While much of today's speculation has revolved around whether the Knicks will match Jeremy Lin's offer sheet, another sheet that's worth nearly twice as much will be resolved tomorrow. If the Timberwolves' $46.5MM offer sheet to Nicolas Batum is matched by Portland, the T-Wolves are expected to shift their focus to other free agents, including Courtney Lee and Greg Stiemsma, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
The Timberwolves are preparing an offer sheet for Stiemsma that will likely exceed the amount Boston can offer by about $1MM, says Blakely. Since they don't hold any form of Stiemsma's Bird Rights, the Celtics could only offer the big man their bi-annual exception, worth less than $2MM, while it sounds like Minnesota's offer will approach $3MM. However, Stiemsma and his agent understand they have to wait out the Batum situation before receiving an offer from the Wolves.
"Until that's worked out, a lot of players like Greg will just have to wait which is fine," said agent Mike Naiditch. "We understand that this is a process and will take time. We're not in any kind of rush."
Meanwhile, if Batum slips through their fingers, the T-Wolves would move Lee up to the top of their wish list for wing players, according to Blakely. The Suns are also eyeing the former Rocket, and the Celtics could enter the mix as well, with a sign-and-trade proposal,
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