Restricted Free Agents - Stay or go?

[draftnik12]

After checking out ESPN's list of Free Agents for the Timberwolves, I was wondering what everyone thinks they should do with the current restricted free agents. I know that Gomes, Smith, Snyder, Richard and Telfair are good players, but does anyone other then me believe that it would be a good idea if the T-Wolves let them walk? As a team who is currently in a full-out rebuilding mode, I think it would be a bad idea to commit to average young players (I don't view any of these guys as future All-Stars) for a long period of time. If you surround yourself with average talent, you are going to get poor results. In my opinion, the Timberwolves should allow each FA to walk and use their assets elsewhere.

As for the draft, it appears that the consensus is O.J. Mayo to the Timberwolves in this forum - which would be a fantastic pick in my opinion. When you are rebuilding, you cannot afford to draft for a need in the Top-5. Most draft boards agree that Mayo is the third best player in the draft, and even though the Timberwolves desperately need a center, it would be in their best interest in my opinion to select Mayo. I originally had Lopez in my mock to Minnesota, but now I'm not sure that he is the right pick for them because it goes against my entire philosophy.

Sorry if my comments are at all offensive to posters. I don't want to "troll" or anger fans who might be fans of these players. I just wanted to see if any Wolves fans agreed with my philosophy on how the team should be built. It's not that those four players are a waste of roster space, it's just that you need a competitive advantage to win in this league. Outside of Al Jefferson, I fail to see a whole lot of players on this team who can give them the edge over an opponent. I don't typically post here in the Wolves forum and would just like to hear a few opinions from die hard Wolves fans on what they think of the RFA's and draft.

[Klomp]

Every team needs good role players. Where would the Lakers be this year without guys like Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, etc.? Or what about the old Laker dynasty without Fisher, Horry, etc.?

Championship teams aren't comprised so0lely of superstars and scrubs. Thats why the Celtics have struggled through the postseason.

Most fans here think we need to resign Gomes. I agree. In my opinion, he is the only must-sign player on our team.

[cpfsf]

Depends on who we draft. If we pick Lopez, we might not need both Richard and Smith. If we draft Mayo, we may not need both Snyder and Telfair. Gomes needs to stay because he is very versatile, plays both forward positions very well, and actually wants to stay in Minny.

OJ Mayo is the favorite player for fans in Minnesota but mock draft sites predict Lopez would be the best fit. I expect McHale will choose Lopez.

[Winter Wonder]

No worries on trolling, we are fairly level headed and open minded, especially since we no longer see the horrid KG trades.

Draftwise: Mayo is the majority favorite at #3. Lopez has his backers, Randolph and Gallinari get some attention, but most few them as picks if we trade down. Heck, even Jordan and Love have a vocal minority supporting them. But Mayo is primarily considered the top choice.

RFA-wise: Gomes is top priority due to his success here and his versatility. I think all our RFA's are very much liked and all are quite young, but it is dependent upon the draft what we do with the rest of them. I do think Snyder is as good as gone, though alot liked how hard he played here. Telfair was also very solid, but if we draft Mayo, our backcourt gets extremely crowded. Smith is much harder to gage. We love him, but most feel he doesn't fit well with Jefferson now. He is a great piece, but may end up expendable. Richard is a cheap back up center that if remains cheap could find his way back if we don't draft a replacement.

As for core pieces, Jefferson is the main man. Nothing else needs to be said there. Foye is still highly liked and believed to be a key component now that the injury is past him and he should be a main piece and continue to improve. Brewer is a defensive stud and his jumper was broken down and being rebuilt last season. He will be a big piece as well. McCants is a question but a great scorer, especially as a 6th man. I think he will be trade bait this offseason though. Jaric is worth mentioning. Larger contract than anyone likes, but serviceable at the 1, 2, or 3 spot on the team and a guy who makes his teammates better. We don't mind him, but trade him for a better contract or draft picks without hesitation I believe.

That is my summary, hope it was what you were looking for.

[4ho5ive]

Yea, usually everyone here is pretty good about visitors, its when some "homer" comes over with guns a blazin' telling us why are players are terrible, what we need to do to be successful and why we need to trade for all their players that turns usually good threads into terrible posts. Im guilty of this.

However, as both Klomp and WW said, Gomes is the beez-neez. I think he is the only FA we should bring back, along with Richard as he is cheap, young and fits a need. I love Craig, Telly and Kirk but depending on how the draft and trades and the rest of the offseason plays out, I dont see us bringing them back.

[Devilzsidewalk]

My personal feeling is the Wolves need Lopez or Love and if you get one of those guys with Al Jefferson, you have a frontcourt advantage against many teams. Most teams have 1 good frontcourt player, few have 2.

I don't want Mayo because I think McCants can be a good starting SG.

Get a Love or Jefferson, and they're going to cause major havoc down low, Foye and McCants are both 40% 3 pt shooters and getting open shots.

Re-sign Gomes and you have a 3rd 3 point threat and a very physical SF/PF/C trio.

Telfair can go, Craig Smith maybe keep if the price is right, Chris Richard I'd like to keep too, Snyder can go too.

I'm fine with the core. If Foye is healthy all year last year, I think we win 30+ games and thats with our PF at C and our SF at PF.

Gomes for sure keep though. Thats my prerogative

[IcemanMN]

My personal feeling is the Wolves need Lopez or Love and if you get one of those guys with Al Jefferson, you have a frontcourt advantage against many teams. Most teams have 1 good frontcourt player, few have 2.

I don't want Mayo because I think McCants can be a good starting SG.

Get a Love or Jefferson, and they're going to cause major havoc down low, Foye and McCants are both 40% 3 pt shooters and getting open shots.

I think McHale agrees with you (I think you meant to say Get a Love or Lopez). If we go this route we are trading down to the 5-10 range. How low can we go, and do you have a trade in mind?

[Devilzsidewalk]

yea, I meant get Lopez or Love,

I wouldn't trade down too far because the draft is too volatile after the first 2. Seattle would be nice if they crave Mayo because Wolves could pick up their #24 or maybe swing Walker for Wilcox or something like that.

Of course, you don't hold much power trading 1 spot down

[draftnik12]

So here is what I have so far...

Gomes - Must sign him to a deal. Can play both forward positions and will be included in a rotation with Al, Gomes, and Brewer at the forward positions.

Telfair - He is a solid PG, but depending on the draft he may or may not be back simply because they already have Foye, McCants, and others under contract (perhaps trade McCants for a center if they select Mayo?)

Richard - He is an inexpensive backup PF/CN who will likely be back if there is a roster spot for him. Still eligible for the D-League if needed to be dropped down. Likely a career 3rd stringer. They'll keep one between Smith and Richard.

Smith - Hard to see how he fits in the picture with lots of forwards already under contract. He is a favorite, but Smith will garner some interest in the open market and if someone gives him a decent offer, he is expendable.

Snyder - Not a whole lot of love for Kirk. He is the most likely player to leave simply because the Wolves have a lot of wings already under contract who are as good or better then him. He can play, but like Smith is likely the odd man out of the picture.

Thoughts?

[deeney0]

Don't overpay for anyone. I'd keep all of them for the right price. But $5mil/year for Gomes is too much. If someone else offers that and we match, I will be disappointed. I disagree that he can play both forward spots - he got his ass handed to him by bigger PF's, Gomes needs to spend the bulk of his minutes at SF.