Minnesota Sports Forum

Chicago getting Lopez makes Noah really redundant. The likelihood of Chicago resigning Noah is lower now. Just sayin!

Don't forget that if Rose doesn't work out for the Knicks, they have $21 large coming off the books after this year. That cap space will be huge the summer of 2017.

Terckle wrote:

Hicks123 wrote:

Camden wrote:Don't know if anyone posted it, but "Kenneth Faried to the Wolves" rumors are floating around today. I posted about his rebounding prowess, valuable contract, and good relationship with Thibs in the past. I wonder what the specifics would look like.

This one is a bit confusing. I definitely see the Wolves interest, but not sure what we have that they would want. They already have picks 7, 15 and 19....so while 5 would be their best, it is probably less appealing. Again, I don't see a great fit on resources going back to the Nuggets. Maybe a future unprotected 1st? Probably needs to be a 3 team deal.

What about Faried and 15 or 19 for 5? that would maybe make more sense value wise.

Maybe cumulative value but #5 seems pretty valuable right now. I think at #15 and #19 you might not have the same level of player. With a few teams having so many picks it's possible all you have to give up to get a pick around 20 is some sort of financial cost either straight up cash or taking on a contract to get a pick so yeah one of those MAY not have a lot of value. In addition the Wolves have to send some salaries back in the deal.

Faried is interesting. Always seemed like a low IQ defender to me though. I get that he hustles his ass off and gets rebounds, but just not so sure he really does much for us defensively, despite his high motor.

SameOldNudityDrew wrote:Chicago getting Lopez makes Noah really redundant. The likelihood of Chicago resigning Noah is lower now. Just sayin!

Yeah, you just have to believe one of Thibs' old buddies from Chicago will be on the Wolves. I think Noah and Hinrich are the top two candidates. Both are gritty, defensive types that don't need 30+ minutes per night. Although one will certainly be more expensive than the other....

Deng would be my #1 target, but I just think he'll have too many other options.

Robin Lopez would have looked good in Minnesota. Just saying.

CoolBreeze44 wrote:Don't forget that if Rose doesn't work out for the Knicks, they have $21 large coming off the books after this year. That cap space will be huge the summer of 2017.

That's the thing. They get one year to properly evaluate if there is anything in the tank. There was so little to be done with the financial constraints of their franchise and Jackson seems to be inching them back to relevance. I actually love Hornacek for them too. I like this deal a lot and trust Jackson's evaluation of Jerian Grant.

Q12543 wrote:Faried is interesting. Always seemed like a low IQ defender to me though. I get that he hustles his ass off and gets rebounds, but just not so sure he really does much for us defensively, despite his high motor.

I think Thibs would make him play to his strengths. If he just focused on his man and freed up Towns to rove a bit more I could see them being an elite unit. But if they are constantly switching down low I'd be worried about Faried's read and react. So strange since his is clearly a gifted athlete. I do like thinking about the intensity that Faried would bring, would be fun to watch.

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Faried is interesting. Always seemed like a low IQ defender to me though. I get that he hustles his ass off and gets rebounds, but just not so sure he really does much for us defensively, despite his high motor.

I think Thibs would make him play to his strengths. If he just focused on his man and freed up Towns to rove a bit more I could see them being an elite unit. But if they are constantly switching down low I'd be worried about Faried's read and react. So strange since his is clearly a gifted athlete. I do like thinking about the intensity that Faried would bring, would be fun to watch.

Find me an article that suggests Faried is even a decent defender. It certainly should be a concern and he played for a very good defensive coach in Mike Malone last year. I like Faried he is fun to watch (when he isn't kicking your team's butt doing his thing) however there are some legit concerns of you add him to the team.

thedoper wrote:

Q12543 wrote:Faried is interesting. Always seemed like a low IQ defender to me though. I get that he hustles his ass off and gets rebounds, but just not so sure he really does much for us defensively, despite his high motor.

I think Thibs would make him play to his strengths. If he just focused on his man and freed up Towns to rove a bit more I could see them being an elite unit. But if they are constantly switching down low I'd be worried about Faried's read and react. So strange since his is clearly a gifted athlete. I do like thinking about the intensity that Faried would bring, would be fun to watch.

Well, he certainly fits the "do shit" profile I love, i.e. he doesn't need to score the ball all the time to be effective. And he adds toughness and ferocious energy in a slot most likely playing between Wiggins and KAT. He would be very complementary in that regard.

But still....for all the energy, rebounding, and killer games against the Wolves, his overall defense is sort of meh. But perhaps I'm nit-picking a bit here. Not every starter can be the perfect two-way player.