Deals for #5/6 pick.

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I hadn't originally thought about being able to deal Pek this offseason....but then I thought about the Knicks. Just hang with me for a second here....

This is a team that's foundation is screwed to the core. They don't have a 1st this year, and they desperately need to add young components for the future. They don't have pieces to deal 1 for 1 for a top 5 pick. But what if they would be willing to take Pek and the #5 for Lopez. While I hate the Sideshow Bob hair, I like the way Robin Lopez plays. He is tough, and a hard working glue guy. At 28, he could still be a core guy for this team, and he is signed at a reasonable deal (considering where salaries are going) for the next 3 seasons.

He is the kind of vet player that makes our lineup better instantly. I am one that thinks that while KAT can play both C/PF, he would be better utilized at the PF spot due to his ability to play on the perimeter. Lopez and KAT would solidify our starting players and allow Dieng to come of the bench for both spots.

That would then allow the Wolves to go after depth in FA, and not have to worry about paying a max starter type salary. Pek and Lopez make the same amount, so we would still have about $28MM to spend this offseason.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I wouldn't even consider giving up our pick for Lopez and I really like Lopez. That's way way way too much to give up for someone with his age and skillset. We can get similar type players in free agency. Yeah, he might have a friendly salary, but so will whoever we draft. If they'd take Bazz for Lopez, I might be interested.

And if your main motivation in giving up the 5 pick is to clear Pek's contract, that makes little sense. Pek's contract isn't going to hurt us. We still have plenty of capspace to sign who we want and his contract will come off the books when we need to pay Wiggins and KAT.

[Monster]

I've always thought Robin was underrated and he would be a nice player to plug in. This deal makes sense for the Wolves if you are not really enamoured with a draft pick and just want to hit the ground running. Picking at 5/6 I would hope you can find someone that's a solid starter with that pick or you aren't all that great at your job.

I've said it for a while and it may be even more true now but Robin is a guy that I have suggested is an example of a guy that shows we should hold onto Dieng and pay him. Robin isn't really that impressive of a rebounder although I would guys he helps the team in that area maybe a bit more than his raw rebound totals. Dieng has much better per 36 numbers rebounding than Robin. Obviously Robin is much more of a banger defensively but is that worth giving up a 5/6 pick for? I like getting him in this deal but I think the price is too high.

Moving Pek would be great but I just don't see it as much more than a nifty bonus. He has 2 years left on his contract and he is a few months away from being an expiring contract that can be thrown in on a deal to get a player.

[Coolbreeze44]

I wouldn't even consider giving up our pick for Lopez and I really like Lopez. That's way way way too much to give up for someone with his age and skillset. We can get similar type players in free agency. Yeah, he might have a friendly salary, but so will whoever we draft. If they'd take Bazz for Lopez, I might be interested.

And if your main motivation in giving up the 5 pick is to clear Pek's contract, that makes little sense. Pek's contract isn't going to hurt us. We still have plenty of capspace to sign who we want and his contract will come off the books when we need to pay Wiggins and KAT.

The bold is the key. We have little motivation to get out from under Pek's contract with the way our cap space sits and what is happening with the cap. We certainly don't want to give up our best draft asset as a means to shed Pek's salary.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Trading for a veteran out of that 5/6 spot is going to be difficult. I just don't see a lot of worthy options where the value works for both teams, especially when you're looking for a big (which is what we need).

As for the proposed trade, I don't do it. I like Lopez and the dirty work role that he fills, but I couldn't offload the fifth pick just to get a Lopez/Pekovic swap. In my opinion, it's not utilizing the pick to its fullest. From a basketball standpoint, I'd like Lopez here, though. I think he'd be a good fit.

I also think it'd be beneficial to try to move Towns to PF full-time next to a big bodied center. It's not that I don't think Towns can handle it, but rather the physical toll it takes to play center in this league is harsher than power forward from what I can tell. I'd hope that KAT playing the 4 would be better on his body moving forward. It'd also allow us to go big when a league is going small, which gives us an advantage while being able to adjust if need be with Towns' versatility.

Marc Gasol just re-signed with Memphis through 2018-19 and has a $25M player option for 2019-20. He's 31-years old right now and coming off foot surgery (expected to make a full recovery), but I would seriously consider throwing something like the No. 5 pick, Muhammad, and Pekovic at the Grizzlies for Gasol and see if they bite. My guess is that Memphis doesn't go for it because Gasol's a recent DPOY winner and All-Star talent, but that's the type of move I'd support.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Wait....I thought we were trading our pick for Favors!

[Hicks123 [enjin:6700838]]

I don't necessarily disagree with anyone's thoughts. I think for me, what it comes down to is how you value the 5/6 pick. I am looking at that draft position today (thoughts could change as we see workouts) and seeing nothing that strikes my fancy. There are a couple longer-term prospects that are viable at that spot, but I want someone that can contribute now....not 3-4 years from now.

Last 6 drafts in that 5/6 spot:
Hezonja - WCS
Exum - Smart
Len - Noel
T. Robinson - Lillard
Valanciunus - Vesely
Cousins - Udoh

Outside Cousins and Lillard....it is a weak list. Now, take that with a grain of salt because many great picks came from after that 6 spot. My point is that it is a crapshoot, and I think this team would be better served with a specific vet (doesn't have to be Lopez) vs another young player with potential. But I totally understand not wanting to trade away the chance at the next Lillard (despite the small odds).

[SameOldNudityDrew]

Memphis wouldn't trade Gasol for the 5, Muhammad, and Pek. Probably have to throw LaVine in there to get that conversation going, and I'm guessing few here would like to do that.

I feel like Noah would be better than Lopez, and we could probably get him as a (hopefully affordable) free agent, rather than having to give up our 5th or 6th pick.

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

Wait....I thought we were trading our pick for Favors!

If we're fortunate enough to land in the top-two, then absolutely!

[Monster]

I don't necessarily disagree with anyone's thoughts. I think for me, what it comes down to is how you value the 5/6 pick. I am looking at that draft position today (thoughts could change as we see workouts) and seeing nothing that strikes my fancy. There are a couple longer-term prospects that are viable at that spot, but I want someone that can contribute now....not 3-4 years from now.

Last 6 drafts in that 5/6 spot:
Hezonja - WCS
Exum - Smart
Len - Noel
T. Robinson - Lillard
Valanciunus - Vesely
Cousins - Udoh

Outside Cousins and Lillard....it is a weak list. Now, take that with a grain of salt because many great picks came from after that 6 spot. My point is that it is a crapshoot, and I think this team would be better served with a specific vet (doesn't have to be Lopez) vs another young player with potential. But I totally understand not wanting to trade away the chance at the next Lillard (despite the small odds).

That list might do more to make me want to keep the pick than dissuade me especially when Robin Lopez is the prize. I will say that I was wrong on Thomas Robinson though. Still the guy just turned 25 and is a monster rebounder MAYBE he can be a useful player yet but I am not holding my breath either.

Edit: I brought up Robinson because he is an example of a guy I really liked and felt pretty confident he would be at least a rotation player but he has been a pretty big flop. Even with that I would take a chance I could get a Robin Lopez type player or better with that pick. It would be great if the Wolves could move up a spot or 2 although I think there could be a good player there at 5/6.