I don't even know what this means, but I want to see it.

True though, it really hasn't happened before, lol.

It isn't just overpaying Batum. Shved chose us over two or three other teams offering similar deals. So did Roy. Chicago was one of the teams that wanted Roy. He plans to move his family and stay here for longer than the contract he signed lasts. Steimsma also wants to play here. J Hill wants to play here. Tolliver wants to play here. All these guys are waiting to see what happens with the Batum deal, because that has to happen first and they all want to play here.

You did include "good" in your original statement though .

But yeah, I do agree. I think it's Rubio who everyone wants to play with and knowing there is a real star workhorse here already. I kind of think the FA class this year was a bit unlucky for the Wolves....seems like the best ones are veterans who need to win immediately or guys with flaws. Like, it'd be so much better if there were a few guys like Batum/Iggy who were outright FAs. I have a feeling a lot of 2nd/3rd tier guys made sure to get longer deals before the new CBA so there just aren't too many that have fully run their course yet.

I think Roy and Shved are pretty good. Steamer is a good defensive backup, which is something we need. The others are good role players (assuming Tolliver's wrist is ok).

Roy specifically mentioned Rubio, Love & big PEK, plus the coaching staff as reasons why he chose us.

I guess I'd say I *hope* Roy and Shved are good, .

So far I like all the signings. I think the Batum contract is too high buuuuuut, I do think it's probably the only and/or best way to pry him from Portland. I mean, it's hard to go after RFAs and actually get them so I like it overall too.

If one of them is going somewhere, I really hope we keep Luke and trade JJ.

yea with that celtics center for shot blocking coming off the bench... roy, batum, chase & a healthy rubio twolves def making playoffs 2013

btw ide give up d.will for batum anyday of the week, he gona turn into a beasely n just be released in 3more years anyway due to us having k.love


p.s whats the hype around shyve about anyways?....

I think we might have offered Darko, Ridnour & a #1 (something like that) for Batum and Portland turned us down.

We'll have to figure out a way to dump some salary to make this (signing Batum + everyone else) work because the salary cap remains at $58.x mil.

I'd be happier with a trade for Iggy.

Love both those guys but they're not elite players.

None of these guys have me very excited. Is Batum worth tying up ~1/4 of the cap??

One is top 5 at his position (PEK) and one probably will be within a couple years. That's not top 5 - 10 at all positions in the league like Love was last year, but its good.


Think about what we had playing wing last year. Utter ****. Worst wing production in the NBA. Its exciting to me to potentially fill the wing spots on our roster with four new guys who are all better than anyone we've had here for a few years at those positions.

Your math is off - if he's getting $11 mil, 11/58 = 19%. Is Batum worth that? No. But you're asking the wrong question imo. The question should be, if we sign him for that, can we keep the core three plus Batum together for several years? If Papa Glen is willing to write the checks, the answer is yes. We will own Bird rights for all our core players, and they're all very young.

This is the time to (over)spend, and while I think Iggy would make a better target than Batum, there are some reasons why Batum makes sense - age & outside shooting. One other thing, if he gets into Adelman's system surrounded by players like Rubio & Love & PEK, the theory is that will help make Batum a better player than he's been. People at Blazer's Edge are saying McMillain's system stuck him in the corner and relegated him to being a spot up 3 point shooter when he could have been doing a lot more. He would get that opportunity here.

Michael Cunningham ‏@ajchawks
Source says #Hawks had interest in #Bulls F Kyle Korver but he's likely headed to Minnesota in trade

innnnnnnnnnnnteresting...

huh. That would be a decent pickup depending on what we have to give up.


This is some pretty good news too imo: @DarrenWolfson

While the #Twolves continue to work on a S&T for Batum, they’re maintaining daily contact with Courtney Lee. Interest is very mutual.

Getting C Lee for $6 mil or so might be better for the team in the long run than getting Batum. He can shoot and plays adequate defense. Plus Adelman knows him from HOU.

You know, this might be a salary trade

Korver can be waived and owed only $500K. Might be part of the plan, if they trade one the higher guarantee point guards for him.

Tied for the most cynical, pessimistic bastard around

by Eric in Madison on Jul 11, 2012 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Pek's not a top 5 center. You're ignoring the complete lack of ability to protect the rim. And I'm not sure how good Rubio is/will be off injury. Obv Rubio but he's talked about around here like he's Chris Paul or something.

Who are the 5 who are better? I don't have a horse in this race, I just like these kind of conversations.

For sure:
Dwight
Bynum
Chandler

I'd rather have:
Marc Gasol
Hibbert

Probably rather have:
Monroe (tbh I'm not too familiar with his game but know he's still getting better anyway)

Hmmmm.....not sure:
Joakim Noah
Bogut (when healthy obv)

There are a few guys who are PFs who if you qualify them as centers may be in there somewhere. I also of course may be missing some guys.

All those guys plus guys like KG and Duncan are centers. Brook Lopez. DeMarcus Cousins. Maybe even guys like Gortat and Big Al. Probably rather have DeAndre Jordan next to Love.

I like Pek. In addition to being really strong he has amazingly soft hands and soft touch. Pretty rare combo. And he's fun to watch, gives good effort and is totally likable. But he's a limited player and a valuable trade chip. Was really hoping we could have worked out a Williams + Pek + Luke for Pau type deal.

And I don't think the Wolves should amnesty Darko unless needed for cap reasons. We might have to amnesty Roy next year.

iirc, from the time he started starting to the time he got injured, Pek outplayed his opposing C in every game, with the exception of one, Mark Gasol, who matched him stat-wise.

I thought Roy's deal was only guaranteed for the 1st year and Darko is still signed through 2014 so I don't see the point of not amnestying Darko this year even if Roy's deal is guaranteed for both years.

Darko has a club option for 2013/2014. I doubt we pick it up.

http://hoopshype.com/salaries/minnesota.htm

We can only amnesty players who were on the roster at the time the current CBA was agreed on. It doesn't apply to anyone else. Darko & Wes are the two candidates. Wes has somewhat less of a negative value than Darko, so if Darko isn't traded, he will be the one amnestied. Adelman will not play him anymore imo.

Also, we have a low buyout next year if Roy gets hurt. His contract is relatively low risk.

As far as PEK goes, name a better low post scorer in the NBA at the C position. There are zero imo. He has soft hands, great moves, a soft touch and is very good at creating passing lanes. As far as his defense goes, he is not a long, shot blocking rim protector, but he is as strong as a bull, and he plays defense with good effort and intelligence. Think about what Bynum said in that close game we had vs the Lakers last season where PEK was pushing him around, but didn't play much at the end of the game (something about it being a lot easier for him to make plays when they took out Pekovic). I think you guys are selling him short saying he's not top 5. I think you will see some impressive numbers from him this season.

yeah, this is correct. He even outplayed and pushed around D Howard.

http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=320213019

Darko won't be on this year's opening day roster.