Minnesota Sports Forum

Monster, I am OK with a young player on the team that isn't expected to contribute in a meaningful way next year. Typically lottery picks are expected to contribute and get in the rotation right away. They expect it, their agents expect it, and the POBO expects it since his reputation is on the line. None of this really applies to later 1sts and 2nd rounders.

Basically what I'm saying is that I don't want to see a rookie play a single minute for our squad next year in the regular season, if we can avoid it.

Also, you mention that there is no excuse for passing on "good players" because they are young. How do we know they will be good? Our history indicates that we have at best a 50/50 chance of finding someone good.....and even then it may take 3+ years to actually become good.

The jazz are the interesting team this offseason. With 2 starters in Hayward and Hill being free agents. If they both go somewhere else I could see a player like Favors being avaliable.

Q12543 wrote:Monster, I am OK with a young player on the team that isn't expected to contribute in a meaningful way next year. Typically lottery picks are expected to contribute and get in the rotation right away. They expect it, their agents expect it, and the POBO expects it since his reputation is on the line. None of this really applies to later 1sts and 2nd rounders.

Basically what I'm saying is that I don't want to see a rookie play a single minute for our squad next year in the regular season, if we can avoid it.

Also, you mention that there is no excuse for passing on "good players" because they are young. How do we know they will be good? Our history indicates that we have at best a 50/50 chance of finding someone good.....and even then it may take 3+ years to actually become good.

Sure there is a risk of that guy not being good. Trading for another player that's not as young there is a bit of risk there also.

Q Thibs is playing young guys right now. There is a chance that next year he will have a roster where he is less inclined to hand over mi utes to young guys based on development. Thibs has gone against the conventional wisdom that said he would basically play to win games and has gone with young players this year. Next year that may not be quite the case.

What you are getting at is a reality that you can't be patient forever. At some point you have to start really looking at winning and another young player (or playing that young player) mohr not be the best thing for that next season. Thanks for the back and forth conversation. I just really hate the idea we should trade a pick like this because we are too young. This team hasn't arrived yet I've seen too many NBA teams fritter away assets because they wanted to succeed sooner. The Wolves can throw some money at a couple solid vets this summer. Maybe they won't get a big impact guy but every year there are some under the radar moves for players that prove worthwhile.

I'll mention the continuity thing again as well. We won't have the long time vets and system in place that make it easier to plug in a younger guy like other top level teams do but we will be closer than they were this year have been for a few seasons. Hey we will have the same coach and GM next year! There could be a decent chunk of roster turnover next year with guys like Rubio Rush Payne Holland Bazz not a lock to come back but I would like to see them keep a couple of those guys around to keep from having a significantly changed roster overall. Change is reality in pro sports and I am not suggesting keeping guys around only for that reason if there are upgrades in one way or another.

Q you and so tend to be on the same page a lot when it comes to the draft. I respect your opinion on prospects quite a bit. We both like having more opportunities to add young players later in the draft and the d-league becoming a viable option for the Wolves the league overall and with the changes in the CBA we should be thrilled. :). The reality is the good and really good organizations make the good moves, pick the right player a lot of the time. I think this organization is heading towards that level instead of the general ineptness we are used to. Flip made some good moves and got us into at least respectable range. Thibs and Layden have stars already. They have long contracts. Glen wants to win but I think he sees this can come through if they do it right. He saw it happen with the Lynx which is a different situation but I think there are some parallels there to draw from espcially if you are Glen. My point is that I think Thibs and Layden have the ability to have patience to make a smart decision whatever that is than do something out of desperation. I think that's a good thing.