Aaron Gordon to the Timberpups?

[minimus]

Will Gordon be that big of an improvement over Johnson that wolves are okay giving up one of Sadiq Bey/Tyrese Maxey/RJ Hampton/Ty Terrell/Pokusevski? Gordon’s value has been on a steep decline (he was seen as untouchable by Orlando just a few years ago) Why not wait a year and see if that trend continues and Gordon could be had for even cheaper.

Maybe Johnson will play well to start the season and be a nice trade chip at the deadline.

After Isaac went down on Jan 1st, Gordon played full time PF and averaged 15.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.4apg, on 46.5% FG, 32.3% from 3PT in 33 games. If I filter players who averaged more than 15ppg, and more than 8rpg, and more than 4apg, then I get following list:

Giannis
Jokic
Bam
Doncic
KAT
Sabonis

Impressive list, right? I believe that we should try to acquire Gordon if the price is right. He might be the best complimentary player for our system, who is available on trade market.

Those numbers are very good.

These numbers are good for a complimentary star. If Gordon plays within this role, it will be beneficial for both, for MIN and him. I really believe that it will be a top5 offense in the league. If he does not, he will start to force things, take bad shots, etc. He clearly won't be 1st option in offense because unlike ORL, KAT and DLo are way better scorers than him. He would need to understand this and play his strengths. But I think it might a more "natural" environment for him: run in fastbreak, bring the ball, pass to open shooters, cut and dunk. He is made for this.

[jpatrick]

After Isaac went down on Jan 1st, Gordon played full time PF and averaged 15.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.4apg, on 46.5% FG, 32.3% from 3PT in 33 games. If I filter players who averaged more than 15ppg, and more than 8rpg, and more than 4apg, then I get following list:

Giannis
Jokic
Bam
Doncic
KAT
Sabonis

Impressive list, right? I believe that we should try to acquire Gordon if the price is right. He might be the best complimentary player for our system, who is available on trade market.

Those numbers are very good.

These numbers are good for a complimentary star. If Gordon plays within this role, it will be beneficial for both, for MIN and him. I really believe that it will be a top5 offense in the league. If he does not, he will start to force things, take bad shots, etc. He clearly won't be 1st option in offense because unlike ORL, KAT and DLo are way better scorers than him. He would need to understand this and play his strengths. But I think it might a more "natural" environment for him: run in fastbreak, bring the ball, pass to open shooters, cut and dunk. He is made for this.

That’s a very apt description, complimentary star. He’s never going to be a 1 or 2 on a very good team and I think he knows that and actually would prefer to defer to others. Even at Arizona, he described himself as the glue guy. It’s just when he got to the NBA as the #4 pick, with his athleticism, people wanted him to be prime Blake Griffin and that’s not his game. I think he’s be very good here.

[cedric76]

Gordon for 17+culver +Johnson and we have a deal

[minimus]

Gordon for 17+culver +Johnson and we have a deal

I think it will be something like Gordon for #17, JJ, Nowell

[Mattya]

Gordon for 17+culver +Johnson and we have a deal

Looks like we won’t have a deal then

[SO_MONEY]

Gordon for 17+culver +Johnson and we have a deal

I think it will be something like Gordon for #17, JJ, Nowell

Easy pass on Nowell being added. Gordon for #17 and JJ, final offer. If they want Evans they can have him. I am not sold on Vanderbilt either, but the team seems to like him as well.

[minimus]

Gordon for 17+culver +Johnson and we have a deal

I think it will be something like Gordon for #17, JJ, Nowell

Easy pass on Nowell being added. Gordon for #17 and JJ, final offer. If they want Evans they can have him. I am not sold on Vanderbilt either, but the team seems to like him as well.

It might happen that there wont be any opportunity for Nowell. For instance, if we draft a comboguard.

[SO_MONEY]

I think it will be something like Gordon for #17, JJ, Nowell

Easy pass on Nowell being added. Gordon for #17 and JJ, final offer. If they want Evans they can have him. I am not sold on Vanderbilt either, but the team seems to like him as well.

It might happen that there wont be any opportunity for Nowell. For instance, if we draft a comboguard.

You keep him regardless. And if we draft a combo guard it points to a three guard lineups anyways. Ball or Edwards would play some SF, just like Culver and Okogie. Not perfect, but also not adding him to the deal either. I am really high on him, some of the better footwork and package of advanced moves I have seen from a guard we have had...sky is the limit.

[thinktank]

I can’t believe how many people would rather pay ~30M for average Gordon than use that pick to take a shot on a much cheaper player.

Gordon doesn’t even fit us very well.

[minimus]

I can’t believe how many people would rather pay ~30M for average Gordon than use that pick to take a shot on a much cheaper player.

Gordon doesn’t even fit us very well.

Thibs paid 24mil Gibson and 64mil Dieng to give us similar production. That is what I call "don’t even fit us very well".

[shrink]

After Isaac went down on Jan 1st, Gordon played full time PF and averaged 15.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.4apg, on 46.5% FG, 32.3% from 3PT in 33 games. If I filter players who averaged more than 15ppg, and more than 8rpg, and more than 4apg, then I get following list:

Giannis
Jokic
Bam
Doncic
KAT
Sabonis.

You have identified who gets starting minutes.

James Johnson in 24 mpg averaged 12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 APG, on 50.0% FG, 37.0% from 3 PT.

Give him Gordon’s minutes, and while the rebounding comes in a little lower than AG (a hair less than 7), the other four stats are all superior.

Johnson is no third star. He’s barely starter-worthy.

[Jedzz]

He's starter worthy. He's just not a star player and he isn't paid like one. The Timberwolves will never, ever, start five STAR players. They will be lucky if one day they have 3 bonafied stars. Only way it's happening is to choose right in the draft again, or get the team winning enough that a star wouldn't mind joining and asks to be traded here.

What needs to change is the fan base thinking they can only pay stars and then hinkie pay everyone else and expect them to give a dang about the team they are on, or stick around once they outplay their deals. It's not going to happen. It's going to take great efforts to uncover the right pick and then luck to even have one draft pick be worth his rookie contract let alone out play it for you while he's still on it. At least how this team drafts and develops players. If that lucky pick happens what will they have? 3 players you respect and 12 you don't. What's your guess on the outcome?

[Klomp]

After Isaac went down on Jan 1st, Gordon played full time PF and averaged 15.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.4apg, on 46.5% FG, 32.3% from 3PT in 33 games. If I filter players who averaged more than 15ppg, and more than 8rpg, and more than 4apg, then I get following list:

Giannis
Jokic
Bam
Doncic
KAT
Sabonis.

You have identified who gets starting minutes.

James Johnson in 24 mpg averaged 12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 APG, on 50.0% FG, 37.0% from 3 PT.

Give him Gordon’s minutes, and while the rebounding comes in a little lower than AG (a hair less than 7), the other four stats are all superior.

Johnson is no third star. He’s barely starter-worthy.

Key difference between the two: Johnson is 33. Gordon is 25.

[shrink]

After Isaac went down on Jan 1st, Gordon played full time PF and averaged 15.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.4apg, on 46.5% FG, 32.3% from 3PT in 33 games. If I filter players who averaged more than 15ppg, and more than 8rpg, and more than 4apg, then I get following list:

Giannis
Jokic
Bam
Doncic
KAT
Sabonis.

You have identified who gets starting minutes.

James Johnson in 24 mpg averaged 12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 APG, on 50.0% FG, 37.0% from 3 PT.

Give him Gordon’s minutes, and while the rebounding comes in a little lower than AG (a hair less than 7), the other four stats are all superior.

Johnson is no third star. He’s barely starter-worthy.

Key difference between the two: Johnson is 33. Gordon is 25.

Which makes Gordon’s numbers look even less impressive.

[thinktank]

I can’t believe how many people would rather pay ~30M for average Gordon than use that pick to take a shot on a much cheaper player.

Gordon doesn’t even fit us very well.

Thibs paid 24mil Gibson and 64mil Dieng to give us similar production. That is what I call "don’t even fit us very well".

That’s a nice distraction from the current debate.

Trade down. Take OO. Keep 17. Let Johnson expire.

Easy.

Don’t settle for two years of mediocre Gordon.

[KGdaBom]

After Isaac went down on Jan 1st, Gordon played full time PF and averaged 15.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 4.4apg, on 46.5% FG, 32.3% from 3PT in 33 games. If I filter players who averaged more than 15ppg, and more than 8rpg, and more than 4apg, then I get following list:

Giannis
Jokic
Bam
Doncic
KAT
Sabonis.

You have identified who gets starting minutes.

James Johnson in 24 mpg averaged 12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 APG, on 50.0% FG, 37.0% from 3 PT.

Give him Gordon’s minutes, and while the rebounding comes in a little lower than AG (a hair less than 7), the other four stats are all superior.

Johnson is no third star. He’s barely starter-worthy.

You are swaying me away from Gordon now.

[Klomp]

You have identified who gets starting minutes.

James Johnson in 24 mpg averaged 12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 APG, on 50.0% FG, 37.0% from 3 PT.

Give him Gordon’s minutes, and while the rebounding comes in a little lower than AG (a hair less than 7), the other four stats are all superior.

Johnson is no third star. He’s barely starter-worthy.

Key difference between the two: Johnson is 33. Gordon is 25.

Which makes Gordon’s numbers look even less impressive.

I don't identify either player as a star. Trading Johnson and 17 in a weak draft would never net a star. I'd classify Gordon and Johnson more in a Kirilenko or Covington role as a supporting player. That role still has a lot of importance to this team in order to take a step.

[KGdaBom]

Key difference between the two: Johnson is 33. Gordon is 25.

Which makes Gordon’s numbers look even less impressive.

I don't identify either player as a star. Trading Johnson and 17 in a weak draft would never net a star. I'd classify Gordon and Johnson more in a Kirilenko or Covington role as a supporting player. That role still has a lot of importance to this team in order to take a step.

I would kill to get a prime Covington or Kirilenko on our team.

[minimus]

You have identified who gets starting minutes.

James Johnson in 24 mpg averaged 12.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 APG, on 50.0% FG, 37.0% from 3 PT.

Give him Gordon’s minutes, and while the rebounding comes in a little lower than AG (a hair less than 7), the other four stats are all superior.

Johnson is no third star. He’s barely starter-worthy.

Key difference between the two: Johnson is 33. Gordon is 25.

Which makes Gordon’s numbers look even less impressive.

That's why I believe that Gordon's number in our system will be even more impressive. JJ is not a starter in this league, however he is a perfect fit here, except contract and age.

[SO_MONEY]

I can’t believe how many people would rather pay ~30M for average Gordon than use that pick to take a shot on a much cheaper player.

Gordon doesn’t even fit us very well.

Thibs paid 24mil Gibson and 64mil Dieng to give us similar production. That is what I call "don’t even fit us very well".

That’s a nice distraction from the current debate.

Trade down. Take OO. Keep 17. Let Johnson expire.

Easy.

Don’t settle for two years of mediocre Gordon.

You don't let Johnson expire, you try to trade him because he is a mechanism to add paid talent, letting him expire accomplishes nothing and eliminates that opportunity.