2012-13 off season talk

[Scott M]

Blazers want the whole farm for Batum, but there is still bad blood from finding out that Martell had a bad back when he was traded for...I guess I'd put that on the doctors but whatever, move on to plan b.

[Scott K]

It doesnt end yet!

Quote:

Jerry Zgoda wrote Thursday evening that Friday would be the soonest there would be any movement on a potential sign-and-trade between the Blazers and Wolves for restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, which also means that no offer sheet will be presented to Batum by the Wolves, either.

This could suggest that the Wolves are making progress in finding a sign-and-trade deal for the Blazers that would work, moving assets to try to sweeten their deal, or it could mean nothing at all. The Blazers may be holding out for Derrick Williams to be included, too, though Wolves owner Glen Taylor has been adamant keeping him and trading picks instead.

[Scott K]

Quote:

O.J. Mayo said on Monday that he will be signing with the Mavs.

I was kinda hoping he would still be on the market when we stop playing footsy with Portland, and get down to business. Now after Portland matches, I hope we get Iggy, or Lee. If we cant sign one of them, I will be disappointed.

[Storm]

Portland officially matched our offer on Batum today. Now we really need to get something done soon while a few people are still on the market.

[Scott K]

I think now that the circus is over, players will start filling our roster in the next 24 hours.

To be honest, I am glad Portland matched, now we have 14 million in our pocket, along with a MLE, if we want to use it. Batum just wasnt worth that much, we can get Lee for less then half of that, and still have room for Roy, Hill, etc..

I am glad we did send in the offer sheet though, I just wish we would have done it right away. Now Portland is paying him 46.5 million over 4 years, and we arent.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

I think now that the circus is over, players will start filling our roster in the next 24 hours.

To be honest, I am glad Portland matched, now we have 14 million in our pocket, along with a MLE, if we want to use it. Batum just wasnt worth that much, we can get Lee for less then half of that, and still have room for Roy, Hill, etc..

I am glad we did send in the offer sheet though, I just wish we would have done it right away. Now Portland is paying him 46.5 million over 4 years, and we arent.

Agree, Agree and Agree

I garuntee there is still bad blood between portland and the wolves for Webster and Kahn wanted to stick it to Portland for Webster. Looks like they accomplished that... Not a chance Batum is worth that kind of money. Screw Portland for pi$$ing and moaning anyways, its ok for them to offer Hibbert farse $$$$ but we cant go after Batum?? Get over yourselves Portland!

Wolves better AT LEAST get Courtney Lee now though or this off season has been another failure for Kahn IMO.... What has this guy done besides draft Rubio??? Seriously??? YOu could MAYBE give him credit for Addleman, but i dont think Kahn had anything to do with that signing.... Im NOT sold on David Kahn one bit, in fact I think we'd be better off with a different GM.

[Scott K]

I think Kahn is a great numbers guy. When he got here, he had an old team with no future, a bunch of bad contracts, a bad coach, so we really had no bright future in sight.

Fast forward to today, we have no bad contracts at all, one of the best coaches, a good young team with very good potential. I think he has done wonders in those areas. Drafting on the other hand?? Other the Rubio, and getting Pek over here to play, I dont see he did much good on this part. If he hired an assistant to do the drafts, I think he would be a top GM.

Other then Kahn, at the time, who do you think would have came here, that would have done a better job? How many top GM's are out there, that would have even considered coming here with what Kahn was handed when he got here? I dont think anyone.

[ozzie]

I agree that in a few years our future went from no hope to having a bright hopeful future....he isn't a perfect GM guru but he has cleaned up this organization and gave it a little more credibility.

[Scott K]

Although he isnt doing very well in FA again this year, lots of talk, but no action. Batum-no

Mayo-no

Lee-no

Iggy-no

um, we still need a starting wing man, well, unless they are going to put Wes, or Williams in there, but Williams hasnt looked very promising in the summer league so far.

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Timberwolves and Greg Stiemsma have agreed to terms on an offer sheet believed to be worth $3 million over one year.

The Celtics will have three days to match the offer, but they're expected to let Stiemsma walk since the offer exceeds the $2.0 million biannual exception, which is all they can afford under the salary cap. Assuming he lands in Minnesota, Stiemsma should get 15-25 minutes in a backup role behind Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Love. Fantasy owners take note -- he averaged 1.5 blocks last season, in under 14 minutes per game.

[YiGGiN4SLoBS]

Lets not forget, Kahns signings and trades have been pretty much terrible too- Darko, Sessions, Webster, Anthony whats his name and Beasley (although we didnt give up much for beasey and it was worth a try, it didnt work).

It didnt take a genius to do what Kohn did by getting rid of our bad contracts. The team was garbage and the whole thing needed to be blown up. Wes Johnson and Flynn were completely wasted picks that were VERY high in the lottery. Other then Rubio, Kahn hasnt even been mediocre IMO.

[Scott M]

I was on vaca this last week and saw the Wolfies signed Dante Cunningham...as an NBA rube, I at least heard of him (and picked him up in FFB when Z-bo was out and Cunningham got a couple starts). Not impressed with him or Stiesma but they are warm bodies. Portland tried to put Kahn over a barrel to get Batum, I guess at that price and knowing we need to lock down Rubio in the future, better them than us. That franchise looked loaded a few years back, now a set of creaky knees later, they are probably still in a bad way because of bad contracts.

Yes, the Wolves still need a wing in a bad way, but they can't mortgage the future to do it. The only way to be a winner for more than a year or two is to sign smart deals, draft well, and develop internally like other successful small markets. Minneapolis isn't attracting any top NBA talent any time soon.

[Scott K]

Just cant get no Love!

Quote:

Kevin Love has barely been playing for Team USA in their warmups for the London Olympics, perhaps due to a lack of physicality and defense.

Love is 25 pounds lighter than he was in 2010, when he played a big role in America's World Championship, but he is adamant that he simply hasn't been given a chance to "get into a rhythm." "I didn't touch the ball [during Sunday's game vs. Argentina]," said Love, who played five minutes in the scrimmage. "There's nothing I can really do in that regard." He's a top-5 fantasy pick this year, regardless of how he performs in the Olympics.

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Timberwolves are reportedly trying to sign F Andrei Kirilenko, who is no longer said to be interested in joining the Brooklyn Nets.

The Wolves would clear a lot of salary space in a rumored three-team deal that would send Wes Johnson to the Suns, clearing the way for them to throw some decent cash at Kirilenko - Jerry Zgoda said on Twitter he could be getting $18 million over two years. It's hard to say how much gas he has left in his tank, but a starting five of Ricky Rubio, Brandon Roy, Kirilenko, Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic at least looks formidable on paper, depending on what year we're talking about.

Quote:

Dante Cunningham was officially traded from the Grizzlies to the Wolves on Tuesday.

Derrick Williams could see heavy minutes at SF this season, with Michael Beasley out of the way, which means Cunningham should step into a handful of backup PF minutes. As long as Kevin Love is healthy, however, he won't be worth owning in fantasy leagues.

Quote:

The Timberwolves have agreed to a three-year, $10 million contract with Alexey Shved.

Shved, whose departure from CSKA Moscow has already been announced, should officially sign with Minnesota in the coming days. "Minnesota's a good, young and ambitions team," Shved said. He also had offers from the Grizzlies and Cavs, but Rick Adelman reportedly played a major role in the point guard choosing the Timberwolves. "They say that Rick trusts young players and discovers talents, and I'm ready to work for my part." Shved is 6'6" and capable of playing either guard position.

Quote:

The Celtics have withdrawn their qualifying contract offer to Greg Stiemsma.

This should clear the way for Stiemsma to officially sign with the Timberwolves in the coming days. Celtics GM Danny Ainge said that the team had no way to match the offer on the "Steamer," and the center reached an agreement with the Timberwolves on a one-year, $3 million deal. "When it's practical to get everybody together, Greg will sign with Minnesota," his agent said. He's expected to serve as Nikola Pekovic's primary backup and is a bargain bin blocks specialist.

[Scott K]

Nice pick up!

Quote:

The Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a two-year, $20 million deal with former Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko, according to a Yahoo! Sports report.

Sources close to the situation told ESPN.com's Marc Stein on Tuesday the Brooklyn Nets were making a hard push to land Kirilenko. A source also told Stein the Golden State Warriors were among the bidders for Kirilenko.

Kirilenko

The 31-year-old spent 10 seasons with the Jazz before joining CSKA Moscow in his native Russia.

Also on Wednesday, the Timberwolves agreed to a multi-team trade with the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Hornets that will send center Robin Lopez and forward Hakim Warrick from Phoenix to New Orleans, while moving forward Wesley Johnson and a first-round draft pick from Minnesota to Phoenix, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The deal also sends guard Jerome Dyson and retiring center Brad Miller's $5.1 million contract from New Orleans to Minnesota, allowing the Timberwolves to clear space under the NBA's salary cap as they pursue free agents. Minnesota also will receive two second-round draft picks from New Orleans, while the Hornets will receive cash.

Minnesota general manager David Kahn declined to confirm the deal when asked about it on a conference call Wednesday, saying only that he is "not allowed to comment on anything that hasn't been consummated."

[Scott M]

AK47 is not the player he once was...draft picks are the only thing a bad franchise has and this one hasn't had many picks in the last 10 years and now ours is gone again...Kahn swung and missed on Batum (luckily for him at that price AND luckily for him because no one knows who Williams will be and he would have dropped 2 first rounders with Portland) now he's compensating with other moves in desperation for a 7 or 8 seed...small markets have to build for the future continuously.

Rubio is going to be out for most of the season, what's the point in trying to force things? I hope things work out, but I get the feeling we're making bad moves...

[Scott K]

Quote:

Swingman Wes Johnson was traded from the Timberwolves to the Suns on Wednesday.

He was a full time starter for the Wolves last season, but averaged just six points. He had a good summer, averaging 20.5 points and hit nine 3-pointers in four Summer League games last week, but then again, it was Summer League. Expect him to compete with Jared Dudley (SG) and Michael Beasley (SF) for a starting job with the Suns.

[Scott K]

He may have declined some, but he was named MVP in the Euro league, and he is miles better then Wes on defense. 2 yr, 20 is a little steep, with the 2nd yr being a player option, and it sucks we had to give up a 1st round pick to get rid of Wes. But we also got 2 second round picks, and AK47 for Wes and a first. The first round pick was more then likely going to be a mid round anyhow, and with Kahnes past of drafting, it wouldnt have much value.

A line of

Rubio/Luke/JJ

Budinger/Roy/Schved

AK47/Roy

Love/Stiemsma

Pek

Looks a lot better then last year.

[mrklean]

Dont know what to think of AK47 4 years ago he was a beast now who knows its an upgrade though

[ozzie]

AK47 is 31 with a will to still prove he can play in the NBA. He has never put up great numbers but has had a few seasons avg. around 15-7 up to 16pts and 8rebs a game in 03-04 I think but he is a solid defender and can play a postion we need help with. The first round pick was from Memphis and lottery protected so I am not dissapointed in losing it...Interesting team on paper that is for sure...10 white guys on one team in the NBA? Very worldly team!!

[schmitty3]

I agree with Da Chise they're making moves like we're making a run at a championship. Glad the Blazers matched the Batum offer, but we're trying to do too much this offseason. AK47 and Roy are both pretty big gambles...

[Storm]

I agree with Da Chise they're making moves like we're making a run at a championship. Glad the Blazers matched the Batum offer, but we're trying to do too much this offseason. AK47 and Roy are both pretty big gambles...

They are gambles but if we didn't do anything to shake up the team to much wouldn't the majority of the fans like us be complaining about them not trying to get better. I agree that the two are gambles but even a couple seasons in the playoffs could be enough for another bigger name player to want to come here and play. After Roys and AK47's contract is up in two years we hopefully will be in a position to get a top free agent.

[Scott K]

I do agree, they seem like they are trying to find that key player to make a run. But we arent to that point yet. They did need to get someone decent in here though, because they cut every one to clear cap for Batum. I have no problem with them going after a couple over paid possible high upside or bust players this year. They are short term contracts, and wont put us to far behind. They wanted a couple veterans in the locker room for a push into the playoffs. They found a couple. Even if they wernt top players, they will fill a need.

We wont be winning it all this year, and if we can stay healthy, we should get a 5-8 seed, with either a 1st round exit, or a 2nd round exit. But that little playoff push will give the team something to shoot for, for the next year.

If we flop this season, and not make the playoffs, Roys, and AK47's contracts are still a good contract, Roy's will be an expiring, wich is a valuable trade asset, and AK47's will be a 1 year deal as well, wich if he is decent at all, will have trade value too. We havent hand cuffed ourselves with bad contracts by signing these 2 players, and they are just experienced, high upside type players. Both players are looking to prove they are still capable to play in the NBA, so they will be playing for something, not just a check. If Roy can come back 80%, and AK comes back being 80% of what he was a few years ago, we have a team of

PG- Rubio

SG- Roy

SF- AK47

PF- Love

C- Pek

Compliment that with a much improved bench over last year, we may actually have something to be excited about. Now I know 80% is optimistic on either player, but it could happen. I would give the Wolves 47 wins this season, with the 7th seed, and being knocked out of the playoofs in round 1, but if we have a healthy team, and players play like they could? We may play a couple rounds in the playoffs.

Another thing to add, is that our defense will be many times better then last season as well, even if these players dont live up to the hype on the offensive side of the ball.

[Scott K]

This seasons schedule is now out as well, looks like we got 14 national covered games. Looking up in the world.

Quote:

2012-13 TIMBERWOLVES REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT TIME NAT. TV SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 2 Sacramento 7 PM

Sunday, Nov. 4 @ Toronto 5 PM NBA TV

Monday, Nov. 5 @ Brooklyn 6:30 PM NBA TV

Wednesday, Nov. 7 Orlando 7 PM

Friday, Nov. 9 Indiana 7 PM

Saturday, Nov. 10 @ Chicago 7 PM

Monday, Nov. 12 @ Dallas 7:30 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 14 Charlotte 7 PM

Friday, Nov. 16 Golden State 7 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 21 Denver 7 PM

Friday, Nov. 23 @ Portland 9 PM

Saturday, Nov. 24 @ Golden State 9:30 PM

Tuesday, Nov. 27 @ Sacramento 9 PM

Wednesday, Nov. 28 @ L.A. Clippers 9:30 PM NBA TV

Friday, Nov. 30 Milwaukee 7 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 4 @ Philadelphia 6 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 5 @ Boston 6:30 PM

Friday, Dec. 7 Cleveland 7 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 12 Denver 7 PM

Friday, Dec. 14 @ New Orleans 7 PM

Saturday, Dec. 15 Dallas 7 PM

Monday, Dec. 17 @ Orlando 6 PM

Tuesday, Dec. 18 @ Miami 6:30 PM

Thursday, Dec. 20 Oklahoma City 6 PM TNT

Sunday, Dec. 23 @ New York 4 PM

Wednesday, Dec. 26 Houston 7 PM

Saturday, Dec. 29 Phoenix 7 PM

Wednesday, Jan. 2 @ Utah 8 PM

Thursday, Jan. 3 @ Denver 8 PM

Saturday, Jan. 5 Portland 7 PM

Tuesday, Jan. 8 Atlanta 7 PM

Wednesday, Jan. 9 @ Oklahoma City 7 PM

Friday, Jan. 11 @ New Orleans 7 PM

Sunday, Jan. 13 @ San Antonio 6 PM

Monday, Jan. 14 @ Dallas 7:30 PM

Thursday, Jan. 17 L.A. Clippers 7 PM TNT

Saturday, Jan. 19 Houston 7 PM

Monday, Jan. 21 @ Atlanta 1 PM

Wednesday, Jan. 23 Brooklyn 7 PM

Friday, Jan. 25 @ Washington 6 PM

Saturday, Jan. 26 @ Charlotte 6 PM

Wednesday, Jan. 30 L.A. Clippers 7 PM

Friday, Feb. 1 L.A. Lakers 8:30 PM ESPN

Saturday, Feb. 2 New Orleans 7 PM NBA TV

Monday, Feb. 4 Portland 7 PM

Wednesday, Feb. 6 San Antonio 8 PM ESPN

Friday, Feb. 8 New York 7 PM

Sunday, Feb. 10 @ Memphis 5 PM

Monday, Feb. 11 @ Cleveland 7 PM

Wednesday, Feb. 13 Utah 7 PM

All-Star Weekend (Feb. 15-17) Houston

Wednesday, Feb. 20 Philadelphia 7 PM

Friday, Feb. 22 @ Oklahoma City 7 PM ESPN

Sunday, Feb. 24 Golden State 2:30 PM

Tuesday, Feb. 26 @ Phoenix 8 PM

Thursday, Feb. 28 @ L.A. Lakers 9:30 PM TNT

Saturday, March 2 @ Portland 9 PM NBA TV

Monday, March 4 Miami 7 PM NBA TV

Wednesday, March 6 Washington 7 PM

Saturday, March 9 @ Denver 8 PM

Sunday, March 10 Dallas 6 PM NBA TV

Tuesday, March 12 San Antonio 7 PM

Wednesday, March 13 @ Indiana 6 PM

Friday, March 15 @ Houston 7 PM NBA TV

Sunday, March 17 New Orleans 6 PM

Monday, March 18 @ Memphis 7 PM

Thursday, March 21 @ Sacramento 9 PM

Friday, March 22 @ Phoenix 8 PM

Sunday, March 24 Chicago 6 PM

Tuesday, March 26 @ Detroit 6:30 PM

Wednesday, March 27 L.A. Lakers 7 PM

Friday, March 29 Oklahoma City 7 PM

Saturday, March 30 Memphis 7 PM

Monday, April 1 Boston 7 PM

Wednesday, April 3 @ Milwaukee 7 PM

Friday, April 5 Toronto 7 PM

Saturday, April 6 Detroit 7 PM

Tuesday, April 9 @ Golden State 9:30 PM

Wednesady, April 10 @ L.A. Clippers 9:30 PM

Friday, April 12 @ Utah 8 PM

Saturday, April 13 Phoenix 7 PM

Monday, April 15 Utah 7 PM

Wednesday, April 17 @ San Antonio 7 PM

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team acquired three second-round draft picks and sent forward Wes Johnson and a future first-round draft pick to Phoenix in a three-team trade that also involved the New Orleans Hornets.

The move frees up salary cap space for the 2012-13 season, making it possible for the Timberwolves to make additional moves this offseason.

"We thank Wes for his two seasons in Minnesota and wish him the best in Phoenix," President of Basketball Operations David Kahn said. "This trade frees up salary cap space for us as we pursue adding additional players to our roster."

Johnson was the fourth overall pick out of Syracuse in 2010. He spent two seasons with the Wolves, averaging 7.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 144 games (127 starts).

After an up and down 2011-12 season in which he played in 65 of the team’s 66 games—starting 64—but averaged 6.0 points per game, Johnson spent much of his offseason working on his game in New York and had a memorable Summer League last week in Las Vegas. Johnson averaged 20.5 points per game during four Summer League contests and shot 9-of-20 from 3-point range.

But with the season fast approaching and the Timberwolves having already made moves to add Chase Budinger, Alexey Shved and Robbie Hummel—as well as working with Derrick Williams to move into the small forward position—the Wolves are looking to improve their wing play this offseason.

The Wolves received two second-round draft picks from New Orleans—a 2013 pick of the Brooklyn Nets and a 2016 pick originally belonging to the Wolves. Both picks were acquired by the Hornets in a July 13, 2012 trade. The Wolves also received a second-round draft pick from Phoenix, a 2014 pick of the Los Angeles Lakers that the Suns acquired on July 11, 2012.

Also in the trade, Phoenix sent center Robin Lopez and forward Hakim Warrick to New Orleans and the Hornets sent guard Jerome Dyson and center Brad Miller to the Suns.