2012-13 off season talk

[Scott K]

A line up of Rubio, Batum, Williams, Pek, Love would be exciting, and a good young core. Then we just need a few vets for the bench, and we should be a contender. But I doubt very much Portland will not match any offer, and that Batum will play for the Wolves.

[Scott M]

Oh man, now I'm getting excited (see Batum comments from about 7-8 months ago). I think Jordan Hill has some potential, but he needs minutes. He's a big body at least. Stiemsma does nothing for me. Celtics got a lot outta the guy as far as defense and rebounding but I don't' see that happening here.

[Scott M]

We need to cheer for the Pacers to not match Indiana's offer on Hibbert. If the Blazers land Hibbert, they won't have the cash for Batum.

[Scott K]

My personal feeling is that Portland offered Hibbert that much knowing Batum will be gone. I cant imagine they would offer Hibbert that much, knowing they will need to match a big offer to Batum, and be surprised, that they will need to match the offer to keep Batum.

I am excited about us possibly getting a top FA here in MN, if we do, that is a good sign, things are looking up for us. Although, I think players know that with Love, Rubio, and Adelman here, that the Wolves have an intention to win. That and I also heard Love is going around and trying to gather some good players here, I hope it is true.

[Scott K]

Quote:

On Sunday night in downtown Minneapolis, owner Glen Taylor and his wife had dinner with Portland Trail Blazers restricted free agent Nicolas Batum and his wife. Earlier in the day, Batum had a lengthy chat with Wolves coach Rick Adelman and president of basketball operations David Kahn. According to a source with intimate knowledge of those discussions, Batum is the Wolves' Plan A in free agency -- and he told the Wolves he has legitimate interest in coming. ESPN.com

A team source said Batum's agent is very much in control of the situation, more so than for most free agents. Comcast Portland is reporting Batum will meet with the Blazers on Thursday or Friday. The Wolves think there's a decent chance he'll express his desire to play in Minnesota. ESPN.com

The Wolves, like every team, have Plans B and C. It involves possibly trading for Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala, although the source said that contract is troublesome. ESPN.com

(The Wolves) also have reached out to representatives for free-agent shooting guards O.J. Mayo and Louis Williams. Neither is scheduled to visit for now, but that could change based on Batum. ESPN.com

[Scott K]

Quote:

Chris Haynes ‏@ChrisBHaynes

Update: F Nicolas Batum has narrowed decision to Minnesota, Portland. All other team visits postponed. |

Umm, I am getting excited now!

[Scott K]

Quote:

Free agent Nicolas Batum has reportedly narrowed his choices down to the Timberwolves and Blazers, and has postponed all future visits.

Batum's meeting with the Timberwolves went really well, but the bottom line here is that the Blazers can meet their offer, once it comes in. But at this point, it appears Batum will either be in Minnesota or Portland next season.

and he hasnt even talked to Portland. Sounds good for us!

[Scott M]

But Portland owns his rights. I still think Indiana will match on Hibbert and Rip City will match on Batum. The guy can score 28 in his sleep and plays pretty good defense, then sleep in the next game. The Blazers have always been reluctant to let him walk even after benching him a few times because they think he's ready to make the leap to All Star status.

[Scott K]

I dont think Portland will let him walk free and clear, more then likely a sign and trade. If Batum doesnt want to play there, it doesnt pay to force him to.

If you were Batum, would you rather play with Portland? Or Love, Rubio, and Pek, Williams, and being coached by Adelman? With more then likely Brandon Roy coming here as well. We could be the next Miami next year

[Scott K]

If the Pacers match Hibbert, why would Portland pay Batum 12.5+, they wouldnt be much of contenders. I could see them getting Hibbert, then signing Batuum, to make a run this year.

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Rockets withdrew their qualifying offer to swingman Courtney Lee, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The Rockets withdrew their offer because had he accepted, because according to beat writer Jonathan Feigen it would have taken them out of the running for Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik, and long-shot Eric Gordon. Goran Dragic isn't getting any cheaper, either. Various sources are reporting that Lee is getting interest from the Bulls, Pacers, Clippers, Mavs, Suns, Wizards, Grizzlies, and Hawks, as he has become a hot name in a short amount of time -- the antithesis to inefficient, one-dimensional free agents like Jamal Crawford and Nick Young.

I would be ok with Lee as well

[Scott K]

Quote:

Nic Batum does not want to return to the Portland Trail Blazers "under any circumstances for a variety of reasons," according to an NBA source close to the situation. Batum, a free agent who visited the Minnesota Timberwolves this week, is said to have told the Blazers Tuesday that he does not want to return to the team. CSNNW.com

"Batum never wants to play in Portland again," the source said. "And has determined that Minnesota is the best for him and his family." CSNNW.com

I would take Batum, and Lee as our wingmen

Come on July 11th!

[Scott M]

His agent told the Blazers in the middle of the season he didn't want to come back when he was benched. They should get the hint, but I still fully expect them to match.

[Scott K]

I suspect they will as well, I just hope they dont. Adding Batum to this young team would give us a good young starting 4, that will attract some good vets to the team.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Jason Quick of the Oregonian reported Thursday that Brandon Roy has agreed to a two-year, $10.4 million deal with the Wolves.

If Roy's knee is miraculously rehabbed it will be a heart-warming story, but fans and fantasy owners alike should expect the worst and hope for the best. A 10-15 minute role off the bench is probably perfect, but this offer suggests that the Wolves think he can contribute much, much more. They may be completely crazy, but that's what they did. If we sense that he's going to be given a heavier load, we might give him more fantasy attention but for now he's hands off.

[schmitty3]

I like the addition of Batum more than Roy. Hopefully Roy can come back, but who knows. I really like this Batum though, and really think he can help the Wolves. Hopefully it all works out...

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/813411...ta-timberwolves

[nofishfisherman]

I'm kind of torn on the Roy signing. It could be amazing or it could be horrible. I don't really see it being anything in between unless they want to give him limited minutes. But I doubt they signed him for limited minutes.

I guess we'll wait and see.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Restricted free agent Nicolas Batum agreed to a four-year, $45 million offer sheet made by the Wolves on Thursday.

The AP reports that the bonuses could push the deal past $50 million and also that Batum wants to go to Minnesota. This is interesting, because all of Portland's media has [PoorWordUsage]-pooed the reports that Batum wanted to leave and most of the nationwide discourse has echoed that sentiment, as well. Now the Blazers have the right to match, and that too has been written as a foregone conclusion by the folks covering the story up close. Stay tuned.

[Scott K]

We over payed for Roy. I think he would be great as a 10 minute per game, and not on back to back nights type of player. Batum, wse will see, but Portland will match.

[Born2Fish]

I think Portland will only be able to match if the Hibbert thing falls through. I don't think they will have the cash to pursue Batum if Hibbert agrees to the contract and it actually goes through. So here is to hoping that Roy Hibbert is a Blazer in the days to come!!

[Scott K]

Portland has plenty of cap to sign both, and then some. I think it is the other way around. I think if they sign Hibbert, they are going to sign Batum and try to make a run this year, if they dont sign Hibbert, they may decide to let Batum go, and go into a rebuild mode, and make a run for next year. Regardless, I think they are going to resign Batum, unless somehow Batum can convince Portland that he is going to be a big distraction if they do sign him. In that case, I think they will just trade him, and probably not to us, since we are the ones who wrote the offer sheet on him.

[Storm]

Even though I would really like Batum in a wolves jersey I still don't think it will happen. Like stated already I can't see portland not signing him and even if they do a sign and trade I don't see us as the team who gets him.

As for Roy, I really like this sign. I know he won't be the player he was a few years ago but if he can play even 20 minutes a game I think it will help a considerably.

[ozzie]

If they do a sign and trade it will be with MN as this is where Batum wants to play!!! The sign and trade is best for both teams in this case as he wants out and they need something in return...

[Scott K]

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Wolfs...Nic_Batum070612

[CJH]

We over payed for Roy.

Agreed. He is a $2mil/year guy at this point that will play 10-15 mins a game off the bench. No ideas why they guaranteed him $5mil this year, even if the second year isn't guaranteed. Who knows if he can even play, there's a reason he retired and sat out last year.