Which would you prefer to keep?

[KiwiMatt]

It seems that for us to acquire Thaddeus Young we will have to send PHI one of either Anthony Bennett or MIA 2015 1st acquired via CLE,

It may seem that keeping Anthony Bennett is the obvious choice but even though the MIA pick will probably be in the low to mid 20's it still holds significant value as we would more than likely have to give up our own pick to PHX in the draft from the Wesley Johnson trade.

[maelstrom11 [enjin:6599701]]

I'm in the camp to keep Bennett and go get TY. If we are good enough that we miss the lottery and have to give up our pick then so be it. I'm tired of losing....it's been ten plus years without a playoff birth. Thaddeus/Bennett/Dieng should be a good enough stable of 4s to develop with Wiggins, Lavine, Rubio.

[Monster]

It seems at this point various reports are that the Wolves are keeping Bennett. I the Wolves end up without their pick either something amazing happened and we made the playoffs or the worst luck in the world happened and we dropped a bunch of spots somehow. We are 99% going to have that pick.

It sounds like the Sixers want 2 assets for Thad. At this point it seems like the Miami pick is one but I don't know what Flip would be willing to give up for the other or if he is willing to give that much. Flip has been very patient so far so I don't know why he would cave in this deal. Sixers should ASK more than Miami's pick for Thad. I don't know if they can actually get more than that but yeah. Flip could walk away sign a vet like Brand and get Bennett more minutes this year to see what you have in him. We need another who blinks first thread. Lol

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I voted 'Keep MIA 2015 1st Round Pick'.

I realize it's about 50/50 as to whether or not we keep Bennett. I hope not, but I can live with it if we're acquiring Young while dumping some contracts (even expirings).

If we're giving up our own pick to PHO, then I assume Flip did a hell of a job coaching and we got close to 40 wins with a bunch of young pieces. In that case, I can deal with only having a MIA 1st. I'd also assume Wiggins would win ROY, which would also be a nice consolation prize.

[60WinTim]

Monster, monster, monster. You are in for a FANTASTIC surprise!!!

The Wolves will be every bit as competitive as they were last year, and then some. Yeah, we take a step backwards losing Love. But hell, he never got us to the playoffs anyway, so BIG WHOOP! But we take several steps forward for these reasons:

1) Love couldn't get us over the hump. So with Love gone, others will be given the opportunity to get us over the hump. And that's a good thing. Whether it's one individual, or a collective effort from multiple individuals (which is more likely) we are poised to find a different path over the hump.

2) While we lose a terrific talent in Love, we are replacing him with all sorts of talent across multiple positions: Williams, LaVine, Wiggins, Young and Bennett, not to mention the return of Pek and Bud. For a team that had THE WORST BENCH in the NBA, the additional talent is bound to be a boost.

3) I don't think the effect of Flip replacing Adelman can be overstated enough! The energy, focus and vested interest will all make an impact. As will the willingness to trust young players and a change in defensive philosophy.

You could be right and all those things don't make a difference. But there are plenty of reasons for taking a step forward next year instead of a step back. So if you are at 99% on the step back, I figure you will be pleasantly surprised.

[mjs34]

I voted to keep Bennett and the pick. Young is on a one year deal, just like Bud was. Do we have to continue making the same mistakes year after year. We can wait and offer Young a contract next summer if that is the route we want to go. This team would be extremely fortunate to win 40 games this season, so why waste an asset on Young, who isn't going to make a big difference in how we finish. Young is not good enough to overpay for, and that is exactly what we will be doing next summer.

Bennett at least deserves a chance to see what he can do with a healthy summer and training camp. He will likely be very similar to Young, with better shooting. I want to hold on to the pick in case we need to move up for a better shot at a big in next years draft. I am tired of configuring our team around guys that are severely limited in one area or another.

[Monster]

Monster, monster, monster. You are in for a FANTASTIC surprise!!!

The Wolves will be every bit as competitive as they were last year, and then some. Yeah, we take a step backwards losing Love. But hell, he never got us to the playoffs anyway, so BIG WHOOP! But we take several steps forward for these reasons:

1) Love couldn't get us over the hump. So with Love gone, others will be given the opportunity to get us over the hump. And that's a good thing. Whether it's one individual, or a collective effort from multiple individuals (which is more likely) we are poised to find a different path over the hump.

2) While we lose a terrific talent in Love, we are replacing him with all sorts of talent across multiple positions: Williams, LaVine, Wiggins, Young and Bennett, not to mention the return of Pek and Bud. For a team that had THE WORST BENCH in the NBA, the additional talent is bound to be a boost.

3) I don't think the effect of Flip replacing Adelman can be overstated enough! The energy, focus and vested interest will all make an impact. As will the willingness to trust young players and a change in defensive philosophy.

You could be right and all those things don't make a difference. But there are plenty of reasons for taking a step forward next year instead of a step back. So if you are at 99% on the step back, I figure you will be pleasantly surprised.

As always I enjoy the OpTimism. I am not as down on the Wolves as you think. I went to far saying 99% since its top 12 protected but really my point was if we are good-decent enough to lose the pick its sort of a win and I can live without the pick. That's coming from someone who LOVES draft picks. Lol

Like you said if this team actually has a worthwhile bench it could be a team that overachieves. A healthy Bud would be really key even though I realize we have more wings than a BW3s. lol

[Coolbreeze44]

What SJM said

[mnhoops [enjin:11017401]]

I was all about flipping him over to Philly for Thad at first but after watching some highlights (the few...) I was a little more hesitant. At this point I'd much rather send a late 1st round pick for Thad as Bennett still would have been a lottery pick in that draft and is only 21 years old and much better than a typical late 20's pick.

I'm also starting to come around on the idea of sending Shabbazz to Philli over either of those options, I like his instant offense he was able to provide at times but he always seemed slow footed on defense and never able to stay in front of anyone which doesnt fit into Flip's two-way player goal.

[Lipoli390]

I think SJM is right. Especially the part about making the same mistakes over and over again. Giving any significant assets for a one-year rental at nearly $10 million for a team in the midst of a rebuild and that won't make the playoffs makes nonsense.