Playoffs vs. the future

[rapsuperstar31]

Would the Celtics trade us our pick back for Martin? If its ends up in the top 12 we keep it and all they get is a couple 2nds, while there is no way we can get a top 20 pick for Martin. This way we can try for the playoffs knowing we have our pick regardless, while opening up more minutes for Lavine and Bazz .

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Would the Celtics trade us our pick back for Martin? If its ends up in the top 12 we keep it and all they get is a couple 2nds, while there is no way we can get a top 20 pick for Martin. This way we can try for the playoffs knowing we have our pick regardless, while opening up more minutes for Lavine and Bazz .

Why would we trade Martin for basically nothing? We could keep Martin for a playoff push and if/when it's clear that we won't have the juice, then we tank and keep our pick regardless.

[alexftbl8181 [enjin:6648741]]

I would trade my left nut for a playoff round. Do people forget how it feels to win a game? Do you even remember when we were actually playing meaningful games down the stretch? No team just jumps into title contention anyway. You have to take your lumps in the playoffs first

[AbeVigodaLive]

Only 6 teams in the NBA have a worse record than the Wolves.

Playoffs?

But in a hypothetical scenario... yes... make the playoffs. The foundation SHOULD be set with two possible stars, Wiggins and Towns. Let's face it, those guys are legit stars if they get the Wolves into the playoffs, so the team shouldn't have to pray and hope for a franchise-saving player.

They already have those. Now, it's time those guys start going through the ups and downs of learning how to win... including losing in the playoffs.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Only 6 teams in the NBA have a worse record than the Wolves.

Playoffs?

But in a hypothetical scenario... yes... make the playoffs. The foundation SHOULD be set with two possible stars, Wiggins and Towns. Let's face it, those guys are legit stars if they get the Wolves into the playoffs, so the team shouldn't have to pray and hope for a franchise-saving player.

They already have those. Now, it's time those guys start going through the ups and downs of learning how to win... including losing in the playoffs.

Yes, only 6 teams with worse records...but looked at from another perspective, only 1 1/2 games out of the playoffs, and only 2 1/2 games out of home court advantage in the first round! And there seems to be this weird parity thing going on this year...a lot of West teams we used to think of as really good look kind of ordinary so far. The last two games have me down so I'm not going to bump the playoffs thread today, but I may do so soon.

Certainly playoffs over future, although I don't see them as mutually exclusive...featuring Wig and Towns every night serves both masters. The only way I change my mind and endorse another soft tanking season is if either or both of them gets hurt. We have the pieces in place, and I just don't get that excited about a pick in the late lottery. Alex said it well...although it's a distant memory, try to remember the buzz of the playoffs. I miss that, and want it badly this year. The hell with the draft pick...we already have the young pieces in place, and they're only going to get better.

[rapsuperstar31]

There are 2 reasons I would do it.

1. addition by subtraction last year Detroit got better once they cut Josh Smith. Everyone was shocked when Detroit did this, but it ended up helping them.

2. That pick can than be traded for a playoff piece if we really are making a push. Something like Noel for our unprotected pick would be something I would look at. Noel isn't working out at Power Forward with Okafor down in the blocks at all times, Towns would help space the floor a bit for him to succeed. If the 76er's start wining some games and risk dropping back in the draft I could see them move Noel as they have moved countless players in the past few years. But if not Noel, an a unprotected pick can net you a good player from someone.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

There are 2 reasons I would do it.

1. addition by subtraction last year Detroit got better once they cut Josh Smith. Everyone was shocked when Detroit did this, but it ended up helping them.

2. That pick can than be traded for a playoff piece if we really are making a push. Something like Noel for our unprotected pick would be something I would look at. Noel isn't working out at Power Forward with Okafor down in the blocks at all times, Towns would help space the floor a bit for him to succeed. If the 76er's start wining some games and risk dropping back in the draft I could see them move Noel as they have moved countless players in the past few years. But if not Noel, an a unprotected pick can net you a good player from someone.

We can't trade the pick until after the season if we finish bottom 12 and don't get jumped in the lottery. We don't own it. Boston does. But if we end up keeping it the deal turns into second rounders moving forward making it tradeable only this year because the Payne trade kicks in in 2017 stopping us from trading a 2016 pick unless we get another 2016 pick. I think adding a top 12 pick to any trade is a significant chip especially if we want to keep certain guys. Bazz and Dieng don't carry as much trade value as say Lavine, but Bazz and a top 12 pick or Dieng and a top 12 pick might to the right team who needs multiple young pieces (Pek, Bazz, pick for Brook Lopez for example).

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

(Pek, Bazz, pick for Brook Lopez for example)

I think I just threw up in my mouth...

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

(Pek, Bazz, pick for Brook Lopez for example)

I think I just threw up in my mouth...

19.5/8.2/2.2 blocks on the same contract length as Pek makes you throw up? Lopez has only played less than 72 games twice in his 8 year career. He puts an all-star in his prime (27) in our starting lineup for a guy who can't stay on the court, a sixth man scorer and a lottery pick in a weak draft. That's a steal. The starting lineup is missing scoring and he's a huge upgrade over KG.

[WildWolf2813]

So trying to make the playoffs is a dumb move!? Again, Sam Hinkie has a spot reserved for you in his front office.

At the cost of a first round pick, yes it is a dumb move this early in the rebuild. Hinkie hasn't even sniffed the playoffs so he has no idea what this situation is like. If we keep this pick it turns into a second rounder moving forward so we can trade it right away (Payne pick still isn't until 2017 because of this pick) for something that can help us make the playoffs next year and moving forward.

Using your logic, you're comfortable missing the playoffs til 2021 or every time the Wolves trade a protected first.

The longer they miss the playoffs, the less likely it feels like they'll ever make it back.