Minnesota Timberwolves open to trading No. 2 pick!!!!!

[Kings4life23]

The Timberwolves and Kahn are open to trading the No. 2 pick. I think if Geoff Petrie feels like a player is the real deal and we cant get him at No. 7 pick we should definitely move up. We could target the relatively low IQ of Kahn and throw Garcia,or Beno at him and next years first round pick and are 2 second rounders this year. This would let us get are man maybe Kyrie because I really think the Cavs will select Williams first overall and hope to snag a point guard at the No. 4 pick. On top of that we would still have No. 7 to find a solid SF role player to round out the team. Then we can use are cap space to fill out the roster with vetrans to help this team become a playoff contender immediately. The First round pick next year would be moot because if all goes according to plan its a later pick. I also think this will help are arena issue immensely by one hopefully making playoffs next year and two creating a lot of buzz for going up to get the No. 2 pick creating excitement around the club and bringing back arco thunder.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/...t=Aqu5DHvPwhPBKDcsUfSCYqw5nYcB?urn=nba-355110

 

[Vlade4GM]

Irving is going number 1. Minny is going to be looking for a SG, and we don't have one to give them that's under contract.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

throw Garcia,or Beno at him and next years first round pick and are 2 second rounders this year. This would let us get are man

LOL, Kahn ain't that stupid. The article says they'd be looking for veteran help and while Beno and Garcia may be veterans, they're honestly not going to help a team much.

 

[Kings4life23]

Irving is going number 1. Minny is going to be looking for a SG, and we don't have one to give them that's under contract.

Nothing is for certain and if they do in fact draft williams you have to at least prepare for that senario, if you didn't, your not prepared and I dont take petrie for that kind of guy. Both Beno and Garcia can play the 2 guard. Beno if you watched the Kings last season is very flexible and comfortable playing the 2 guard and has shown the ability play off the ball very effectively, he may not be the best defender, but a definite upgrade to there team. Plus pairing are 1st rounder next to him in a trade just makes Beno look a little bit better especially when we are dealing with the gm who compared Milicic to webber. Also if cavs do draft irving and petrie believes williams can make the transition to the 3 he may want to move up to No. 2 to draft him and hope to snag a point at No. 7. Either way I think the time has come to make a splash we need something to kick start support for are team because the Here We Stay initiative is far from over.

 

[Vlade4GM]

No, I mean, they would want a SG that's actually worth the second overall pick. You can't seriously believe that the best offer they'd get for the 2nd overall pick would be Garcia or Udrih, right? You don't think they would get better offers than that?

 

[Kings4life23]

No, I mean, they would want a SG that's actually worth the second overall pick. You can't seriously believe that the best offer they'd get for the 2nd overall pick would be Garcia or Udrih, right? You don't think they would get better offers than that?

Possibly a better player but coupled with the picks it makes it at least enticing and im not saying it a no brainer, but its not unrealistic considering stranger things have happened and we would be dealing with a notorious bone head.

 

[RookieOfTheDay]

Possibly a better player but coupled with the picks it makes it at least enticing and im not saying it a no brainer, but its not unrealistic considering stranger things have happened and we would be dealing with a notorious bone head.

I just don't see the Kings having any player to entice Minnesota with outside of the Evans/Cousins/Thornton core. Possibly JT/Casspi/Greene could get some interest but I'd see it taking one of them plus the #7. I just don't see the Kings getting the #2 and keeping the #7. It'd be awesome if it happened, I just don't see it.

 

[Kingster]

Is there a way to structure a deal that would give them cap $ + our #7 for the #2?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Is there a way to structure a deal that would give them cap $ + our #7 for the #2?

Well, for instance Martell Webster + Jonny Flynn + #2 for #7 would net them almost $8.7M of cap space. I'm not sure cap space is what they need, though.

 

[Aenadin]

7 and casspi for 2 and draft rights to rubio LOL

 

[mr. moustache]

I have no clue how highly Petrie values D. Williams, but I think our 7th, + a future 1st protected in some way would be intriguing, with or without Garcia/Beno.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm going to say an odd thing here, but I beleive it to be true; we don't need the sort of player you draft at #2. We don't need, nor can we even really accomodate a player who is going to come in and be a big scorer, or want to, or need to, to make an impact. The shots are all taken up already. The balls already going to be in the hands of some of the best young players to enter the league in the last 3 years. And that is of course precisely what you are looking for from the very top picks -- stars. But you can actualy have too many, and if you do you mess up your team. The offense the extra guys bring is wasted/not needed. Adn emanwhile minutes that could/should have gone to players who are great at non-star stuff -- defense, hustle, spot shooting, rebounding, intangibles etc. -- are wasted on guys who can't play to their strenths on your team.

By the end of the season we were already stuggling to accomodate Reke and Thronton and Cousins all in one offense. Omri was wasted and had no role. Beno had backed way off to give the main guns more shots. We might MIGHT just be able to get everybody settled into that. But there's no way we can add another high usage player who needs and wants shots. So if you can find me some truly eltie mega roleplayer of a kid at #2, then hey let's talk. But otherwise its just not where we are at anymore.

 

[bajaden]

Is there a way to structure a deal that would give them cap $ + our #7 for the #2?

Portland is sitting at 75.8 mil in salaries, the third highest in the league. I doubt there's any kind of deal we would make short of taking on Cambys salary, which I doubt they want to give up. Of course part of the 75 mil includes Oden's qualifing offer of around 8 mil. Anyway, I think the answer is no.

 

[bajaden]

Well, for instance Martell Webster + Jonny Flynn + #2 for #7 would net them almost $8.7M of cap space. I'm not sure cap space is what they need, though.

It would save them that much against the cap, but it wouldn't get them under the cap, creating cap space.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

It would save them that much against the cap, but it wouldn't get them under the cap, creating cap space.

We're talking about Minnesota and their #2 pick, not Portland. Minny is already under the cap (at about $43M). We could save them more, but I'm not sure it would really be a great move for either team.

 

[Glenn]

I'm going to say an odd thing here, but I beleive it to be true; we don't need the sort of player you draft at #2. We don't need, nor can we even really accomodate a player who is going to come in and be a big scorer, or want to, or need to, to make an impact. The shots are all taken up already. The balls already going to be in the hands of some of the best young players to enter the league in the last 3 years. And that is of course precisely what you are looking for from the very top picks -- stars. But you can actualy have too many, and if you do you mess up your team. The offense the extra guys bring is wasted/not needed. Adn emanwhile minutes that could/should have gone to players who are great at non-star stuff -- defense, hustle, spot shooting, rebounding, intangibles etc. -- are wasted on guys who can't play to their strenths on your team.

By the end of the season we were already stuggling to accomodate Reke and Thronton and Cousins all in one offense. Omri was wasted and had no role. Beno had backed way off to give the main guns more shots. We might MIGHT just be able to get everybody settled into that. But there's no way we can add another high usage player who needs and wants shots. So if you can find me some truly eltie mega roleplayer of a kid at #2, then hey let's talk. But otherwise its just not where we are at anymore.

Well, odd perhaps but it is a subject I have been dancing around.

I am a bit relieved we pick 7th as we can pick for need and not BPA. I already wrote it but is was buried in a longer note. Assuming we fill our SF needs by a trade or free agency and assuming the resigning of Thornton and Dally, I want a guy who can come off the bench with all barrels blazing and as a bench person, I am less concerned if he fits the normal definition of SF or PG. He will not be upset coming off the bench. There is no way of knowing at this point or even minute to minute who the other 4 on the floor will be. By "all barrels blazing" I don't necessarily mean a scorer.

If people are looking for a starter in the draft, we are just on different wavelengths.

Assuming the signing of a SF, I don't think we are looking for a guy who expects to be a starter.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I am a bit relieved we pick 7th as we can pick for need and not BPA.

The last time Geoff Petrie picked at #7, he selected Jason Williams "for need" rather than the player he felt was the best available, Paul Pierce. (He also passed on Dirk Nowitzki, though apparently he felt Pierce was the better player at the time.) He has since said that picking for need was a mistake, and that he should have taken the best player he could get and sort the rest out later. So there's good reason to believe we have an organizational philosophy from the top that says BPA over need.

 

[LWP777]

When is the last time Geoff Petrie moved UP in a draft? Answer: Never. Move along people. There is nothing to see here.

 

[Kingster]

The last time Geoff Petrie picked at #7, he selected Jason Williams "for need" rather than the player he felt was the best available, Paul Pierce. (He also passed on Dirk Nowitzki, though apparently he felt Pierce was the better player at the time.) He has since said that picking for need was a mistake, and that he should have taken the best player he could get and sort the rest out later. So there's good reason to believe we have an organizational philosophy from the top that says BPA over need.

BINGO! You win the prize. A +++++1 to that!

PS I didn't know that Petrie actually admitted it to blowing it with the J. Williams pick. Everytime I hear Reynolds talk about J Will it's as we made a great pick.

 

[Glenn]

The last time Geoff Petrie picked at #7, he selected Jason Williams "for need" rather than the player he felt was the best available, Paul Pierce. (He also passed on Dirk Nowitzki, though apparently he felt Pierce was the better player at the time.) He has since said that picking for need was a mistake, and that he should have taken the best player he could get and sort the rest out later. So there's good reason to believe we have an organizational philosophy from the top that says BPA over need.

My point really had to do with THIS draft where the experts have been saying that after the first two picks, the difference in quality from 3-10 is roughly similar. The BPA is not obvious. Perhaps the combine will change that idea and then my opinion is not valid but given what most people know know, there is no clear BPA where we draft.

 

[hrdboild]

I'm pretty sure that Cleveland will pick Irving first overall so the problem for Minnesota is that they already have Beasley who's a similar player to Derrick Williams and Beasley was their second best player last year. They do still need a center so they could just draft Kanter with the second pick, but they'll probably draft Williams anyway trying to maximize the value of the pick and then trade down to get who they want. It didn't work with Rubio/Flynn but I think Williams might be easier to move.

The only way we have a shot at making a trade with Minnesota is if someone they want falls to our 7th pick. Then it just depends on how highly we view Derrick Williams. As I've said before, I think he's a better fit for our open SF position than anyone we can sign as a free agent this year. He's not the veteran shooter/defender Westphal wants, but he could grow into something more. He would also fill our biggest need without cutting into our free agent cash. Casspi and the 7th might get it done if they really want someone who's still available there. We'll have to outbid other teams though. If they want a future 1st, that's a harder decision to make, but probably reasonable provided it's lottery protected next year.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm pretty sure that Cleveland will pick Irving first overall so the problem for Minnesota is that they already have Beasley who's a similar player to Derrick Williams and Beasley was their second best player last year. They do still need a center so they could just draft Kanter with the second pick, but they'll probably draft Williams anyway trying to maximize the value of the pick and then trade down to get who they want. It didn't work with Rubio/Flynn but I think Williams might be easier to move.

The only way we have a shot at making a trade with Minnesota is if someone they want falls to our 7th pick. Then it just depends on how highly we view Derrick Williams. As I've said before, I think he's a better fit for our open SF position than anyone we can sign as a free agent this year. He's not the veteran shooter/defender Westphal wants, but he could grow into something more. He would also fill our biggest need without cutting into our free agent cash. Casspi and the 7th might get it done if they really want someone who's still available there. We'll have to outbid other teams though. If they want a future 1st, that's a harder decision to make, but probably reasonable provided it's lottery protected next year.

We don't need "something more". That's a big deal and a concenr in any mve up scenario. Indeed "something more" likely leads to more losses than just getting what we need. And if we were to draft Wiliams to save free agent cash, what exactly would we use that free agent cash for? The entire target of that free agent cash, after we get done trying to retain Thornton/Daly, is a SF. If there were a great rebounding/shtoblocking big there at #2, or a great defending/three point shooting SF, or something we needed, the whole idea would be so much more attractive than just moving up to move up and grab a guy who doesn't really fit, and in fact might be precisely the sort of tweener forward who never amounts to much in the NBA.

 

[Dime Dropper]

We don't need "something more". That's a big deal and a concenr in any mve up scenario. Indeed "something more" likely leads to more losses than just getting what we need. And if we were to draft Wiliams to save free agent cash, what exactly would we use that free agent cash for? The entire target of that free agent cash, after we get done trying to retain Thornton/Daly, is a SF. If there were a great rebounding/shtoblocking big there at #2, or a great defending/three point shooting SF, or something we needed, the whole idea would be so much more attractive than just moving up to move up and grab a guy who doesn't really fit, and in fact might be precisely the sort of tweener forward who never amounts to much in the NBA.

I don't know about some of the above, Brick. Williams is a very athletic SF. He was a more than capable defender at the college level guarding the others teams big guys, and he's athletic enough to be an excellent defender at the next level. He doesn't need the ball alot - he's very efficient. As far as three point shooting goes, the guy hit 56% of his threes last year. Now, while I'm not saying he's going to shoot at that clip at the next level, he's clearly very capable from deep, and he does this by taking very smart shots within the flow of the offense. He is not a player that is going to disrupt the offense or want his shots - at least not early. He has a high basketball IQ. His position at the next level is certainly at SF. In my mind, he could be the perfect fit for this team. Smart, hard worker, defensive ability, very efficient, big and athletic.

Now if you're going to argue that it's counter-productive to trade up for Williams due to giving up assets in the process, and kind of nullifying our cap space, which I think is your main point, then I can get on board with that. But I watched a good number of Arizona games last year, and by no means would Williams be a poor fit on this team. The external things that you talk about, yes, I can see exactly what you're getting at. But I do think Williams could be that defending, outside shooting SF (with more benefits) that the team needs. We're not in a situation as extreme as a team like the Heat, we could still do with good players.

 

[Kingster]

I don't know about some of the above, Brick. Williams is a very athletic SF. He was a more than capable defender at the college level guarding the others teams big guys, and he's athletic enough to be an excellent defender at the next level. He doesn't need the ball alot - he's very efficient. As far as three point shooting goes, the guy hit 56% of his threes last year. Now, while I'm not saying he's going to shoot at that clip at the next level, he's clearly very capable from deep, and he does this by taking very smart shots within the flow of the offense. He is not a player that is going to disrupt the offense or want his shots - at least not early. He has a high basketball IQ. His position at the next level is certainly at SF. In my mind, he could be the perfect fit for this team. Smart, hard worker, defensive ability, very efficient, big and athletic.

Now if you're going to argue that it's counter-productive to trade up for Williams due to giving up assets in the process, and kind of nullifying our cap space, which I think is your main point, then I can get on board with that. But I watched a good number of Arizona games last year, and by no means would Williams be a poor fit on this team. The external things that you talk about, yes, I can see exactly what you're getting at. But I do think Williams could be that defending, outside shooting SF (with more benefits) that the team needs. We're not in a situation as extreme as a team like the Heat, we could still do with good players.

+1. There seems to be a knee-jerk reaction that a very good offensive player must be a ball hog. As you explain, that's not the case with Williams. He's a very efficient player who doesn't need the ball in his mitts every second in order to make a positive impact. And that 3 pt shooting percentage is outstanding. No reason to think he couldn't be outstanding in that area over time in the NBA.

 

[hrdboild]

We don't need "something more". That's a big deal and a concenr in any mve up scenario. Indeed "something more" likely leads to more losses than just getting what we need. And if we were to draft Wiliams to save free agent cash, what exactly would we use that free agent cash for? The entire target of that free agent cash, after we get done trying to retain Thornton/Daly, is a SF. If there were a great rebounding/shtoblocking big there at #2, or a great defending/three point shooting SF, or something we needed, the whole idea would be so much more attractive than just moving up to move up and grab a guy who doesn't really fit, and in fact might be precisely the sort of tweener forward who never amounts to much in the NBA.

I had a feeling you would reply given your previous post. As the end of the season played out and the team started to come together and play well, I became less sure about the need to bring in a third option scorer myself. However, the reason I still think moving up to acquire Derrick Williams is worth considering is that his profile as a scorer -- low usage catch and shoot or catch and drive options and the ability to finish above the rim on fast breaks or backdoor cuts -- would be an ideal fit next to a strong low post player like Cousins and an isolation wing scorer like Tyreke. He was the most efficient scorer in college basketball this past season so he's a guy who could pick his spots next to two high usage players and still have an impact. He can also post up and score over other SFs which is a rare skill in the NBA and might be useful in our offense if we want to surround Cousins with defensive roleplayers and shot-blockers. Cousins isn't going to be on the court for the full 48 after all, especially not next year while he's still figuring out how to stay out of foul trouble.

He's not the type of player who will have to stake his career on defense and long-range shooting, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have those skills in his repertoire. He might not be a knock down shooter in the NBA, but he certainly looked like one in college last year. And I don't think he'll be a defensive stopper, but he's strong enough and mobile enough to hold his own I think especially considering his basketball IQ.

If the Kings organization is truly adamant about this being their last trip to the lottery in a long time, they should do everything they can to get the best player available. To that end, Casspi, who you said yourself had no role on this team last year and may have a hard time finding one in the future, might be expendable as would a late 1st round pick in next year's draft (which will bring in another young player even less able to contribute right away). If it would take more than that to get it done, we'd probably be better off just keeping the 7th pick but otherwise I think it'd be a mistake to pass on a possible All-Star who fits right into an opening in our starting lineup because of worries about sharing the ball. Having a wad of cash and no pressing needs to fill would be the best of all possible problems to have wouldn't it?

 

[Kings4life23]

I want are own Big 3 Tyreke, Cousins, and ?

 

[Bricklayer]

I don't know about some of the above, Brick. Williams is a very athletic SF. He was a more than capable defender at the college level guarding the others teams big guys, and he's athletic enough to be an excellent defender at the next level. He doesn't need the ball alot - he's very efficient. As far as three point shooting goes, the guy hit 56% of his threes last year. Now, while I'm not saying he's going to shoot at that clip at the next level, he's clearly very capable from deep, and he does this by taking very smart shots within the flow of the offense. He is not a player that is going to disrupt the offense or want his shots - at least not early. He has a high basketball IQ. His position at the next level is certainly at SF. In my mind, he could be the perfect fit for this team. Smart, hard worker, defensive ability, very efficient, big and athletic.

Now if you're going to argue that it's counter-productive to trade up for Williams due to giving up assets in the process, and kind of nullifying our cap space, which I think is your main point, then I can get on board with that. But I watched a good number of Arizona games last year, and by no means would Williams be a poor fit on this team. The external things that you talk about, yes, I can see exactly what you're getting at. But I do think Williams could be that defending, outside shooting SF (with more benefits) that the team needs. We're not in a situation as extreme as a team like the Heat, we could still do with good players.

We don't need a "more than capable defender", nor a solid one. And here I should mention that many people have real questions whether he's going to be either trying to guard NBA 3s. In any case, we need a GREAT one. You should always try to be great at every position. But great at what the positon entails. Tony Allen is a great defender. Shane Battier is a great defender. Williams = no way. We also don't need anything more than maybe a 14ppg scorer max from that positon. And that's max. So now you trade up to get a 14ppg scorer who might or might not be able to defend? Why? Jeff Green can be a 14ppg scorer who might or might not defend. Tayshaun Prince can be a 14ppg who defends the heck out of things. Nor is the #2 pick's agents, friends, or anyone else going to appreciate his disappearance. Its borderline bust territory. Marvin Williams territory. At the combine today he was going on about how he should go #1 to Cleveland because he had the star stuff and could replace LeBron. And we're going to ask that player to come in and be a 4th/5th option? That is if he can even play the position, as of course the concerns there are that he may not be either a 3 or 4.

Its just difficult to imagine in a summer where we come in needing 3 things from a SF: defense, passing/ballhandling and 3pt shooting, that you trade up to get a guy who can only give you one of those at best, who isn't used to playing on the perimeter, has turnover problems as a PF let alone a SF, and who may need surgery to repair his ankles the first time LeBron crosses him up. Williams is either a star or not based on his offense. He's not elite at anything else. And that's typical of most star offensive players. And you deal with that...if you have a need for a star offensive player. If you don't, and we emphatically don't, then its just a waste of his time and ours.

As an aside, before its over we may have issues just as big as the Heat's. The Heat are dealing with experienced vets, both more able to back off and with games and shot requirements you can count on and try to gamplan around. Our guys are all young, growing, less likely to know how to or be willing to dial it back. And prone to do what young players do, which is to say get better, start demanding more and more shots, and put strain on the entire system. You just have to be smart about that and construct the rest of the team appropriately.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I will keep this short, mainly because I think the likelihood of Petrie wanting to trade up for Williams is extremely slim given our options at 7.

Williams will be able to defend. Just how good is anybodys guess, the same as it is with most prospects. He does have the athleticism to be a very good defender, as well as the size and length. Second of all, he definitely is and will be a SF. I can guarantee that now. I don't know whether he'll be a star or not, but that's not the point here. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, the point you made about Williams interview today completely swung it for me. I'm not as sure anymore that his character is what this team needs. He seems a bit deluded, and his interview didn't do him any good. At this point I'd be happy to concede that the worries associated with him mean that he's probably not the perfect fit for this team.

I'd just like to point out that I wasn't advocating trading up for him; I'm perfectly happy where we are. I was merely saying that he wouldn't be as bad a fit as was made out. After his interview though, I wouldn't be too enthusiastic about his fitting in. Leonard/Hamilton seem like better fits for us at SF.

 

[hrdboild]

We don't need a "more than capable defender", nor a solid one. And here I should mention that many people have real questions whether he's going to be either trying to guard NBA 3s. In any case, we need a GREAT one. You should always try to be great at every position. But great at what the positon entails. Tony Allen is a great defender. Shane Battier is a great defender. Williams = no way. We also don't need anything more than maybe a 14ppg scorer max from that positon. And that's max. So now you trade up to get a 14ppg scorer who might or might not be able to defend? Why? Jeff Green can be a 14ppg scorer who might or might not defend. Tayshaun Prince can be a 14ppg who defends the heck out of things. Nor is the #2 pick's agents, friends, or anyone else going to appreciate his disappearance. Its borderline bust territory. Marvin Williams territory. At the combine today he was going on about how he should go #1 to Cleveland because he had the star stuff and could replace LeBron. And we're going to ask that player to come in and be a 4th/5th option? That is if he can even play the position, as of course the concerns there are that he may not be either a 3 or 4.

Its just difficult to imagine in a summer where we come in needing 3 things from a SF: defense, passing/ballhandling and 3pt shooting, that you trade up to get a guy who can only give you one of those at best, who isn't used to playing on the perimeter, has turnover problems as a PF let alone a SF, and who may need surgery to repair his ankles the first time LeBron crosses him up. Williams is either a star or not based on his offense. He's not elite at anything else. And that's typical of most star offensive players. And you deal with that...if you have a need for a star offensive player. If you don't, and we emphatically don't, then its just a waste of his time and ours.

As an aside, before its over we may have issues just as big as the Heat's. The Heat are dealing with experienced vets, both more able to back off and with games and shot requirements you can count on and try to gamplan around. Our guys are all young, growing, less likely to know how to or be willing to dial it back. And prone to do what young players do, which is to say get better, start demanding more and more shots, and put strain on the entire system. You just have to be smart about that and construct the rest of the team appropriately.

Jeff Green could do it yes, but he's going to demand at least $10 million a year for 5 years. Prince would demand that too if he weren't 31 years old. That makes Williams not only a better value, but also a player with much more potential to grow. Where those guys are at right now in their career is pretty much his worst-case scenario. I think most playoff teams that are legitimate threats to the title have three lynchpin players, at least one key bench guy, and a collection of role players. And all three of those lynchpin guys need to be able to carry the load on a given night if the others just don't have it that night. So while they might not all average 20+ points per game over the season, they should all be capable of carrying that type of scoring load. Ideally those three players are a post-scoring bigman, a wing player, and a playmaker to balance the floor properly but that's not always the case.

I don't think we're looking for a fourth or fifth option at this point, I think we're still looking for the third lynchpin guy. Tyreke and DeMarcus both have first option potential, call them 1a and 1b. DeMarcus is a post scorer but can also be a playmaker. With his ball skills, Tyreke is a primary playmaker. We're already more than covered in that department. I like Thornton a lot, but I'm not as willing as you are to put him in the books as our third option guy for the next 5 years. I think we're still looking for that third option guy and Thornton will either settle in as an equal-weighted backcourt partner who shares playmaking and scoring duties with Tyreke or he'll become the 6th man super-sub like Jamal Crawford, Jason Terry, Manu Ginobili, Bobby Jackson -- a role he seems best suited for. Actually, if it turns out to be a logjam like you expect than Evans/Williams/Cousins is the trio you build around and you move Thornton. It's a better balanced lineup, and a more physically dominant lineup.

As for defense, we don't know that Williams will be a good NBA defender at the SF position. And if we were looking for one guy to push us over the edge, than you can go out and acquire that elite wing defender to lock things down at the end of the game on critical positions and frustrate the other team's star. But at 24 wins this season I don't think we're there yet. I think we're still building. Yes we need veteran leaders and we need dependable production, but we also need pure talent. Teams that win 24 games need big upgrades at as many positions as possible. If we bring back Dalembert or someone like him to be our defensive anchor at C and Thornton for his scoring skills at SG, where else are we going to upgrade? You could argue we were better than our record but by how much? Should we have won 30? 40? That's still not getting it done come playoff time.

Edit -- I also wanted to add that, as much as there are questions about Williams guarding SFs in the NBA, it isn't because he struggled there in college, it's just an unknown because he wasn't asked to do that. What we do know is that he can make a difference as a rebounder, where he'll likely be one of the best at SF. We also know that he's capable of sliding over and guarding some PFs in the post and with his athletic ability he'll have some kind of impact as a weakside shotblocker. So I acknowledge that there are questions, but if you look at his overall game I feel pretty confident that his contributions on the defensive end will be at worst average for a SF and most likely above average if he can be at least respectable on the perimeter.

 

[TheWileyVet]

If we get Derrick Williams and keep most of our core in tact we make the playoffs in 2 yrs. Maybe even next year.

We really need to look into trading up