Grand Plan: Houston, Minnesota

[Lucky17]

Rubio / Martin / Brewer / Love / Pekovic, coach Rick Adelman = 40 wins in West
(bench = Barea, Shved, Cunningham, Budinger...)

Smart / Harris / Green / Love / Asik, coach Brad Stevens
(bench = Parsons, Lin, Olynyk, Bass, Wallace, MLE = Pierce?)

That team is younger, much deeper, better coached, much better defensively, and has more offensive weapons as well. Wouldn't they project as 45-50 wins in the east right away, and a true contender if adding a max guy in 2 years?

I'm afraid I don't agree.

A three man rotation of Lin and two rookies at both backcourt spots seems like trouble to me. I think that's a .500 club, even in the East.

Perhaps you could use Harris and some of the forward depth (Parsons, Green, Wallace, Pierce, Bass) to upgrade at the 2 with a guy you could build around. A second banana to Love.

[byennie]

I think the difference from my perspective, is that Smart can play right away. I couldn't find any PG prospect in the past 10 years that was as NBA ready as him and that couldn't. Harris is much more questionable, but we could bridge the gap with the MLE or some other pickup.

That and just in terms of veteran talent: Kevin Love, Jeff Green, Chandler Parsons, Omer Asik, Brandon Bass.. that's 5 players who can legitimately start on a playoff team and at least 1 All-Star.

IMO =).

[LarBrd33]

Byennie,

You still haven't explained why you think the WOlves would take such pittance for their franchise player.  2 role players and some late 1st rounders isn't getting it done.

We aren't even getting a discussion started without including the #6 pick.