For those who can't get enough fantasy hoops, I set up an auction league on Yahoo. The draft is Saturday morning at 10:30, so it hopefully won't interfere with weekend plans. Auction drafts are great because you have a chance to draft any player, no luck involved. This league has small rosters, so the draft should be quick, and your team will be easy to manage. If you want to have some fun, click the link below and register.

http://basketball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/twolvesrising

League ID - 129868

Password - PoorDick

We've seen the rumors that Cleveland wants the #2 pick, and a possible deal would send the #2 to Cleveland for #4 and #8 via Detroit. I'm personally not a big fan of that move in a weak draft.

What if the deal was tweaked, and it becomes #2 to Cleveland for #4 in 2011, and Cleveland's first round pick in 2012? The Wolves then bring in Rubio and #4 this season (or trade #4 for a vet). Then they have the possibility of a very high pick in a potentially far better draft, and obviously have a replacement for their own pick going to the Clippers.

From Cleveland's perspective, they get the guys they really want, right now. They also don't have to take on Hamilton's awful deal. They save about $25 million in salary while accomplishing the objective.

Also, if the Wolves could do this deal, would you then move the #4 to Phoenix for Steve Nash?

What do you think?

There seems to be a growing sense of doubt that Rambis is not the right coach for the Wolves. I'm just wondering where CHer's stand right now on the decision to let McHale leave and bring in Rambis.

A few ways to look at this question.

Did McHale ultimately have to leave, no matter who replaced him? Just to give Kahn a chance to do what he wanted without having to keep McHale's guys.

If Rambis was the best the Wolves could get, should they have just kept McHale?

Does Rambis get credit for improving some players like Love, but lack in the area of creating a winning team?

Should the Wolves keep Rambis for another couple years to complete the rebuild?

Would you fire Rambis at the end of this year and bring back McHale? This could be interesting to consider, especially if Taylor and McHale still have the respect for each other that they had during the KG era.

My two cents...I give Rambis some credit for developing players like Love, Darko, and Beasley. I'm just starting to think he is more cut out to be a #1 assistant rather than a head coach. That said, I'd really like to see what McHale could do with this set of players, especially the way Love has improved. McHale had the team playing pretty well before Jefferson was injured, and I think there is more talent here right now. If you are a fan of Love and want to see him stick around, then McHale coming back could be the long term answer.

Rambis or McHale, I'll take McHale.

Who would you rather have?

One more shot at ticket buyers at the U of M today. For some reason, the morons running athletics at the U decide to not change the game time for basketball, despite being in the middle of a freakin' blizzard! Yet, they postpone tonight's hockey game until tomorrow (evidence that conditions warrant a postponement). What the he$$, is it going to be easier to drive home after the game during the middle of a blizzard than it will be a couple hours later for the hockey game (when the snow is supposed to be much lighter)?

Glad  I wasted money on today's game, so I can sit here and watch on TV. One more reason they won't be getting a check for $1,200 next year from me. Of course, maybe the U can offer something to basketball fans as an acknowledgement that this non-conference game should have been postponed to tonight or tomorrow...I won't be holding my breath on that one.

I am a huge fan of Gopher sports (season ticket for years, not just basketball), but the fools running the athletic department just continue to turn us off.

Just got my notice in the mail that the U of M is going to re-assign seating in two years based on the Gopher Point system. I went through this a couple years ago for TCF Stadium and found the system to be fair as far as rewarding donors and long time season ticket holders.

However, I think it was pretty easy to be fair when five years ago they only had 20,000 season tickets for football (not counting reduced price student tickets), and most of those 20,000 ended up as well off or better in terms of seating in the new stadium. I wonder how this is going to fly for basketball and hockey fans, over half of whom have probably been buying season tickets for two decades and are used to sitting in good seats, and now may be significantly worse off, especially in Williams Arena where half the seats are upper deck, and many lower deck seats are obstructed view.

Anyways, if you have had season tickets for a while, what do you think? Do you feel like your years of "supporting" Dan Monson are now wasted?

On the flip side, if you don't have season tickets because the available seats aren't good enough, would you pay an extra $500 per year for season tickets if they get you lower level between the baskets?

I've been watching Kahn's massive salary dumping and can conclude only one of two things is happening (no he is not clearing space for a free agent next summer, or the high paid vet who will not be available at the trade deadline, since most teams have solved their luxury tax issues).

Simply put: Kahn is either under orders from Taylor & Co. to slash payroll and quit losing money, or he is clearing space to add the last big piece. The first option is most likely reality, but who wants to talk about that...not me. That leaves the option of clearing space and being creative. Why is Kahn clearing space so fast, could he be setting up the big move, and needs to move fast? I bring up Turner/Brand and go back to pre-draft rumors. Supposedly, Turner (i.e the #2 pick) was available to a team willing to take Brand as the downside of the deal. I personally heard Kahn "suggest" that any deal like that would require the other team taking Jefferson in return to balance the cost (it seemed like he was using the interview to send a message). Well, according to JAF, Philly had no interest in Jefferson. So what if the move can be made without taking back Big Al? With Jefferson gone and MN well under the cap, they can easily take on the Brand contract, as long as Philly takes back a couple deals like Brewer and West or Beasley.

Long story short, it seemed that 6 weeks ago a trade of #2/Brand for #4/Jefferson would have been a hit around here, while many others were trying to find a way to move Jefferson for #2 and Brand. The Wolves can basically make the 2nd version now: Beasley/Brewer for Turner/Brand. The #2 pick two years ago for the #2 this year and a lousy contract.

2011 Starting Lineup:

PG: Rubio

SG: Turner

SF: Johnson

PF: Love

C: Mlicic

All that and a nice set of reserves:

I say make the call Kahn, and I have a feeling you already did.

Good Morning Y'all!

I've been contemplating a post for a while, just too many different ways to go, so I've kinda sat on sideline.

On the morn (mourn) of the draft, I decided to sum up a few of the things I've seen, trying to focus on what is apparently reality versus what I hope will happen. I hope it gets better, but here goes:

1. Very few (surprising few) Wolves players have legitimate value around the league. OK, this shouldn't be surprising for a 15 win team, but when the Wolves are shopping Jefferson around the league, and supposedly unloading both barrels to move up to the 2nd pick, it tells me that guys like Brewer and Sessions have little actual value. "#$&@*"

2. Jefferson is a goner. This may be obvious, but something hit me tonight. In all the recent trade rumors, 90% have focused on Jefferson. Where there's smoke, there is usually fire. The fact that Love has seldom been mentioned (only in the GS rumor best I can tell), would make me think he is sticking around...but they seem to really want to move Jefferson.

3. I am really surprised how little Sessions, Brewer, and Flynn have been mentioned in trade talk. Flynn not so much because Kahn is attached to him (for good or bad), but I am really surprised that you don't see Brewer and Sessions getting tossed around more. Pekovic as well for that matter. This paragraph is the reason for the title of the post. A simple question....Do the Wolves have more than three players currently signed who can garner more than the 15th pick in the draft? It would seem not, which is really scary for an established team that has been rebuilding for three years now.

4. Again not surprising, but sad none the less. There are literally NO free agents being discussed as serious signings by the Wolves this summer, can't they at least be in the game for a guy like Boozer?

5. Get ready for another winter of Jefferson and Love. Ok, I really believe Kahn (and especially Rambis per several interviews) want to trade one of these guys, but every other GM knows this as well. Can Kahn pull off a deal? If it's fifty cents on the dollar, might as well bring them both back for the year and trade Jefferson next year when his knee is better and contract is shorter, but this is a sad fact for Wolves fans.

6. Cap Space goin' Up In Smoke...Cheech and Chong this one folks (I would include a photo if I had the PD database and wasn't totally depressed after writing this post). I don't know how much cap space the Wolves are going to blow, but the fact they didn't take advantage of Miami today tells me they are going to be left behind. I know they are bleeding cash, but wasting this asset is truly sad. Please, please, please...prove me wrong on this point.

Draft day prediction:

They will get a couple good players, but in the end money will be a factor. They will move around picks and gain at least $2 million in cash, if only by trading 2nd rounders. There will either be a blockbuster that shocks us and makes us praise Kahn (10%), or they walk away with Wes Johnson and we all yawn thru another season. I'm not optimistic.

One other thing....this is an example of why the current lottery system is a joke. The Wolves should have had the 2nd pick in the draft this summer. I know the intent is to keep teams from tanking to get a Patrick Ewing, but I don't think this summer there is a Patrick Ewing, and most people would agree the Wolves were the 2nd worst team in the league. If they had the 2nd pick, we would have locked in Turner a month ago...and all conversation would be on what the Wolves could move to get the 5th pick to grab either Favors, Cousins, or Johnson. This is why the current system needs to change. We CH posters could create a dozen realistic scenarios that would get the Wolves another pick at #5, but there apparently isn't one move that can get them the #2 pick that they should have had all along. That STINKS.

I have to admit, I have watched several lotteries (usually involving the Wolves) in the past. What a ridiculous waste of time. I am still debating if I want to watch the lottery tonight, or just get the bad news during the ten o' clock newscast. I'm pretty sure my daughters (future Lynx 1st rounders I'm sure) are going to vote for SPROUT or a video, so I'm guessing unless I can flip the remote at the right time I will miss the live drama.

Anyway, this is a simple post, but personal in a fun way, no bad answers. What are your lottery plans? Ignore it and hope for the best, watch it by yourself so you can scream when the Wolves get screwed...without getting committed, or are you planning a lottery party or get together at some sports bar. I hope CH is planning a "game thread" for the lottery, even if I'm not involved it will be a good read the next day.

Just thought of this last point....do you plan to use a "GOOD LUCK" charm, if so, what is it? Have fun, the funnest team gets the 1st pick!

I was listening to some sports talk this morning. The host was a fill-in, his name was something like Rod Gardner (sorry not sure). He is either a Wolves season ticket holder or in some other way got invited to one of those Kahn chats early last week. If you can find a podcast, he discussed the Kahn chat this morning around 8:15-8:30. Kahn said some pretty interesting things, a few even matching up with what some of you have been bringing up lately. If you were at the meeting, give me a little slack if I don't have things perfect here, what I heard was on a Sunday morning so it's already been a while, and he admits he was paraphrasing after a few days as well. That said, I'll get the main points correct.

These are things Kahn apparently said:

1. He's not looking to blow up the team this summer, but will if necessary and opportunities present themselves.

2. Kahn admits either he evaluated Jefferson wrong last summer, or Jefferson has regressed. He now looks at Big Al as a #3, and feels he now needs to bring in a #1 and a #2.      I find this interesting because as PD has frequently mentioned, Big Al is paid a lot, and if Kahn now sees him as a #3, then he is now more expendable.

3. Kahn on Corey Brewer...(paraphrasing) - Those people who think Corey is a great defender aren't seeing what I am seeing. He then gave a little more detail that I can't remember.            Several posters have been asking this question lately, I think Kahn just validated your concerns.

4. Kahn still likes Jonny Flynn...however, he is wondering if this is the right system for Flynn. Kahn then said if he moves Flynn, it's not because he doesn't think he can play, but that he needs to be in a different system.           SNP...I heard that cheer!

5. Kahn still likes Love. He has some real gifts on the floor, but Kahn did mention he needs to get better finishing around the rim.

My take, Kahn is still committed to the system, hence the Flynn comments. Jefferson and Flynn are probably at the top of the list to get moved if they bring enough in return. Perhaps the reason Love is playing less is Rambis wants to send him a message because he wants him around long term, and the fact that Jefferson proves he can play 35 MPG makes him easier to trade.

OK, this season is done, shot, ridiculous, whatever you want to call it, it just stinks!

I have a simple question...You (SNP, PD, B2B, Maynhollup, KLJ, et al) are the GM for three months next summer. Who do you want back next season from the current squad. You can "Pick Six" guys. Don't get into trades, try to avoid the draft, although with a likely top pick that may be in play. Just tell us, who on this team do you want to watch next season and into the future. Are they starters, sixth men, rotation guys, old vets...you decide. The only criteria I give is one, the team wins 40 games in 2011-2012, and for at least five years beyond. Everybody is in play, including Pek and Rubio. Go ahead and include either Wall, Turner, Favors, or Cousins if it helps and since one of them will probably be here.

I have one request, this season has sucked and we have dwelled on the negatives, let's put a positive spin on this one, even if you can't name six! Let us know why, any reason is good. Maybe he's a good player, a good teammate, you like the way he dunks on Derek(hint-hint), or your wife/girlfriend thinks he's cute and that helps you talk her into going to a game. Have some fun! My only real rule, if you say Stewie or Sasha, I will recommend a one week suspension from this glorious site (TWB will love you I'm sure).

Just heard the last half of David Kahn getting interviewed on PA's show on KFAN. I missed the start, but at the end PA summarized that Kahn said Al Jefferson will not be traded before the deadline. Not on the PODCAST yet, but I'm sure you can find it in an hour or two.

The part I heard was Kahn saying the next biggest trade targets on the Wolves have been a tie between Kevin Love and Jonny Flynn. Thought the Flynn detractors might find that interesting. PA asked if teams were asking about Brewer, and Kahn said no, and added "not yet" like he figured that would change, then went on to compliment CB and added a little humor about Corey finally starting to not look surprised when he drains a three.

Kahn also mentioned he doubts Rubio will try to get a buyout to come to the NBA next season. There was no hedging, as Kahn will sometimes do, saying it is highly, highly, highly, unlikely Rubio leaves this summer. Kahn mentioned that Rubio's current team paid $5.3 million to buyout out his contract last summer. Kahn didn't seem overly concerned because he sees Rubio making progress, including gaining upper body strength.

On to Kevin Martin. PA tried to ask about a couple players w/o asking directly about players (hinting). Without talking about Martin by name, Kahn made it clear he did not like Martin's contract, no hedging. Anybody proposing a Martin to the Wolves deal can stop, it ain't happening.

PA tried to do a similar question about Rudy Gay, but Kahn wasn't going to bite on that one, and that was pretty much the end of the interview. At first I thought Kahn shied away because PA was a little too specific in his question, but I suppose it could be that Kahn is interested in RG and doesn't want to say anything that could effect future or current negotiations. As I mentioned earlier, I missed the start of the interview, but Kahn's interviews w/ PA are usually pretty good, so it you can find the PODCAST it is probably worth listening.

I'm sure you all are dying for another lame trade proposal, so here goes. The Bulls supposedly want to trade a long term contract for expirings to guarantee they have money to make a max free agent offer this summer. The Wolves have expirings and should be able to take on some payroll next season. As several posters have lamented this season, they also seem to need the "sage" veteran who can work with the youngsters on the perimeter. This trade also fits what Kahn has been saying about not trading core players at the deadline.

The deal basically evolves around the Wolves getting Hinrich for Cardinal's EC and Sessions as a backup for Rose. I threw in Pecherov and Pavlovic in exchange for trade exceptions to get the Wolves some salary savings this season. I mainly did this to counter the fact that Hinrich is overpaid the next couple seasons, so with what the Wolves save this season, and perhaps getting the max $3 mil from the Bulls, the Hinrich contract looks a little better. I would also want the Bulls to throw in their 1st rounder this summer as a thank you for freeing up the cap space.

Anyhow, the Bulls remove a free agency hurdle. They also get a couple guys who can replace Hinrich this season (Cardinal and Sessions). I will add that this may throw them over the luxury tax, so will they pay that price to be able to lure Wade or Bosh???? I did a three team deal with Boston that would have the C's taking some salary from Chicago in exchange for Gomes, but I didn't include it as to not overcomplicate things.

The Wolves get that vet (and cash) who can really help out the next couple seasons, either with Flynn, Rubio, or Wall. They also get a 1st rounder that could be useful in a package deal this summer if the Wolves have their typical lottery "luck".

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yjy5mdk

What do ya think?

Here is a quick and dirty recap of what Kahn said. Anything in () is my response or take.

Continue reading this post »

Let me begin by saying I am probably one of the last people who should be doing a basketball scouting report, but I was at Williams Arena and have seats that are ideal for watching the flow of the game, so what the hell.

For starters, don't worry about the injury. I haven't seen a boxscore, but he must have played close to 35 minutes. He is healthy!

Second, he could play for Tubby Smith! That's meant to be a compliment to his defense. The guy plays defense and has the "Knack". In the first half he had at least two legit blocks where the ball was still in the shooters hand. One from behind on a drive to the hoop, the other on a short shot where he knew were to be. He also stole the ball out of a Gopher's hand near the basket. He may have had another block near the rim off an offensive rebound, there was a lot of traffic so I can't guarantee he got the block, but after watching the replay, I'm pretty sure it was him.

Offensively, he did not force the issue in the first half, and I believe only had 3 points. However, he made several good passes and did nothing stupid. He seemed to have no problem setting up teammates. In the 2nd half, he became more aggressive offensively and put up some points, but never looked like a "Ball Hog".

The thing that struck me as I watched him is that he looks like a baller. At one point my wife had to remind me he isn't playing for the Wolves yet and I should be wanting him to play bad. He was often in the mix, made good passes to his teammates, and never seemed to force anything to make himself look better. I watched Eric Gordon against the Gophers a couple years ago. Gordon looked OK, but didn't seem special in that game. Turner looks like a basketball player. As I mentioned above, he seems to have a basketball "Knack". Considering he just got back from a broken transverse and probably still feels pain, I am now putting him in the top 3 players I hope the Wolves get (the first two being the obvious guys). He is better today than Corey Brewer, I have no doubt, and I like Brewer (as  6th man)!

BTW, he did this in a game that his teammates couldn't make an outside shot.

Listening to David Kahn on KFAN as I type. I missed the start of the interview, but it should be worth catching the Podcast if you can. He said Pekovic's agent was at the game last night. Apparently the agent implied that Pekovic is prepared to join the Wolves/NBA next summer. Kahn mentioned he is going to Europe soon to meet up with Pekovic and Rubio.

He also mentioned his reports are that Rubio's play has been very good the last month. Kahn also believes Pekovic is the best center in Europe. He also still feels he made the right move not taking Curry. I was typing so didn't hear exactly why, but it seemed like Kahn had concern that Curry has a SG game but will be forced by his size to play PG.

In light of the Pekovic news, are you looking forward to Pekovic in a Wolves uniform next season, or should his rights be traded?

[UPDATE: Downloadable here]

David Kahn about a month ago implied he may not make any significant moves (beyond the draft) to improve the team before next season (such as using cap space). I just saw another comment that gives me the same impression:

Sam Amick: Wolves content to wait for Rubio in the Sacramento Bee.

In the article about Rubio, Kahn mentioned he thinks the Wolves are three or four years away and will then explode as a contender (I'm paraphrasing). This is not the kind of comment someone would make if he were planning on using cap space to bring in a dynamic player this summer, or at the deadline in February. I am sure Kahn would pull the trigger if offered a ridiculous deal, but otherwise it appears the cap space will not be leveraged for at least another year.

My belief is Kahn will bring in a couple more draft choices this year, have another tough (learning?) season, then perhaps make a splash in 2011.

If next season starts and all the Wolves have done is add a couple rookies (let's assume one is not Wall), how will you feel? Can you suffer through another 30 win season with a reduced payroll? Do you still expect Kahn to make a big move before the deadline or next summer despite what he just said to Amick? If Kahn does continue to lower the payroll for another year and only brings in a couple rookies, will you still support "The Plan"?

Was LeBron proclaiming he will not wear #23 next season a subtle hint of his free agency plans?

If he wanted to honor MJ, why not do it this season, now?

Is a new number part of a fresh start for next season?

Could it be an even deeper hint he is seriously thinking of going to Chicago, wear of course he couldn't wear #23?

If so, any chance Wade has the same plans?

These two with Rose and Noah would be an instant title favorite.

What do you think, am I reading too much into this?

If my understanding is correct, the Wolves (specifically "I Love Expiring Contracts" David Kahn) have until the end of October to guarantee Brewer's deal in 2010/11, or he becomes a free agent at the end of this season.

Two simple questions:

1. Should the Wolves now commit another season to Brewer due to his potential?

2. Would you give him another year because he seems like a good guy to have around?

My preference would be to give him another year due to potential and as a teammate, however,

My guess is Kahn makes him another expiring contract.

What say you?

It has been posted recently that the Wolves will either trade Jefferson or Love in about a year. Let's assume this will happen. Who do you want to see the Wolves keep? Feel free to factor in other players on the Wolves, as well as who you think the Wolves will get in return. For the sake of this exercise, please assume Jefferson comes back healthy and both he and Love progress as YOU would expect next season.

Also, if you would like another scenario, give me and other MN homers another take. Let's assume the Wolves pick is top 3 next year, Cole Aldrich is consensus top 3 pick and the Wolves get him. Would you rather have Jefferson or Love paired with Aldrich. I know many of you don't want Aldrich, but let's assume he is here. You can also include Flynn or Rubio and how they would fit with who is kept.

What say you??

Dedicated to anonymous sources everywhere.

Continue reading this post »

Based on rumors I have a 3 team trade using a team with trade assets (Wolves), a team with cap space (Memphis) that needs talent, and a team in Luxury Tax Hell (Wizards), using the NBA's luxury tax rules to add about $8 million in value to the trade.

Washington receives:

Mike Miller from Minny

Memphis receives:

Etan Thomas from Washington

#5 and #6 overall 2009 draft picks.

Wolves receive:

#2 overall 2009 draft pick.

Mike James from Washington

Dominic McGuire from Washington

Why it works:

For Washington - They get massive luxury tax relief. If they keep their team intact and draft #5, they will have a payroll around $79 million plus luxury tax of around $8 million. They brought in a high profile, high paid coach to win now, not wait for a draft pick to develop. Flip told KFAN before he formally become head coach that he was going to a team with 50+ win potential. Mike Miller is way more valuable NEXT season than anyone they would draft #5. This move brings in a proven player who would give them great depth at the expense of a draft choice that has a 25% chance of being a bust. They also save about $16 million in payroll and luxury tax, money they can use to keep the core together in coming years. This move only makes sense due to current NBA economic conditions, let's take advantage.

For Memphis - They can't draft the second best player at #2. Rather than reach for a player at #2, they can probably get the same player at #5 and add the sixth pick. They need to get at least one player out of this draft to pair with OJ Mayo, having these two picks almost guarantees adding a starter if not an impact player. The way the draft boards are setting up, the difference between #2 and #5 is small. Most years the #2 pick would be too good to give up for #5 and #6, but this year it would be better to increase your odds with two high picks. They need to take Etan Thomas (with his $2 million trade kicker) to balance the trade and give Washington tax relief. They have such a low payroll it may make sense to do this to add two players such as Tyreke Evans and Jordan Hill.

For Minnesota - They get the player they covet (hopefully not Thabeet...great upside but more risk than Wolves can afford to take at this time). I would rather the Wolves get the #5 directly from Washington and draft #5 and #6, but I just don't think they can give Washington what they want to trade the #5 (massive cap relief). The Wolves also end up saving about $2 million in cap space and I assume would get a trade exception which they could sometime over the next year (not sure about this)? If they can get the player they want and only give up an expiring contract who will not be re-signed, why not do it?