Nemanja Bjelica

[LaViggins]

We need veteran presence in frontcourt. Other than KG. Dieng-Bjeica-Towns-KG is pretty good frountcourt in terms of fit, skills, size, experience. I'm even ok with Payne as 3rd string PF. The only question is AB.

I would rather have a veteran presence like Taj Gibson over Bjelica though, someone whos been in the NBA and can teach the younger guys little things. I mean lets remember Bjelica is good but he still has to adjust to the NBA also.

[Worm Guts]

We could trade him, but we need help at PF so I don't see the point. There's no real reason to consider Hummel, he's a fill in guy with a small contract. Towns could play center. The only issue I can see is if we draft Porzingis.

To my knowledge, Wolves people dont see much of a difference between Bjelica and Hummel. Which I would argue because I have seen both, but by the time we hope to be competitive he will be past his prime. I just dont think hes worth putting off the development of Payne and Bennett.

If the Wolves don't there's much of a difference between him and Hummel, I have hard time believing they'd be willing to give him the type contract it would take to bring him over. I haven't heard anything like that though
It seems to me that there's a good chance he's better than both Payne and Bennett. He's a potential asset, and to take advantage of that we need to bring him over.

[LaViggins]

We could trade him, but we need help at PF so I don't see the point. There's no real reason to consider Hummel, he's a fill in guy with a small contract. Towns could play center. The only issue I can see is if we draft Porzingis.

To my knowledge, Wolves people dont see much of a difference between Bjelica and Hummel. Which I would argue because I have seen both, but by the time we hope to be competitive he will be past his prime. I just dont think hes worth putting off the development of Payne and Bennett.

If the Wolves don't there's much of a difference between him and Hummel, I have hard time believing they'd be willing to give him the type contract it would take to bring him over. I haven't heard anything like that though
It seems to me that there's a good chance he's better than both Payne and Bennett. He's a potential asset, and to take advantage of that we need to bring him over.

They could still bring him over but I can say with 100% certainty that this is their stance on this.

But the question you have to ask, who will be better in 2-3 years? Bjelica when hes 30, Payne when hes 26, or Bennett when he is 24? Is it worth not having Payne and Bennett reach their ceiling as quick as possible for Bjelica? Just being honest I dont see Bjelica as a savior for the playoffs, if anything might get us a worse pick the next couple years. (And IMO this draft and the next are pretty big for us)

[minimus]

We need veteran presence in frontcourt. Other than KG. Dieng-Bjeica-Towns-KG is pretty good frountcourt in terms of fit, skills, size, experience. I'm even ok with Payne as 3rd string PF. The only question is AB.

I would rather have a veteran presence like Taj Gibson over Bjelica though, someone whos been in the NBA and can teach the younger guys little things. I mean lets remember Bjelica is good but he still has to adjust to the NBA also.

Agree. If we can get Taj Gibson without giving up much. Also he has 8.5 mil contract. Not bargain. Bjelica is special talent. If our coach can maximize his strengths he will be really good.

[LaViggins]

We need veteran presence in frontcourt. Other than KG. Dieng-Bjeica-Towns-KG is pretty good frountcourt in terms of fit, skills, size, experience. I'm even ok with Payne as 3rd string PF. The only question is AB.

I would rather have a veteran presence like Taj Gibson over Bjelica though, someone whos been in the NBA and can teach the younger guys little things. I mean lets remember Bjelica is good but he still has to adjust to the NBA also.

Agree. If we can get Taj Gibson without giving up much. Also he has 8.5 mil contract. Not bargain. Bjelica is special talent. If our coach can maximize his strengths he will be really good.

That is true, I have watched a good amount of Bjelica and he is like a swiss army knife. Honestly wont be mad if we sign him but I really hope we can get rid of Chase and/or Bennett if we do. Also will be fun to watch him today go against some tough Real Madrid competition.

[Worm Guts]

But the question you have to ask, who will be better in 2-3 years? Bjelica when hes 30, Payne when hes 26, or Bennett when he is 24? Is it worth not having Payne and Bennett reach their ceiling as quick as possible for Bjelica? Just being honest I dont see Bjelica as a savior for the playoffs, if anything might get us a worse pick the next couple years. (And IMO this draft and the next are pretty big for us)

I'm not sure being better than Payne or Bennett is a very high bar. When it's all decided, Bjelica could be better than both just by being a solid backup. I'm guessing with Bennett's contract he's out of here sooner than later anyway. I'm fine with having Bjelica, Bennett and Payne compete for playing time next year.
And with Wiggins and this years pick, I don't think we need to go into next year playing for a pick.

[LaViggins]

But the question you have to ask, who will be better in 2-3 years? Bjelica when hes 30, Payne when hes 26, or Bennett when he is 24? Is it worth not having Payne and Bennett reach their ceiling as quick as possible for Bjelica? Just being honest I dont see Bjelica as a savior for the playoffs, if anything might get us a worse pick the next couple years. (And IMO this draft and the next are pretty big for us)

I'm not sure being better than Payne or Bennett is a very high bar. When it's all decided, Bjelica could be better than both just by being a solid backup. I'm guessing with Bennett's contract he's out of here sooner than later anyway. I'm fine with having Bjelica, Bennett and Payne compete for playing time next year.
And with Wiggins and this years pick, I don't think we need to go into next year playing for a pick.

Well its hard to compare a 27 year old to a 22 and 24 year old. Bjelica is what he is, Payne and Bennett have the chance to be much more than they are now. When its all decided Payne or Bennett could be starting for all we know. This year we werent playing for a pick but now look where its got us. You have to make big jumps in the western conference by developing young guys and getting good draft picks in the process, and we need to do it ASAP with Wiggins here.

[Worm Guts]

But the question you have to ask, who will be better in 2-3 years? Bjelica when hes 30, Payne when hes 26, or Bennett when he is 24? Is it worth not having Payne and Bennett reach their ceiling as quick as possible for Bjelica? Just being honest I dont see Bjelica as a savior for the playoffs, if anything might get us a worse pick the next couple years. (And IMO this draft and the next are pretty big for us)

I'm not sure being better than Payne or Bennett is a very high bar. When it's all decided, Bjelica could be better than both just by being a solid backup. I'm guessing with Bennett's contract he's out of here sooner than later anyway. I'm fine with having Bjelica, Bennett and Payne compete for playing time next year.
And with Wiggins and this years pick, I don't think we need to go into next year playing for a pick.

Well its hard to compare a 27 year old to a 22 and 24 year old. Bjelica is what he is, Payne and Bennett have the chance to be much more than they are now. When its all decided Payne or Bennett could be starting for all we know. This year we werent playing for a pick but now look where its got us. You have to make big jumps in the western conference by developing young guys and getting good draft picks in the process, and we need to do it ASAP with Wiggins here.

All I can say is best man wins. Bennett and Payne got playing time last year and didn't show much. They'll get playing time again next season, but if there's a potentially better option that we already own the rights to, we have to look into it. It just doesn't make any sense not to.

[LaViggins]

I'm not sure being better than Payne or Bennett is a very high bar. When it's all decided, Bjelica could be better than both just by being a solid backup. I'm guessing with Bennett's contract he's out of here sooner than later anyway. I'm fine with having Bjelica, Bennett and Payne compete for playing time next year.
And with Wiggins and this years pick, I don't think we need to go into next year playing for a pick.

Well its hard to compare a 27 year old to a 22 and 24 year old. Bjelica is what he is, Payne and Bennett have the chance to be much more than they are now. When its all decided Payne or Bennett could be starting for all we know. This year we werent playing for a pick but now look where its got us. You have to make big jumps in the western conference by developing young guys and getting good draft picks in the process, and we need to do it ASAP with Wiggins here.

All I can say is best man wins. Bennett and Payne got playing time last year and didn't show much. They'll get playing time again next season, but if there's a potentially better option that we already own the rights to, we have to look into it. It just doesn't make any sense not to.

Yeah I agree, may the best man win. It just seemed after all the trades this season especially the Thad-KG one, Flip really embraced the actual rebuild not just the re tool or however he described it.

[Worm Guts]

I don't think this is a retool, it's just seeing what you have.

[LaViggins]

I don't think this is a retool, it's just seeing what you have.

I guess, just thinking of some of the other prospects Donatas, Mirotic, heck even Parsons we gave away for nothing I guess it cant hurt.

FWIW this is where I heard details of Wolves view on Bjelica

https://soundcloud.com/1500espn/sports-over-beers-ep-53-would-tom-thibodeau-be-a-wolves-coaching-target

[Worm Guts]

FWIW this is where I heard details of Wolves view on Bjelica

https://soundcloud.com/1500espn/sports-over-beers-ep-53-would-tom-thibodeau-be-a-wolves-coaching-target

Interesting. I'm not sure what to make of the Hummel-Bjelica comparison, since I haven't seen Bjelica play but I would still like to see what he could do. Whether we should pay him the MLE is a different question.

[Devilzsidewalk]

I thought he's supposed to have this point-forward skillset, how is that like Hummel

[LaViggins]

FWIW this is where I heard details of Wolves view on Bjelica

https://soundcloud.com/1500espn/sports-over-beers-ep-53-would-tom-thibodeau-be-a-wolves-coaching-target

Interesting. I'm not sure what to make of the Hummel-Bjelica comparison, since I haven't seen Bjelica play but I would still like to see what he could do. Whether we should pay him the MLE is a different question.

From what Ive seen of Bjelica (actual live games not youtube highlights) I would say Hummel is the better shooter, especially from 3 point. But Bjelica is the better rebounder, passer and I would give him the slight edge on defense. Maybe he really could thrive with pieces like Wiggins, LaVine, Bazz all around him. Will be fun to see what happens.

[rednal]

I can't understand why you are comparing Bjelica withh Hummel, Nemanja is better player period. He's better than payne and he's better than AB, please. The two young PF that minny has don't have the half of the IQ that Nemanja has.

I don't think that Nemanja is gonna be the same player in two years, he improves all years including something more to his game. Is a piece that Wolves need. With him and towns plus Dieng minny has good players in the paint for 4-5 years.

The best player of the year in Europe and you don't think is good enough to play in minny instead payne or AB? I would love seeing both playing at the level of Nemanja in Europe. Euroleague is a very hard league, and being the best isn't easy.

[LaViggins]

I can't understand why you are comparing Bjelica withh Hummel, Nemanja is better player period. He's better than payne and he's better than AB, please. The two young PF that minny has don't have the half of the IQ that Nemanja has.

I don't think that Nemanja is gonna be the same player in two years, he improves all years including something more to his game. Is a piece that Wolves need. With him and towns plus Dieng minny has good players in the paint for 4-5 years.

The best player of the year in Europe and you don't think is good enough to play in minny instead payne or AB? I would love seeing both playing at the level of Nemanja in Europe. Euroleague is a very hard league, and being the best isn't easy.

If you cant understand maybe read then, people actually affiliated with the Wolves compared Bjelica to Hummel. You know, the team that sends scouts to games over there to watch live. And if you read some more you would see I wrote this

To my knowledge, Wolves people dont see much of a difference between Bjelica and Hummel. Which I would argue because I have seen both, but by the time we hope to be competitive he will be past his prime.

[Klomp]

I feel like Bjelica could be the piece that is used for us to trade up into the late 1st if that's what we decide to do.

[wildvikeswolves]

I feel like Bjelica could be the piece that is used for us to trade up into the late 1st if that's what we decide to do.

I was just coming in here to say that. Maybe part of a trade up to get Tyus

[Grits n Gravy]

Trading him to get into the late first would be a complete waste imo. We need to at least bring him in and see how he fares. He'd be a great candidate for summer league to get a feel for the pace and style of NBA basketball but he'll probably be preparing for Eurobasket. I think he's got too much value or at least potential value to be offloaded for merely a late first pick. I'd rather just keep the #31 and take the best prospect available or try and move both 2nd's to move up.

[Klomp]

I think he's got too much value or at least potential value to be offloaded for merely a late first pick. I'd rather just keep the #31 and take the best prospect available or try and move both 2nd's to move up.

Late 1st is where his value/potential value is at.