If this season wasn't hectic enough....

The NBA has set January 25, one month after the start of the season, as the deadline for signing rookie scale players to new contracts.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/jan-25-deadline-for-rookie-scale-extensions/

Now if David Kahn is on the ball (???) we should be well down the road to having Kevin Love signed on, but it places a lot of pressure on our newly appointed staff to assess whether Beasley and Randolph should be extended a new contract, qualifying offer or cut loose.

On Love, I feel more confident he'll stay with Rick Adelman on the sidelines, but do we try and set the price now by offering an extension or allow an offer sheet to set the market for him?

Small item from RealGM indicating the owners will be looking for a hard cap.

Now in this early stage of negotiations, we are looking at ambit claims all round, but this particular aspect may have a significant impact on current wheeling and dealing if owners give greater scrutiny to future cap projections.

If this comes to fruition we are seemingly well positioned, even allowing for a grandfathering period to allow teams to meet their previous obligations and get under a hard cap by a future date.

What say you all?  

In my humble opinion, the Foye/Miller trade is the best deal David Kahn has made to date (from a short and not-so-illustrious list), not just because Rubio's draft rights fell in our lap, but also because the decision about Randy Foye's contract was no longer the concern of the POBO.  

I always felt a subsidiary role to Arenas would be Randy's making; no longer the #1 guard he gets to come off the bench and feed off a better quality of teammate.  And Mike Miller.  Point Guard Saviour turned Super Sixth Man.

With Gilbert taking an extended trip to the Hall of Mirrors (or the Pokey), Randy is shining.  And with the Wizards seemingly ready to blow it up, the Foye extension situation has to been seen in a different light.

Truth About It is another excellent blog serving the Wizards community.  This piece is a thoughtful analysis of Randy Foye future as a Wizard and the options Ernie Grunfeld faces.

What say you all?

Do you see improvement over his Minnesota career?  

Do you regret not having him in a Wolves uni?

 Would you keep him if you were in Grunfeld's shoes?  What is his market value?

And one more question:  If he came onto the UFA market, should the POBO sign him up in 2010?

This young man was last seen in transit between Phoenix and Minneapolis, moving for what is alleged were employment reasons.  He is familiar with the area but recent time spent living in Arizona may see him unprepared for the harsher climes of Minnesota and life without a pass first point guard.

His new employer appears to have no plans for their newest team member.

A recent photo can be seen here.  It is anticipated he may appear on the side of milk cartons if not discovered shortly.

Dallas and New Jersey are finalising a deal that will send Eduardo Najera back to the Mavs in exchange for Kris Humphries and Shawne WIlliams, who will be immediately waved by the Nets.

To make room for the trade, the Nets are likely to waive Sean Williams.  

This guy started out as such a promising talent and has nose-dived dramatically.  Is he worth a look or is his current situation enough of a red flag?

Well, we watch the players for the 2010 draft in January so let's watch those hard earned picks.

Plenty of us sit in the stands, at home or, in my case, at work simultaneously hoping for a win while knowing each loss keeps our own pick safe from the grubby clutches of the Clippers and ensures an avalanche of ping pong balls for the Wolves on lottery day.  (As an aside, screw the ping pong balls.  Win dammit!)

Meanwhile the rights to two other first round picks are in the balance.  The Utah pick was donated to use by Philadelphia to soften the blow of the arrival of Calvin Booth and give us a free look at Rod Carney.  

The 2010 Charlotte pick was received from Denver in exchange for pick 18 in the 2009 (which originally belonged to Miami) draft, which ended up being Ty Lawson.

After the jump we'll talk about protection and what might happen with these picks.  Additionally it's worth discussing how many first round picks we really want in the 2010 draft.

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According to RealGM, Marcin Gortat is unhappy making enormous amounts of money for very little playing time.

Defensive minded big man making the MLE: is he worth a trade?

And do we have something a team in contention mode would want?  For all the teams looking at their cap situation, the Magic would seem quite unbothered by the lux tax threshold, so they may well be looking for a player to have a substantial role rather than taking on an expiring.

Landing Gortat would also substantially sink a free agent push in the offseason, so we would be throwing all our eggs in the draft basket for a wing unless we could engineer a sign and trade.

Thoughts?

Greetings all,

I was commissioner for a Yahoo League run through Twolves Blog and we will be running again this season.  It is a twelve team league with six spaces still up for grabs.  Live draft in about two weeks.  For anyone interested, the details are below.

Of course I am eighteen words short with that little missive so the rest of the post is just to get this on the board.

With whathisname staying home, we should turn our attention to those actually wearing the T-Shirt Minnesota.

While we have a recent fan post courtesy of Tim Allen looking at the roster as a whole, I wonder whether we need to assess what might be the best way to support a young man who has just been handed the keys to an NBA team.

Jonny Flynn has Chucky Atkins and Bobby Brown for support.  

So:

* Does Chucky stay?  If so, do we cut him and re-sign him at the vet's minimum?

* Does Bobby stay?  

* Who else is out there for a FA signing?  Or is this where Mark Blount proves his worth and gets moved to for back court help?  I'm sorry, it's late here I must have slipped into delirium to believe that a team would trade for Mark Blount.   Hang on......

And thinking about the SG spot are we destined for a Wilkins/Brewer/Ellington rotation?

Tally ho.  Let's turn panic stations into happy land......

......with FC Barcelona

It is reported that Ricky Rubio has agreed contractual terms in a FIVE year deal with FC Barcelona that includes a reasonable buyout after 2 seasons.

Here's the link.

Here's the now traditional, but continuously hilarious, computer based translation:

Ricky Blond already a decision has made: wants to continue its career in the Regal FC Barcelona. The base of 18 years has deferred for the time being the leap to the NBA and has elected the offering azulgrana above those of the Real Madrid, the Unicaja and some large European teams, dissipating great part of the doubts that were sifted on their future, although not all. Now it does lack that the Barça arrive at an agreement with the DKV Joventut on the payment of the cancellation clause that includes the contract of the base with the dark green club, in force until 2011. It is clause at the outset is set in 5.7 million euro but the Penya is open to negotiate and speculates that the operation would be able to be closed with the payment of a transfer that would patrol the 3 million euro. Around that figure moved the Real Madrid, that as opposed to the Barça opted for speaking before with the DKV Joventut that with the player. The tuning between the two clubs was very good and even in the last days some mass media gave for insurance the leap of Blonde to the white club. But, save enormous surprise, that will not happen. And the fact is that the Real Madrid cannot give him something that yes can give him the Barça: the possibility to continue living in The Masnou and to maintain stable its school, family environment and of friends, a factor that has had an enormous weight in the decision of the young base of 18 years. The agreement reached between Ricky and the Regal Barça also respects the second great priority of Ricky: includes a clause at the outset toward the NBA from the second year. The contract will be for more seasons (some sources coded it yesterday in five), although from the summer from 2011 the base will be able to break it crediting a penalty provided that being to be gone to the NBA. This will begin patrolling the million of euro and will go reducing each year. All the contrary thing that its slip, that will be increased notably from 2011 if Blonde decides then to continue in the Palau and to postpone a little more its leap wing ties American. One must recall once more than all the operation is pendiende that the Barça and the Penya reach an economic agreement on the transfer, although is evident that the step given by Blonde is fancied decisive and seems difficult a change of course once the player has made a decision in firm. Attentive to the opportunity The bet of the Regal Barça by Ricky has been determined in the last few weeks and did not enter principle in the plans of the club for the next season, as shows the renewal of Jaka Lakovic almost a month ago. The Barça, nevertheless, has seen as they were opened him the doors of an opportunity that could not reject, given the quality and media tug of the young base of The Masnou. The arrival of Ricky to the Barça, united to that of a center to relieve to David Andersen, would leave the team azulgrana with 13 you put on file, one more of them permitted.

(Ed Note: I bumped this post to the front page and added "Report:" to the title. We will try to verify the report as soon as possible.)

UPDATE: Marca has more.  Is this just another example of Barcelona and Madrid media going at one another? Marca is reporting that the Barcelona offer is "disappointing" and that Madrid's is more. Whatever the case, I would like to remind our readers that the Spanish sports media covering Rubio is about as reliable as is Fox News is covering Obama. There are axes being grinded here.

Time to give the Google translator a rest.......

We have sweated over the reluctant Timberwolf, the lack of options at SG and SF and the lack of respect we get from those at Four Letters.

But look yonder, standing quietly in the corner.......

We have a veritable smorgasbord of PF's and C's.    

Lets get the mood of the meeting:

Can Etan Thomas be an effective reliever for Al Jefferson at centre?  

Does Mark Madsen put down the towel and get some burn?

Does Darius Songaila simply reduce the minutes Brian Cardinal gets?  Is Songaila the potential hidden gem of this season?  Am I drunk?

If Kevin Love improves his physical condition can he play bursts at SF?

Does Olexsiy Pecherov simply continue the recent Minnesota tradition of the 7' stiff at the end of the bench (Doleac, Booth, Collins)?  Just an aside - it is staggering that teams saw fit to pay Collins and Booth the MLE at some point in their career.  A salutary lesson to GM's everywhere.

Have at it people.

I hope you've all enjoyed your holiday.......

With the arrival of Hedo in Toronto, the offer on the table for Shawn Marion could be in doubt.

Is this someone we could use on the Wolves; someone who could play the 3?  He may not be able to be had for the MLE, but the Raps will need cap space shortly and a sign and trade for someone like Etan Thomas could be done to match what the Raps had on the table.

A long shot, but would it be worth it? 

From Hoopsworld via our friends at TwolveBlog.com

Some good new, so not so good.

Misconceptions About Rubio: The Ricky Rubio situation in Minnesota is not pretty, and over the past few days we have heard a lot of voices chime in about Rubio and what his camp is seeking. When the Minnesota Timberwolves selected both Rubio and Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn in back-to-back picks last Thursday, things came unglued for the Wolves and HOOPSWORLD spent a considerable amount of time on this subject this weekend. A lot of what we're hearing on Ricky just simply is not true. Here is what's going on with Rubio:
No Problem With 'Sota: The belief that Ricky Rubio is not interested in playing in Minnesota because of climate is the furthest from the truth. Rubio's camp has made it clear that you don't get to pick your team in the draft, that's what free agency is for. Ricky and those close to him are going to be asked the weather question, but that's not weighing into the decision. The primary issue with Minnesota is the logjam they created at point guard - that's it. The reality is David Kahn did a pretty good job selling an idea to Ricky's camp prior to drafting him, an idea most of Ricky's advisors were on board with - until they drafted Jonny Flynn.

Flynn Isn't Happy Either: This is not a one-sided issue. Ricky Rubio's camp has simply been the most vocal in its displeasure, but word is Jonny Flynn and his agent Leon Rose were not happy either. Neither player wants to share time and neither player is buying into the "they'd be great together" notion that David Kahn has tried to sell. Both are pure point guards that need the ball to be effective, neither wants to compete with each other.

Europe Not The Option: These reports of European teams with offers are more about lighting a fire under the Wolves. The complexities of Rubio's buyout make him almost impossible to sign in Europe unless a team really overpays for him. It's not out of the realm of possibility, but let's be real for a minute. Ricky wants to play in the NBA and his camp is not going to do anything rash.

The Knicks Have No Assets: Rumors of the Knicks landing Rubio is a media pipe dream, the Knicks interest in Ricky is lukewarm at best, add the fact that New York has no attractive assets and a deal with the Knicks would require a third team willing to give Minnesota something it seeks. There are a number of interested teams which is why these European offers make so little sense. The Grizzlies were offered an enormous amount of options by team seeking the chance to grab Rubio, that's where the solution for Rubio's camp lies. The hope is after the free agent period opens and salaries get locked in for the 2009-2010 season real talks involving free agents can take place and a solution can be created.

The Waiting Game: This is a waiting game for all parties. The Wolves hope they can end up with Ricky at some point and have said they will wait out Ricky's contract if necessary. Rubio's camp hopes that the constant media pressure will force an action. The answer here is either Flynn is traded or Rubio is traded. That's the holdup for the Wolves on this and with Summer League getting underway next week, we'll see how motivated the Wolves are to solve the problem, and Rubio's camp will simply have to wait this out.

We have been tying ourselves in knots over the last 72 hours over Rubio.  While the are many factors to play out over the coming weeks and months, the Wolves Front Office have to be in the business of putting together a roster for the 09/10 season.

Let's work on the assumption that Rubio is not here for this season.  How do we stack up?

PG: Flynn/Telfair/Brown

SG: Brewer/Ellington/?Gomes

SF: Gomes/Brewer

PF: Love/Jefferson/Smith/Cardinal/Songaila

C: Jefferson/Thomas/Madsen/Pecherov

14 guys under contract when Flynn and Ellington sign their scale deals. 

Hmm, what we lack in quality bigs, we make up for in quantity.  But there is a hole at 2 and 3 that could politely be described as cavernous.  This will leave the door open for Rodney Carney to fill the 15th spot on the roster and for mine he deserves a short modest deal a la Telfair and Smith.

In refering back to SnP's trade summary from May, a couple of ideal trade candidates were identified.

Gerald Wallace: had 16ppg, 7 reb and 2.5 assists last season.  The Bobcats have some ownership issues at present but most importantly from out point of view have cap issues with slightly over $50 million committed into 2010/11 on eight contracts (plus Gerald Henderson's scale deal to be added).  

Wallace turns 27 in a couple of weeks and is up for 9.07m this season 9.86m in 2010/11 and 10.65 in 2011/12 with a player option for 11.4m in 2012/13 at age 30.

Leverage wise, we just acquired a future first from Charlotte via Denver in the Ty Lawson trade, so a trade could look like.

Wallace for the return of Charlotte's future 1st, Madsen or Smith and Cardinal.

Tayshaun Prince: has not missed a regular season game in about 7 seasons and while he isn't a prolific scorer, he provides length and experience on a young squad.  He has two seasons remaining at Detroit (10.3m this season and 11.1m in 2010/11), so he can act as a hand over to an up and coming player in two year time.

The Pistons have shed a tonne of salary with the free agency of Allen Iverson, so leverage here may be to satisfy a positional need.  If Rodney Stuckey is given the keys to the team but runs into Mum's letterbox, Detroit may turn it's lonely eyes to Jonny Flynn next offseason.  This season, Flynn is our security blanket so unlikely to move unless we need to please Ricky.

Flynn and Thomas for Prince  (if done this season)

Andrei Kirilenko: is a pricey option.  Due 16.4m this season and 17.8m in 2010/11.

Is this an efficient use of resources for a guy who may only spend two (expensive) seasons in Minnesota?  I'll admit to not knowing much about this guy other than he is, ahem, difficult.  We have Utah's 2010 pick providing the Jazz don't sink to the lottery, whether that gets it done is open for debate.  Fesenko would add to the Russian flavour of the Wolvskis, but is an expiring deal worth 870k.

Return of Utah's 2010 1st round pick, Thomas, Cardinal and Smith for Kirilenko and  Fesenko

A number of other names are worth discussing:

Corey Maggette (although I'm told being a Dukie is problematic),

would Portland part with Martell Webster?

will Francisco Garcia fall back in Sacto's depth chart?

Do we make a play for Rudy Gay (if only coz it rhymes)?

After the loss at home to Indiana we have 28 games to go.  With our best player suffering knee knack, the final W-L is really only significant as it relates to our first round pick.  Nonetheless there is plenty to be sorted through with a view to the draft and future seasons.

What do you want to see?  And just as importantly, not want to see?

Some random thoughts:

* 3 player audition: Rod Carney (aka the Carneyvore) put his best foot forward over the January Purple Patch (doesn't that seem a distant memory), but his numbers have slipped badly of recent times.  Williams and Brown have yet to arrive and will have to do something amazing to stay on the roster beyond this season.  My suspicion is that Williams and Brown simply won't have enough time to make their case.  I'd like Carney to stay, but Kirk Snyder made arguably as good a case for a contract and had no luck. 

* Kevin Love.  Yes we lack a centre.  Jason Collins's PER would seem to be in the autonomous region (ie. the PER you get when you respirate and circulate blood around your body while in a vertical position.  He should consider breaking wind; it will give his numbers a boost).  Surely Mark Madsen needs to play some significant time at the five to spare young Kevin having the absolute living suitcase belted out of him night after night.  Many of us were of the view the the Pirahna/Thunder Twinkie/Outlet Master needed more burn.  Perhaps there can be too much of a good thing.

* Winning and the Clippers Pick.  I hate tanking.  At some point we are going to have to hand the pick over. And if handing it over leads us to giving the Clips a top 3 pick in 2012, I will piff s**t.

This would seem the ideal year to do it; 2 or 3 other picks in our pocket, 20+ million in expiring contracts to trade and a shrinking cap.  If by some miracle we hit another patch of form, I say go with it.  Winning is a culture and cultures need nuturing.  Clearly with Al in a knee brace right now, it is unlikely this is going to happen.  But I am staking my claim.  Just in case.

For those of you with good memories.....

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