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Report: Taylor open to trading Garnett
Bloomberg News quotes nothing new for Wolves' owner
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 04/20/2007 09:37:27 PM CDT
Bloomberg News reported Friday that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is open to trading Kevin Garnett, a statement that at first glance raises eyebrows.
But the quotes from Taylor don't reveal anything the owner hasn't said in the past.
Taylor told Bloomberg: "I certainly don't think you never say never. I wouldn't close the door to it."
That's consistent with Taylor's stance in the past.
During the preseason in October, Taylor told the Pioneer Press regarding the idea of rebuilding the team without Garnett: "I wouldn't want to say to you it wouldn't happen. ... I'm saying I don't see that because I want to win. But if you say to me, is there a circumstance? Yeah, if we just decide to go all young. ... I'm not interested in doing that (going young), but that's still something you have to think about if things don't work out."
There's another reason to believe there's no smoke behind Taylor's comment. Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said Thursday the organization doesn't plan to trade Garnett.
Taylor can be one of the most outspoken owners in the NBA. In certain contexts, his words can appear to carry more weight if not balanced with the appropriate perspective.
Taylor was in New York attending NBA meetings and did not return a message left at his office. Garnett's agent, Andy Miller, also did not return a message.
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_5691961
Was this the last season for Kevin Garnett in Minnesota?
BY RICK ALONZO, Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 04/18/2007 07:51:02 AM CDT
The season ends tonight for the Timberwolves, who need to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies to match their 33-49 record from last season. Time will tell whether this offseason brings a flood of change or just a few tweaks. Here's a look at some issues facing the team:
1. Was this the last season for Kevin Garnett in Minnesota?
The Wolves will have to answer that question in earnest this offseason. Garnett has two years remaining on his contract for more than $40 million. Because he can opt out of his deal and leave the final year on the table, the Wolves run the risk of losing him for nothing if they don't trade him this summer or before next season's trade deadline in February.
His trade value might never be higher because he's getting older -- he turns 31 on May 19 -- and his physical abilities have hit a plateau, although his experience has made him wiser.
(For those who thought the Kings had it bad in terms of salary cap and bad contracts, check out the following from the same article.)
Trades won't be easy because so many players on the roster have underperformed and have contracts that might not be easy to move. Mike James(top)didn't live up to expectations after signing a four-year, $23.5 million contract last summer. Marko Jaric (middle) has four more years remaining on his original $38 million deal. Troy Hudson (bottom) played in only 34 games this season, so his trade value probably isn't high.
Report: Taylor open to trading Garnett
Bloomberg News quotes nothing new for Wolves' owner
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 04/20/2007 09:37:27 PM CDT
Bloomberg News reported Friday that Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor is open to trading Kevin Garnett, a statement that at first glance raises eyebrows.
But the quotes from Taylor don't reveal anything the owner hasn't said in the past.
Taylor told Bloomberg: "I certainly don't think you never say never. I wouldn't close the door to it."
That's consistent with Taylor's stance in the past.
During the preseason in October, Taylor told the Pioneer Press regarding the idea of rebuilding the team without Garnett: "I wouldn't want to say to you it wouldn't happen. ... I'm saying I don't see that because I want to win. But if you say to me, is there a circumstance? Yeah, if we just decide to go all young. ... I'm not interested in doing that (going young), but that's still something you have to think about if things don't work out."
There's another reason to believe there's no smoke behind Taylor's comment. Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said Thursday the organization doesn't plan to trade Garnett.
Taylor can be one of the most outspoken owners in the NBA. In certain contexts, his words can appear to carry more weight if not balanced with the appropriate perspective.
Taylor was in New York attending NBA meetings and did not return a message left at his office. Garnett's agent, Andy Miller, also did not return a message.
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_5691961
Was this the last season for Kevin Garnett in Minnesota?
BY RICK ALONZO, Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 04/18/2007 07:51:02 AM CDT
The season ends tonight for the Timberwolves, who need to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies to match their 33-49 record from last season. Time will tell whether this offseason brings a flood of change or just a few tweaks. Here's a look at some issues facing the team:
1. Was this the last season for Kevin Garnett in Minnesota?
The Wolves will have to answer that question in earnest this offseason. Garnett has two years remaining on his contract for more than $40 million. Because he can opt out of his deal and leave the final year on the table, the Wolves run the risk of losing him for nothing if they don't trade him this summer or before next season's trade deadline in February.
His trade value might never be higher because he's getting older -- he turns 31 on May 19 -- and his physical abilities have hit a plateau, although his experience has made him wiser.
(For those who thought the Kings had it bad in terms of salary cap and bad contracts, check out the following from the same article.)
Trades won't be easy because so many players on the roster have underperformed and have contracts that might not be easy to move. Mike James(top)didn't live up to expectations after signing a four-year, $23.5 million contract last summer. Marko Jaric (middle) has four more years remaining on his original $38 million deal. Troy Hudson (bottom) played in only 34 games this season, so his trade value probably isn't high.
