How much do you guys value Wes Johnson?

[LOBO 7]

Yeah, I think Wes will look a lot better with Rubio creating catch-and-shoot opportunities for him and running backdoor cuts for him, and hopefully a whole new offensive scheme based on p'n'r with Rubio. If there is one thing Rubio is good at, it's learning where his teammates like to shoot from, and finding them wide open in those spots with accurate passes. I also think that for Love and Beas to fit together long term, we will need above average defenders at all three other positions. I think both Rubio and Wes have the potential to fit that bill, and I think Biyombo would be a perfect fit for protecting the paint.

But back to Wes, I definitely think it's way too early to trade him for pennies on the dollar, because he could look completely different next to Rubio and in a different system. I guess what I'm feeling at the moment is that even though it will require more patience- something understandably in short supply- I think we should keep the majority of our young talent and see how they look next to Rubio and in a new offense. Also, defensively we need a coach who is passionate about defensive energy. I really think that there is no reason from a physical-tools standpoint for us to be such an atrocious defensive team.

Basically, I like the idea of keeping the young core of Rubio/Wes/Beas/Love/(hopefully Biyombo)/Randolph at least until we see how they look in a new system next season. If at the trade deadline things still somehow look atrocious, then we look to move some of the young talent for proven vets.

What proven vets are the Wolves going to get if the team looks atrocious again?

What proven vets are we going to get right now? There is no way we can be MORE atrocious next year, and I think there is a very good chance some of our young talent will show some improvement, so I would assume that if we were able to trade some of that young talent for proven vets this offseason, we will also be able to do so at the deadline.

[Esohny]

Yeah, I think Wes will look a lot better with Rubio creating catch-and-shoot opportunities for him and running backdoor cuts for him, and hopefully a whole new offensive scheme based on p'n'r with Rubio. If there is one thing Rubio is good at, it's learning where his teammates like to shoot from, and finding them wide open in those spots with accurate passes. I also think that for Love and Beas to fit together long term, we will need above average defenders at all three other positions. I think both Rubio and Wes have the potential to fit that bill, and I think Biyombo would be a perfect fit for protecting the paint.

But back to Wes, I definitely think it's way too early to trade him for pennies on the dollar, because he could look completely different next to Rubio and in a different system. I guess what I'm feeling at the moment is that even though it will require more patience- something understandably in short supply- I think we should keep the majority of our young talent and see how they look next to Rubio and in a new offense. Also, defensively we need a coach who is passionate about defensive energy. I really think that there is no reason from a physical-tools standpoint for us to be such an atrocious defensive team.

Basically, I like the idea of keeping the young core of Rubio/Wes/Beas/Love/(hopefully Biyombo)/Randolph at least until we see how they look in a new system next season. If at the trade deadline things still somehow look atrocious, then we look to move some of the young talent for proven vets.

What proven vets are the Wolves going to get if the team looks atrocious again?

There is no way we can be MORE atrocious next year,

I wouldn't put any money on this.

[TrentTuckerForever]

^Ye of little faith.

I'd like to see the Wolves throw some money at Shane Battier. The guy still has some game left, - he's a better post-up player for the Griz than I thought. Who better to sharpen Beasley's focus than having to go up against Battier in practice every day?

[Esohny]

^Ye of little faith.

I'd like to see the Wolves throw some money at Shane Battier. The guy still has some game left, - he's a better post-up player for the Griz than I thought. Who better to sharpen Beasley's focus than having to go up against Battier in practice every day?

If the Wolves were to move a couple of wings out in trades, I'd be happy to get Battier in here. He can actually contribute some productive play and wouldn't be just a cheerleader. However, why would he sign here (unless the Wolves are overpaying like mad)? He could get a contract with a contender.

[thinktank]

Despite all the debate about Johnson/Beasley, it sounds like folks agree that Iggy is a good trade target. (I'm not sold on this. For all of his creativity, he wasn't the one helping the Sixers in crunch-time this playoffs.)

I'd crap my pants if we could ship Pek, Webster, and whatever flotsam on the end of the bench for Iguodola.

[eyeteeth]

Despite all the debate about Johnson/Beasley, it sounds like folks agree that Iggy is a good trade target. (I'm not sold on this. For all of his creativity, he wasn't the one helping the Sixers in crunch-time this playoffs.)

I'd crap my pants if we could ship Pek, Webster, and whatever flotsam on the end of the bench for Iguodola.

One of the nice things about the internet is that you can go ahead and do that and we'll keep talking to you.

[thinktank]

Despite all the debate about Johnson/Beasley, it sounds like folks agree that Iggy is a good trade target. (I'm not sold on this. For all of his creativity, he wasn't the one helping the Sixers in crunch-time this playoffs.)

I'd crap my pants if we could ship Pek, Webster, and whatever flotsam on the end of the bench for Iguodola.

One of the nice things about the internet is that you can go ahead and do that and we'll keep talking to you.

[shangrila]

^Ye of little faith.

I'd like to see the Wolves throw some money at Shane Battier. The guy still has some game left, - he's a better post-up player for the Griz than I thought. Who better to sharpen Beasley's focus than having to go up against Battier in practice every day?

If the Wolves were to move a couple of wings out in trades, I'd be happy to get Battier in here. He can actually contribute some productive play and wouldn't be just a cheerleader. However, why would he sign here (unless the Wolves are overpaying like mad)? He could get a contract with a contender.

I think their best bet is to go after guys already on contracts. Raja Bell still makes sense as a wing backup. Add him with Ridnour, Webster and maybe a veteran big and that would be a solid, experienced bench.

[Klomp]

I think their best bet is to go after guys already on contracts. Raja Bell still makes sense as a wing backup. Add him with Ridnour, Webster and maybe a veteran big and that would be a solid, experienced bench.

Was already thinking about that. Ellington for Bell?


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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6G_5GPP5B1A[/youtube]

[shangrila]

I think their best bet is to go after guys already on contracts. Raja Bell still makes sense as a wing backup. Add him with Ridnour, Webster and maybe a veteran big and that would be a solid, experienced bench.

Was already thinking about that. Ellington for Bell?

Saves them money, gets us a veteran version of Ellington...looks good to me

[B Calrissian]

Ellington for Bell has been a dream of mine for awhile.

[JMillott]

Raja Bell was horrible last year doing a ton of damage to the Jazz's playoff chances. You want to add him to a team who's even worse and expect him to help?

[Klomp]

Raja Bell was horrible last year doing a ton of damage to the Jazz's playoff chances. You want to add him to a team who's even worse and expect him to help?

Raja Bell was not the reason the Jazz fell out of the playoff hunt. Deron Williams/Jerry Sloan were.

[moss_is_1]

I'd be okay with bell if he was 3 years younger. He was horrible last year. I'm also on the keep wes and Beasley for one more year.

[eyeteeth]

Raja Bell hustles, plays defense, and knows the game. He would make a great backup SG.

[B Calrissian]

Raja Bell hustles, plays defense, and knows the game. He would make a great backup SG.

Exactly. I don't see why anyone would want Ellington over him.

[Esohny]

Raja Bell hustles, plays defense, and knows the game. He would make a great backup SG.

Exactly. I don't see why anyone would want Ellington over him.

I don't want either of them.