DeMarcus Cousins for Derrick Williams?

[Breakdown777]

Cousins remind anyone else of Zach Randolph? It took Zach about 10 years and 4 teams to finally "get it". I don't doubt Cousins will be good, but he's not what this teams needs right now.

[collin_k41]

This trade isn't really worth jeopardizing our bright future. DMC may have a bright future himself, but he's also got a rap for being a cancer, so I'll take the hard working and respectful Derrick Williams even though he may not play an ideal position for us.

[Worm Guts]

There's also a higher chance of him being a worthless pile.

true. but being one of the worst teams in the league, you have to take that chance.

I think Williams will be the better player, and I wouldn't trade the guy I think is going to be the better player regardless of upside. This isn't like taking a risk on Beasley for 2nd round picks, this is giving up something of value.

[Tirion]

This trade isn't really worth jeopardizing our bright future. DMC may have a bright future himself, but he's also got a rap for being a cancer, so I'll take the hard working and respectful Derrick Williams even though he may not play an ideal position for us.

Thing is, the future is not exactly bright with current Wolves roster. They still lack true franchise player, as great as Love is, he's too limited physically to be truly dominant in any aspect of the game other than rebounding. Rubio will be good, but he's very underdeveloped as a scorer (worse than Rondo) and point guards can't really affect the game defensively in the NBA anymore. Wolves still have major holes at C and SG positions and no pick next year to fix it with. And the West is as stacked as ever with young teams like OKC and Memphis already being borderline contenders and other rebuilding projects like LAC, Sac, Hou and Utah sporting more overall talent and/or positioned better with assets/picks/salary in the near future. And it's not like SA, LAL and Dallas are expected to fall off sharply. Best case scenario - Adelman gets hired and the Wolves are borderline playoffs team in 2-3 years, after that they stuck in mediocrity again, until a miracle trade happens or (more likely) Love or Rubio are gone.

[phonzadellika]

Thing is, the future is not exactly bright with current Wolves roster. They still lack true franchise player, as great as Love is, he's too limited physically to be truly dominant in any aspect of the game other than rebounding. Rubio will be good, but he's very underdeveloped as a scorer (worse than Rondo) and point guards can't really affect the game defensively in the NBA anymore. Wolves still have major holes at C and SG positions and no pick next year to fix it with. And the West is as stacked as ever with young teams like OKC and Memphis already being borderline contenders and other rebuilding projects like LAC, Sac, Hou and Utah sporting more overall talent and/or positioned better with assets/picks/salary in the near future. And it's not like SA, LAL and Dallas are expected to fall off sharply. Best case scenario - Adelman gets hired and the Wolves are borderline playoffs team in 2-3 years, after that they stuck in mediocrity again, until a miracle trade happens or (more likely) Love or Rubio are gone.

Things may not be as dire as you think though. I think a lot of people on the board are sleeping on Wes Johnson right now; even if he doesn't develop any handles at all if he used more 'correctly' he should be an efficient shooting outlet and cutter for Rubio and he can defend SGs. Rubio and Johnson should combine to be a very effective defensive back court. If this team is going to try to run its offense through Rubio and Love it's probably preferable that the other players not be primary ballhandlers. I think Wes Johnson gets his handles to a point where they're not a liability this off-season. They'll probably never be above average though, and they don't have to be, because the only way that this team will probably really work is if Rubio is quarterbacking the offense on every play.

I agree that there's still a gaping hole at C and it will have to be addressed somehow. Even without a lottery pick this year I still like what the Wolves are doing and I feel like it's the first time since forever that I'm going into a season thinking that they could actually do something somewhat meaningful. I really think in 3-4 years the Wolves could be a dangerous playoff time.