Minnesota Sports Forum

Looks like Bjelica is getting quite a bit of attention in the Market. What value does he get if the Wolves trade him in this draft?

http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybasketball/update/25207938/mavericks-spurs-heat-nets-bulls-could-trade-for-timberwolves-nemanja-bjelica

slimcalhoun27 wrote:Looks like Bjelica is getting quite a bit of attention in the Market. What value does he get if the Wolves trade him in this draft?

http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybasketball/update/25207938/mavericks-spurs-heat-nets-bulls-could-trade-for-timberwolves-nemanja-bjelica

I hope second pick in the draft.

khans2k5 wrote:If we kept both seconds I'd definitely take a flyer in Cliff Alexander. He was a lottery talent before the season and was probably the highest ranked 4 in the draft at the beginning of the year. He struggled against length, but he brings toughness and rebounding and he's only 19.

He's my guy too, Khans, but I wonder if he may impress so much in his workouts that he moves up into the first round. He's kind of a surly guy, but a legitimate big-time talent. I suspect something happened between Bill Self and him, and that's why he didn't play much. Alexander gets a funny look on his face when he is asked about his poor freshman year, and usually says something like "You're gonna have to ask coach". If he's there at 31, I'm inclined to take a flyer on him.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:

slimcalhoun27 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:DX latest mock draft some interesting movement happening.

http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-mock-draft-extended/2015/

If the 76ers actually do take Porz at #3....I would be calling the Knicks in a New York minute trying to acquire Russell. And If Rubio is up on the block, I would be offering him up quickly. I feel the Knicks are the only team we could be trade partners with. Rubio, Budinger, Rights to Bjelica, #31 plus for #4 (Russell), Calderon, future 2nd and Filler of any kind.

Im CRAZY ;-)

Problem is Russell would be perfect for the Knicks triangle offense.

Yup.

Also Phil dumped Shump (and Smith) at least a decent player he didn't want to pay and didn't fit his system for basically nothing a few months ago. I don't see any way he is gonna sell out to add Rubio. In my mind him trading for Rubio makes literally no sense. What Phil is doing is aquiring young talent, assets and cap space to do whatever the hell it is he wants to do with the team. He has a lot of cap space this summer. Its going to be interesting to see what he ends up doing the next couple years. This 4th pick is pretty huge he can get a possible guy to build around there.

Checking out the averages of some forecasts DX put together, the Utah PG Deion Wright looks to be highly undervalued at least in terms of DX's overall projections (not sure about Ford or others). The average of these models project him as the 10th best pick in the draft, but he's projected to actually be picked 27th (not sure what Ford projects). He's probably overlooked in part because he's a senior but some of these models even adjust for year and still project the kid to be really good.

He looks like a legit defending PG who could easily step in for Rubio as a backup and replacement if Rubio goes down again. Biggest drawback is he's not a great outside shooter, which is really what we need. But check out his video breakdowns. Numbers look solid, I like the kid's floor vision, passion, and defensive intensity. And let's be honest, we've got a ton of wings, we'll likely get a very good big with the number 1, and our backup PG spot was a serious problem for us last year that we still don't have a solution for.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Delon-Wright-78507/

Any interest in trying to package some assets to move up to nab him if possible?

Here are the links to the compiled predictions.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Analytics-Models-and-the-NBA-Draft-5021/

and

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Analytics-Models-and-the-NBA-Draft-Part-2-5068/

Edit: Also note the average predictions think that WCS, Lyles, and Devin Booker are a bit overrated. Same with Hollis-Jefferson. They do seem to think Kevin Looney will be better than his current DX pick projection though.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:Checking out the averages of some forecasts DX put together, the Utah PG Deion Wright looks to be highly undervalued at least in terms of DX's overall projections (not sure about Ford or others). The average of these models project him as the 10th best pick in the draft, but he's projected to actually be picked 27th (not sure what Ford projects). He's probably overlooked in part because he's a senior but some of these models even adjust for year and still project the kid to be really good.

He looks like a legit defending PG who could easily step in for Rubio as a backup and replacement if Rubio goes down again. Biggest drawback is he's not a great outside shooter, which is really what we need. But check out his video breakdowns. Numbers look solid, I like the kid's floor vision, passion, and defensive intensity. And let's be honest, we've got a ton of wings, we'll likely get a very good big with the number 1, and our backup PG spot was a serious problem for us last year that we still don't have a solution for.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Delon-Wright-78507/

Any interest in trying to package some assets to move up to nab him if possible?

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Analytics-Models-and-the-NBA-Draft-5021/

and

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Analytics-Models-and-the-NBA-Draft-Part-2-5068/

I would love to have Wright for all the reasons you mentioned and he should be avalible later in the 1st than Tyus or Grant will be so the cost shouldn't be as steep. I would give up both 2nd rounders to get him or maybe, just maybe, be able to trade Budinger and 31 for him.

I keep seeing, "Mudiay brings us the same strengths and weaknesses as Rubio" on this board. No, no he doesn't. The main thing wrong with that thought is that Mudiay gets to the cup and finishes with either hand. He's bulky as hell for a point guard and strong to boot. Rubio gets thrown off balance when he gets bumped going up, Mudiay finishes through contact and will likely get tons of and-ones at the next level. Mudiay also has the beginnings of a decent post game for a guard; I'd expect him to put opposing PGs in the blender several years from now. It's his ability to score the basketball that makes him a polar opposite of Rubio. We need to stop seeing that narrative on this forum.

Yeah, I like Wright. Reminds me a bit of what Livingston has become. A tall, lanky PG that can defend and be a playmaker on a second unit. I don't like the fact that he seems to fall down a lot when bumped by the guy handling the ball. He has a very slight frame, so this aspect will always be an issue.

I go back and forth on what I want from a backup PG (assuming starter is Rubio). On one hand, it would be great to put a polar-opposite type shooter and scorer as backup PG as change of pace guy. But there is also something to be said for inserting a guy that plays similar style to Rubio...maybe easier for others to assimilate.

Camden wrote:I keep seeing, "Mudiay brings us the same strengths and weaknesses as Rubio" on this board. No, no he doesn't. The main thing wrong with that thought is that Mudiay gets to the cup and finishes with either hand. He's bulky as hell for a point guard and strong to boot. Rubio gets thrown off balance when he gets bumped going up, Mudiay finishes through contact and will likely get tons of and-ones at the next level. Mudiay also has the beginnings of a decent post game for a guard; I'd expect him to put opposing PGs in the blender several years from now. It's his ability to score the basketball that makes him a polar opposite of Rubio. We need to stop seeing that narrative on this forum.

Comparing how Mudiay and Rubio finish at the rim is flawed, because they are doing it against totally different defensive competition. I would amend your comment to say "Mudiay finishes through contact...against high school players and Chinese guys", because that's the only competition we have video of him playing against. I suspect Rubio would be a pretty good finisher against high school and Chinese defenses too.

Ugh, hoopshype has Wright going 20th.

http://hoopshype.com/draft_2015.htm

Any idea where Ford has him right now?