A few questions for you all... and a thanks!

[Danimals]

1. Most of us agree that we need a true, defensive center as our third big. Who are these guys we want? The only upcoming FAs that might fit the description all seem too old. Is there anyone we could get in a trade? Or do we need to get someone in the upcoming draft? What do you want to see the Wolves do to get us that 3rd big, and why?

-Personally I would like to draft Aldrich or Alabi if we can get them at at a good value. If not, I would be open to a trade for a one year over-priced rental if we get another asset as well. Maybe- Dalembert and a 1st for expirings or something similar. My last option is FA. Everyone seems to old for us.

2.Do you think we need an athletic forward to back up both the 3 and 4? Is there someone who we should target in the draft? Or maybe make a trade for? What do you think of Jeff Green? Do we need someone more athletic than him?

3. Do you see any value in bringing in veterans to help our young core learn how to win? Do you want to see us make a big splash at the deadline or this summer and make a run at the playoffs next year? Or should we be looking to get another lottery pick next year before we have to give that pick to LAC?

-I'd like to see us trade our cap space this summer for a productive vet who will expire after next year. Then get two top ten picks this year.(Turner/Henry/Johnson and Aldrich) Finally sign one or two value FAs with our exceptions. Next year our goal would be to make the playoffs and get valuable experience for our young core.

4. Do you want to see Brewer play the 2 or 3? Who should we draft that will fit perfectly next to him? Do you think he can do everything he does now coming off the bench? What player does he most remind you of, best case and worst case?


Just wanted to say thanks for all the great discussion on here. I live near L.A. and I have absolutely no one to talk Wolves with. I get plenty of Laker talk, but I get so sick of Lakers fans who don't know anything about basketball(not that I know everything). They are definately not all like that, but there are so many people who just like the Lakers because its the cool thing to do and not because they like the game itself. Its so refreshing to read posts by true fans of basketball. So thanks guys for keeping me connected to Minny.

[Ojmayo]

1) Haywood, or Przybilla.

Solomon Alabi looks like a complete bust.
Alrich is alright.

2)Oh yes. Jeff Green would be perfect.

3)Yeah, I think we need a real veteran who knows how to win. Yes, we should make a huge splash during summer.
-No one should be on the safe sheet.

We're not working with this crew.

4)The two.

[Slum_Dillinger]

1. If we are dead set on finding a defensive presence as our 3rd big than you have to consider the fact that one of Love/Jefferson/Peks needs to be traded, probably opening up our trade options to more than just the Dalemberts of the world. Haywood is a defensive 3rd option we can grab in FA. He is 30, so I would only sign him if the price was really right, but other than that, we either wait to see what happens with Peks or we deal one of the 3 bigs and get one in return.

2. I think we need an athletic forward to start. Im not worried about filling in our back up positions when we still need a star/starter at the 2 and 3. Jeff Green is a favorite among some here, but he is considered a core piece in Not Seattle, so he would probably be difficult to obtain. Draft is probably the best place to find a guy, though I HOPE we do something with our capspace be it trade or FA.

3. Veterans at the right price, absolutely. Im not willing to overpay old veterans that will require heavy minutes and starting positions. I dont think we should be thinking playoffs next year. I think we still have at least another 2 years before we might sniff an 8th seed. Might. Again, whether deadline or summer, im hoping the capspace is used somehow.

4. Brewer has been impressive as of late. but im still not sold on his ability to start long term. I dont think we should trying to find the perfect mate for Brewer, I think we should find our (hopefully) star wing and build around that guy. If Brewer fits with him, great. If he doesnt, Brew off the bench as a fire starter/hustle player works good too.

I too live in So Cal. I hate it as far as basketball talk goes. All through High School i couldnt wear my damn KG jersey without being bombarded with idiots making up rumors about him coming to LA every year. Now if I wear my Wolves shirts I get **** about Rubio never playing for us and Mayo being the next Jesus, which is just a step below Kobe, the next God. I love battling Laker fans though. It always presents a challenging debate. Most know nothing.

[shangrila]

1.Aldrich or Alabi in the draft, maybe take on Dalemburt if it gets a young asset. Otherwise just roll with Hollins for me. He's raw yes but he's played more minutes in this season already then he had in all of his previous years combined.

I want to sign Pekovic as well, just to see how he does.

2.I think they need an athletic 3 period. Wesley Johnson or Al-Farouq Aminu look good in the draft. Although if you're just looking for a backup Damion James shouldn't be hard to get and would fit what you're talking about. BTW, I'd take Jeff Green if he were offered. But he won't be offered.

3.Not really. If vets are brought in I'd rather they be good role players. That way they can help the team through practice and bit parts on the court but not hinder the develop of any of the younger players. For example, Damien Wilkins getting resigned could be a good pickup as he's a decent veteran and plays a role off the bench.

I really don't want to see them make some deal at the deadline either. This team is going to suck and for the players that are available (Arenas, Butler, McGrady) it's not worth selling the future for a few useless wins now.

4.If he can't do the things off the bench then he should be moved. I'll say he should be playing shooting guard because he's got the quickness and his length should be disruptive. As for someone who should play next to him, a scorer would be nice. Maybe a Rudy Gay, Evan Turner or Xavier Henry. But if you're looking for the bare bones of someone that could succeed next to him then it'd just be a shooter.

[No_Pressure]

1. Aldrich will be too expensive on a draft night, and it'll be better to draft guys like Turner, Johnson or... Wall with our pick. Alabi in middle/late first round will be solid. And yeah, don't give up Hollins! His game is still disappointing, but I truly believe, and I may be wrong. All of FA's are too old or won't help.
Don't think Pekovic will be good enough.

2. No for Green. Athletic wingman - yes, but not Green.

3. Developing our young core is the question of mainly importance, if vets can help in it by not taking their PT and shots. Our loosing will continue one more season at least, and picking some Old-Old Al-Stars isn't a great idea.

4. I am for starting Ellington on 2 right now. Brew on 3 or off bench. Rambis should bench him, when he takes more shots, than Al and defends worse, than Gomes. That happens.

[Dewey]

My Answers to #1 and #2 ... use the draft late round 1 or round 2.

My Answer to #3 ... I'm not big believer in the "learning how to win" theory. IMO it's an excuse for those (players/teams) who are not good enough. Some teams need to develop chemistry, but that's the limit for my sympathies. If you want a FA, get one that you believe will fit and can play, or don't waste the time and energy. Period.

My Answer to #4 ... I'm a big Brewer guy, but we are not building around him. We are building a team and we still need to identify the best players available - regardless their position. At this time, Love and/or Jefferson may be the only players I'm looking to build around. Not sold on Flynn and would package him up.

[C.lupus]

1. I think we need a defensive 3rd big but I don’t think it is as pressing a need as help on the wings. That said I like the idea of getting Przybilla through free agency or find one in the draft. Aldrich would be the top option there if better wing/backcourt options were off the board (Wall, Turner, Henry, etc.) OR if we traded up for a second top-ten pick. Greg Monroe might be a good later pick up. I'd be OK with Hollins for another year also if there weren't any better options.

2. I’m not all that concerned about backing up the 4. If we get a third big, then the 4 is covered by Love and Jefferson. We definitely need help at the 3. Athleticism is good, of course but I think we just need the best talent available that can score and defend.

3. I’d love to get a couple vets. Not sure exactly who at this point. I wouldn’t be opposed to taking on Dalembert’s salary if we could get Iggy in the process but that doesn’t seem very likely.

4. I think Brewer needs to play next to a scorer, either at the 3 next to a Xavier Henry or at the 2 next to an Iggy. I don’t think we need to be concerned about building around Brewer, though. Make him fit next to what we acquire or trade him if he doesn’t.

[Danimals]

Great responses.

1. Somehow I forgot about Pryzbilla. He and Aldrich are my top two choices as our third big. I want Hollins to get fourth big minutes. Can Ryan play the 4 at all? Is there any way we can trade for Pryz?

2. As to our SF. I really want a guy with size, length, and quickness. We need to stop penetration. I only get to watch very little basketball and no college ball at all. Ideally I want a 6'8'' or taller SF with range. I also believe we need guys who can play off the ball since we have Flynn and Rubio. Who can we draft that is not a ball-dominant wing with size and range?

3. I really like the idea of vet role players, like Wilkins. I also think it is extremely important to have hyper competetive vets to push and challenge our young pups. Do we see anyone out their who fits and could be brought in cheap?

4. I know we are not building around Brewer. He just seems to have so much potential and always on the verge of putting it together. When I look at him I can't help but envisioning him filling the Pippen role, but he needs to develop so much more to get anywhere near that. I hope he explodes when he gets next to a real alpha dog wing. I guess thats what I meant when I asked who fits with him. Is there a wing out there who can be Corey's Batman?

5. Like I said before I get to watch very little basketball. So, have we seen this line-up at all?

Flynn-Sessions
Ellington-Brewer-Wilkins
Brewer-Gomes-Wilkins
Love-Gomes-
Jefferson-Hollins-Jawai

What do you see as our most effective lineups or rotations?

[Ojmayo]

^

Flynn
Ellington
Brewer
Love
Jefferson

This would make us an undersized team in practically every position. I, however, prefer this line-up over our current one. Wilkins sucks.

[the_bruce]

1. Draft or hollins
e.g. whomever we can pickup with CHA pick, if we don't move up.

2. Trade for a young 3/4 not getting any burn
e.g. My boy Earl Clark for CHA pick or something

3. No vets unless its a 2 year deal which helps us move up in the draft.
e.g. Dally + pick for Expirings + utah pick

4. Brewer is neither imo. His handle to weak for either position. I'd peg him as a 2 now.

[GopherIt!]

4ho & Danimals where in L.A. do you guys live?

[Slum_Dillinger]

I dont live in LA anymore. Im IE based.

[skorff26]

1. I wouldn't mind Cole Aldrich but unless we start winning more, I'd prefer to go in another route.

-I would love to get Haywood if we could in free agency.

-I wouldn't be opposed to Philly's pick + Dally, I think Dally could do decent here

-Most realistic IMO and what I think we should do is pick one up later in the draft, if Aldrich falls, Alabi's been mentioned (don't know much about him), Larry Sanders (haven't seen him much but he's supposedly a defensive beast, and might be my choice), maybe Monroe (don't think he's a big defensive guy, but he may be too good to pass up), maybe the Radford guy later on, or a few of the other big men that have been mentioned their

2. I think we will end up with Turner (if not him Aminu) in the draft. I also think we'll keep Gomes and have him back up Love and Turner at the 3/4. I don't think we'll pick up anyone (maybe Gay, but that's the only possibility, I think we'll only go after Gay if we don't get Turner and someone else falls rather then Aminu). I could see us drafting someone in the 2nd round as a 3/4 hybrid type player as well

3. I don't think we need many vets, maybe one or two (Madsen/Cardinal type players). That's what the coaching staff is there for, to help develop the young core.
The only way I want us to make a big splash at the deadline is to get a probable high draft pick + 2011 expiring for our 2010 expiring contracts. There hasn't really been anyone mentioned in a trade (other then Paul) that would push our team over the top, I'd rather have 2 high draft picks, add them to our core, develop them, and go for a top player in FA/trade in 2011 that would compliment our existing core.

4. Right now I'd wait and see. I think he would fit in nicely as a 2nd or 3rd wing player and that we shouldn't limit our 1st choice by having Brewer penciled in at one of the spots. I think he'll pull it together even more later in the year (he's also coming back from a knee injury) and will solidify himself as one of our starting wings next year.

[Narf]

Just my opinion, but we don't need a true, defensive, monster center. If that was as important as it is made out to be on this board, Portland would be better than they are. What we need is a 3rd good big to rotate through. Pekovic might well be that guy. Remind me again which "defensive stopper" stopped Al Jefferson last year? Dwight Howard sure didn't. Yao sure didn't. Pryzbilla didn't. What you need is a guy in the middle that's better against his man than his man is against him. How they are better doesn't matter.

[Danimals]

I live in Pomona. Its ugly.

[revprodeji]

I am not going to read other people's answers but just add my own.

1.) I want a 3rd big that is starter worthy. I think the athletic thing is overrated. I just want a 3rd big to limit minutes to the first 2. I think Pekovic could be that guy. With the exception of a trade I think the best way to go would be to bring Pekovic over and then use the Char pick on one of the bigs that are available in the 10-20 range. (DonT, Aldrich if he falls, Udoh, Cousins, Sanders, Alabi, Patterson, Monroe, Robinson, Ebanks--not in that order--just showing you the depth). I do not see the value in free agency and in a trade we would need to take on crazy cash (Dally). Pekovic is great value.

2.) Once again the Char pick could be the interesting spot. If we are confident in our center/4 spot via Al/Love/Pek then maybe a 3/4 like DonT, Patterson, Robinson, Ebanks is the answer? Jeff Green is a starter.

The 3/4 off the bench hybrid became popular with Boston as James posey running with the second unit. I think if we want that kind of player then Gomes off the bench in that role is perfect for him and us. We need a legit offensive starter first before we start clogging bench spots.

3.) We have an amazing coaching staff, so the need for a token vet is not as much. I would want someone that can be effective with the team as the players age and Rubio comes over. 28 or so is kind of my ceiling for that reason. I want to contend for a playoff spot next year. I think this year is our tipping point from an asset standpoint, but also a fan standpoint. We need to have some success to keep the core group of fans, but also to encourage Rubio to come over.

4.) No difference in the triangle offense between the 2 and 3. Most coaches that teach a motion-based system will use the term "wing" for this reason. The perfect fit for Brewer would be a smart offensive player. Turner is likely a perfect fit for the triangle and for Flynn as well. I think a player like Brewer is emotional and best served in the starting line-up. I think if he can be the 5th option on offense and score off hustle, spot up, and fast break he will be effective. He will benefit with more playmakers around him.

[Danimals]

Thanks for the responses guys. I like getting a feel for the direction and the destination you all see for our team. I have a couple more questions...

1. I really like Turner and I know he would be a great fit in our offense next to Love and Brewer. Do you see him as a player who could elevate the games of Jefferson and Flynn? What about when Rubio gets here? Can Turner be effective enough shooting the three to help our spacing?

2. Do you think we should consider how guys will fit with Flynn or Rubio as we go forward? They both seem to be ball dominant. Does that mean we should look for guys with great ability to play off the ball? Specifically guys who can shoot? I've heard Johnson plays well off the ball, is that true? Is he a better fit than Turner then?

3. Are questions of fit irrelavent at this point? Should we always go after the better player and then adjust to them? Should us running elements of the triangle have any effect on our picks or FAs?

Now a couple comments of my own.

I'd like to see us keep both Sessions and Gomes. Then draft two players this year, one wing and one big. I'd like to bring Pekovic over as cheaply as possible on a 3 year deal. This all leaves us with some cap space. I'd like to make a couple value signings and trade the rest for 2011 expirings. I'd like to see a lineup something like this next year:
Flynn/Sessions
(Turner or Johnson)/Ellington/(FA)
Brewer/Gomes/(FA)
Love/(2nd pick)/(FA)
Jefferson/Pekovic/Hollins

Some of the lesser FAs I'd be interested on the cheap are: J.Childress, T.Thomas, L.Kleiza, A.Morrow, K.Azubuike, C.Hayes, C.Landry, C.Smith, J.Alexander, H.Warrick, J.J.Redick, L.Amundson, T.Outlaw, R.Brewer, and K.Korver- all only on short value based contracts, like Gomes and Sessions.

I just think there are so many positive possibilities going forward. As bad as we are now, I'm very excited to be a Wolves fan.

[Krapinsky]

1. re Turner -- I'm pretty confident he'll develop an outside shot. It would be incredibly rare for a guy with his size and his handles not to. Not a concern in my opinion.

2. re fitting with Flynn or Rubio -- I think we should look for guys that will fit with whatever Rambis wants to do, and thus, as you mentioned a ball dominant point guard isn't a good fit. It's too early to judge Flynn int his capacity but Rubio, if you've got a chance to see any of his games, is not ball dominant at all. He doesn't waste a dribble and keeps the ball moving. People may assume that he's ball dominant because he's so good with it you always want it in his hands. As of right now, anyone who can shoot would help our offense, so Henry or Johnson are obvious fits after Turner.

3. I think i answered this in 2, but going into next year, I would hope Kahn will be trying to make a team that fits with what we want to do and everything points to that coming to fruition. Between now and the summer fit isn't a concern as much as collecting assets and getitng the best players we can. As long as we maintain roster flexibility we'll be able to maximize our assets and get players that fit with Kahn's vision.

4. Misc --
I'm not attached to Sessions or Gomes or Brewer. I view both all as assets (Brewer not as much) and am happy to move them in the right deal. As for your list of FA's, I would be very frustrated if all we got out of free agency were Pekovic and players on that list. If that's what it comes down to, I would sooner keep the cap space and look to use it to acquire future assets until we finally can make a move for a more established player. None of those players are going to add more than 2 or 3 wins to a team and for the most part are interchangeable as 7th-9th guys off the bench (save Alexander, he should be out of the league).

I agree it is exciting times. Great time to be a Wolves fan.

[Slum_Dillinger]

I live in Pomona. Its ugly.

Wait wait wait, Wolves fan in Pomona? Good lord.

[Worm Guts]

I am not going to read other people's answers but just add my own.

1.) I want a 3rd big that is starter worthy. I think the athletic thing is overrated. I just want a 3rd big to limit minutes to the first 2. I think Pekovic could be that guy. With the exception of a trade I think the best way to go would be to bring Pekovic over and then use the Char pick on one of the bigs that are available in the 10-20 range. (DonT, Aldrich if he falls, Udoh, Cousins, Sanders, Alabi, Patterson, Monroe, Robinson, Ebanks--not in that order--just showing you the depth). I do not see the value in free agency and in a trade we would need to take on crazy cash (Dally). Pekovic is great value.

2.) Once again the Char pick could be the interesting spot. If we are confident in our center/4 spot via Al/Love/Pek then maybe a 3/4 like DonT, Patterson, Robinson, Ebanks is the answer? Jeff Green is a starter.

The 3/4 off the bench hybrid became popular with Boston as James posey running with the second unit. I think if we want that kind of player then Gomes off the bench in that role is perfect for him and us. We need a legit offensive starter first before we start clogging bench spots.

I think would be tough to get playing time for another big if we bring over Pekovic. Maybe Alabi works as a project, but guys like Patterson and Monroe would have a tough time fitting as they're both offensive minded bigs. I love Patterson, but he's a 4 with a jumpshot, not a 3 in any way.