Minnesota Sports Forum

I actually love me some Derrick Favors, and would trade our pick if we had no shot at getting one of Okafor/Towns/Johnson/Russell, but it's a conversation with Utah that won't get very far unless they are 100% sold on Kanter/Gobert going forward.

Remember, there were rumors that Utah was trying to use Favors to trade up to No. 1 last summer to get Wiggins or Parker. That's to get a potential franchise player. Are we going to give up one of the potential studs for Favors? (16/9/2 PF who's 23-years old).

It's an interesting topic IF Favors is the name thrown around. I admit the fit would be perfect. Him and Dieng OR Pekovic would be a large frontline.

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Towns to me is a somewhat similar to LaVine. We would take him with the plan of only playing him in spot situations off the bench, but otherwise put in a long-term development plan for him. Of course, given our history, we'll get hit by injuries and suddenly he'll be forced to be our starting Center. Disaster ensues.

Rookies - even the top ones - require a ton of patience, especially those with only one year of college under their belt. A guy like Towns requires even more patience because he hasn't been the focal point of his team (again, similar to LaVine).

It's a painful, painful process to try to develop all these young guys, and odds are a few won't work out. Things are already looking kind of bleak for AB. That's why Carlos' idea is somewhat appealing to me.

I understand the impetus to take a chance on a proven player. But I personally don't want to opt to win now just because it has been so long since we have been competitive. We are very close to building young, top tier talent at multiple positions, that is the way you are supposed to do it. I don't want to lose that opportunity. I would opt for Okafor, Towns and their potential over a 2nd tier 4 in Favors.

I hear you Doper, but it's the age-old issue of having a bird in the hand versus one in the bush. Just because someone is a top 5 pick doesn't mean he will be good. By the way, Derrick Favors was a #3 pick, is only 23 years old, and is having a career year. It's not like he's some retread vet on the downside of his career. In fact, he meets almost all of the conditions one could ask for in this sort of lotto pick for vet swap:

- Is he good? Check
- Is he still young? Check
- Does he fill a position of need? Check

Me personally, I wouldn't trade Okafor or Russell for Favors because I believe the odds are that those two will be more impactful players over the long run. But Towns, Johnson, and others....hard for me to say that with confidence. Favors might not be an elite PF, but he is above average. There are many top 5 picks - as we all know - that never reach that level.

Edit: Oh, and by the way, two members of our young core are actually older than Favors: Rubio and Dieng.

Q12543 wrote:

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Towns to me is a somewhat similar to LaVine. We would take him with the plan of only playing him in spot situations off the bench, but otherwise put in a long-term development plan for him. Of course, given our history, we'll get hit by injuries and suddenly he'll be forced to be our starting Center. Disaster ensues.

Rookies - even the top ones - require a ton of patience, especially those with only one year of college under their belt. A guy like Towns requires even more patience because he hasn't been the focal point of his team (again, similar to LaVine).

It's a painful, painful process to try to develop all these young guys, and odds are a few won't work out. Things are already looking kind of bleak for AB. That's why Carlos' idea is somewhat appealing to me.

I understand the impetus to take a chance on a proven player. But I personally don't want to opt to win now just because it has been so long since we have been competitive. We are very close to building young, top tier talent at multiple positions, that is the way you are supposed to do it. I don't want to lose that opportunity. I would opt for Okafor, Towns and their potential over a 2nd tier 4 in Favors.

I hear you Doper, but it's the age-old issue of having a bird in the hand versus one in the bush. Just because someone is a top 5 pick doesn't mean he will be good. By the way, Derrick Favors was a #3 pick, is only 23 years old, and is having a career year. It's not like he's some retread vet on the downside of his career. In fact, he meets almost all of the conditions one could ask for in this sort of lotto pick for vet swap:

- Is he good? Check
- Is he still young? Check
- Does he fill a position of need? Check

Me personally, I wouldn't trade Okafor or Russell for Favors because I believe the odds are that those two will be more impactful players over the long run. But Towns, Johnson, and others....hard for me to say that with confidence. Favors might not be an elite PF, but he is above average. There are many top 5 picks - as we all know - that never reach that level.

Edit: Oh, and by the way, two members of our young core are actually older than Favors: Rubio and Dieng.

I agree with you that with Russell and Okafor they are pretty well sure fire picks. But in this draft I am pretty high on Towns. I see the doubt there, but I could really see him becoming the best player of this draft in a lot of ways. He just seems so athletic and big at the same time. And he digs in on D. My post wasn't a knock on Favors, I think he is a good young player. But although there is a risk with Towns, I think his overall potential could surpass Favors by a longshot. Too me I would simply add Towns to Rusell and Okafor in your no trade scenario. I don't hate the idea of using this pick for a franchise changing trade. But if a top tier big is on the table I would be frustrated if we lost out. If we got the 4th pick though, I would hope Flip would be listening.

Towns could be a better version of Favors/Horford. That's the thing.

Camden wrote:Towns could be a better version of Favors/Horford. That's the thing.

The thing is he likely won't be as good as either of them. (and if he is it likely won't be until year 3 or later)

bleedspeed177 wrote:

Camden wrote:Towns could be a better version of Favors/Horford. That's the thing.

The thing is he likely won't be as good as either of them. (and if he is it likely won't be until year 3 or later)

You realize this team doesn't have a deadline, right? Wiggins in year four, Towns in year three... Bazz and Dieng in year 5... With Rubio hitting the prime of his career. Yep, I'm good with that. I'll enjoy that potential title contender.

Camden wrote:Towns could be a better version of Favors/Horford. That's the thing.

I am almost with you on this one. Favors yes. Horford just continues to impress me though. I think Towns definitely has the tools to surpass either of them. I think just getting more minutes for his development is the only thing in the way. I can't blame Callapari for opting to a junior who is a very good college player in his own right though.

Camden wrote:

bleedspeed177 wrote:

Camden wrote:Towns could be a better version of Favors/Horford. That's the thing.

The thing is he likely won't be as good as either of them. (and if he is it likely won't be until year 3 or later)

You realize this team doesn't have a deadline, right? Wiggins in year four, Towns in year three... Bazz and Dieng in year 5... With Rubio hitting the prime of his career. Yep, I'm good with that. I'll enjoy that potential title contender.

This is the point I was trying to make too. We are finally building pieces the right way and have a gem in Wiggins. Let's not rush it. If we landed a dominant big and in two or 3 years had 2 surefire all stars. We will have all the leverage to obtain FAs and make complimentary trades.

Just going on the record here as I have yet to post who I want

1. Okafor
2. Johnson
3. Towns
4. Russell
5. Mudiay
6. Porzingis
7. Cauley-Stein

I am still in the camp that Towns has a lot of bust potential. If freshman are good they play for Callapari. Cap is known for showcasing strengths. What weakness is he hiding for Towns? A big concern for him is doesn't seem to be much of a leaper off 2 feet. That explosiveness he has won't do much good if he needs a running start.

I need to see some growth over the course of the rest of the season to get excited about him.