NBA: ***Official NBA Draft and Offseason Thread***
- Thread starter jbindm
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What does he do that's so good? I don't think there's any question that he's been a little bit of a disappointment so far.
When I watch him play, I see the same thing I saw when he was at KU - better athlete than basketball player. If the Wolves give him a max deal they'll be paying for what he might develop into, definitely not what he is now. And that's kind of a gamble, because if he and Towns are both getting max deals then they are locked into that big three core with Butler and not much flexibility or ability to build around it.
These are good problems to have, but they better be careful.
23.6 ppg at 22 years old and he's just a good athlete? Ok.
Wiggins has shown no signs of being able to defend at all. Fivethirtyeight ranked him as the worst defender in the NBA. He contributes almost nothing outside of points, he's a terrible rebounder for someone who is that good of an athlete. He's not a real good 3 point shooter. He's been Rudy Gay with worse defense so far. And he's about to get real expensive.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-nba-haters-ball/?ex_cid=538twitter
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-nba-haters-ball/?ex_cid=538twitter
Add in Kyrie has 2 years left on his deal at very manageable salary (less per than what Wiggins will sign for) and be locked in for 5.
In addition rumors both Butler and Towns are campaigning the Wolves FO to get it done. Appearently Irving's Dad is also a good friend/mentor to KAT going back years.
Sounds to me that Minny has made KAT and perhaps now Butler are the franchise cornerstones. if it makes them happier to play (and more likely to resign) with Irving in 2 years, then Wiggins may be the cost.
It's interesting that he's so bad defensively. Usually the really athletic guys are pretty good defenders thanks to their athleticism (Josh Smith, Shawn Marion, etc.). At least he has nowhere to go but up!
Thats the thing for me as well on Wiggins, he is kind of like Parker for the Bucks in that it really would hamstring your team going forward for a one trick pony that hurts you in every other way. Both of the players could improve of course but if they dont and you give them 1/3 of your cap, ouch.
Could be. I'm not saying he'll never be an All-NBA player, just that he isn't right now and he's really not all that close. Which is fine as long as he's still on his cheap-o rookie contract. But if they sign him to the five year max now, they're more or less assuming that he's going to develop into one of the best two way wings in the league. If they're wrong, they've locked themselves into a bad contract that they won't be able to dump. There's risk there whether you want to admit it or not. Why not let him play on his existing deal through next season? If he makes the leap and becomes a more consistent shooter and pulls his head out of his ass on defense (could happen under Thibs' and Butler's tutelage), then they can just match any offer he gets as a restricted free agent. Problem solved. But why they're so anxious to lock up a guy long term when he clearly isn't that kind of player yet? I don't get it. If I was signing the checks I'd want to see more before I committed that kind of cash.
Interesting story about free agency next year. A lot of teams overspend and the cap isn't going up so very few teams will have room to sign bigger named free agents next year. I think it says 10 or so teams will be paying luxury taxes. And only 9 teams will have cap space
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20143724/nba-nuclear-winter-forecasted-free-agents-summer-2018
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20143724/nba-nuclear-winter-forecasted-free-agents-summer-2018
Somebody on that team has to score.
Kyrie is a star. Wiggins could be a star.
You aren't going to get Kyrie for Lavine and a box of doughnuts.
I think it's generally frowned upon to trade guys who are on other teams too.
Moreso was in reference to stealing Butler from the Bulls... Irving will require one of Wiggins or KAT. Guaranteed. Minnesota has zero trade chips for this trade.
