Trade Deadlne Approaching

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

What message is Flip telling his players by trading Martin for a future asset with the point of playing one of the worst rotation players in the league more time? That is actively tanking and you can see the way Ricky plays that he is just not ok with losing or not putting forth the best effort possible. Lavine is 19 and clearly not ready. We aren't blocking anything because he hasn't been good. Martin can be dealt in the off season. He is what he is at this point. A sniper who can score 19 a game if given the minutes. It's not like he is relying on athleticism or getting to the line anymore to get his points. I don't see one year making a difference in his value. If anything it would get higher because he would be a year closer to his deal being up. I don't see how Flip can get away with (from a players standpoint) trading the leading scorer for a future asset now that we are fully healthy and winning games. I think that sends a bad message to the players that ping pong balls and playing guys who aren't ready more minutes has a higher priority than trying to win.

[TRKO [enjin:12664595]]

What message is Flip telling his players by trading Martin for a future asset with the point of playing one of the worst rotation players in the league more time? That is actively tanking and you can see the way Ricky plays that he is just not ok with losing or not putting forth the best effort possible. Lavine is 19 and clearly not ready. We aren't blocking anything because he hasn't been good. Martin can be dealt in the off season. He is what he is at this point. A sniper who can score 19 a game if given the minutes. It's not like he is relying on athleticism or getting to the line anymore to get his points. I don't see one year making a difference in his value. If anything it would get higher because he would be a year closer to his deal being up. I don't see how Flip can get away with (from a players standpoint) trading the leading scorer for a future asset now that we are fully healthy and winning games. I think that sends a bad message to the players that ping pong balls and playing guys who aren't ready more minutes has a higher priority than trying to win.

If you can get a legitimate PF, move Muhammed to SF and Wiggins to SG you may have improved the lineup.

[TheGrey08]

I can see us being a playoff team if they play Thad & Martin in the right roles. Martin off the bench and Thad backup 4 or maybe starting SF. Martin makes it harder to get Lavine minute at SG though and that's what I really want to see. Lavine & Rubio.

If it makes us better, trade em, otherwise don't.

We only have a small window to trade Martin. Next year he is another year older. He is playing well right now. I have to believe someone would give us a good asset or two for him. Keep hearing Washington come up and that the Wolves are interested in Seraphin. Question: Who knows anything about Seraphin?

I don't think we have a small window to trade him, but I do think this deadline is probably the spot to maximize his value. I'd want a young vet/talent in return and not just a pick.

[TheGrey08]

khans, what is your deal with all the Lavine hate?? You are going way overboard on this one. He was thrown into the starting PG role as a ROOKIE which is not even his primary position. Think about that for a minute. He needs to be cut some slack here. He hasn't been too bad all things considered. Worst rotation player in the league? That's nonsense. He's very talented and has shown flashes/signs of being a legit play maker. The last thing he needs is D league. He needs more time around Rubio, especially playing SG next to him.

[bleedspeed]

Sounds like Portland is itching to improve their team. Do you think the bad blood beat us and them left with Khan?

[A Friendly Flatulence [enjin:8907904]]

This winning gives me mixed emotions, I want us to win, but by doing so we could potentially play ourselves out of the elite talent prospects. And injuries aside this will be our last year to grab an elite prospect through the draft (we should be fighting for playoff spots after this season).

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

This winning gives me mixed emotions, I want us to win, but by doing so we could potentially play ourselves out of the elite talent prospects. And injuries aside this will be our last year to grab an elite prospect through the draft (we should be fighting for playoff spots after this season).

True, but keep in mind that we currently have the following lottery picks on our roster: Rubio, Shabazz, Bennett, LaVine, and Wiggins. Two out of five were the last two #1 picks in the draft. It's not like we're lacking in young talent to work with and develop.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

(and don't worry, the schedule gets A LOT tougher from here on out. Like a murderer's row of offensive firepower coming in our direction!)

[bleedspeed]

I don't mind winning if it is Wiggins, Lavine. Shabazz, Dieng, and Bennett helping us do it. Not a fan of big minutes for Thad and Martin to help us win.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

I don't mind winning if it is Wiggins, Lavine. Shabazz, Dieng, and Bennett helping us do it. Not a fan of big minutes for Thad and Martin to help us win.

Eh, I don't know. I actually think it helps these guys to develop because they are now being put in roles where they are more likely to be successful (especially AB and LaVine). I just disagree with the philosophy that every young player develops best by being thrown into the fire with other young players and then crank up their minutes to the max. I prefer the blended approach where they are playing with competent and experienced players.