Kevin Love Free Agency/Trade Thread

[Klomp]

If Dieng is that good to supplant Pek, I would think he would get a large bulk of the minutes. I just think Dieng and Pek on the floor at the same time could be spectacular.

Who starts isn't always about who the best five players are, its who fits the best together.

Just because someone comes off the bench doesn't necessarily mean he's worse than the guy starting ahead of him, just that he better fits the role of coming off the bench. Manu Ginobili is a perfect example of that, and he and Danny Green had a near 50-50 split of their minutes this year. That's the type of rotation I could see with Dieng starting and Pekovic off the bench.

[Klomp]

There's no doubt Dieng could play PF next to Pek imo. Especially if Joerger is hired. Just get a PF in the draft/Love trade and you can go for a 3-man rotation + occasional Turiaf.

Dieng and Pek could maybe play together for 5-10 minutes a game, but lets be real, they would not be a great tandem if getting the bulk of the minutes. The absolute extreme limit on their jumpers is the free throw line. Teams would pack the paint all game long.

[Grits n Gravy]

I think Dieng can definitely start at the 4. You see how well Splitter and Duncan play with each other because both are terrific passers(see splitters passing in game 2 - wow) and can play at the high or low post. I can see Dieng being that terrific high post player as he's a great passer and mid range shooter. Get Vonleh(or whoever we get for Love) and you have your 3 man roatation that compliments each other well.

[karch34]

Do you guys see any scenerios where we can make Love stay? Or is it just a matter of time before he's traded?

I think it's still a possibility. As far as scenarios that we could plausibly lay out I'm not sure what would do it, what's really plausible, or what would move the needle enough in Love's mind.

The trap there is a repeat of last season when we spent a lot on Martin, brewer, and Budinger. While it was an upgrade: had our best season in many years, and probably would've made the playoffs if we got any consistent bench production....the upgrade wasn't enough. With our cap being what it is the moves are limited and might just be a shuffling of talent that could net the same. The trap is winding up like Cleveland after LeBron left and being stuck with a lot of win-now pieces that are now just bad.

Probably being a little fatalistic as I think even with major shuffling we'd still have some good pieces, but i see a downside with it too.

[Takingbaconback]

There's no doubt Dieng could play PF next to Pek imo. Especially if Joerger is hired. Just get a PF in the draft/Love trade and you can go for a 3-man rotation + occasional Turiaf.

Dieng and Pek could maybe play together for 5-10 minutes a game, but lets be real, they would not be a great tandem if getting the bulk of the minutes. The absolute extreme limit on their jumpers is the free throw line. Teams would pack the paint all game long.

That's true, it all really depends on how much Dieng can stretch his role but most likely it isn't happening. I just think it is an extremely intriguing pairing and would be cool to test Dieng during the offseason. Just excited about the Grizzlies coaching hiring and possibly the insight he could bring to the big men here.

[Klomp]

I think Dieng can definitely start at the 4. You see how well Splitter and Duncan play with each other because both are terrific passers(see splitters passing in game 2 - wow) and can play at the high or low post. I can see Dieng being that terrific high post player as he's a great passer and mid range shooter.

Key word being both.

Pekovic is not comfortable in the high post, nor is he even a good passer in either the low or high post areas. That's a big reason why it wouldn't work.

[Takingbaconback]

I think Dieng can definitely start at the 4. You see how well Splitter and Duncan play with each other because both are terrific passers(see splitters passing in game 2 - wow) and can play at the high or low post. I can see Dieng being that terrific high post player as he's a great passer and mid range shooter. Get Vonleh(or whoever we get for Love) and you have your 3 man roatation that compliments each other well.

If that plan were to work, I think the best move would be to get Thompson and Lee then draft McDermott

Rubio/Thompson/McDermott/Dieng/Pek

All very intelligent guys who give their all

David Lee would be a great addition to the bench too. Very overpaid but still, might as well play him for 2 years if tied with his salary...

[Grits n Gravy]

I think Dieng can definitely start at the 4. You see how well Splitter and Duncan play with each other because both are terrific passers(see splitters passing in game 2 - wow) and can play at the high or low post. I can see Dieng being that terrific high post player as he's a great passer and mid range shooter.

Key word being both.

Pekovic is not comfortable in the high post, nor is he even a good passer in either the low or high post areas. That's a big reason why it wouldn't work.

Washington plays well with Gortat and Nene, neither of those guys have much better range than Dieng or are great passers. Dieng shot something like 60%+ from 16 feet in college I think and looked good in his first season from there. Guys like David West, Zach Randolph, Carlos Boozer. Anthony Davus, John Henson, Keneth Faried etc don't have a lot more range or are great passers. A lot of Power Forwards are effectively Centers as far as range, mobility and passing are concerned.

[Takingbaconback]

I think Dieng can definitely start at the 4. You see how well Splitter and Duncan play with each other because both are terrific passers(see splitters passing in game 2 - wow) and can play at the high or low post. I can see Dieng being that terrific high post player as he's a great passer and mid range shooter.

Key word being both.

Pekovic is not comfortable in the high post, nor is he even a good passer in either the low or high post areas. That's a big reason why it wouldn't work.

Washington plays well with Gortat and Nene, neither of those guys have much better range than Dieng or are great passers. Dieng shot something like 60%+ from 16 feet in college I think and looked good in his first season from there. Guys like David West, Zach Randolph, Carlos Boozer. Anthony Davus, John Henson, Keneth Faried etc don't have a lot more range or are great passers. A lot of Power Forwards are effectively Centers as far as range, mobility and passing are concerned.

Add Monroe and Drummond to the list. However I do worry about Dieng's mobility. He is very very fluid for a center but how quick can he move his feet for a 6'11" dude? I think he could probably guard a PF just as well as Love or Randolph but I'm not sure if he can move laterally as fast as those two.

[NewWolvesOrder]

As it stands now Dieng has to add weight/bulk to be a full time starting center. I don't know how his body will take added weight. Can he add it? Will he stay as mobile and agile as he is now? How his knees will react? I think trying him out at PF is a good idea. Why not let him be who he is for now and add weight naturally with age. The guy has body type and food speed of Garnett, plus the mid range jumper.

[minimus]

What about K-Love to HOU? 3 way trade:

MIN IN: Parson, Asik, Beverly, #15
MIN OUT: Love, Pekovic, Barea, Budinger, Minni 2nd round pick

ATL IN: Pek
ATL OUT: Millsap, #15

HOU IN: Love, Budinger, Barea, Minni 2nd round pick
HOU OUT: Parson (S&T 40 mil/4 yr), Asik, Beverly

I like Parsons game more then Deng, J.Green, Hayward. In this case we need to balance roster with shooters as we will have many defense minded players (Asik, Mbah, Beverly, Rubio, Dieng, Turiaf). We will need stretch PF, backup SG, PG. So draft Stauskas, Payne, sign Meeks for MLE, sign De Colo for vet min.

Dieng/Asik/Turiaf
Millsap/Mbah/Payne
Parson/Brewer/Shabazz
Martin/Meeks/Stauskas/Shved
Rubio/Beverly/De Colo

[packforfreedom]

I'm not sure about Dieng playing the 4. Sure in Joerger super slow-paced style, he played in Memphis, a Pek-Dieng frontcourt would probably work on offense, but on defense Dieng would get destroyed by most starting 4s. I'd rather have him guard the more mobile 5s, that Pek don't stand a chance (a stepback jumper is impossible for Pek to defend)
also remember Pek will probably need a minute restriction (some 20 minutes).

[NewWolvesOrder]

I'm not sure about Dieng playing the 4. Sure in Joerger super slow-paced style, he played in Memphis, a Pek-Dieng frontcourt would probably work on offense, but on defense Dieng would get destroyed by most starting 4s. I'd rather have him guard the more mobile 5s, that Pek don't stand a chance (a stepback jumper is impossible for Pek to defend)
also remember Pek will probably need a minute restriction (some 20 minutes).

No, we won't. A good defender is still a good defender.

[minimus]

I'm not sure about Dieng playing the 4. Sure in Joerger super slow-paced style, he played in Memphis, a Pek-Dieng frontcourt would probably work on offense, but on defense Dieng would get destroyed by most starting 4s. I'd rather have him guard the more mobile 5s, that Pek don't stand a chance (a stepback jumper is impossible for Pek to defend)
also remember Pek will probably need a minute restriction (some 20 minutes).

No, we won't. A good defender is still a good defender.

Dieng isn't good at defending stretch 4. Bad closeout execution. A lot of open jumpers.

[packforfreedom]

I'm not sure about Dieng playing the 4. Sure in Joerger super slow-paced style, he played in Memphis, a Pek-Dieng frontcourt would probably work on offense, but on defense Dieng would get destroyed by most starting 4s. I'd rather have him guard the more mobile 5s, that Pek don't stand a chance (a stepback jumper is impossible for Pek to defend)
also remember Pek will probably need a minute restriction (some 20 minutes).

No, we won't. A good defender is still a good defender.

hm, sure his positioning etc will still be solid, but I don't think he's quick enough to guard most starting 4s in todays league, which would lead to massive foul trouble.

[pfm]

Hey guys, I was hoping to get the opinion on some of the potential offers that may come to Wolves' way in a Kevin Love deal. It's easy to get pulled away from reality when discussing the possible packages and I see a lot of "what the Wolves' will/won't want" from various fans and media sources who ultimately don't seem tuned in, both to the Wolves, and to Love's potential suitors. So I thought I would come come straight to the source.

I understand that a deal with Cleveland involving the #1 pick would be the top preference for you guys. And I don't blame you. It would be fantastic to be able to replace one franchise player with another, especially one on a long term, cost controlled deal. But realistically, I don't see that being a wise move for Cleveland. They've had a lot of instability and if Love ends up bolting, they just dumped the #1 pick in a good draft. Not wise. I know, I know it's Cleveland and they are a loose canon of stupidity, but let's bypass that deal for discussion purposes. I'm going do the same with a Philly deal revolving around picks #3 and #10, for pretty much the same reasons. Moving on...

-GSW: Klay Thomson, David Lee, and maybe Barnes or a pick?

I know they have been rumored to not want to include Klay (obviously if they don't then they aren't a contender), but ultimately I think they make him available in trade talks. But the question is, is that the route the Wolves want to go down? Klay will be a FA after the year and who knows if he will want to stay. Even if he is willing to stay, he's going to demand big money. Another thing worth considering, a deal like this would mean the Wolves want to remain competitive, but do they make the playoffs with Thompson and Lee, but minus Love? Maybe, maybe not. The West is stacked. Then you have David Lee's contract to deal with, which isn't ideal.

-Chicago: Butler, Gibson, #16, #19(?), maybe Mirotic?

If I'm the Wolves and I want to stay competitive, I personally think this is the most attractive offer. Rubio/Martin/Butler/Gibson/Pek is a pretty solid lineup and Mirotic/Dieng off the bench would make for a really nice big man rotation (if Mirotic comes over). But the question becomes, would Chicago gut their team and bank on Rose to remain healthy and return to form? Who knows. Rose/Love/Noah would be an awesome trio, but if Rose gets hurt or isn't the same, their season could spiral downward and Love could bolt. I'm not sure if this offer comes to fruition, but it could potentially be a nice one.

-Phoenix: Lots of picks.

I'm not overly familiar with the Phoenix perspective on this, so I'm not going to pretend to be, but I know they have a lot of future picks to offer (thanks Nash) and that makes them a contender if the Wolves are looking towards the future. Those picks are becoming increasingly valuable under the new CBA.

-Boston: #6, 2015 C's 1st, 2015 Clips 1st, Sully, expirings (picks included uncertain), could potentially absorb a contract

I'm a Boston fan (clearly), so this is the deal I'm most familiar with. The picks involved are a bit blurry at this point. Obviously #6 this year would be included, but then some combination of #17, the Clips 1st, future C's firsts, and the Brooklyn 1sts could also be in there. I think around 3 1sts sounds about right, but it's hard to tell. Anyways, I'm obviously biased, but if the Wolves are looking towards the future, I think this may be their best realistic deal. They can land a nice player at #6, Sully is a solid (but not premier) prospect, they can offer future picks, and they could potentially absorb a contract like Martin as well. I think the ultimate advantage that the Celtics offer has, is that #6 pick. Future picks are great, but always uncertain in terms of position and strength of draft class. This is a guaranteed mid-high lottery pick in an above average draft class. Nobody else can offer that besides the Lakers, and I decided not to include them because they have nothing else.

------------

So I'd like your opinion, views, perspective, likes, dislikes in hopes that it will broaden my views on this deal. Apologies if my views are tainted and don't represent your interests (it's easy when you hear this stuff discussed over and over), but that, is in fact, why I am here. Lastly, apologies for the long-windedness of my post. I hope browsing through my drivel hasn't been a regrettable waste of your day.

Cheers, Wolves fans!

[MinneOOPalis]

Basically if we aren't getting a Brooklyn pick we hang up the phone.

[m83588333]

What about Love for Vonleh. Boston has #6 and Lakers #7 whoever takes Vonleh gets Love. Min can dump Barrea too. Try to get more but the trade is Vonleh for Love.

[Feilong]

I'm a Boston fan (clearly), so this is the deal I'm most familiar with.

Well written post. It's all blurry at the moment, especially with CLE.
Personally i think Bill Simmons is an idiot but he is a huge BOS fan/historian and if he has some info it will be from BOS.
Here is his proposal for Love: BOS : #6, #17, 1st '15 BOS, 1st '15 LAC, Sullinger, Bogans , Bass
It is quite balanced in my opinion and worth considering.

[m83588333]

I'm a Boston fan (clearly), so this is the deal I'm most familiar with.

Well written post. It's all blurry at the moment, especially with CLE.
Personally i think Bill Simmons is an idiot but he is a huge BOS fan/historian and if he has some info it will be from BOS.
Here is his proposal for Love: BOS : #6, #17, 1st '15 BOS, 1st '15 LAC, Sullinger, Bogans , Bass
It is quite balanced in my opinion and worth considering.

It's a great deal #6 is Vonleh anything else is just gravy on top.