Players we shouldn't trade for under ANY circumstances

[Krapinsky]

I think Dr. K's list is pretty good (with MN Die Hard's caveat that you never say never). I would add Jermaine O'neal to this list (category 2?).

You know, you're probably right about O'Neal, but for me he's the one guy I'd consider. He's only 29, he plays C, he's a defensive player first. If (BIG if) the guy could stay healthy he'd be a game changer. I also think the Wolves lineup just gets so much better if Al can slide down and Gomes can come off the bench or play the three.

First, O'neal would have to opt out, and then it would have to be a reasonable sign and trade. Then I'd offer Miami and Boston's picks plus expirings.

O'neal/O'Bryant or Dorsey
Jefferson/Richard/Gomes
Gomes/Brewer/Jaric
Foye/McCants
Rose/Foye

If O'Neal stayed healthy AND we got Rose, couldn't this team compete for home field in the first round? Is Utah's lineup that much better?

[4ho5ive]

1.Jermaine O'Neal vs Mehmet Okur

Okur's shooting is more valuable than JO's ability to play 20 games a year. If JO stays healthy its a different convo.

Winner-Okur

2. Al Jefferson vs. Carlos Boozer

Jefferson probably has the better footwork. But Boozer has the chemistry with his PG and plays a bit better defensively. Not to mention he's more polished than Jefferson

Winner-Boozer by a slim margin

3. Ryan Gomes vs. Ivan Drago

AK's game has taken a big turn for the worse this season. He isnt the game changing athletic super defender he was 2 years ago. They are both tweeners but Gomes' ability to be so consistent wins in my book

Winner-Gomes

4. Randy Foye vs. Ronnie Brewer

I dont know a whole lot about Brewer. Im pretty sure he is more athletic than Foye and im almost 100% sure he is bigger than Foye by about 3-4 inches. That said, Foye can be a game changer, im not so sure I can say that about Brewer. I would take Foye simply bacause of his ability to attack the basket and his outside shooting has been remarkably better than usual

Winner-Foye

5. Derrick Rose* vs. Deron Williams

Deron Williams, plain and simple. Rose is a rookie, we cant ask him to play at Williams' level

Winner-Williams

I would say that if this indeed took place (getting JO and Rose) we would be much improved, but still not good enough for a top 4 seed, especially in the west. Nor could we take the division from Utah.

[JMillott]

I would've thought that Wolves fans would be pretty aware of what they have in Rashard McCants, the guy is a middle of the pack SG as a starter but a very effective 6th man because he has the talent to impact games in short minutes as a scorer.

He is very much like a player you had back in the day, Anthony Peeler. If he moves into being a fulltime starter he isn't going to match his PER 40 minute production because he isn't going to be the #1 or #2 option the way he is coming off the bench as an instint offense guy.

He is perfect for the role that Wittman has kept him in all season in playing 25/30 minutes a night as a sixth man. He is the kind of sixth man that many teams would kill for.

I would think if you guys were to re-sign Telfair for what he is worth as a back up PG that the Wolves will be fine at guard.

PG Foye/Telfair/Jaric
SG Brewer/McCants/Jaric

When you need to put some points on the board to close out quarters you send in McCants and depending on match ups you either slide Brewer to SF and Gomes to PF to play small or they can rest one of them and go big.

I personally think that they should try to deal the pick for an Emeka Okafor if possible or trade back in the draft and try and pick up a Joakim Noah from the Bulls with an eye towards grabbing Anthony Randolph or Kevin Love.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I want McCants and Foye both starting because that gives us good 3 point shooters around Al and they can both take it to the rack a bit.

Defense needs to improve and McCants needs to stop being so reluctant to move the ball, but I feel good about that combination.

[Worm Guts]

-= original quote snipped =-



I think we all agree that the Wolves wont trade expirings for big contracts this year. However, keep in mind that the cap space you keep referencing might be fools gold. Having cap space doesnt guarantee we'll get a prized free agent as MN is not a coveted destination. We might have no other choice but to trade for a guy rather than hope to sign one.

Also, I'm not sure where you're coming up with two #1 picks - how would acquiring Redd or Jefferson, etc, cost us two #1 picks?

Having cap space allows the Wolves to take back more salary in trade than it gives out. Cap space has value both in signing free agent and for making trades.

[4ho5ive]

I would've thought that Wolves fans would be pretty aware of what they have in Rashard McCants, the guy is a middle of the pack SG as a starter but a very effective 6th man because he has the talent to impact games in short minutes as a scorer.

He is very much like a player you had back in the day, Anthony Peeler. If he moves into being a fulltime starter he isn't going to match his PER 40 minute production because he isn't going to be the #1 or #2 option the way he is coming off the bench as an instint offense guy.

He is perfect for the role that Wittman has kept him in all season in playing 25/30 minutes a night as a sixth man. He is the kind of sixth man that many teams would kill for.

I would think if you guys were to re-sign Telfair for what he is worth as a back up PG that the Wolves will be fine at guard.

PG Foye/Telfair/Jaric
SG Brewer/McCants/Jaric

When you need to put some points on the board to close out quarters you send in McCants and depending on match ups you either slide Brewer to SF and Gomes to PF to play small or they can rest one of them and go big.

I personally think that they should try to deal the pick for an Emeka Okafor if possible or trade back in the draft and try and pick up a Joakim Noah from the Bulls with an eye towards grabbing Anthony Randolph or Kevin Love.

Thats all great. But the problem here is that general consensus says McCants does not want to accept that 6th man role. If he would than great, but he has an arrogance to him that hurts him about as much as it helps him, maybe even more.

[Klomp]

Who's Rashard McCants?