Minnesota Sports Forum

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

Q12543 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

Q12543 wrote:I think ultimately the question is whether we can find someone that is an upgrade over Okogie in the starting lineup.

So let's just assume that DLO, Ant, McDaniels, and KAT are four out of our five starters next season. The more open Finch and Rosas are to finding a defensive-oriented Center, the more options there will probably be since there are a glut of serviceable centers, some better than other of course. But if you can get a good, defensive Center and displace Okogie from the starting lineup with KAT, McDaniels, and Ant all moving "down" by one slot - to the 4, 3, and 2 - is that an improvement?

We've been talking about this for years - moving KAT to the starting 4 and getting a true big at the 5 that can help protect the point and bear the brunt of fouling in order to protect KAT. By the way, even if this player isn't a great offensive player, simply being a big body and able to set good screens could help.

Yes Q. Moving KAT to the starting 4 and adding a true defensive big at the 5 is absolutely the way to go. I'm hoping that Finch's influence will incline Rosas to do just that. The question is who and what would we need to give up to get him.

Beasley, Rubio, and Naz all seem like trade chips Rosas should consider using to get his guy, whoever that guy ends up being. And I hope it's a legit big.

Rubio is expiring and has proven that he can still competently run a team, despite having a really poor start to the season. Beasley is on a good deal and is a proven 20PPG scorer. And Naz Reid is an emerging big man with a diverse offensive game. I consider all three of these guys positive assets and players that can be traded without significantly creating a big hole on our roster.

If all we want is a defensive big then that's easy just sign one in FA. There has been plenty of those guys available the last couple years that wouldn't break the bank.

I think you're right, Monster. I haven't looked at the list of free agent bigs who will be available this summer. The Wolves will have their roughly $9M per year MLE available. Trick will be signing someone without exceeding the luxury tax threshold. I think Rosas will have to make a payroll-shedding deal to have enough room under the luxury tax threshold to sign a high quality defensive big.

Well, Holmes is a UFA but I wonder if he has managed to increase his value beyond the MLE at this point.

Daniel Theis is another UFA that just knows how to play and is solid defensively.

I sure Holmes has played himself about the MLE. Moreover, the Kings organization loves him and has Bird rights to re-sign him.

I hadn't thought of Daniel Theis, but I agree that he's a solid center who can defend. He'd be a nice fit for us and affordable.