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Spears On Trade Candidates

December 14th, 2012 at 7:20pm CST by Chuck Myron

In addition to the well-documented cases of Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon and Anderson Varejao, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports shares a litany of tidbits from high-ranking executives on trade candidates from around the league. Here's the chatter going on about each player:

Andrea Bargnani, Raptors — "Toronto definitely wants to move Bargnani," a GM told Spears.
MarShon Brooks, Nets — The Nets put him on the trading block over the summer, but his rookie-scale contract is making it hard for the team to part with him, since there are few more valuable players on the market with a matching salary.
Andrew Bynum, Sixers — The Sixers are trying to find another starting center, according to Spears, who hears from a GM who figures the team is starting to get panicked about Bynum health. "They could get a really interesting deal for (Bynum)," the GM said. "I could see them doing that."
Tyreke Evans, Kings — Despite a meeting with GM Geoff Petrie that went well, according to a source close to Evans, the Kings will trade him if they don't think they can afford to re-sign him as a restricted free agent this summer.
Tyler Hansbrough, Pacers — Spears speculates that the team could trade him for help at the wing.
Gerald Henderson, Bobcats — Like Evans, Henderson will likely be dealt if the team decides against re-signing the restricted free agent over the summer.
Kevin Love, Timberwolves — "I don't think that's a match that is permanent in Minnesota," an assistant GM tells Spears. "I'm not saying they're shopping, but if they can get the right deal they would look at it. And I don't think he wants to be there."
Paul Millsap, Jazz — The Jazz are more likely to trade Millsap than Al Jefferson because Millsap, who makes almost half as much money, will "go to the highest bidder" in free agency next summer, according to a GM.
Timofey Mozgov, Nuggets — With Mozgov a restricted free agent next summer, the Nuggets are likely to go with Kosta Koufos and JaVale McGee in the middle instead, and with other Nuggets set to hit the market, a rival GM tells Spears that Denver won't pay the luxury tax.
Derrick Williams, Timberwolves — Both player and team would be pleased with a trade, and an executive for another team warns that Williams' value is shrinking as he continues to sit on Minnesota's bench.

Wolves Rumors: Rubio, Varejao, Love, Roy

December 14th, 2012 at 9:45am CST by Luke Adams

It's Friday, which means Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities has checked in with his weekly edition of Scoops. Here are Wolfson's Timberwolves updates from his latest piece:

The Timberwolves are likely to make a deal before the February trade deadline, but aren't making any calls yet while they wait to see how the lineup looks when Ricky Rubio returns.
David Kahn has been answering incoming calls, however. Wolfson reports that the Raptors and Cavaliers have both been in touch with the Wolves, to gauge interest in Andrea Bargnani and Anderson Varejao, respectively. Minnesota likes Varejao a lot, according to Wolfson, though in my opinion it would take a massive package for the Cavs to move him this season.
One league source doesn't believe money is a source of frustration for Kevin Love, since the All-Star forward is still in position to earn as much or more over the long-term as he would have if he'd received a five-year extension. The source points to a Kahn quote from 2009 ("On a championship-contending team… Kevin might be the fourth-best player") as something that still irks Love.
Obrad Fimic, the agent for Alexey Shved, on the Timberwolves recruitment of his client: "Honestly, the whole deal was done thanks to David, who convinced us that Shved is a perfect fit for coach Rick Adelman's system. Alexey and I liked what we heard and here we are."
Although Brandon Roy denied that retirement wasn't something he thought about following his latest knee procedure, a league source insists to Wolfson that Roy at least considered it.
There should be closure on the Martell Webster compensation case soon, with the Wolves expecting to receive cash and/or a second-round pick from the Trail Blazers.

Kevin Love Unsure About Future With Wolves

December 12th, 2012 at 12:29pm CST by Luke Adams

12:29pm: In a follow-up tweet, Wojnarowski says it's clear that Love feels "deeply connected" to the T-Wolves' fanbase, loves Minnesota as a sports town, and badly wants to win a championship there. As Wojnarowski's original column suggested, however, it seems that Love isn't sure whether Wolves management is as committed to him long-term.

WEDNESDAY, 11:58am: Love spoke to the media today to clarify some of the comments he made to Wojnarowski. Here's a recap of what he said, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune (all links go to Twitter):

While he meant everything he said, Love added that he also said many positive things about the Timberwolves that weren't included in the piece.
Love has spoken to Rick Adelman and David Kahn about his comments, and plans to speak to Glen Taylor as well.
Love didn't intend to alienate the team or T-Wolves fans with his comments.
Love would "love to" end his career with the Timberwolves.

TUESDAY, 2:44pm: Adrian Wojnarowski's latest piece at Yahoo! Sports features plenty of discussion with Kevin Love about his current contract, his future with the Timberwolves, and the team's roster decisions. The story includes plenty of eyebrow-raising quotes from Love, so let's dive right in and check out a few of the highlights from the All-Star forward….

On the T-Wolves' perception of him, and the team's decision not to offer him a five-year contract extension:

"I don't know who labels people stars, but even [Timberwolves owner] Glen Taylor said: I don't think Kevin Love is a star, because he hasn't led us to the playoffs. I mean, it's not like I had much support out there…. That's a tough pill to swallow."

On questions about whether his broken hand happened in the way he described:

"Even people in my own organization were asking if it was a legitimate injury, people calling my honesty and integrity into question. And that's what really hurt me."

On the T-Wolves' frequent roster changes:

"You walk into the locker room every year, and it's completely turned over. There's new guys everywhere. And then it happens again and again. You start to wonder: Is there really a plan here? Is there really any kind of a… plan?"

On his future:

"I have a very, very good memory, and I always remember the people who have done right by me, and the people who have done wrong by me. It will be embedded in my brain, and something I won't forget about. There's no telling what will happen. I would love to compete for a championship in Minnesota, but….

"I haven't been in the playoffs yet. I'm looking at my contract in the eye of two years from now, and if I haven't been to the playoffs – or it's been one playoff berth – well, it's going to be tough to say, 'Oh well, I'm going to stay here and continue to rebuild.'"

On Minnesota's decision to trade Al Jefferson after Love's second season:

"We should've at least tried [making it work with Jefferson], especially with way things were going. I was beginning to figure things out in my second season. Everybody knew what Al was capable of, and is still capable of. It was definitely worth the risk of seeing what would happen. If it didn't work, then go another way. But we never tried it."

On how feeling slighted by members of the Wolves' organization has fueled him:

"That's the crazy thing about this: There's this whole [expletive]-up, cynical thing going on in my head, where I love people telling me what I can't do, telling me this what you're going to be, this is your ceiling. Just everybody projecting for me. I'm not breaking any bounds or barriers saying this, but I think all kids – white, black, purple, whatever color – in basketball should never put a limit on themselves. I've had plenty of people tell me who I was going to be, and I feel like, for the time being, I've exceeded that."

Latest On Timberwolves’ Injuries

November 18th, 2012 at 3:39pm CST by Sean Highkin

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been plagued by injuries to their key players in recent weeks, which has forced them to play shorthanded and turn to free agents such as Josh Howard to shore up the rotation. However, Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune has some good news for Wolves fans on the injury front involving several players.

Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, neither of whom have played this season, are starting to participate in light offensive workouts, and are both still scheduled to return to the court sometime in December. Center Nikola Pekovic, who injured his ankle last week, is participating fully in practice and is on track to return on Wednesday.

Two Timberwolves players who have yet to participate in basketball-related activities since being sidelined are guards Brandon Roy and J.J. Barea. There is no timeframe for either one to return to action.

Latest On Potential T-Wolves Moves

November 14th, 2012 at 7:33pm CST by Chuck Myron

We've heard a lot of rumors about possible acquisitions for the Timberwolves in light of the team's rash of injuries, and GM David Kahn addressed the talk following a meeting about potential moves today with coach Rick Adelman, reports Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Though we heard earlier that a trade could be in the works, Kahn believes that if the team is to make a move, it would most likely be a free agent signing. Kahn said "there are some names out there" the team would consider, most likely a shooting guard or small forward. Still, Kahn said nothing's on the immediate horizon.

"It's not feasible to do anything right now," Kahn said. "It's harder this time of the season to get a player. Certain players can't be traded until after December 15 if they signed in the summer."

Players who signed as free agents or signed offer sheets that were matched by their teams can't be traded for three months after the transaction took place, or December 15, whichever is later. Reports have linked free agents Mickael Pietrus and Josh Howard to Minnesota in the past week. The Wolves have a full roster, at 15 players, though Will Conroy's contract is partially guaranteed for $100K.

Richardson points out the Wolves are one player short of having enough to qualify for a roster hardship that would allow them to bring on a 16th player. In Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and Chase Budinger, the team has three players who will miss at least two weeks of action. They'd need a fourth to get a 16th player on the roster.

As for Love, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune notes that he's targeting a return in early December from his broken right hand (Twitter links). That would make for an absence of about six to eight weeks, on the long side of the initial projection.

Wolves Rumors: Harden, Williams, Barea, Ridnour

November 9th, 2012 at 8:47am CST by Luke Adams

Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities shares a number of interesting tidbits related to the Timberwolves in his latest Scoops piece, so let's dive right in and check out the highlights….

Wolfson hears from T-Wolves sources that Minnesota made a few calls on James Harden, and would have been willing to part with Derrick Williams, future first-round picks, and more. However, since the Thunder weren't all that interested in dealing within the division and had a strong offer from the Rockets, talks between the Wolves and OKC never got serious.
Williams, J.J. Barea, and Luke Ridnour are considered potential trade candidates, but the Wolves aren't engaged in any discussions now. Wolfson says that dialogue could pick up once the team has 15 games under its belt.
Owner Glen Taylor expects injured stars Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio to return in early December and mid-December, respectively.
Taylor also addressed the possibility of selling the franchise, telling Wolfson he may "get a deal within this year." However, Taylor added that he anticipates remaining with the organization for five or six years, slowly transitioning from majority to minority owner.
R.J. Adelman, Minnesota's director of personnel, likes Mickael Pietrus, but the veteran wing is still not open to signing for the minimum, which means he's out of the Wolves' price range.

Poll: Will Love Or Dirk Injury Have Bigger Impact?

October 19th, 2012 at 6:42pm CST by Sean Highkin

Earlier today, the Dallas Mavericks announced that Dirk Nowitzki had undergone arthroscopic knee surgery and was expected to miss up to six weeks of the season. This comes just days after the Minnesota Timberwolves were also hit with the loss of their All-Star power forward. Kevin Love suffered a broken hand earlier this week and is likewise expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.

The Mavs and Wolves were both expected to be in the race for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. However, losing their respective best players for the start of the season would seem to put a damper on those plans. Whose injury do you believe will have a larger impact on their team?

Northwest Rumors: Aldridge, Lillard, Wolves

October 18th, 2012 at 10:09pm CST by Chuck Myron

LaMarcus Aldridge didn't hold back in his comments on 1080 AM The Fan in Portland, declaring himself the best power forward in the game, as Ben Golliver documents on Blazer's Edge. He's indicated a willingness to be patient through the Blazers' rebuilding process before, but he doesn't think he'll have much of a wait, a belief he apparently shares with the front office. "I have really good talks with the management, with [GM] Neil [Olshey]," Aldridge said today. "We don't feel like this process is going to be that long. We feel like one year for guys to get better, for myself to also get better. We feel like we should have enough next year to be one of those top teams again. We can always add some good guys through free agency next year." While we wait to see if the Blazers can bounce back so quickly, here's more from Portland and elsewhere in the Northwest.

Blazers rookie point guard Damian Lillard is trying to find the right balance between passing and looking for his own shot, as The Oregonian's Joe Freeman documents.
Though Kevin Love could be back in five weeks, sooner than originally expected, as Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports, his broken hand will shine a spotlight on coach Rick Adelman's influence on building the Wolves roster, writes Sean Deveney of The Sporting News.
Adelman said the specter of injuries helped shape the team's offseason plans, as Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune notes. "That's one reason we made a lot of changes," Adelman said. "Because we didn't do that last year, that last month [of the season], we got hammered."

Kevin Love Breaks Hand, Out Up To Eight Weeks

October 17th, 2012 at 2:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Kevin Love has suffered a broken right hand and will miss the next four to six weeks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The team confirmed the injury (Twitter link), indicating the timetable for Love's recovery could be six to eight weeks.

The Timberwolves have 14 players on fully guaranteed contracts, meaning there's still a chance for camp invitees to earn that 15th spot. One of those players, Chris Johnson, is a big, though it's unclear if Love's injury would improve his chances of making the team or whether the T-Wolves are happy with their current frontcourt players besides Love.

Love is entering the first year of the four-year extension he signed earlier in 2012 with Minnesota, and is set to earn $13.67MM this season. With Ricky Rubio still recovering from an ACL injury, the T-Wolves' two most recognizable stars will be out of action when the season gets underway.

Odds & Ends: T-Wolves, Yi, Arroyo, Rockets

September 25th, 2012 at 5:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few of today's odds and ends from around the Association….

The Timberwolves ultimately signed Louis Amundson to a minimum-salary deal to bolster their frontcourt, but were also seriously considering Sean Williams and were close to signing Yi Jianlian, tweets Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500. Yi ended up signing in China, where he presumably received a larger guarantee.
Two and a half months after urging management to make roster upgrades, Kevin Love says he's happy about the changes and is optimistic about the Timberwolves' playoff chances, according to an AP report (via NBA.com).
According to a Primera Hora report (Spanish link), longtime NBA point guard Carlos Arroyo is still debating whether to join an NBA team's training camp or play in Turkey.
The Rockets announced a series of coaching and basketball operations hirings and promotions today, including a pair of assistant coaches.
There has been so much turnover in New Orleans in recent years that Jason Smith, who joined the team almost exactly two years ago, is now the longest-tenured Hornet. Smith spoke to Jim Eichenhofer of Hornets.com about the club's offseason acquisitions and his expectations for the coming year.