Al Jefferson

[Balkman32]

The T-Wolves signed Darko and Nikola Pekovic today and Jefferson requested a trade. He is on the books for $13, $14, and $15 million over the next three seasons. So it would be a 3 year $42 million deal. Jefferson would be a great asset to move into the PF position. @ thoes numbers he is the cheepest out of the big 4 free agents (Bosh, Amare, Boozer, and Lee), and he is only 25 yrs. I would be very suprised in Khan moved him within the division. But, he would be an nice addition to the team.

[slick_watts]

There is a discussion about this going on in the 'Starting PF' thread that you created...

[Balkman32]

Its half way down the message board. Plus, the topic here is JUST Big Al. Not all PF's, I understand that this would fit in this category. But, I thouhg Big Al deserved his OWN thread since both Darko and Pekovic have signed.

Rumor - Big Al is being shoped to Knicks and Griz.

Rudy Gay has signed an extention with the Griz...

[wiff]

Sweet I was hoping Al Jeff was going to get his OWN thread. Next I hope Chris Bosh gets his OWN thread too.

Then maybe if we are lucky David Lee and Carlos Boozer can get their OWN threads. And then we can get rid of the PF thread.

[Clangus]

Dont be jerks you two. Its not like we are cramped for space.

I think I am in the minority here, but I would LOVE to get Big AL.
-Hard woker
-Great attitude and locker room guy.
-Great arsenal of low post moves.
-Strong as an ox
-Compliments KD's perimeter game almost perfectly.

And if we have to give up Harden to do it? Sux but worth it IMO. (I'd prefer to give up Green though)

[Hobes]

If all we have to give up is either Harden or Green, I'd do it in a heartbeat. He's a fantastic guy who would fit in nicely to the teams overall chemistry. He's also been in the league quite a while now, yet is still only 25. He can be our long-term solution at PF.

Like Clangus said, the kid is damn strong (definitely need interior toughness), has a great personality, and will rebound anything within reach.

Get it done Presti!

[slick_watts]

The only concerns I'd have about Jefferson are:

- His scoring efficiency hasn't been good in awhile. Even in his two good Minny years, he struggled to get to the line much and his TS% wasn't so hot.

- I have questions about his passing ability. He might be a ball stopper.

The Wolves wouldn't want Jeff Green now because of their glut but Harden + scraps might get it done. I'm still wary of that, though. Harden's one of our only decent ball handlers.

[dream_catcher_9]

Keep Harden, and have a 1/2 combo of Green/Ibaka at the 4.

[Hobes]

The only concerns I'd have about Jefferson are:

- His scoring efficiency hasn't been good in awhile. Even in his two good Minny years, he struggled to get to the line much and his TS% wasn't so hot.

Could you put that down to him playing on a terrible team though? The offense is almost force fed through him. With Durant/Russ on the team, he's going to be the 3rd option. That means he'll be getting better quality looks and less opportunities. I tend to think players score more efficiently when they have to make the most of the touches they are given.

[slick_watts]

I hear that argument a lot about Jefferson. But here's some food for thought on it.

Since coming to Minnesota, Jefferson has averaged 17.8 FGA/36 and 4.6 FTA/36. Here are a list of players 6'9" or taller in the last ten years who got to the line less than Big Al while shooting as much as he did:

Charlie Villanueva 2008-2009
Chris Webber 2004-2005

That's it. Even if you relax the critera to include his numbers from his good years, or his career numbers, you get the same types of players. This tells me he's highly prone to forcing up tough shots rather than get to the line. Acquiring Jefferson would mean you must have faith this would change playing next to a player like Kevin Durant. But it's far from a certainty.

[Clangus]

the lack of free throws is a concern for sure, but watching him I believe its because his post moves are so good he either gets himself away from the D OR he gets the D out of position, I tihnk with the arsenal of moves he has it would only be a slight change of technique of focus and he'd be very good at getting to the line. However, it would be unwise to get a guy in the hope he changes his style of play, especialyl when he's been in the league so ling.

I think playing off Westbrook and KD he'll improve alot effeciency wise, as he should get better looks, - but while i think he has the ability to earn more free throws i dont sign him hoping that is the case.

I really like him on our side. But as i have said before, it seems presti is commited to creating the team through the draft,.

[wiff]

Dont be jerks you two.

A jerk is a tug,
a tug is a boat,
a boat goes on water,
water is nature,
nature is beautiful,
thank you for calling me beautiful Clangus.

All things considered with Big Al, as in contract size and length, injury history, lack of efficiency, not really known for his "D" and I feel pretty meh about him.

Sure he has a nice post game and rebounds fairly well. But he's known to be a bit of a black hole.

He might help but honestly I'd rather hang on to Harden, and let Ibaka start and see what happens. If Al Jeff is available at the deadline pull the trigger then if he looks to be the best answer. But I still want to see more of Harden and Ibaka before I trade one away and shelf the other for the next three seasons.

By the way Big Al recently got dinged for drinking and driving.

[Clangus]

Dont be jerks you two.

A jerk is a tug,
a tug is a boat,
a boat goes on water,
water is nature,
nature is beautiful,
thank you for calling me beautiful Clangus.

That made sense until the boat goes on water. So in effect your logic mean I called you a boat - because a boat is not made of water, it just goes on water -so you go on water...blah blah blah

You should have gone with

a boat is made of wood
Wood from trees
trees are nature

etc
etc

[Ontario]

For me the question is can Ibaka reach what I believe is a high level of potential, while playing the 5 instead of the 4? Jefferson & Ibaka on the floor together would be great and I love Harden but Daquaen Cook alleviates some of his outside shooting duties.

Westbrook, Maynor
Sefalosha, Cook
Durant, Peterson
Jefferson, Green
Ibaka, Krstic, Aldrich

I'd still like to find Green 30 minutes a night with the sixth man role and primary scorer off the bench.

[DizzyDai]

Personally, I don't think Jefferson is athletic enough to draw Presti's interest. That's just my opinion though. I feel Jefferson would be a hell of a player in a slower half court setting, not that OKC is a run-and-gun team by any means.

[The J Rocka]

Would you guys like to have Love instead?

[BIG EDDIE]

Would you guys like to have Love instead?

Yes, please!

[Blasphemy]

Jeff Green + future 1st for Al Jeff?

does that work since the Thunder are under the cap?

Russ
Harden
KD
Al Jeff
Cole

[prefuse73]

Twolve fan trolling...


I think our goal would be to get Harden and Expirings for Al. We may even put in Ellington due to the log jam it would create. Since getting Beasley (presumably) and believing he is best as a PF, I think we are more open to dealing Love. A Love-Harden swap would be nice and easy, However, I think Al Jefferson fits the team better.

You guys are now a solid playoff team. In the playoffs, Big Al's post scoring is invaluable as the games slow down and half court execution becomes paramount. With Aldrich and Ibaka, you will always have a strong defender next to him.

Youre right about trading within the division. It would suck to see Big Al back in Minny post up 20/10 on us but for Harden, it may be worth it.

OKC (imo)
Aldrich / Jefferson / Kristic
Jefferson / Ibaka / Green
Durant / Green
Sefalosha / Cook
Westrbook / Maynor

Minnesota becomes even younger, but full of proverbial POTENTIAL.

Darko / Pekovic
Beasley / Love
Johnson / Webster / Beasley
Harden / Brewer
Flynn / Sessions

[Colossus]

Youre right about trading within the division. It would suck to see Big Al back in Minny post up 20/10 on us but for Harden, it may be worth it.

OKC (imo)
Aldrich / Jefferson / Kristic
Jefferson / Ibaka / Green
Durant / Green
Sefalosha / Cook
Westrbook / Maynor

Yeah I don't see them trading Harden, they want him to start eventually next to Westbrook.. Thabo can't shoot and that hurt them against the Lakers badly.