Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Magic Exploring Three-Way Trade For Josh Smith?

March 14th, 2012 at 3:51pm CST by Luke Adams

Amidst rumors that Dwight Howard will remain with the Magic for another season, Orlando may turn its attention to trying to trade for help around Howard. Multiple reports have suggested Josh Smith may be a target for the Magic.

While Jarrod Randolph of RealGM.com reported earlier today there didn't seem to be anything to rumors involving Orlando and Smith, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld indicates (via Twitter) that a three-team deal is still being discussed. The Timberwolves would be the third team in the equation, according to Kyler (via Twitter).

As I said when this rumor first surfaced, I can't imagine the Magic finding the non-Howard assets to land a player like Smith. This one seems like an extreme long shot to me.

Bobcats Discussing Several Deals For Boris Diaw

March 14th, 2012 at 3:27pm CST by Luke Adams

Boris Diaw's expiring contract has become one of the more intriguing assets on the trade market this week, and the Bobcats are discussing "several deals" involving Diaw, tweets Ken Berger of CBS Sports.

The Nets, Spurs, and Timberwolves have been linked to Diaw, whose $9MM cap figure will come off the books at season's end. Given how valuable that number could be for teams looking to create cap space, it makes sense for the Bobcats to consider deals that could net the team draft picks.

If Dwight Howard officially waives his early termination option for 2012/13 and remains with the Magic, I'd imagine the Nets' pursuit of Diaw would become much less urgent.

Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday

March 14th, 2012 at 2:46pm CST by Luke Adams

Even after an impressive overtime win by the Magic against the Heat last night, the post-game focus was on the off-court story: Dwight Howard's future. As we covered in yesterday's round-up of Howard rumors, D12 told reporters he'd like the Magic to keep him for the rest of the season and "roll the dice" this summer. Considering earlier Tuesday reports indicated that Howard's long-term plan involves signing with the Nets as a free agent so New Jersey doesn't have to trade core assets, Dwight's suggestion that Orlando roll the dice seemed particularly brash.

Zach Lowe of SI.com called Howard's post-game speech the low point of the ongoing saga, while Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported that some Magic executives were privately disgusted with the star center's comments. We expect plenty more updates to pour in as the day goes on, so we'll track them all here, with the latest items up top:

The Knicks are intrigued by the possibility of acquiring Howard, but won't offer Carmelo Anthony, since James Dolan "loves him," tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. I'd say that takes New York out of the running, since the Magic wouldn't be nearly as interested in an Amare Stoudemire/Tyson Chandler package.
There are no legs to the rumor that the Magic are working on a three-team deal to bring in Josh Smith (linked below), tweets Jarrod Randolph of RealGM.com.
According to ESPN.com's Chad Ford, the Nets would be open to offering the Magic anything they want for Howard, with the exception of Deron Williams.
Orlando still seems to be entertaining deals that could bring in help around Howard, as Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld reports that they're eyeing the Hawks' Josh Smith. The Magic would need to get a third team involved, perhaps the Timberwolves and Michael Beasley. Given Orlando's lack of tradeable assets, acquiring Smith seems like an extreme long shot to me.
The Magic are telling teams they intend to move Howard if they don't receive a commitment beyond this season from Dwight, according to ESPN.com's Chris Broussard. We have the details here.
Nets sources insist the team would give up assets in the next 24 hours if it meant landing Howard, but Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld explains why New Jersey may not be motivated to make a substantial offer. If Howard and Williams sign in Brooklyn this summer, the pair would want a third significant player to join them, and the Nets may be considering saving its trade chips to acquire that player.

Michael Beasley Drawing Significant Interest

March 14th, 2012 at 10:44am CST by Luke Adams

The Lakers have been linked to Michael Beasley multiple times in recent weeks, reportedly having turned down an offer that would've had them giving up a first-round pick. Los Angeles isn't the only team going after Beasley though. According to Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld, the Magic, Rockets, and a few other teams are still in the mix.

The Timberwolves had been looking to move Beasley, who isn't in the team's long-term plans, for just a draft pick. Ingram says, however, that the increased interest in the former second overall pick means Minnesota could acquire a piece that would help the team remain in playoff contention this season. The T-Wolves are currently a game behind Houston for eighth place in the West, though Ricky Rubio's season-ending ACL injury has put a damper on this season's optimism.

The Magic offered Jason Richardson for Beasley, according to Ingram. As glaring a need as a two guard is for the Wolves, I'd imagine they'd be a little apprehensive about taking on Richardson — the 31-year-old is averaging a career-low 12.2 PPG and has three years and $18MM+ remaining on his deal after this season.

The Nets and Celtics also are thought to have some interest in Beasley.

Timberwolves Targeting Richardson

March 13th, 2012 at 8:46pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Jarred Rudolph of RealGM says that according to league sources, the Magic are having discussions with the Timberwolves regarding shooting guard Jason Richardson. (Twitter link)

After being drafted by the Warriors and playing in Oakland for six years, Richardson had stints in Charlotte and Phoenix before being included in the blockbuster deal that sent reunited him with Gilbert Arenas in Orlando.

Richardson had signed a four-year deal worth approximately $25MM with the Magic during the offseason.

Spurs, Jazz, Timberwolves Discussing Trade

March 13th, 2012 at 7:38pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports that the Spurs, Jazz, and Timberwolves are in talks that would see Josh Howard go to San Antonio, C.J. Miles and Jamaal Tinsley to Minnesota, and Wayne Ellington along with Danny Green to Utah.

He also writes that while no deal is imminent, talks are ongoing and it is likely that draft picks and more players are added to the deal.

Kevin Martin Frustrated With Role

March 13th, 2012 at 4:38pm CST by Luke Adams

Bill Ingram of HoopsWorld hears from a source close to Kevin Martin that the shooting guard is tired of the inconsistent and unexplained rotation choices for the Rockets. Although he's close with Courtney Lee, Martin is frustrated about losing playing time to his Rockets teammate — Martin has played less than 20 minutes in each of Houston's last three games.

According to Ingram, the "word out of Houston" has Lee as the more likely trade candidate than Martin, since the Rockets prefer the 29-year-old. The Bulls, Clippers, Pacers, and Timberwolves are among the teams thought to have some level of interest in Lee, so the Rockets figure to receive plenty of inquiries before Thursday's trade deadline.

Sam Amick of SI.com noted yesterday that a number of Rockets might welcome a trade, and Ingram suggests that some Houston players are "rapidly tiring" of coach Kevin McHale and GM Daryl Morey. The Rockets' situation bears watching in the next couple days, since a roster overhaul isn't out of the question.

Jamal Crawford Rumors: Monday

March 12th, 2012 at 2:46pm CST by Luke Adams

No Jamal Crawford trade is imminent, but Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports (via Twitter) that one league source believes a deal is coming. With less than 72 hours remaining until the trade deadline, Crawford could be the "first domino" to fall, says Kennedy. Here are the latest rumors on Crawford trade talks:

The Blazers and Clippers are discussing a trade that would send Crawford to Los Angeles for Eric Bledsoe and Ryan Gomes, tweets Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
David Aldridge of NBA.com mentioned earlier today that the Bobcats and Blazers could be talking about a deal involving Crawford and D.J. Augustin. Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com also hears that the two teams have engaged in discussions. Said one league exec: "At this point, they are just talking right now and it's just part of what happens around this time of season."
Haynes adds that the Timberwolves are purusing Crawford more aggressively than ever, which is somewhat surprising — Luke Ridnour had been mentioned in previous rumors as a Blazers' target, but the Wolves presumably need to keep Ridnour following Ricky Rubio's season-ending injury. Haynes thinks perhaps the two teams are trying to involve a third club to get Crawford to Minnesota.

Odds & Ends: Timberwolves, CBA, Lakers

March 10th, 2012 at 6:00pm CST by Chuck Myron

With the basketball world abuzz on the eve of college basketball's Selection Sunday and more than half of the NBA in action tonight, here are the topics that have been circulating as of late:

Stephen Litel of HoopsWorld examines the impact the Ricky Rubio injury will have on the rest of the Timberwolves' personnel, and speculates, as we did earlier, that this may precipitate a Michael Beasley trade.
The TrueHoop Network on ESPN.com discussed the how Rubio's injury affects Minnesota's involvement in the trade market, and the consensus appears to be that the Timberwolves will be able to make do with Ridnour and Barea in the meantime.
NBA.com's John Schuhmann looks at the effect the new collective bargaining agreement is having on trade talks. The more punitive tax that is set to kick in during the 2013/14 season, restrictions on cap exceptions, and limits on sign-and-trades and max contracts are forcing GMs to adjust how they value players in trades.
Tom Reed of The Plain Dealer believes that the value of the expiring contract has depreciated because of the new CBA.
During a road trip that included disappointing losses to the Pistons and Wizards, the Lakers cancelled practice on Thursday and held a meeting between the coaches and players instead. The main message from the assistant coaches to the players appeared to be a request to "curtail external chatter," according to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.
HoopsWorld's Derek Page chatted with fans this afternoon and discussed a variety of ideas, including the suggestion that Chris Kaman would be a nice consolation prize for the Mavericks should they fail to land Dwight Howard.
The Spurs have rarely engaged in deadline deals over the last 16 years, but Mike Monroe of Spurs Nation thinks that the team could be willing to shop their first round pick this time around if the right deal comes along.
Although the Pistons are just four games out of the eighth seed, Lawrence Frank does not want to pay attention to the standings and would rather focus on taking things day by day, according to David Mayo of MLive.com.
Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel quotes Erik Spoelstra by saying that the Heat do not have any personnel moves pending after deciding not to renew the contract of Mickell Gladness. (Twitter link)

Rubio Out For The Year With Torn ACL

March 10th, 2012 at 1:28pm CST by Chuck Myron

Wolves point guard Ricky Rubio is out for the year after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in last night's loss to the Lakers. The injury shakes up one of the teams most prominent in trade rumors, with Thursday's trade deadline just five days away.

Rubio, a rookie, became the starting point guard for the Wolves this year, helping lift the team that finished last season with the league's worst record to a 21-20 mark, good for ninth in the Western Conference. He was averaging 10.6 PPG and 8.2 APG, and was third in the NBA with 2.2 steals a game. He was the fifth pick in the 2009 draft, but spent two years playing overseas before signing a four-year rookie scale contract with Minnesota this past offseason that guarantees him $7.22MM this season and next.

The Wolves had been in the market for a shooting guard, and could be even more motivated to find one if they move Luke Ridnour, who had been starting at two guard, back to his natural position at the point. Michael Beasley, a forward and former No. 2 overall pick who hasn't seen much playing time, could be the most useful asset in a trade, and was drawing interest prior to Rubio's injury.

NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper notes via Twitter that the Hornets own the Wolves' first-round pick this year, so if Minnesota falters without Rubio, New Orleans stands to gain. The injury's six-to-nine month recovery time will also keep him from playing for Spain in this year's summer Olympics, tweets Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated broke the story via Twitter, while Zgoda followed with detail in a full story.