Minnesota Sports Forum

Let me start by saying I'm a fan of AB and really think he's a lot better than he's shown. That said, I don't think AB will be on next year's team for the following reasons:

1.) I'm not sure Flip ever actually wanted him or had much faith in him. I recall after the trade Flip saying in a couple interviews that he thought AB "could be a rotational guy". I remember thinking that's not exactly high praise!

2.) He now has a two year track record of injuries and unproductive play

3.) His salary will become a potential issue.

4.) We will probably draft another Big and bring back KG/Payne, so Bennett not really needed.

It was incredibly bad luck for AB to go down right after they cleared a starting spot for him by trading Thad. I was really looking forward to the guy finally showing something. But I can't see them keeping both Payne and Bennett next year. And the fact that Flip gave up a #1 pick for Payne sort of gives him the inside track. I agree it doesn't make sense to just cut him. But I wouldn't be shocked if they find a way to include him in an off season deal.

Q12543 wrote:

Tactical unit wrote:AB is all upside and lets face it we traded Love for Wiggins and a big fat hope that AB could be coached up. If anyone gets into the scouting process of rookies and watched AB in college what you seen was a player that dominated one end of the floor. He was frequently lazy in hustling back in transition and should have never been #1 overall.

As an active duty member of the military I can tell you what this kid needs. A change in mindset, stop thinking you're good, you've amounted to nothing. He needs to broken the way they break you in boot camp and then rebuild him back up. Let's start with hustle if you hustle 100% (J. Hamilton style) then you can get back on the floor. Until then you do as your told and the only response I want is SIR YES SIR!!!!
He should be required to sprint onto the court and off the court because doing it his way and being a so called "hard working gym rat" has lead to what? F-ing BUM!

I see your upside AB but your the only one that can actually reach it. Play hard and you'll be amazed on what your production starts to look like.

This is why I think some guys need to bounce around a bit before finally "getting it". You start realizing that you aren't entitled to anything and you get tired of moving from city to city, team to team. Plus you grow older and mature.

We really need our own D-League affiliate. Send these young-sters down to the minors and let them grind it out down there for a couple months. I think it can make them hungrier.

Yes things that bother me most are selling draft picks and not having a D-League team. Those are about the dumbest things you can do when you have a very long tradition of sucking.

Camden wrote:Some of you have a false sense of reality when it comes to Bennett. "Injury-plagued seasons stifling his development". Give me a break with that nonsense. It's not like he was trending upward before any of his injuries. And here's the thing that nobody can answer. What's the one skill that Bennett has shown he can excel at? There isn't one. The guy's a bum and I've been spot on with that analysis for a long time now.

PS: Lip, there's no way in hell a team would give a role player or a first round pick for Bennett, let alone both! That's nuts.

I disagree Cam. Other teams have seen his potential. I'm not suggesting we'd get a top 10 or even a top 15 pick for Bennett, but it's certainly realistic to envision the possibility that a team would be willing to give up a future pick in the 20s. Hell, Flip gave up a future 1st rounder that is likely to be in the teens for Payne. On the other hand, I wouldn't count on that either. That's why my post focused on keeping Bennett for the final guaranteed year of his contract and having the coaching staff work with him diligently all summer.

As for those who think I'm looking at Bennett through rose colored glasses, let me assure you I'm not. In fact, if I had to bet I'd bet against him reaching his potential and I definitely see bust potential. But I also see his obviously huge upside and that is reason enough for a rebuilding team like the Wolves to stick with him for one more guaranteed season absent a really attractive trade opportunity this summer.

This shouldn't be a hot topic of debate. Having Bennett on the roster next season isn't going to impede the team's success or development next season. Having him will provide additional internal competition for Payne and any other PF who ends up on our roster. If Bennett stays healthy and progresses, then he will help us. If he doesn't stay healthy and develop, then he'll provide a body for practice and a hedge against injuries to others with no impact on our won-loss record. His salary next season is meaningless because this team isn't one $5.5 million dollar per year free agent away from the playoffs. In any event, we'd have to take back equivalent salary if we traded him and he's not going to take less than his full salary in a buy-out.

This team has MUCH bigger issues and decisions to make than whether to keep Bennett for one more season.

Guys he is getting traded in part of the wolves package for Cousins, believe me

kekgeek1 wrote:Guys he is getting traded in part of the wolves package for Cousins, believe me

Inside info or a hunch?

lipoli390 wrote:

kekgeek1 wrote:Guys he is getting traded in part of the wolves package for Cousins, believe me

Inside info or a hunch?

Completely a hunch I have been saying this since the first time Malone traveled with the team. That Malone is going to be the next head coach and the wolves will trade 1st pick, Bennett and Dieng for Cousins

Kek - I'd give up Bennett and other assets for Cousins but not Dieng. Dieng and Budinger? Sure, I'd do it. But I'm certain that Flip won't deal anyone for Cousins. The wolves organization has Cousins on their toxic/don't touch list.

lipoli390 wrote:Kek - I'd give up Bennett and other assets for Cousins but not Dieng. Dieng and Budinger? Sure, I'd do it. But I'm certain that Flip won't deal anyone for Cousins. The wolves organization has Cousins on their toxic/don't touch list.

The reason why I think it could be possible, at least from an outside view that Malone was able to keep Cousins under control and Cousins respects him. I think it won't happen if Malone is not the coach next year

kekgeek1 wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:Kek - I'd give up Bennett and other assets for Cousins but not Dieng. Dieng and Budinger? Sure, I'd do it. But I'm certain that Flip won't deal anyone for Cousins. The wolves organization has Cousins on their toxic/don't touch list.

The reason why I think it could be possible, at least from an outside view that Malone was able to keep Cousins under control and Cousins respects him. I think it won't happen if Malone is not the coach next year

Interesting take, Kek. You could be right.

If your G. Karl how do you feel if they move Cousins? You really got to have beef with Cousins if your Karl otherwise you'd be tabbing this guy as a major piece and reason for taking the job. I think Cousins would have to do something really bad before he gets moved, he's just to talented to give up on.

I'd think BOS would have the best package offer say 4 first round picks? Who else can top that and for BOS they get arguably the best Center in the league.