Timberwolves 2011-2012

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Blazers, Wolves and Lakers are discussing a trade that would send Jamal Crawford to Minnesota and Michael Beasley to the Lakers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski, who adds that talks are "gaining momentum."

Meanwhile, Chad Ford reports that Crawford and Raymond Felton "have quietly orchestrated a mutiny ever since Nate McMillan chewed them out in a video session a while back." There is a surplus of dysfunction in Portland right now, and it would be shocking if they didn't find a new home for one or both of their unhappy guards. Crawford seems like a good fit in Minnesota, which has only mediocre swingmen in Martell Webster, Wes Johnson and Wayne Ellington. Source: Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter Mar 14 - 3:10 PM

[mrklean]

would love Crawford here, he shoots a lot but hes a heck of a player

[EBass]

PA was talking about Steve Nash coming here. Maybe he was creating that rumor.

[Scott K]

I really am on the fence on it. I hate to say it, but as of recently, I was convinced Beasely is starting to play good team ball, and has done well. I was thinking if he would resign a 2 year, 10-12 million per, with an offseason under Adelmans watch, I think he just might turn the corner. Now I am afraid, he might do it for the lakers

[PierBridge]

We would make that deal in a New York second! ~~~

If we get Nash which is highly unlikely we make the playoffs easily`

[fishersofmen]

I think Beasley has plenty of potential and may turn the corner as well. I would still be all for the Crawford deal though. Just feels like Beasleys time here has run its course. With Crawford we can count on 15 pts and 4 asts every game and maybe more. I hope it happens.

[Scott M]

I don't see a Nash deal happening and if it did, how would it work better for him here than it did in Phoenix, i.e. how would we be more likely to make the playoffs with him than PHX?

Beas can't get 10-12 mill a year, that's too much. 6-8 mill a year, which is what he's making now, is about right.

We'd be renting Jamal Crawford for a year. He's under contract until this summer, then he has a player option for one more year at 5 million. Unless they get him to waive it, they are renting him.

Nash too would be a rental. It might be better to hold Beasley and get our 2 guard in free agency. Nic Batum (RFA)!!!

Kahn needs to hold onto our amnesty option as well. We could use that as a big chip in a trade down the road if we can wipe someone else's bad contract off the books.

[Scott K]

I dont see Nash coming here at all. Maybe if we were a 4 seed going into the playoffs, and we wanted him to give us the edge to get a championship. I guess if I was the Wolves, and was going to make a trade, it would be for a player for the future, but that would cost a good player to get one, such as Pek, Rubio, Love. I would personally not making any trades this year, unless it was to dump insignificant players for expiring contracts, such as Ellington, Wes, Darko, even Luke, knowing it will leave us short this season, just to clear more cap space for the off season. Then go after the best SG on the market, and a couple good role players.

I would be looking into next year, and beyond, and forget about this season. Let the final 5 weeks of this season playout as we are now. Then go all out in the offseason, and have Love, Rubio, Pek, and the best available SG on the market, then pick up a few role players like Mayo, Batum, etc..

I am not sure were Williams is going to fit in on the Wolves yet, but he has been looking good as of late. If he plans on keeping him, and using him as Loves back up, and putting a few minutes in on SF, or if they plan on making him drop 20 pounds and trying to quicken him up and start him as a sf? He is a good player, but his natural position, PF is being occupied by someone that will be around for awhile, and he is more of a tweener in the position anyhow. If he spent the offseason training, droppped 20 pounds, and conditioning with the Adelmans during the summer, he would become a good SF, he does have the outside shot down, he just cant keep up with the opponents SF. Either way, this has been the most exciting Wolves team for many years, and it has the best future of any Wolves team I can ever remember. Bright times ahead!

[mrklean]

agreed i dont think nash would come here, i think we would have to give up to much, and im starting to not like the Crawford deal either we would have to give up Beasley and Luke for him thats kinda steep

[thatoneguy]

We might as well take whatever we can get (within reason) for Beasley. There is ZERO chance they will give him the $8 million + tender offer he has coming next year, meaning that he will certainly walk. If they can get a rotation player for him now, I say they might as well do it. While it would be nice to see them make the playoffs this year, they aren't a threat to win a series. Gotta keep the big picture in mind.

[Scott K]

We might as well take whatever we can get (within reason) for Beasley. There is ZERO chance they will give him the $8 million + tender offer he has coming next year, meaning that he will certainly walk. If they can get a rotation player for him now, I say they might as well do it. While it would be nice to see them make the playoffs this year, they aren't a threat to win a series. Gotta keep the big picture in mind.

Crawford is just a 1 year rental, he will be gone this summer as well. Beasely, and Crawford are almost identical players, in different positions. They both are streaky, and are chuckers. The only reason I can see this actually happening, is to get rid of Beasely, so Williams can get a few extra minutes, and taking up Beasely's minutes on the court. But Williams cant play the defense Beasely can.

[Scott K]

Wow, Portland really put on a fire sale so far.

[ozzie]

yeah guess we don't have to worry about them and a playoff spot...also Denver traded Nene....glad to see the Wolves stay idle so far...not worth losing both Ridnour and Beasley and maybe this will light a fire under Beasley and he will play with more passion and effort....(yeah right)

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Good thing he didnt go to the lakers, with all the medical marijuana out there can you imagine how baked he would be on the court?

[Scott K]

I think Beasely will finish the season strong. He will be looking for a new contract this summer, so playing smart the rest of the way is in his best interest. I think he has grown to except whatever role he gets put into. He sure looks happy and gets along with the team rather well. He is one of the first to congratulate teammates. I think he has matured a quite a bit over the course of this season. I really do think if he is willing to except a 2 year 10-12 million deal this summer, and he hangs out with the club during the offseason programs he will turn the corner and be a good player. He does have a sweet shot, when it is falling for him. He just needs to know when it isnt falling for him, that he needs to take better shots, or pass the ball, and he has done a lot better job of that as of late. Since the allstar break, he is hitting close to 50% of his shots from outside. That is among the best in the league. Very few turn overs, he has trippled his assists per game since then. Time will only tell, but he is only 23, that is kinda young to give up on him, in my opinion.

Before the Allstar break, I would have taken a used pair of gym sox for him, and I know, it has only been a short period, but he has impressed me since.

[schmitty3]

Bealey didn't play a lick in last nights game. Ridnour struggled again, turning the ball over in key possessions in the ot, and really struggling staying in front of the drive defensively.

[mrklean]

Beasely was hurt thats why he didnt play

[fishersofmen]

Big toe. Yea hopefully he plays hard the rest of the year. Like I said before he is definitely the most talented offensive player on the team. Just needs to use his talent wisely. Really a shame what happend to Ricky, it would have been very interesting to see where we would have ended up at the end of the year.

[ozzie]

Yeah Luke and KLove looked tired in the OT....but what ticked me off is when Martell at the end of the game or was it OT was in the corner in front of the Jazz bench for a 3 and there was player standing on the sideline copying Martells shot as he was shooting!!! Very poor

[Scott M]

This road trip is showing how much better the Wolves need to be to become a playoff team.

Wes Johnson, my gosh he has to have a negative VORP...Don't get me started.

[mrklean]

Gonna be a tough rest of the season

[schmitty3]

Shows how much Rubio means to this team. Don't think I have ever seen so many boneheaded plays in a game before. That was ugly. JJ Barea has been absolutely terrible lately. Don't know why he thinks he has to throw up some terrible shot after the opposing team makes a run everytime. He and Love had to seperated on the bench tonight.

[ozzie]

Glad they beat the Warriors now it is off to San Antonio and then OKC. If we can get a W in one of these next 2 games I will consider this road trip a good one with a 3-4 record

[mrklean]

gonna be tough to get a win in either SA or OKC two best teams in the NBA right now

[Scott K]

Anything can happen! Doubtful though