minnesota Sports Forum

http://bballbreakdown.com/2015/02/11/evaluating-the-adreian-payne-trade-to-minnesota/

Thanks, Cam. That was a good in-depth evaluation of the trade.

It caught my attention that the NBDL comparisons were mostly against 5s, not 4s. Payne is a 4 who can play 5, which is something this team really doesn't have.

I still like the trade, because I trust Flip's evaluation that Payne can be a player in this league. Bennett is still an unknown, and Young cannot be an effective 4, especially in the West. We needed, and still need, more depth in the front court!

And I still think Young will not be with us much longer...

Tim, We need more depth in the frontcourt, but no one has demonstrated that they are any better than Thad at the 4. In fact, I would still argue that Dieng might be the closest thing we have to a semi-decent 4 on par with Thad. Both are flawed for their own reasons. One is a little too short and the other is a little too awkward in space.

Payne and Bennett....We just have no clue on either of these guys. I don't know, I guess Flip is just throwing stuff against the wall and hopes something sticks. It's hard to feel anything other than "we'll see..." on this one.

I don't disagree with that, Q. At least we have 30 games in THIS lost season to get an idea of what Payne can contribute.

The Dieng/Pek combo worked out much better than I thought it would, and have been disappointed to not see it again since Martin returned to the starting lineup.

I really do want Martin or Young moved (not necessarily both, and my preference is to move Young), because Flip seems obligated to start those two veterans. I want to see more of the young guys in these last 30 games.

60WinTim wrote:I don't disagree with that, Q. At least we have 30 games in THIS lost season to get an idea of what Payne can contribute.

The Dieng/Pek combo worked out much better than I thought it would, and have been disappointed to not see it again since Martin returned to the starting lineup.

I really do want Martin or Young moved (not necessarily both, and my preference is to move Young), because Flip seems obligated to start those two veterans. I want to see more of the young guys in these last 30 games.

But what young guys aren't you seeing? LaVine is still in the rotation. Bennett is in the rotation. Wiggins plays more minutes than anyone else. Shabazz and Dieng are in the rotation. I don't see Martin or Young "blocking" anyone that truly deserves or needs playing time.

I'm in no hurry to move any of the remaining vets UNLESS a really good deal is offered.

Okay, let me phrase it this way:

I think Young has been a disaster at PF for us. And while he might work out at SF, how can Flip play him there when we have so many other wings -- Martin, Wiggins, Bazz and LaVine (plus the newly acquired Neal)?

And how does Payne see the floor if Pek, Dieng, Young and Bennett are all playing the 4/5?

The math tells me that if both Young and Martin are getting their minutes, one or more of the young guys are losing out.

60WinTim wrote:Okay, let me phrase it this way:

I think Young has been a disaster at PF for us. And while he might work out at SF, how can Flip play him there when we have so many other wings -- Martin, Wiggins, Bazz and LaVine (plus the newly acquired Neal)?

And how does Payne see the floor if Pek, Dieng, Young and Bennett are all playing the 4/5?

The math tells me that if both Young and Martin are getting their minutes, one or more of the young guys are losing out.

Yeah I think this trade signals Young being dealt.

And we cannot ignore this! ;-)

Jerry Zgoda ?@JerryZgoda 8m8 minutes ago
He's biased, but former Michigan State teammate Draymond Green said this a.m. he thinks new Wolf Adreian Payne has "All Star talent"

60WinTim wrote:Okay, let me phrase it this way:

I think Young has been a disaster at PF for us. And while he might work out at SF, how can Flip play him there when we have so many other wings -- Martin, Wiggins, Bazz and LaVine (plus the newly acquired Neal)?

And how does Payne see the floor if Pek, Dieng, Young and Bennett are all playing the 4/5?

The math tells me that if both Young and Martin are getting their minutes, one or more of the young guys are losing out.

I think Young is less of a disaster at PF than you think. A confluence of factors led to his lagging performance: Playing next to Dieng, no legit PG, asked to create his own offense, Mother died, etc. etc. We have seen a bit of resurgence of late as these issues have melted away.

As for the 4/5 rotation, I'm pretty certain someone will get hurt along the way. Bigs are notoriously injury-prone, especially Pek. One injury to the Thad/Dieng/Pek/Bennett combo and Payne is inserted into the regular rotation. It will happen.

60WinTim wrote:And we cannot ignore this! ;-)

Jerry Zgoda ?@JerryZgoda 8m8 minutes ago
He's biased, but former Michigan State teammate Draymond Green said this a.m. he thinks new Wolf Adreian Payne has "All Star talent"

If the Big Dancing Bear says he'll be an All-Star, then I'm in! I think Flip is trying to trade Thad and feels like Payne can be our starting PF. If we're going with the Payne/AB combo next year, I hope he signs a solid vet for another position.