Brandon Roy Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Adelman Doesn’t Expect Brandon Roy To Return

February 20th, 2013 at 10:00pm CST by Chuck Myron

The outlook for Brandon Roy hasn't been positive for a while, and a setback a few weeks ago as he recovers from knee surgery derailed his hopes of returning before the All-Star break. Today, Wolves coach Rick Adelman expressed pessimism that Roy will make it back this season at all, as Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press documents.

"If he does play, it will be a pleasant surprise," Adelman said. "I don't expect him at this point."

Roy has suggested he'll retire if he can't make it back on the court this year. Neither Richardson, writing in his report, or Adelman appeared to rule out a return this season, but the idea that Roy is finished has apparently led Minnesota's front office to pursue trades that would attract teams looking for an expiring contract. Roy signed a two-year, $10.4MM deal before the season, but because his knee trouble resurfaced, the second season will likely become non-guaranteed. Roy would have to play in either 65 games or reach 1,400 minutes this season to trigger a guarantee on next year, and both thresholds appear far out of his reach. He's appeared in only five games and played a total of 122 minutes this year.

The Wolves are also interested in a buyout for Roy at some point this season, an idea that's met resistance from Roy's financial adviser. Minnesota may make a stronger push for a buyout after the deadline if they're not able to include Roy in a trade.

Wolves Rumors: Kirilenko, Mayo, Mozgov, Redick

February 20th, 2013 at 10:59am CST by Luke Adams

Here's the latest on the Timberwolves from Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities….

General manager David Kahn isn't convinced he'll be able to make a deal by tomorrow's deadline, but it won't be from lack of trying, says Wolfson. The T-Wolves have made Luke Ridnour, J.J. Barea, Derrick Williams, and Brandon Roy available as they explore trade options.
The Wolves have received more calls about Andrei Kirilenko than anyone else, but the club won't move the Russian forward, barring a "too-good-to-be-true offer."
Minnesota's top priority is a wing player with size. The team reached out to the Mavericks about O.J. Mayo, but was rebuffed, according to Wolfson.
The Wolves like Timofey Mozgov and view him as a good value in free agency this summer, but are unlikely to reach a compromise on a trade with the Nuggets.
To acquire J.J. Redick or Avery Bradley, the Wolves would have to give up Williams and a first-round pick, according to Wolfson. That's not happening for Bradley and is very unlikely for Redick.
Rick Adelman and the Wolves like Courtney Lee and are keeping an eye on him, but they didn't want to offer four years in free agency last summer, so the contract could bother them.
Adelman told season ticket holders that the Wolves' goal is to re-sign Nikola Pekovic this summer. However, some team sources aren't sure Pekovic is worth $11MM annually, and question his ability to stay healthy, says Wolfson.

Nuggets Turn Down Roy, Draft Pick For Mozgov

February 20th, 2013 at 12:16am CST by Ryan Raroque

According to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nuggets have rebuffed an offer from the Timberwolves that would have sent Brandon Roy and a first-round draft pick to Denver in exchange for center Timofey Mozgov.

Roy has been reportedly included in many of Minnesota's offers, with hopes that his contract (non-guaranteed for 2013-14) could serve as a selling point to teams looking for financial relief. According to a tweet by Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN in Minneapolis, the offered pick would be from the Grizzlies (owed to Minnesota in this year's draft).

The Timberwolves aren't holding out hope that the 6'6" guard will ever be ready to play in the NBA again, and it is believed that any team interested in taking the former star understands that also. Wojnarowski says that GM David Kahn would be interested in negotiating a buyout, possibly after the trade deadline if Minnesota is unable to include him in a deal.

With the emergence of Kosta Koufos in Denver coupled with the fact that Mozgov is scheduled to become a restricted free agent in July, the Nuggets have been trying to find a suitable trade partner in order to avoid possibly having to match an expensive offer sheet for the Russian center.

Wolves Rumors: Ridnour, Pekovic, Williams, Roy

February 15th, 2013 at 11:37am CST by Luke Adams

As usual, Friday morning means the latest installment of Darren Wolfson's Scoops column has been published at 1500ESPN.com. With Minnesota expected to be active in trade talks over the next several days, let's check out the latest Timberwolves rumors from Wolfson….

The Knicks are one of several teams interested in Luke Ridnour, who is mentally preparing to be moved. The Celtics, Sixers, and Jazz are among the other clubs with varying degrees of interest, says Wolfson.
Nikola Pekovic has been assured by the T-Wolves that he isn't going anywhere for now.
While Derrick Williams is still available, a trade over the summer may be more likely, according to Wolfson.
Brandon Roy's financial advisor is still "rejecting overtures" on a buyout. It seems unlikely the Wolves will be able to move his salary in a trade, so a buyout would be the team's preferred route.
When Chris Johnson signed for the rest of the season with the Wolves, the contract included a second year. Wolfson expects that it'll essentially be a team option for 2013/14 — a non-guaranteed minimum salary.

Wolves Rumors: Ridnour, Roy, Johnson, Gelabale

February 8th, 2013 at 10:05am CST by Luke Adams

2013/14 Timberwolves season ticket holders appear to be in line for a 10% discount, as the T-Wolves continue to slip further out of playoff contention. As Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities writes in his latest Scoops column, the marketing department that promised a 10% discount if Minnesota failed to reach the postseason should have also offered a money-back guarantee if the team doesn't make a deadline trade, since that seems like a near certainty. Here are the latest Wolves rumblings from Wolfson:

Following up on Chris Sheridan's report on Luke Ridnour's availability, Wolfson confirms that the Jazz like Ridnour. However, Wolfson thinks a package that includes Raja Bell and one of Utah's first-round picks is more likely than one that features Alec Burks.
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor confirmed that GM David Kahn has engaged Brandon Roy's agent in talks about a possible buyout. Roy's contract could also be used for salary-matching purposes in a trade.
Taylor also said the T-Wolves were never too involved in Rudy Gay talks, and said other trade discussions are "slow-going" at the moment.
Chris Johnson's and Mickael Gelabale's 10-day contracts expired overnight, but both players are expected to be retained for the rest of the season. The Wolves are talking to Johnson about a deal that would keep him around for 2013/14 as well.
If Johnson and Gelabale are both re-signed, Louis Amundson appears to be the odd man out. Minnesota has been allowed to carry 16 players temporarily after receiving an injury exception, but will have to reduce that number to 15.

Western Notes: Howard, Grizzlies, Roy, Kings

February 1st, 2013 at 4:50pm CST by Luke Adams

As we look forward to an evening schedule that includes a Lakers/Timberwolves contest in Minnesota, Dwight Howard, who will miss tonight's game, is heading back to Los Angeles to undergo a platelet rich plasma procedure, the Lakers announced today in a press release. Here's the latest from around the Western Conference on D12 and a number of other topics:

Ken Berger of CBSSports.com spoke to both Howard and Kobe Bryant about the All-Star center's impending free agency and future in Los Angeles.
ESPN.com's Kevin Pelton (Insider link) thinks it's worth keeping an eye on J.J. Redick as a potential Grizzlies target, since his salary would fit in the team's new $7.49MM trade exception. However, Pelton notes that a swap would likely have to include Ed Davis, and it's not clear whether Memphis would flip Davis or if the team views him as Zach Randolph's eventual replacement.
Grizzlies owner Robert Pera believes the team's two recent trades have made Memphis a "far more dangerous playoff team," as Kyle Veazey of the Memphis Commercial Appeal documents.
Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins wasn't quite as bullish on the club's latest moves, as he weighed in on the Rudy Gay trade after last night's game: "When you have champagne taste, you can't be on a beer budget," Hollins said, according to John Rohde of the Oklahoman. "It's a small market and I understand the economics of being in a small market."
In speaking to Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com, Brandon Roy suggested that coaching may be in his future if he has to end his playing career prematurely again. Dwight Jaynes of CSNNW.com cautions Roy that the development process of a coach involves a lot of drudgery, and wonders if Roy is the sort of "special, driven person" that could succeed as an NBA coach.
Potential Kings bidder Ron Burkle is part of a group that's in the running to buy Anschutz Entertainment Group, according to Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee. However, the bid for AEG shouldn't affect his ability to make an offer for the Kings.

Brandon Roy May Retire After Season

February 1st, 2013 at 8:29am CST by Luke Adams

Brandon Roy's latest setback hasn't derailed his comeback attempt entirely, as he tells Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. However, Roy's describes himself as at a "crossroads" in his career, and suggests that if he can't get healthy before the end of this season, he'll likely retire for a second time.

"I look at it like this has got to be the last season," Roy said. "I don't have any regrets because I know I tried to give it another season. So me saying this has to be the last season, it's not as difficult as it was last year. I tried. I gave it that last effort and it's time to move on. I'm at that range to where I'm at peace with things.”

Roy, recovering from knee surgery, had hoped to return to action for the Timberwolves tonight, but tweaked his knee last Saturday, eliminating any possibiliy that he'll be back before the All-Star break, says Haynes. While the setback didn't cause any damage and won't require additional surgery, it does cast more doubt on whether or not Roy will be able to return to the court at all.

As we outlined in the fall, the Timberwolves essentially insured themselves on the second year of Roy's contract. Because the 28-year-old's knee issues resurfaced, the team won't be on the hook for his $5.33MM salary next season, as it will become non-guaranteed. If the T-Wolves are pessimistic about Roy's ability to contribute to the club this season, they could also consider including his contract in a deal at the trade deadline for salary-matching purposes.

Timberwolves Notes: Roy, Rubio, Gasol, Williams

January 31st, 2013 at 7:29pm CST by Sean Highkin

The latest news and notes around the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday evening:

Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press tweets that Brandon Roy had another setback in his rehab as he attempts to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Ricky Rubio defended Pau Gasol against criticism he's faced this season, saying he would welcome the opportunity to play with him (AP link via USA Today).
Krawczynski also writes that Derrick Williams, the second overall pick in the 2011 draft, wants to separate himself from some other players picked in his slot that haven't worked out.

Zgoda On Roy, Gelabale, Johnson, Trades, Kahn

January 26th, 2013 at 9:58pm CST by Ryan Raroque

Jerry Zgoda of The Star Tribune opined that Brandon Roy's current rehab treatment could be a way for the Timberwolves to bide time in case they need his $5MM contract in a trade near the deadline, noting that it couldn't be used in a deal if he were to retire. In the rest of tonight's column, Zgoda addressed a few more hot topics that have been brewing in Minnesota:

He also clarifies that if the team wants to keep both Mickael Gelabale and Chris Johnson, they'd have to find a way to free up a roster spot as a player can only sign two 10-day contracts before his next deal becomes fully guaranteed. Dealing Louis Amundson for a future draft pick or waiving a player could also be considered.
On the trade front, he identifies Derrick Williams as the best piece they can offer in a meaningful deal by the trade deadline unless they deem Nikola Pekovic expendable.
To expand on Pekovic, Zgoda notes that the Montenegrin center is set to hit the free agent market this summer and could be dealt by the deadline or in an offseason sign-and-trade if management doesn't want to commit to the $12MM-$14MM that he could command on the free agent market.
With this season being GM David Kahn's final of a four year deal, Zgoda wonders if Kahn will be considered the right fit to continue to lead the front office.
Rick Adelman's return to the team is dependent on the continued improvement of his wife's health, which could allow him to rejoin the team as soon as this Wednesday.

Wolves Rumors: Williams, Gay, Roy, Cunningham

January 18th, 2013 at 11:40am CST by Luke Adams

Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities reported yesterday that the Timberwolves are "heavily" shopping Derrick Williams, 2011's second overall pick. In his latest Scoops column, Wolfson shares a few more details on the T-Wolves' trade talks, plus a handful more Wolves-related notes. Let's dive in and round up the highlights….

Within the last week, president David Kahn has transitioned from merely taking phone calls to making them himself. According to Wolfson, Kahn was "aggressively" working the phones this week and was making some progress on a trade. Such a deal would likely involve Williams, and would net Minnesota a big, rather than a wing.
The T-Wolves don't have interest in Portland's J.J. Hickson or Atlanta's Josh Smith.
Minnesota is still weighing whether it makes sense to pursue Rudy Gay. If the Wolves were to make an offer for Gay, it would likely have to include a third team, and would involve Nikola Pekovic.
Brandon Roy's contract may be included in a trade at the deadline for salary purposes.
The Lakers recently inquired on Dante Cunningham, but Cunningham's affordable salary makes the Wolves reluctant to part with him.
According to Wolfson, interest in buying the T-Wolves is "as high as ever." Former Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley, who confirmed yesterday he has interest in buying another NBA franchise, is said to be kicking the tires on the Wolves.
There's no word yet on whether Andrei Kirilenko is leaning one way or the other on his $10.22MM player option for 2013/14.
Minnesota didn't apply for a disabled player exception for Malcolm Lee. As Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors wrote on Monday, such an exception wouldn't have provided much flexibility for the club.
According to Wolfson, there's some speculation that the Wolves would like to take over basketball operations of their D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls. The Skyforce are currently affiliated with the Heat, Magic, and Sixers, as well as the Wolves.
While it's been presumed for some time that Minnesota would be among the clubs interested in Greg Oden, the team hasn't done due diligence on him so far, like some others have.