Why don't we need a center?

[Klomp]

I know the quick and easy answer to that question is "because we have Pekovic," but look a step further. Here are the players who saw minutes at PF and C last season behind Love and Pekovic.

Michael Beasley - Free agent, unlikely to return, and not a center
Darko Milicic - Possible amnesty, buyout, or trade candidate
Brad Miller - Retired
Anthony Randolph - Free agent, unlikely to return
Anthony Tolliver - Currently a FA, and more PF than C
Derrick Williams - Not a center

So basically, our current post rotation is

Love / Williams
Pekovic

And yet in many of the threads, I've read that we don't need to add anyone at PF or C? I'm confused...

[Jajwanda]

I think you guys are underestimating what Gasol would do for you. Put the three players into a rotation at the big man positions and you've got something beautiful. A true PF, a PF/C, and a C. It very much reminds me of the Laker's strength just a couple years ago. I realize you guys want a wing, but the wing position would have nowhere near the impact that third big man could have.

[Klomp]

BTW this thread wasn't made to imply that Gasol is the guy we need to add, but more to show that we are not as loaded in the frontcourt as everyone thinks. (Jajwanda, this was NOT directed at you, just more of a general statement your post reminded me to add)

Another thing that makes adding someone more important is the fact that I've read a lot of posts saying we should trade Williams for a wing, which would hurt the frontcourt even more.

[Jajwanda]

Frankly I think Williams is a wing. As strange as that sounds I think he's the wing and Beasley is the PF. Goes against everything everyone though but that's just what it looks like.

[rick_21]

We need a center, I think everyone should agree with that.

Actually, if we are dumping Darko, we'll need to add more than one center to have reasonable depth at the center position. I think we need a reserve big man to play 15-20 minutes behind Pekovic and a third backup center in case of injuries or serious foul trouble.

That said, I'm completely against using all our cap space and resources in another big man, like Pau Gasol. First and foremost, we should improve the SG and SF positions and then we could think about adding depth in the frontcourt.

Someone like Dalembert, Stiemsma or Kenyon Martin as the backup center is enough for me, and all of them can be signed with the Mid Level exception or less. Then sign a third center like Fesenko or Collins for the minimum, or even a D-Leaguer. It could be interesting to re-sign one Tolliver or Randolph if the price is low.

Love/D. Williams/Tolliver
Pekovic/Stiemsma/Fesenko

I think it's a nice frontcourt rotation. If we dramatically improve both wings positions, there's no need to add a starting caliber center, we have that in Pekovic and we only need to have his back covered.

[Esohny]

Pretty sure that the argument is that the Wolves shouldn't burn all their trade assets for improvement at starting center from above average to more above average when they have giant holes on the wing. Also pretty sure that most are aware that a backup defensive center is a need.

[collin_k41]

For me, it's more about prioritizing team needs. We are in dire need of a solid wing to start beside Rubio, even more so than we need a backup center. So priority number one is to pick up a wing, and use the assets we have left on a center, and perhaps other role players if necessary.

[jscott]

I've had "defensive/athletic C/PF" as a positional need along with at least two new wings.

With Williams, 18, Wes, Ridnour/Barea and cap space I think we can find a way to fill all three needs - it just depends on how many of your assets do you want to lump into each spot.

I see it like this, with your cap you should be able to land one of those players, with a combo of Wes/Barea/18 you could get another player and Williams should be your best asset and provide the last one. Of course this a very simplistic idea - cap space could be used in all 3 trades, perhaps Wes is thrown in with Williams to match cap, etc.

I wouldn't want to spend all of my trade assets on one player when we have 3 needs (and then some depth issues). To me that's why going after Iggy or Pau I need to think about what those teams will need back either for salary or talent. I'm not sure I love either of those options.

[C.lupus]

We need a backup C but we also need starting a SG and a starting SF. Starters > backups in terms of priority.

[SO_MONEY]

We need one, don't think anyone thinks otherwise. We will without a doubt get one, likely two in free agency and/or draft, but they will be a backup and will be cost effective. Perhaps Paulo Prestes in one of them at the minimum? That leaves room for one more.

[LordBaldric]

There's a difference between "We don't need a center" and "We don't need a backup center @ $20 million"!

[Basti]

I agree with several posters here that probably everyone is aware of the need for a back up center, especially with regards to Pek having a somewhat injury-riddled season. Not sure how much the cramped schedule played a role here but we definitely need someone to back up both Love and Pek. I don't want them to play too many minutes, again. For once, Love looked really gassed at several points during the season and, as I mentioned, Pek had several nagging injuries.

That doesn't mean, however, that we should go after guys like Gasol, who'd be a great addition as a player but contract, age and mental capability (the last two post-seasons really made me change my mind on Gasol) make him a bad fit. Not to mention that I don't think he'd be fine coming off the bench.

A guy like Perkins would be great to have off the bench. Just not at the price of Perkins. Are there any other legit options to pursue? Isn't Haywood a free agent? Or would he have to get amnestied first?

[KG_And1]

I know I have stated our back up defensive C/PF before, as others have too.

Darko is likely amnestied. So a backup C/PF is and absolutely crucial.

I fear Adelman will go after a guy like Chuck Hayes for that spot...

[Basti]

In principal I wouldn't mind Chuck Hayes at all but if we actually pursue some guys I'd rather we go after a more athletic big man who can protect the rim. We already have enough players that play below the rim.

[KG_And1]

My feelings are mutual.

Hayes is a great guy to have if we had, say...Dwight Howard. A rim protector, as you said, is needed though. Dallas fans seem to think Brendan Hayward is going to get amnestied. He would be a great pick up.

Also, just to throw it in...I wouldn't mind drafting Fab Melo at #18.

[Devilzsidewalk]

we need a backup center, I dont care if its a defensive specialist, just needs to be a good player

Backup center and starting SG are the biggest holes, I'm fine w/ continuing the Beasley/Williams experiment at SF if they want to go that route. Beasley needs to agree to a reasonable contract though; maybe a Crawford type contract for 5 mil or so w/ a player option would be appropriate so Beasley can opt out if he has a good enough year or isn't fitting in.

[Klomp]

OK, I'm glad Chuck Hayes was brought up. I think there's serious potential for us to trade for him. Something around Wes for him, perhaps?

[Klomp]

How about Paul Davis?

Darren Wolfson ‏@DarrenWolfson

Kevin Bradbury, the agent for ex-MSU C Paul Davis, tells me the #Twolves have an interest in his client. Kahn currently watching in Spain.

[Worm Guts]

I'm sure he'll put us over the top

[Devilzsidewalk]

it makes sense if you're looking for depth. If you can get Paul Davis for the minimum or pay Aaron Gray 3mil or whatever, might as well go for Davis.