Dangling #1

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

We're not asking too much of KAT. We're asking him to be neutral to even a slight plus on defense. There is no getting around the fact he's been a massive disappointment on that end of the floor.

The only problem with Wiseman is that he will likely suck on defense as a rookie and there is no guarantee he becomes good after that either. One of the problems with some of these athletic bigs is they get jumpy and never learn about proper positioning.

The bolded is 100-percent true and I don't want to draw any conclusions that would contradict with that fact, but I would say that since he's been here the team has instilled defensive systems that don't adhere to his strengths as a defender. He's schematically put in spots that require him to make decisions that he doesn't have the instincts to make. Meanwhile, maybe the best we've ever seen him defensively was next to an aged Kevin Garnett who was obviously more adept in that role. It allowed Towns to simplify that end of the court and still roam the paint as a shot-blocker. And then we got away from it.

James Wiseman won't be DPOY his first season, and probably not his second, but I'm confident that he'd make a bigger impact on defense than the incumbent starter in Juan Hernangomez just on size and natural ability.

[Lipoli390]

Just saw that Ben Simmons finished 4th in defensive player of the year voting.

That's great news for the Sixers. :). I've moved on from pinning any hope to a trade for Ben Simmons or any other worthwhile young two-way star. I don't see any realistic scenarios. So for me, it's boiling down to a choice of 3 players at #1 - Wiseman, Okongwu or Edwards. Otherwise, I'd want to see the Wolves trade down into the 4-8 range and draft Vassell, Deni or Toppin.

[Coolbreeze44]

Just saw that Ben Simmons finished 4th in defensive player of the year voting.

That's great news for the Sixers. :). I've moved on from pinning any hope to a trade for Ben Simmons or any other worthwhile young two-way star. I don't see any realistic scenarios. So for me, it's boiling down to a choice of 3 players at #1 - Wiseman, Okongwu or Edwards. Otherwise, I'd want to see the Wolves trade down into the 4-8 range and draft Vassell, Deni or Toppin.

Yeah, I can't imagine a new coach coming in and being told he's not going to have Simmons to work with. But no one on that team is untradeable, it's just that the price may not be realistic.

[KG4Ever]

Pacers got swept and so they are probably inclined to shake up their roster. Myles Turner is most likely available and maybe Oladipo (though he looked bad coming off of injury last year and wouldn't want to give up much for him).

[KG4Ever]

Jonathan Isaac is a guy I wanted to draft before the Butler trade happened and I wonder if he might be available given his injury history. You'd have to think Orlando may want LaMelo.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Jonathan Isaac is a guy I wanted to draft before the Butler trade happened and I wonder if he might be available given his injury history. You'd have to think Orlando may want LaMelo.

I think I'd rather have James Wiseman and the three additional years of a rookie contract. If we were picking three or four, though, I'd be all over this idea.

[Lipoli390]

Just saw that Ben Simmons finished 4th in defensive player of the year voting.

That's great news for the Sixers. :). I've moved on from pinning any hope to a trade for Ben Simmons or any other worthwhile young two-way star. I don't see any realistic scenarios. So for me, it's boiling down to a choice of 3 players at #1 - Wiseman, Okongwu or Edwards. Otherwise, I'd want to see the Wolves trade down into the 4-8 range and draft Vassell, Deni or Toppin.

Yeah, I can't imagine a new coach coming in and being told he's not going to have Simmons to work with. But no one on that team is untradeable, it's just that the price may not be realistic.

Exactly, Cool. I can't conceive of a realistic deal in which the Wolves swap their top pick in a package for Simmons.

Perhaps the Sixers would trade Simmons and their #21 pick for the Wolves #1 and Russell. But we know the Wolves wouldn't do that. KAT and Russell are tight and Rosas appears to have a man crush on Russell, perhaps in part because of the KAT/DLO friendship. I just don't see them trading Simmons for our top pick and any combination of other players on our roster. If they're interested in future draft picks, the Wolves can't trade another first round pick until at least 2023. If the Sixers are really open to blowing it up by trading Simmons for future picks, the Warriors are a much better trade partner. Golden State can not only make all their own future 1st round picks available, they also have the Wolves first and second round picks next year.

Rosas will have to earn his stripes. He appears to have botched last year's draft, although I haven't given up all hope for Culver. I like him as a person and saw some flashes from him. But Rosas now has the top pick in this year's draft along with the 17th pick and the 3rd pick in the second round. While this draft doesn't have a sure star at the top, it has plenty of talent and Rosas is in the driver's seat with the top pick and two other really good draft opportunities. I like his undrafted FA signings and really liked the Beasley deal if Beasley re-signs for a reasonable amount. I'm not a fan of the Russell deal, but I'm not down on it either. It's now time for Rosas to shows his metal in the draft. As we know, it is exceedingly rare for a mid to small market NBA team to become a contender without drafting at least a couple future all-stars (or key players), typically with picks that aren't in the top 2 or even the top 5. Here are some examples:

CURRENT EXAMPLES

Miami Heat: Herro - at #13. Bam - at #14. Nunn - undrafted & signed by Miami out of G-League
Celtics: Tatum - at #3. Brown - at #3. Marcus Smart - at #6
Utah: Gobert - at #27. Mitchell - at #13. Joe Engles - undrafted FA signing
Denver: Jamal Murray - at #7. Jokic - at #41. M. Porter Jr. - at # 14
Raptors: Siakam - at #27. VanVleet - undrafted FA signing. Anunoby - at #23
Blazers: Lillard at #6. McCollum at #10. Nurkic at #16
Sixers: Simmons at #1. Embiid at #3

PAST EXAMPLES

Warriors: Curry at #7. Thompson at #11. Green at #35.
Spurs: Duncan at #1. Parker at #28. Ginobili at #57. Later - Leonard at #15
OKC: Durant at #2. Westbrook at #4. Harden at #3

There are exceptions among smaller or mid-market teams, but not many. The Bucks are one exception, but they have one mega-star, Giannis, who they drafted at #15.

The top teams in the League outside LA and Houston have top-notch from office personnel who make excellent draft decisions more than once. I'm just asking Rosas for one such decision - this year. :)

[Monster]

Pacers got swept and so they are probably inclined to shake up their roster. Myles Turner is most likely available and maybe Oladipo (though he looked bad coming off of injury last year and wouldn't want to give up much for him).

I wonder if the Wolves end up taking a perimeter player #1 instead of dangling #1 Pick they move a pick #17 and wing player to get a guy more in the tier of Turner. I looked for some options but I didn't see anyone that really jumped out at me as options then I read this post. :) I just can't decide how I value Turner both as a player and how he would actually fit with this roster. Part of that is I really haven't seen him play that much.

[kekgeek]

Pacers got swept and so they are probably inclined to shake up their roster. Myles Turner is most likely available and maybe Oladipo (though he looked bad coming off of injury last year and wouldn't want to give up much for him).

I wonder if the Wolves end up taking a perimeter player #1 instead of dangling #1 Pick they move a pick #17 and wing player to get a guy more in the tier of Turner. I looked for some options but I didn't see anyone that really jumped out at me as options then I read this post. :) I just can't decide how I value Turner both as a player and how he would actually fit with this roster. Part of that is I really haven't seen him play that much.

I know it hasn't got much traction but Russillo said on the BS podcast he is hearing Sabonis wants out of Indiana. Personally I would give up the 1st overall pick for him. (Don't know if the wolves would though because he is a non-3pt shooting big)

[Coolbreeze44]

Pacers got swept and so they are probably inclined to shake up their roster. Myles Turner is most likely available and maybe Oladipo (though he looked bad coming off of injury last year and wouldn't want to give up much for him).

I wonder if the Wolves end up taking a perimeter player #1 instead of dangling #1 Pick they move a pick #17 and wing player to get a guy more in the tier of Turner. I looked for some options but I didn't see anyone that really jumped out at me as options then I read this post. :) I just can't decide how I value Turner both as a player and how he would actually fit with this roster. Part of that is I really haven't seen him play that much.

I know it hasn't got much traction but Russillo said on the BS podcast he is hearing Sabonis wants out of Indiana. Personally I would give up the 1st overall pick for him. (Don't know if the wolves would though because he is a non-3pt shooting big)

I think I would have to do that trade Kek. Hadn't thought of that one before. But to get a sure thing who is only 24 sounds awfully good to me. He put up 18/12/5 last year. Making that move would take all the risk out of it.