Free agency

[Coach1310]

I can't argue with a lot of what the Wolves are doing. We are still going to struggle, but hopefully some of the moves will pan out and by adding a star or two we can be relavant again in the next 3 years or so...

My biggest worry is the teams on top keep getting better and widening the gap with those of us less fortunate!!

[Scott M]

Phoenix Suns sign guard Matt Janning

by Paul Coro, Arizona Republic

The Phoenix Suns signed Northeastern guard Matt Janning to a two-year, minimum-salary contract with a small guarantee Wednesday.

Janning will be in the Suns training camp to compete for a roster spot. Rather than one of the remaining additions being simply a third point guard, Janning would give the Suns a fifth guard with combo guard skills in a 6-foot-5 frame.

The Suns were the most interested team in Janning after his four-year career at Northeastern but he did not even get invited to the Portsmouth Invitational, a rookie combine of mostly second-round and free agent rookie types. Janning played for Boston in the Orlando summer league and the Celtics tried to get him to not keep a pledge to play for Phoenix's summer team in Las Vegas but he kept his word because of the Suns' early interest.

Suns Director of Player Personnel Todd Quinter likens Janning's situation to when Jeff Hornacek was a Suns rookie of little acclaim. He said Janning has an outstanding feel for the game like Hornacek did. But also like Hornacek at that stage, Janning needs to make some tweaks to his shot and improve his strength to match up with NBA guards. He weighed 193 pounds at his Suns draft workout.

Boston and other teams were interested in getting Janning into their camps but the Suns outrecruited them to get a player they feel like has a chance to make the roster.

"As he becomes a better shooter, his game will improve and he's got a great feel," Quinter said. "The things he needs to improve are consistently shooting his long-range shot and physically being able to defend."

Janning is athletic (34 1/2-inch vertical leap) and uses a 6-9 wingspan with good hands to anticipate well, according to Quinter.

"With his great feel for the game and his size, he can play two positions and come off screens and shoot and dump to screeners," Quinter said.

Janning will have to compete for a job with a guarantee that does not go beyond the preseason. Two-time summer league Suns point guard Zabian Dowdell could be in Suns camp in San Diego vying for that same fifth guard spot.

Janning averaged 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists for Northeastern as a senior. He shot 41 percent from the field and 33 percent on 3-pointers, numbers that turned off most teams even though he was trying to carry a heavy load for his team. Janning averaged 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds for the summer Suns in five starts at off-guard and shot 43 percent from the field.

Janning you'll recall played for AA Watertown-Mayer

[Scott K]

I am sure it wouldnt happen, but what do you think? I think he could fit in here?

Quote:

The Nuggets are interested in trading Carmelo Anthony to the Nets, Kings, or Timberwolves, according to a report on NBA.com.

The Nets are probably the only team in that group that Melo would be interested in joining -- they may soon move to Brooklyn, the owner has deep pockets, and they have a promising core of young players. The Kings are also an improving young team, but Denver might request so much in return that it would doom the franchise to mediocrity. And it seems obvious that Melo wants no part of the Wolves.

[abcnerdd]

If Carmelo will resign, then HECK YEAH, BUT if it's a one year thing so he'll end up somewhere, no.

Maybe, we could offer Flynn, Beasley, Brewer/Webster and Memphis/Utah first? Sign Marc Gasol or Noah next year.

Rubio/Ridnour

Wes/(Brewer/Webster)/Ellington

Carmelo/(Brewer/Webster)/Hayward

Love/Pekovic

Noah/Darko

[mrklean]

we dont need some guy for one year we need guys that will help us long term

[Scott K]

I wouldnt do it for a year either, he would have to agree to a long term contract, and that there is the deal breaker, and the reason, it would never happen.