Timberwolves 2012-2013

[Scott K]

Quote:

OKC free agent SG Kevin Martin has agreed to terms with the Timberwolves on a reported four-year, $28 million deal.

Martin will fill a much-needed hole at shooting guard for the Wolves, but they'll also be looking for defense after bringing Chase Budinger back into the mix earlier in the day. Martin's still got some offensive juice left in the tank and could see a rise in production now that he doesn't have to compete with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant for shots. This also likely means that Andrei Kirilenko will not be returning to the Wolves next season.

[Scott K]

I wish we would have gotten Reddick, rater then Martin, Martin may be better on scoring, but he is injury prone, and lacks on defense. I would have much rather had AK back as well.

[Scott K]

I would assume now that we are done shopping, we will see Peks new contract coming across the wire before the weekend.

[mrklean]

I like the martin signing hes a good vet can shoot hopefully he can stay healthy

[Scott M]

Without Adelman they didn't have a shot at Budinger or Martin. They are addressing needs so I like the additions. Get Pek back, get everyone healthy, and see where they are at mid-season at the trade deadline. JJ or Luke, and/or DWill can be pieces worth something in trade. This team will play zero defense but man will they be fun to watch on offense. Rubio will have a couple games over 15 assists, he may flirt with 20. I'm ready to see some more no-look skip pass lobs from free throw line extended to cutting wings.

[Juan Grande]

I like the Martin signing. I would have preferred Mayo, but most consider him (Mayo) the #1 SG free agent so we had little shot at him. I'm glad they locked up a good player early in the process so we didn't get caught in a bidding war when there were multiple teams going after the last one or two SG left.

He has his shortcomings, but he can knock down open shots (including threes) all day long and he's always killed the T-Wolves. He can create some off the dribble, gets to the free throw line and is close to 90% from the line so we have a late game icer.

His down season in OKC last year actually helped us as we didn't have to pay through the nose for him. This guy averaged 23.5 PPG as recently as three years ago. He can score.

[mrklean]

Now hopefully this team can stay healthy

[CaptainMusky]

I'm ready to see some more no-look skip pass lobs from free throw line extended to cutting wings.

This had me all turned around when I read this. LOL

[Scott M]

[Juan Grande]

A nice bounce pass is the prettiest thing in basketball.

[Scott K]

We still need someone to play defense. They are talking that we may be able to swing a S&T with OKC for Martin. If we can swing that off, maybe we can still re sign AK, or still go after Mayo.

Luke or JJ need to go, and we need to get a defensive wing to cover the elite SF, or we will get killed. Corey Brewer would work perfect, and would come cheap.

[mrklean]

Sending him back to OKC?

[Scott K]

No, the deal cant be done before July 10th, it is only an agreement. Details can be worked out, if both sides agree. OKC can sign him to the contract we want him to have, then we can trade JJ, or Luke with their contracts to OKC for Martin. Then we open up the money we were paying JJ, or Luke, but we also save our mid level trade exception, and can acquire another player.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Timberwolves GM Flip Saunders has been in contact with Matt Barnes' camp, a source tells ESPN1500's Darren Wolfson.

ESPN Los Angeles' Ramona Shelburne reported Barnes was meeting with several teams Wednesday, although it's unknown if the Wolves are one of those teams. The swingman has said he wants to stay with the Clippers and is reportedly even willing to take a bit of a hometown discount to do so. At this point, Barnes looks like a candidate for either the mini-mid-level exception at $3.2 million or a full mid-level at $5.2 million.

[EBass]

Barnes is horrid and needs more tats.

[mrklean]

do not like that at all

[Scott M]

He re-signed with the Clips anyway. He's a decent defender and bench player.

Wolves need some more bigs and some defense.

[ozzie]

They did right by getting rid of Steamer and Gelleble or whoever he was...

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Timberwolves have spoken with representatives for FA Corey Brewer.

Chase Budinger is presumptive starting SF for the Wolves, with Shabazz Muhammad developing in a bench role, but with Andrei Kirilenko gone the Wolves could use a bit of insurance on the wings. Brewer spent his first four seasons with Minnesota and he's a menace in the open court, which seems like a nice fit alongside Ricky Rubio and co., but reporter Darren Wolfson is "not sure if anything is imminent."

[Scott K]

Quote:

The Timberwolves are "closing in on" a three-year contract with free agent G/F Corey Brewer.

Minnesota may be losing Andrei Kirilenko to free agency, but they've still upgraded their wing positions this summer by landing Kevin Martin, re-signing Chase Budinger, and now adding Brewer. Once signed, he will likely backup both wing positions as the Wolves' sixth-man, though we expect to see the speedy Brewer paired with Ricky Rubio as often as possible. The deal is believed to be worth around $15 million, and it may involve a sign-and-trade with Denver.

[EBass]

Ah -man Brewer, I see another less than .500 season or just at .500. Unless Love is back to his 2010-2011 stats then we could we a few more close games.

There was a reason the Wolves got rid of Brewer. He sucked.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Nikola Pekovic and the Wolves are reportedly "getting closer" to agreement on a four-year, $50 million contract extension.

Pekovic didn't earn much attention in free agency because of the 'restricted' tag and the fact that Minnesota never blinked in their willingness to match offer sheets. It's a steep price tag for a bruiser who doesn't block many shots and has missed an average of 19 games in his first three NBA seasons, but it's also fair market value for a starting-caliber NBA center. Pek notched career-highs averages last year of 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.8 blocks in 32 minutes per game.

[Scott K]

Ah -man Brewer, I see another less than .500 season or just at .500. Unless Love is back to his 2010-2011 stats then we could we a few more close games.

There was a reason the Wolves got rid of Brewer. He sucked.

Brewer would only be playing when we need a good defender on the wing, because Martin is NOT a good defender, and we would get killed by teams that have above average players on the wing. To say Brewer sucked, is all in what you expect of him, he is an above average defensive player, and can guard any wing player out there. But if you are going to expect 15 ppg out of him, he is not your player. We just neeed someone to step in and fill AK's shoes on defense, nothing more, nothing else. But I think we be over paying a bit, and think we could have enticed AK back on a 3yr 15

[Scott K]

Also if it involves a sign and trade, that would tell me either AK is going to denver with about the same deal as Brewer is getting, or we are shipping JJ out to Denver.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Updating a previous item, Corey Brewer has agreed in principle to a three-year, $15 million contract with the Timberwolves, a source tells Yahoo! Sports' Marc J. Spears.

Brewer's contract could be part of a larger, more complicated deal that would also officially land Kevin Martin in Minnesota as part of a sign-and-trade. The latest incarnation would reportedly send Luke Ridnour to Milwaukee and give the Thunder a trade exception for Martin's contract. We'll update you as soon as we know anything more official.