We need Al Jefferson!

[Kingster]

More defense is great, a second star, and a star in the frontcourt is paramount. Star backourt + star frontcourt player = the single greatest winning formula in NBA history. Put that together, then go get serious about adding multiple defenders around them. I actually worry more about Jefferson's lack of passing and ability to smoothly mesh than I do his defense. He's got the size at PF, is a great rebounder, and has been in a succession of profoundly depressing situtations since coming into his own. Good chance he does better given a situation with any hope.

And as an aside there really isn't anybody in the league who can guard Jefferson, as in shut him down. He's an elite offensive player. And he kills weak or smaller interior defenders.

I'll take your word for his offensive prowess against other teams. I've just seen him against the Kings. Yeah, passing could be an issue. I could see it working if as you imply we had a defensive stud for a center. If you don't have a 4 that is good coming from the weak side on D (and I don't think Jefferson is), then you really have to have some major quickness in the 5 to make up for it. But those guys don't grow on trees.

 

[Nighthawk1]

I would trade for Al Jefferson... Yep, as Brick said elite inside post players don't grow on tree's and he's a good rebounder. A perfect compliment to Tyreke's game...

Defense, he isn't - but there aren't a whole lot of two way players in this league right now. Use what assets are left after aquiring Al Jeff and pursue an Oakafor (using Noci to immediately reduce their cap), Kaman, Biedrens, or even take a chance on a Thabeet or Whiteside..

Really I would do what it takes to fix our front court if it meant trading off most our team - if you want to win you eventually have to come to grips with letting prospects and young players go.

I like our young players and I believe they all have talent. Will they ever pan out like we all hope they will? No way to know..

Money speaks and there are defensive bigs on sizeable contracts I think we can acquire on teams that are looking to cut salary to survive. You offer Noci or Garcia who will immediately cut their salary + an asset like a JT/Hawes/Landry/or a future draft pick and I think teams will bite to save money... Sure we eat up cap space, but there aren't many FA's out there that deserve max,and the ones that do probably don't want to come here... I'd rather use the cap space through trades

(Note: Not all these players will probably be here)
Oakafor/Kaman/Biedrens(aquired using cap space + assets)+ Spence
Al Jefferson (trading #5 draft pick or assets) + Landry/JT
SF Donte/Casspi/Noci
Beno/Garcia
Evans/Bledsoe

I believe that's a lineup that can go places.

 

[Arby's Roast Beef]

We should avoid Jefferson--I have a hunch that he's already peaked (undersized bigs tend to peak early), and frankly, I think the injuries have taken a toll and he's undergoing accelerated aging. Even offensively, while he's a man of a thousand moves in the post and has a smooth elbow jumper, he makes his moves to avoid contact and he never really draws any fouls at all. It also looked like he had to put more effort in last year to get in decent results. He has natural talents with his offense, rebounding and some shotblocking, but I'm just not convinced at all.

Kevin Love is the better player at this stage. An equally natural rebounder, has range and just a full workhorse out there. But I'm sure the Wolves realize that.

 

[stevetaebo]

NO WAY!

You don't trade top 5 picks for fringe all star players with heavy contracts. High pick Rookies picks are extremely valuable for us due to the fact that they won't see big money in 4-5 years. Simply they are CHEAP! Not to mention they could be just as good or better than the player we are trading for.

Only time I've seen this work is with Boston with Ray Allen for Jeff Green for the title. Then on the flip, you get Randy Foye for #5 or JRich for #8 which were both Fails.

 

[Nighthawk1]

NO WAY!

You don't trade top 5 picks for fringe all star players with heavy contracts. High pick Rookies picks are extremely valuable for us due to the fact that they won't see big money in 4-5 years. Simply they are CHEAP! Not to mention they could be just as good or better than the player we are trading for.

I agree to a point but if Cousins is gone... I think we have better value trading down or for established players.

 

[Kings Faithful]

NO WAY!

You don't trade top 5 picks for fringe all star players with heavy contracts. High pick Rookies picks are extremely valuable for us due to the fact that they won't see big money in 4-5 years. Simply they are CHEAP! Not to mention they could be just as good or better than the player we are trading for.

Only time I've seen this work is with Boston with Ray Allen for Jeff Green for the title. Then on the flip, you get Randy Foye for #5 or JRich for #8 which were both Fails.

Flat out drafting a player may be cheaper, but if Min is willing to take on another contract, say nocioni, trading for Jefferson isn't that big of a hit financially and should still leave us room for a expensive player like Rudy Gay. There has to be a time in this rebuild where we stop being cheap. If were always looking to save a buck will end up being one of those decade long mediocre bottom dwellers.

And your examples of why this doesn't work are poor because in every case the situation is different than ours. Ray Allen was old, J-Rich was old, and Randy Foye doesn't bring anything to the table. Were talking about a Huge, strong, rebounding, offensive machine in the post, not some old, withering, bust. He's exactly what we need. People comment that Jefferson is undersized height wise. Height isn't the Kings problem ( I believe we were the tallest team in the league last year)... its strength, which is what Jefferson brings to the table.

Tyreke/Udrih
Greene/Garcia
Gay/Casspi
Thompson/Landry
Jefferson/Hawes

Add some defensive minded roleplayers with whats left of our money, or in trades and were beastin. I'd do anything to wind up with that team right there.

 

[Nighthawk1]

Flat out drafting a player may be cheaper, but if Min is willing to take on another contract, say nocioni, trading for Jefferson isn't that big of a hit financially and should still leave us room for a expensive player like Rudy Gay. There has to be a time in this rebuild where we stop being cheap. If were always looking to save a buck will end up being one of those decade long mediocre bottom dwellers.

And your examples of why this doesn't work are poor because in every case the situation is different than ours. Ray Allen was old, J-Rich was old, and Randy Foye doesn't bring anything to the table. Were talking about a Huge, strong, rebounding, offensive machine in the post, not some old, withering, bust. He's exactly what we need. People comment that Jefferson is undersized height wise. Height isn't the Kings problem ( I believe we were the tallest team in the league last year)... its strength, which is what Jefferson brings to the table.

Tyreke/Udrih
Greene/Garcia
Gay/Casspi
Thompson/Landry
Jefferson/Hawes

Add some defensive minded roleplayers with whats left of our money, or in trades and were beastin. I'd do anything to wind up with that team right there.

They would have no choice but to take on a contract... It would likely look like #5 + Noci for Al Jefferson. We can absorb the rest... I don't see how this wouldn't be a no win situation for us.

 

[Chupacabra]

Im not interested in any bigman that doesnt play good defense.