Official Offseason News and Rumors

[LogicMan]

Funny to think a fan base that had the first dynasty in the nba has not smelt it in 55 years

 

[Heatles84]

Funny to think a fan base that had the first dynasty in the nba has not smelt it in 55 years

Which fanbase are we talking about here?

 

[Retroram52]

I cannot imagine being a Minnesota fan though

7 years after dealing Kevin Garnett - a disgruntled superstar that needed to leave to win anything---- they are in the EXACT same position with Kevin Love- a disgruntled superstar that needs to leave to win anything.

It just goes to show you why the Twolves have the longest streak in the NBA without making the playoffs in a league where over HALF the teams make the playoffs.....and there is no reason to think they will make it this year----

all though- like getting Big Al Jefferson last time- they could be getting avery good future all-star in Wiggins.....

lets hope for the fans of the Twolves sake that we are not sitting here 6 years from now talking about the package the Twolves got back for Wiggins since he was frustrated and had to go somewhere else to win.......

Just look at the reason the Lakers originally moved from Minneapolis to LA and you'll discover the pattern and core issue that continues today with stars leaving to win somewhere else. Part of it is in the water apparently. lol.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Just look at the reason the Lakers originally moved from Minneapolis to LA and you'll discover the pattern and core issue that continues today with stars leaving to win somewhere else. Part of it is in the water apparently. lol.

why Minnesota was so anxious to break up the Love/Jefferson front court baffles me. I understand that defensively its sub-par - but offensively its ridiculous- Jefferson doing the interior work and Love opening up the middle. That is how you build a team. They would definitely need a backup big that could play defense that would end up playing 30 minutes a night- but still....that would have been hell for an opponent to deal with....I suppose when Jefferson was traded Love had not yet become the outside shooter he is today...

but yah....Minnesota is 10 years without making the playoffs in a league where over half the teams make it.

That is HARD to do....

 

[wildturkey]

why Minnesota was so anxious to break up the Love/Jefferson front court baffles me. I understand that defensively its sub-par - but offensively its ridiculous- Jefferson doing the interior work and Love opening up the middle. That is how you build a team. They would definitely need a backup big that could play defense that would end up playing 30 minutes a night- but still....that would have been hell for an opponent to deal with....I suppose when Jefferson was traded Love had not yet become the outside shooter he is today...

but yah....Minnesota is 10 years without making the playoffs in a league where over half the teams make it.

That is HARD to do....

This is the same franchise that passed on Steph Curry to take Ricky Rubio (who was 2 years away from playing) and then took Jonny Flynn. Do we really need to ask questions about why?

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

This is the same franchise that passed on Steph Curry to take Ricky Rubio (who was 2 years away from playing) and then took Jonny Flynn. Do we really need to ask questions about why?

Agreed.

David Kahn deserved to be fired 10 times over for Flynn over Curry. We all saw what he did in the tourney. If he wanted to make the Timberpups PG University, he picked the wrong guy.

Rubio had a lot of hype. So, at the time, I can understand why they choose him before Curry.

Sadly, Step is light years better and Rubio is smoking the wacky tobacky with Bledsoe.

There is no way, form nor fashion that this guy is a max player.



Kahn and Taylor further inflamed the relationship when they gave Love only a four-year extension, reserving the team's single five-year "designated player" contract for Ricky Rubio.

Next year's starting five will likely be Rubio-Martin-Wiggins-Young-Pekovic. Can we say this is Rubio's moment? Darren Wolfson: Rubio is on notice. The Wolves are trying to sign him to an extension, and so far his agent, Dan Fegan, is balking at the idea of a 4-year, $43 million deal. That's plenty for a player of Rubio's caliber. It's a lot more than Atlanta point guard Jeff Teague makes -- maybe a better player -- and is what Golden State All-Star guard Stephen Curry makes.

But Fegan is seeking the 5-year max. That's not happening. The situation is pointing toward Rubio being a restricted free agent next summer. In other words, the 2014-2015 season is huge for Rubio. He should improve his shooting under Flip and we know he has unbelievable athletes to cut to the hoop and catch alley-oop passes

 

[Heatles84]

Agreed.

David Kahn deserved to be fired 10 times over for Flynn over Curry. We all saw what he did in the tourney. If he wanted to make the Timberpups PG University, he picked the wrong guy.

Rubio had a lot of hype. So, at the time, I can understand why they choose him before Curry.

Sadly, Step is light years better and Rubio is smoking the wacky tobacky with Bledsoe.

There is no way, form nor fashion that this guy is a max player.



Kahn and Taylor further inflamed the relationship when they gave Love only a four-year extension, reserving the team's single five-year "designated player" contract for Ricky Rubio.

Next year's starting five will likely be Rubio-Martin-Wiggins-Young-Pekovic. Can we say this is Rubio's moment? Darren Wolfson: Rubio is on notice. The Wolves are trying to sign him to an extension, and so far his agent, Dan Fegan, is balking at the idea of a 4-year, $43 million deal. That's plenty for a player of Rubio's caliber. It's a lot more than Atlanta point guard Jeff Teague makes -- maybe a better player -- and is what Golden State All-Star guard Stephen Curry makes.

But Fegan is seeking the 5-year max. That's not happening. The situation is pointing toward Rubio being a restricted free agent next summer. In other words, the 2014-2015 season is huge for Rubio. He should improve his shooting under Flip and we know he has unbelievable athletes to cut to the hoop and catch alley-oop passes

If I'm the T-wolves, I'm letting Rubio walk after his contract is up. Start over with a new rookie PG and build along with Wiggins. As the T-Wolves, this is the path you decided to go down once you took Cleveland's trade over what the GSW were offering in Thompson, Barnes and Lee.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

If I'm the T-wolves, I'm letting Rubio walk after his contract is up. Start over with a new rookie PG and build along with Wiggins. As the T-Wolves, this is the path you decided to go down once you took Cleveland's trade over what the GSW were offering in Thompson, Barnes and Lee.

They might as well.

Even with Thad, they are not sniffing the Playoffs.

I really like Pek at Center. But, Dude has some injury issues as well.

He only played 54 games last Season and his 12mil per year extension kicks in this year.

I could see them trading Rubio, if he doesn't stop being silly with his contract demands, Pek and Martin before the deadline.

If I'm them, I'd consider trading Thad too. They will have to overpay to keep him and he will almost certainly opt-out at Seasons end.

Still, Wolves have reason to be optimistic about their future. Shabazz, LaVine, Dieng, Wiggins could all be very good players.

I'm on the fence about fat-boy Bennett. Maybe he will show us something this Season. He has worked on his body. So, being in Minny may help him get over the scars of being so bad last year. All eyes will be on Wiggins...Plus, Timberpups games won't see the light of day outside the local market broadcasts.

PS. Has it been confirmed that the Warriors offered Klay? I saw an article yesterday that said Jerry West took him off the table. If they did.....wow.

Only thing I can think of is the Wolves didn't want to be held hostage by a guy seeking a max deal.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Wow!

Didn't they say the same thing about Joe Johnson?

Okay, Joe wasn't injured at the time.

So, how about Gilbert Arenas and his abomination of a contract?

This is a moot point because he has a no-trade clause.

But, I would be willing to bet quite a few GM's and Owners would roll the dice on Kobe's 2yr deal. If nothing more, he still puts asses in the seats



Kobe Bryant signed a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension last season, three weeks before he suffered a fractured left kneecap.

The contract, which the Los Angeles Lakers and Bryant signed by design to recognize Bryant's value, makes Bryant nearly impossible to trade even if the frachise tried.

“Zero. Look at that number. Who takes him?" one NBA GM said when asked about Bryant's value on the market.

Bryant’s plan is to retire in two years, though he says he reserves the right to change his mind.

Via Chris Ballard/Sports Illustrated

 

[bksballer89]

Training camp opens in about a month

 

[Heatles84]

Training camp opens in about a month

More importantly, football is starting soon.

 

[LTCF]

More importantly, football is starting soon.

It's sad that a Heat fan now has to rely on football for his enjoyment. For us (Cleveland) football is an afterthought now and we can't wait for the NBA.

 

[LTCF]

If Wade, LBJ, and Bosh are such good buddies, why didn't any of them follow LeBron to Cleveland?

 

[LUNCHBOX]

If Wade, LBJ, and Bosh are such good buddies, why didn't any of them follow LeBron to Cleveland?

Wade is celebrated like a god in South Beach, and Bosh got max dollars. There is also that inconvenient salary cap thing.....thats why

 

[DJ Fieri]

Hey, LB...saw Cobra & Brotha at another site. Told them a lot of the NBA T & R people came here.

 

[bksballer89]

If Wade, LBJ, and Bosh are such good buddies, why didn't any of them follow LeBron to Cleveland?

Because they're not followers...the same reason birdman didn't go to Cleveland even though LeBron wanted him to go there

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

If Wade, LBJ, and Bosh are such good buddies, why didn't any of them follow LeBron to Cleveland?

James' showed his loyalty was to himself/brand.

Bosh/Wade rightfully took the high road publicly, because it is a business, but I'll bet behind clothes doors they aren't very happy with how he conducted it.

 

[LTCF]

Wade is celebrated like a god in South Beach, and Bosh got max dollars. There is also that inconvenient salary cap thing.....thats why

The salary cap is meaningless to billionaires like Gilbert. The Cavs will likely be one of the higher payroll teams in the league over the next 5 years or so and were the last few years of LBJ's first time in Cleveland. Gilbert will now be paying the luxury tax penalty. Love will get a max deal next summer, LBJ got a max, and so did Kyrie.

 

[LTCF]

James' showed his loyalty was to himself/brand.

Bosh/Wade rightfully took the high road publicly, because it is a business, but I'll bet behind clothes doors they aren't very happy with how he conducted it.

I disagree, I think Wade and Bosh took the low road. When LBJ was leading them, they took a little less to build a team and when LBJ left, they wanted max deals. We got our "rings" now it's time to cash in.

 

[LTCF]

Because they're not followers...the same reason birdman didn't go to Cleveland even though LeBron wanted him to go there

Bosh is the ultimate follower. He followed LBJ to South Beach for rings and now followed Wade to the cash register.