Minnesota Sports Forum

lipoli390 wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:Didn't know we had 2 early 2nd rounders, that makes for a potential good trade.

We will have the 1st and 6th picks in the second round. I will puke if Flip sells either one for cash!! Keep both or package both to move up into the first round. Or keep one and use the other on a Euro stash. But don't sell either for cash!!!!

I thought I heard Flip say he was keeping all his picks this year in his year end press conference. (Take it for what it's worth).

I can't see both Anthony Bennett and Adrien Payne coming back next year (in addition to KG plus whomever we draft). That's too many guys playing the same spots. I think Flip will try to move Bennett this off season since he clearly likes Payne and KG. I don't think Flip ever really was too high on Bennett. It seemed like AB was more of a throw in to make salaries match for the Love trade. I wouldn't be shocked if they do the same (use him in a package trade) to get rid of him. We have high draft picks in the second round and some Euro players. We won't have room on our roster for all those guys. It would make sense to clear out some of those assets in exchange for an established player if they can. We need a backup PG for sure. And a defensive minded, backup Center wouldn't hurt either depending on who we draft and Pek's health.

I agree that we should try to trade AB, but I doubt there will be any takers. And I certainly don't want to get rid of a pick or other asset just to get rid of him. I think we should just turn down his 4th year option in October. That way he turns into an expiring contract next season and he's off our books in 2016-17.

Q12543 wrote:I agree that we should try to trade AB, but I doubt there will be any takers. And I certainly don't want to get rid of a pick or other asset just to get rid of him. I think we should just turn down his 4th year option in October. That way he turns into an expiring contract next season and he's off our books in 2016-17.

I don't think there would be many takers in a straight up trade of AB. But what I was trying to say was that they could possibly package him in a deal. Example: Wolves trade AB, and one of their second round picks for a better version of Mo WIlliams. Or, Kevin Martin and AB for a starter coming back. I think there are teams out there that would take on AB for a one year look (similar to what we did), but agree they wouldn't necessarily target him as a key piece. I think AB will get better and it sucks he got hurt. But I feel like his fate was sealed when Flip dealt for both Payne and KG - not to mention the upcoming draft.

I actually agree that AB seems like one of these guys that could eventually emerge as a good player. It's just that he costs too damn much to find out. If he were a mid to late 1st experiencing these struggles and growing pains, I'd be all for holding onto him and being patient. My guess is that other teams feel the same way and would view him more as an anchor in a deal.

I definitely like AB's future potential more than Payne's. Also with the big cap jump after next season I don't think AB's contract is going to restrict us from making any moves we want to so I think we can go either way in terms of picking up his option. He has a better shot than Payne, he's a better rebounder and he doesn't make as many mistakes. He obviously hasn't put it together yet, but I definitely think he would have shown to be the better player than Payne had he stayed healthy through the end of the year. I think you still keep him and see how he plays in summer league and if it's more of the same thing you can deal him as an expiring deal at the deadline with another player like Martin for a decently paid veteran.

Meh, until proven otherwise, our abundance of riches just provided the worst record in the NBA....and one of the worst in NBA history.