Looking ahead to the offseason

[eyeteeth]

I think you're stretching it. Lowry and Brooks/Dragic, for example, weren't the starting or even main combination. So, yeah, he runs two point guard sets but that doesn't mean he thinks he has to, or that he even likes it. It just proves he's smart enough to go with something that works (one thing Rambis never seemed able to do...).

And yes, Ridnour did get the SG spot because of horrible SG play. Or, probably more accurately, he got it because he could dribble and he wasn't 5-9 (I'm looking at you, Barea). If the team got someone who could handle the ball at SG, the best and most realistic example being Crawford, then I think the Ridnour at SG era ends fairly quickly.

That's especially true if Lee can develop into a backup quality player.

For the record, I'm not saying that a two PG lineup would be one of our main combinations. If you'll look at the post I made earlier, I had us signing Crawford. However, I still think there's something to the combination of point guards for Adelman.

Also, I'm not saying that it is what I would do. However, I strongly believe that it will happen that way and all three point guards will be back. Before the injuries I might've predicted a Barea offseason trade. However, at this point with Barea playing as well as he is, I see Adelman wanting him to stick around. And Kahn has, to a fault at times, given his coach what he wants through his tenure in Minnesota.

The key positions I believe we will target this offseason are small forward and backup center. Don't forget that we are not that far off the pace from other teams in the West. We need to improve our bench (2,3,5) and get a starting-caliber small forward, and not much else. But I don't think it will be the small forward everyone anticipates.

Oh, I really hope not. We need a real 2 as well as a good 3. Luke is a fine backup PG/SG and Barea is great for depth and versatility as the same, BUT we need a SG that can drive, shoot, defend and pass at the NBA level. Neither Ridnour or Barea are that guy. Starting Ridnour at SG is a quick ticket to a first round playoff exit every time. He simply cannot play defense as a starter.

[Klomp]

Dave Campbell � @DaveCampbellAP
Beasley said he hopes/expects to return to #Twolves. Said he thought Adelman enjoyed self this season. "How could you not, being around me?"

[theGreatRC]

I'm all for re-signing Beasley at a reasonable price. 5-6 milli a year? He damn well shouldn't expect more than that given his performance on D. If anyone offers him more than that. Let him go.

I know his QO is probably more or around the same price as 5-6 mil, but it offers him security knowing he'll make that much regardless of how he performs. So i'm pretty sure he would take it.

Actually, Beasley should be a 3rd or 4th option in terms of re-signing. We should throw money at Batum first and (don't kill me guys) JR Smith second. Fits the ball handling, creating own offense mold that Adelman (might) want in his SG.

[Fischella]

I'm thinking about this,

amnesty D4rko
cut Webster, Miller, unguaranteed, only resing Tolliver
Draft EFournier and QAcy
Sign Mayo 32/4 and Asik 12-15/3
Trade Ridnour for Fields

Rubio-Barea-Lee
Mayo-Fournier-Ellington
Johnson-Fields-Acy
Love-Williams-Tolliver
Pekovic-Asik

[theGreatRC]

Signing Asik would be awesome.

If Wes Johnson is the starting SF by opening night, I will be pissed! Also, Mayo isn't the answer.

[Narf]

Asik has some crazy rules that makes him nearly impossible to sign.
Or, rather, Chicago would match almost no matter what,

[moss_is_1]

Asik has some crazy rules that makes him nearly impossible to sign.
Or, rather, Chicago would match almost no matter what,

Yeah, MLE restricted for the 1st 2 seasons...but then can make a crazy leap...which would make his contract really bad.

[shangrila]

All right, so here's a half-butt offseason plan. I'm going by Canis Hoppus numbers which, if Beas/Randolph aren't issued QOs, Miller/Webster are waived and Darko is amnestied, the team will have 18 mil of capspace. I also figured I'd put it here, no special reason why. So, here goes;

Draft - Trade 17th pick to Cleveland for the 33rd, 35th and a future lottery protected picks. Draft Jae Crowder and Will Barton with the picks.

Reason: The team ditches the salary of the first round pick, gets a future pick and drafts an NBA ready player (Crowder) as well as a guy with higher potential (Barton).

FA - Sign Gerald Wallace to a 4 year, roughly $40 million contract (first year would start at roughly 10 mil). Sign OJ Mayo to a 4 year, $27 million contract. Sign Greg Steimsma to a 3 year, $7.5 million contract.

Reason: Wallace is exactly the kind of veteran the team needs, not to mention his hustle and smarts are unlikely to drop off with age. Mayo is, well, Mayo; a good scoring guard and someone who seems like a natural fit beside Rubio. Steimsma (signed with the room exception) is a shot blocking, hustle centre to bring off the bench behind Pekovic.

Lineup;
PG - Rubio, Barea, Lee
SG - Mayo, Ridnour, Barton
SF - Wallace, Crowder, Johnson
PF - Love, Williams
C - Pekovic, Steimsma

And this still leaves Ridnour/Barea and Williams as trade bait, while the team would also be able to sign a few D League guys to fill out the roster (Marcus Lewis and Jeff Foote/Hamady N'Diaye(sp?) for example).

[southern wolf]

I don't know if we'd have the pulling power to get both, but Mayo and Wallace are decent, realistic options.

I like the idea of packaging our first rounder with Williams or Beasley or both to try and move up in the draft.

[Worm Guts]

Beasley's a free agent, we can't trade him.

[southern wolf]

I knew that.

[moss_is_1]

I don't know if we'd have the pulling power to get both, but Mayo and Wallace are decent, realistic options.

I like the idea of packaging our first rounder with Williams or Beasley or both to try and move up in the draft.

I think the best pieces we would have to try to move up(maybe for someone like Jeremy Lamb) would be Ridnour, Webster/Miller while taking back a bigger contract, Wes Johnson, Barea, and of course D-will(no way I'd trade him and the Utah pick to move up).

[southern wolf]

Well I would only trade D-Will with the pick if we were moving WAY up, but we'd need to add D-Will at least to get someone like Lamb. I just don't think D-Will fits in Minny.

[AQuintus]

but we'd need to add D-Will at least to get someone like Lamb.

Right now Lamb is projected in 10-14 range, so unless his stock rises quite a bit during predraft workouts, we wouldn't need to include Williams.