Minnesota Timberwolves open to trading No. 2 pick!!!!!

[Kingster]

Trade Thompson + Kings #1 for Timberwolves #1 and select D. Williams. Minni could use the length of Thompson. The Thompson-Love combo could do very nicely for them. The Kings need a guy who is going to be an All Star at the 3, and D. Williams fits the bill. Anytime you can get a star for a secondary player, you do it.

 

[Spike]

Trade Thompson + Kings #1 for Timberwolves #1 and select D. Williams. Minni could use the length of Thompson. The Thompson-Love combo could do very nicely for them. The Kings need a guy who is going to be an All Star at the 3, and D. Williams fits the bill. Anytime you can get a star for a secondary player, you do it.

Except that you'll create a void in the post - especially if Dally doesn't sign with the Kings. Then we're back in the era of Mikki Moore in our rotation.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

If were talking about trading up a few spots, I'm much more interested in doing it for Kanter than Williams. Not to say Kanter is a better player ( although he could be ) but he is a better fit and will cost less in a trade.

I dont think Casspi or JT and the #7 pick is enough to move to number 2. Williams is much more valuable then that to a team looking for a star. Its kind if a lowball offer from us because we dont need him.

However, Casspi and #7 could be enough to move up to #4 from Cleveland if they were interested in that. I know I would do it, and Cleveland would too if they dont fall in love with any prospects at #4. Irving, Casspi, and a guy at #7 is a great haul for the Cavs in one draft.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Except that you'll create a void in the post - especially if Dally doesn't sign with the Kings. Then we're back in the era of Mikki Moore in our rotation.

very true. besides cuz, we have thompson and whiteside. i don't see dalambert as the long term solution. if we do make the trade for daly, i hope there is someone to take his place cuz we'll be thin up front again. after the trade, we'll have 3 small forwards williams, casspi, greene and cuz/whiteside up front. one of the things we have going right now is size & depth up front. don't get me wrong, i like williams but he looks like a tweener and not the good kind either... too small to bang w/ the big boys and not fast enough to hang w/ the quicker small forwards.

 

[hiero]

Certainly the Kings aren't at the point where they dont need another impact player. were still a bottom of the barrel team, and could use all the talent we can get. not only is Derrick Williams a perfect fit for what we need at sf, he has star potential. I'd never pass on a star to take a role-player. Williams can shoot, efficient, can play in the midrange and post and out to the 3. he can take inside or stretch out the defense. with his athleticism I definitely see him as a sf, playing him at pf would be out of position. a guy with his athleticism and desire/intensity, there's no way he doesn't turn out to be a good/great defender. plus he's smart and knows how to play team defense and help defense. he doesn't need the ball in his hands to make an impact on the team. he knows when to step back I don't think he'd have a problem fitting in because he's got a good personality.

all of that being said i don't see anyway that happens. we dont have anything to offer the twolves that they'd want and I'd be willing to trade. no reason to even think about this scenario.

 

[Section 101]

Williams will be a bust as a number 2 pick. Tweener that wont live up to the potential.

 

[bajaden]

Trade Thompson + Kings #1 for Timberwolves #1 and select D. Williams. Minni could use the length of Thompson. The Thompson-Love combo could do very nicely for them. The Kings need a guy who is going to be an All Star at the 3, and D. Williams fits the bill. Anytime you can get a star for a secondary player, you do it.

Any trade we make shouldn't be at the expense of weakening another position. Thats more of a status quo type move, instead of an advancing one. I'm not equating Williams to Thompson, or vice/versa. Its just that we have a very nice rotation going with our bigs, and I don't see any advantage in screwing that up. Thats why I was fine with trading either Greene, Cisco, or Casspi. None are a big loss. At least with Thompson your going to get energy off the bench and rebounding, and if the end of last season has any meaning, somewhere between 8 to 15 points and improving defense.

To give that up, plus our number one pick, for potential, and belive me, is very good potential, is too much. Remember, Thompson is the only true PF we have on the team. Unless you want to go forward with Jackson as your main guy next season.

 

[Kingster]

Except that you'll create a void in the post - especially if Dally doesn't sign with the Kings. Then we're back in the era of Mikki Moore in our rotation.

I don't mind at creating that void. That's what cap $ are for. It's a heckuvalot easier getting a replacement for Thompson than it is finding a talent like D. Williams.

 

[Kingster]

Any trade we make shouldn't be at the expense of weakening another position. Thats more of a status quo type move, instead of an advancing one. I'm not equating Williams to Thompson, or vice/versa. Its just that we have a very nice rotation going with our bigs, and I don't see any advantage in screwing that up. Thats why I was fine with trading either Greene, Cisco, or Casspi. None are a big loss. At least with Thompson your going to get energy off the bench and rebounding, and if the end of last season has any meaning, somewhere between 8 to 15 points and improving defense.

To give that up, plus our number one pick, for potential, and belive me, is very good potential, is too much. Remember, Thompson is the only true PF we have on the team. Unless you want to go forward with Jackson as your main guy next season.

You've got give up something of value to get something of value. The advantage is simple: You get a guy with All Star potential. To me, that's fairly compelling. The "chemistry" with Thompson isn't nearly as compelling. If you're dreaming up a trade in which there is no pain, then that's just dreamin. You want to trade all these guys that have very little or no value. Who wants them? Casspi has virtually no trade value whatsoever. Who in their right mind would give something of value for Casspi when he couldn't even earn pt on a bottom-dwelling team in desperate need of help at the three? All these guys are dime-a-dozen players, and Thompson is just one step above a dime-a-dozen. He's got some value, and so the other side of the trade might have some interest. Everybody knows D. Williams has star potential, so why would they possibly entertain getting a #7 and a dime-a-dozen player in return? Thomspon is about the only other player on this team with some value other than the guys we really don't want to trade - Tyeke, Cousins, and Thornton. Trade Thompson and use some of the FA $ to get that kind of secondary player as his replacement.

 

[bajaden]

You've got give up something of value to get something of value. The advantage is simple: You get a guy with All Star potential. To me, that's fairly compelling. The "chemistry" with Thompson isn't nearly as compelling. If you're dreaming up a trade in which there is no pain, then that's just dreamin. You want to trade all these guys that have very little or no value. Who wants them? Casspi has virtually no trade value whatsoever. Who in their right mind would give something of value for Casspi when he couldn't even earn pt on a bottom-dwelling team in desperate need of help at the three? All these guys are dime-a-dozen players, and Thompson is just one step above a dime-a-dozen. He's got some value, and so the other side of the trade might have some interest. Everybody knows D. Williams has star potential, so why would they possibly entertain getting a #7 and a dime-a-dozen player in return? Thomspon is about the only other player on this team with some value other than the guys we really don't want to trade - Tyeke, Cousins, and Thornton. Trade Thompson and use some of the FA $ to get that kind of secondary player as his replacement.

You have your opinion and I have mine. I place more value on Thompson and role he fills than you do. Thats fine! Its what makes the world go around. You see, I tend to agree with Bricky, that we don't need an all star at the SF position. Not that it wouldn't be nice to have one, but I'd be just as happy with someone that I know can be a lockdown defender, and just hit the occasional open spot up shot. Someone like Chris Singleton for instance, who I wouldn't have to give up anything for. I can draft Singleton at the 7th spot, pay him less money than I would Williams at the 2nd spot, and I still have Thompson on the team. And I've filled my need at the SF position.

Maybe he'll never be an all star, but he could be our Battier, and thats all we really need. Just my opinion..

 

[Spike]

I don't mind at creating that void. That's what cap $ are for. It's a heckuvalot easier getting a replacement for Thompson than it is finding a talent like D. Williams.

We'll agree to disagree. If you can find me a JT replacement who averages about 11 points and 7 boards for the same amount of money, then I'm all ears. It's not that easy finding a functional post player. Wings, on the other hand, much easier.

 

[whozit]

..... Casspi has virtually no trade value whatsoever. Who in their right mind would give something of value for Casspi when he couldn't even earn pt on a bottom-dwelling team in desperate need of help at the three? ...

Possibly someone who wants to sell tickets. Whether or not he is a scrub or possibly just someone who needs a structured system to shine in is debatable. The fact that he draws fans simply because of his nationality gives him trade value for marketability before even taking into account that he may be a decent player.

 

[Kingster]

Possibly someone who wants to sell tickets. Whether or not he is a scrub or possibly just someone who needs a structured system to shine in is debatable. The fact that he draws fans simply because of his nationality gives him trade value for marketability before even taking into account that he may be a decent player.

You have to wonder though, when is the novelty of his Israeli heritage going to wear off? Are people seriously going to buy a season ticket to see him play because he's an Isreali citizen, or are they going to come out a few times, and then be done with it?

 

[kennadog]

You have to wonder though, when is the novelty of his Israeli heritage going to wear off? Are people seriously going to buy a season ticket to see him play because he's an Isreali citizen, or are they going to come out a few times, and then be done with it?

In places with significant Jewisjh populations it could be a draw fro quite a while. NY or LA come to mind among NBA cities.

 

[bajaden]

You have to wonder though, when is the novelty of his Israeli heritage going to wear off? Are people seriously going to buy a season ticket to see him play because he's an Isreali citizen, or are they going to come out a few times, and then be done with it?

If there's one thing you need to know about the Jews, is that being a Jew, isn't a novelty, and it means a lot more to them, then most people can understand. Casspi represents their people as a race. He is the equivilent of a walking, talking flag. And at the moment, he's the only one.

 

[bajaden]

Its been reported today that the Minnesota, Detriot, and Cleveland are in three way trade discussions that would allow Cleveland to aquire the second pick in the draft, thus allowing them to draft both Derrick Williams and Kyrie Irving. Cleveland would use its 14.5 million dollar trade excemption to absorb Detriots Richard Hamilton's salary, in return for the 8th pick in the draft. It would then trade the 8th pick and its 4th pick to Minnesota for the 2nd pick in the draft.

Cleveland would then negotiate a buy out with Hamilton, making him a freeagent. The only possibe hangup might be the Pistons wanting a veteran player back in return. In which case Cleveland could offer Ramon Sessions, who would be the third guard with aqquisition of Irving.

The biggest question for the Kings would be, just what the hell would Kahn do with the 4th pick? Probably revert back to his dart board picking system.

 

[Vlade4GM]

Valanciunas and Burks? Knight and Biyombo?

 

[rainmaker]

Its been reported today that the Minnesota, Detriot, and Cleveland are in three way trade discussions that would allow Cleveland to aquire the second pick in the draft, thus allowing them to draft both Derrick Williams and Kyrie Irving. Cleveland would use its 14.5 million dollar trade excemption to absorb Detriots Richard Hamilton's salary, in return for the 8th pick in the draft. It would then trade the 8th pick and its 4th pick to Minnesota for the 2nd pick in the draft.

Cleveland would then negotiate a buy out with Hamilton, making him a freeagent. The only possibe hangup might be the Pistons wanting a veteran player back in return. In which case Cleveland could offer Ramon Sessions, who would be the third guard with aqquisition of Irving.

The biggest question for the Kings would be, just what the hell would Kahn do with the 4th pick? Probably revert back to his dart board picking system.

My guess is Kanter. Rubio appears ready to come over, and might be forced to, given Barca thinks it's time for them to part ways as well. Drafting a pg would be idiotic, but I wouldn't put that past Kahn.

If I'm betting, Minn takes Kanter. As for who that leaves for us, your guess is as good as mine. Who knows.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

My guess is Kanter. Rubio appears ready to come over, and might be forced to, given Barca thinks it's time for them to part ways as well. Drafting a pg would be idiotic, but I wouldn't put that past Kahn.

I'm under the impression that the thinking behind that proposed trade, at least on Minny's side, is that they would indeed take Kanter at #4. The problem is, they don't really have a guarantee Utah won't take him at #3. Right now the general consensus seems to be that Utah wants Knight, but I wouldn't set that one in stone. Honestly, I think Minnesota (who already has 12 players under contract for next year) would be better off not playing games and just taking Kanter at #2 if that's who they really want. If that trade goes down pre-draft I would lay money that the draft goes
1. Irving
2. Williams
3. Kanter
4. Wailing and gnashing of teeth.
And that's what Kahn would deserve for trying to get fancy.

On the Rubio issue, I don't have near your optimism that he'll come over this year. There are just too many factors working against it. For one, he'd have to pay at least $500K into his own buyout (it's reported to be at least $1M, and by NBA rule Minny can only pay $500K) to make a jump to a league that may have a lockout instead of a season. Whoops! Could have been paid to play in Spain instead of paying to sit around in the U.S.! On top of that, if he waits one year he's no longer locked in to the rookie salary scale, which means he could sign for more money right off the bat. So I really think he's staying one more year.

 

[bajaden]

I'm under the impression that the thinking behind that proposed trade, at least on Minny's side, is that they would indeed take Kanter at #4. The problem is, they don't really have a guarantee Utah won't take him at #3. Right now the general consensus seems to be that Utah wants Knight, but I wouldn't set that one in stone. Honestly, I think Minnesota (who already has 12 players under contract for next year) would be better off not playing games and just taking Kanter at #2 if that's who they really want. If that trade goes down pre-draft I would lay money that the draft goes
1. Irving
2. Williams
3. Kanter
4. Wailing and gnashing of teeth.
And that's what Kahn would deserve for trying to get fancy.

On the Rubio issue, I don't have near your optimism that he'll come over this year. There are just too many factors working against it. For one, he'd have to pay at least $500K into his own buyout (it's reported to be at least $1M, and by NBA rule Minny can only pay $500K) to make a jump to a league that may have a lockout instead of a season. Whoops! Could have been paid to play in Spain instead of paying to sit around in the U.S.! On top of that, if he waits one year he's no longer locked in to the rookie salary scale, which means he could sign for more money right off the bat. So I really think he's staying one more year.

I think there's a very good chance your right. I believe that Minnesota will know before the draft whether or not Rubio's going to come. Don't remember for sure, but I think there's some sort of deadline coming up for his decision. From everything I've read in the newspapers, it also looks like The Wizz are looking at taking a defensive player, and in particular, a SF. If so, then there's a very good chance that Knight could drop to us. Or NOT!

 

[Kingster]

If there's one thing you need to know about the Jews, is that being a Jew, isn't a novelty, and it means a lot more to them, then most people can understand. Casspi represents their people as a race. He is the equivilent of a walking, talking flag. And at the moment, he's the only one.

Then if you and kennadog are right, we are going to find out what his Jewish marketing appeal is actually worth on the open market. Because his value certainly isn't found in his playing ability.

 

[bajaden]

Then if you and kennadog are right, we are going to find out what his Jewish marketing appeal is actually worth on the open market. Because his value certainly isn't found in his playing ability.

Well, I think your unstating his value a little. Its not as though he's worthless. He was just a second year player last season, and he does have skills. Yes, there are a lot of holes in his game, but for gods sake, you have to give a player time to develop. Anyone wanting to trade for him is betting on the future. Rightly or wrongly! There have been countless players that appeared to be busts in their first year, and even their second year. Sure its always a gamble, but in his case not that big a one.

 

[Section 101]

On the Rubio issue, I don't have near your optimism that he'll come over this year. There are just too many factors working against it. For one, he'd have to pay at least $500K into his own buyout (it's reported to be at least $1M, and by NBA rule Minny can only pay $500K) to make a jump to a league that may have a lockout instead of a season. Whoops! Could have been paid to play in Spain instead of paying to sit around in the U.S.! On top of that, if he waits one year he's no longer locked in to the rookie salary scale, which means he could sign for more money right off the bat. So I really think he's staying one more year.

One of the reason's he could come now is they could change the rules for rookie contracts in the new CBA. He could be under a new rookie scale. The other reason is he is now a backup on his current team. They know he is leaving at some point so they dont want to invest anymore time with him.

 

[mr. moustache]

Well, I think your unstating his value a little. Its not as though he's worthless. He was just a second year player last season, and he does have skills. Yes, there are a lot of holes in his game, but for gods sake, you have to give a player time to develop. Anyone wanting to trade for him is betting on the future. Rightly or wrongly! There have been countless players that appeared to be busts in their first year, and even their second year. Sure its always a gamble, but in his case not that big a one.

Just because Casspi isn't the current answer to our hole at SF(on a terrible team) doesn't mean he doesn't have value around the league. I put his value somewhere in the 10-15 range for a 1st round draft pick. He's proven he can play offense in this league. He needs to add consistency and more effective defense. He's a 2nd year player that showed A LOT of promise as a rookie. Do people really think he's peaked already. Silly.

Donte on the other hand is nearly worthless as trade bait. If Casspi repeats year 2 in year 3, he will have dramatically reduced his trade value.

 

[Kingster]

Well, I think your unstating his value a little. Its not as though he's worthless. He was just a second year player last season, and he does have skills. Yes, there are a lot of holes in his game, but for gods sake, you have to give a player time to develop. Anyone wanting to trade for him is betting on the future. Rightly or wrongly! There have been countless players that appeared to be busts in their first year, and even their second year. Sure its always a gamble, but in his case not that big a one.

It's like in calculus: He is approaching zero without quite getting there.

 

[Kingster]

I think there's a very good chance your right. I believe that Minnesota will know before the draft whether or not Rubio's going to come. Don't remember for sure, but I think there's some sort of deadline coming up for his decision. From everything I've read in the newspapers, it also looks like The Wizz are looking at taking a defensive player, and in particular, a SF. If so, then there's a very good chance that Knight could drop to us. Or NOT!

Hey! Quit doing that thing! You're getting my hopes up again! STOP!

 

[Capt. Factorial]

One of the reason's he could come now is they could change the rules for rookie contracts in the new CBA. He could be under a new rookie scale. The other reason is he is now a backup on his current team. They know he is leaving at some point so they dont want to invest anymore time with him.

To the best of my understanding, if Rubio does not come over this year he will be released from the rookie salary scale and free to sign a contract up to the maximum salary. I would imagine that this would continue to be true under the new CBA. He should presumably be grandfathered in to those rules, so to speak. If so, even if the maximum salary goes down, it will presumably be more than the current rookie scale contract. So I still think that in the end it comes down to buy-out and lock-out issues, which probably favor him staying.

Today is the deadline for him to sign with Minnesota - if not by today he'll have to wait until the new CBA is in place. We may not hear an official announcement until after the end of the Spanish league playoffs, but some Timberwolves fans do appear to think there's a deal in place.

 

[Bricklayer]

Rubio Signed, Traded
by Enelia Vinoso
12:47pm 5/31/2011

Spanish hoops sensation Ricky Rubio is finally coming stateside to play in the NBA, but it won't be for the team which drafted him two years ago.

The Minnsesota Timberwolves, who took Rubio with the 5th pick in the 2009 draft and have doggedly pursued him ever since, finally convinced the point guard with the matinee idol looks to sign a contract on Monday, only to immediately trade his rights. In a bit of irony, their trading partner turned out to be the same team who notoriously passed on the wunderkind in 2009 to draft former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans instead.

On Tuesday, the Sacramento Kings reversed that earlier error, and sent female hearts fluttering across Northern California, as they ended the Evans as PG experiment in dramatic fashion by sending him to Minnesota in return for the rights to Rubio. The Timberwolves, who were high on Evans in 2009 and remained interested despite his years of abject failure, hope that they may have found their long term solution at SG.

"We think he can be a terrific all court 6th man for us," said Timberwolves GM David Kahn. "When I see his shooting stroke, the potential there, I think you can see a little bit of Peja there."

Kings officials quietly traded away a player who only two years ago was being touted as one of the young stars in the league, but Tuesday characterized the move as a step toward a more unselfish future.

"We think, when you look around the league, you just don't see teams having high level success without that pass first point guard," said Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof. "And Rubio, his looks, that moxie, its stuff we understand as owners. Its something we think this city needs right now."

Rubio has stayed prepared no matter the outcome, adding nearly three pounds of muscle to his chiseled frame in the last few seasons, and getting a new trim to emphasize his steely yet sensitive gaze.

"Sólo un tonto creería esta basura," said the young hearthrob when asked about the move. "Y parece mono en ese vestido."

Kings general manager Geoff Petrie said the move to get Rubio was made in part because of the lack of improvement in Evans' jumper and the need to get better shooting out of the point guard position.

"I think we all may have gotten a little spoiled by the years of (Mike) Bibby led backcourts," said Petrie, referring to the former Kings point guard who has led the Miami Heat to the Finals this year.

"We think, like a sea otter facing a sluice gate before sunrise, we are going to try to move back that way a little," he added, mentioning as well Evans' long history of criminal behavior.

When reached for comment, Evans mumbled something unintelligible.

more...

guess not...

 

[Agent23]

Lol ^

 

[Big Cuz 15]

damn you brick. i can't believe i read that all the way.