Kevin Love, during his time in L.A. for the All-Star break, says there was a lot of “recruiting” talk going on.
“A lot of it was (about) OKC,” Love said. “A lot of it was a few other teams that just need that one more guy. And a lot of it was circulating around the Lakers, ’cause we were out there as well. There was a lot of pressure and a lot of questions were circulating, and I almost felt like, ‘Damn, I have to take a step back and, not assess the situation, but kind of look at things from a broad horizon.’
“As far as right now, I love the city of Minneapolis. I like Minnesota as a state. I love the people here. Our team is very young. We have a lot of stuff going for us when you look past the win column. I think I just have to look at that come contract time.”
So although the dilemma of players recruiting friends has clouded the game in a big way and its free agency, Love doesn’t seem to be fazed by al the talk. He enjoys Minnesota, and he enjoys the team — We hope. Once it comes time to offer him a max deal, given all the circumstances remain the same, there should be no reason to turn it down. Right?
Just a few interesting tidbits but here are today’s Wolf Tracks:
Kevin Love is only 22, but he’s about to become a very wealthy man. Once the NBA and the NBA Players Association agree on a new collective bargaining agreement after the current one ends on June 30, the Minnesota Timberwolves will offer 6-10 Love a contract extension for six years worth $70 million, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
This should be some great news. This is the assurance we’ve prayed from the front office since David Kahn took over. This team needs stability more than anything, and who better to provide it than a high-rate rebounding, three-point shooting, bulldozing man of mass to be that rock?
According to ESPN, the New York Knicks are nearing a buyout with the newly acquired Corey Brewer.
The Knicks and Brewer are closing in on a buyout agreement that will make the former Minnesota swingman a free agent, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com.
Because Brewer will be officially released before March 1, he’s eligible to play in the playoffs with another team.
Brewer’s sheer hustle and determination will make him a hot commodity on the market after the buyout. Any contender near the top will have to take a look at Brewer’s contributions. Some add that Boston, Miami, San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Dallas are interested. My guess: Chicago Bulls. What an upgrade he could be for that team at shooting guard.
Good for you, Corey. Wherever you land, we’ll be sure to root you on.
One of my favorite players for no specific reason, Gerald Wallace is said to be on the trading block. Chad Ford has the details here:
The Charlotte Bobcats seem intent on moving Gerald Wallace to a new team by the Thursday deadline and have aggressively courted the Mavericks, Rockets, Clippers, Pacers and Cavs. The asking price has been an expiring contract and a protected first-round pick.
So far they’ve been unable to get a team to bite, though there have been rumblings Wednesday morning that the Cavs may use their $14.5 million trade exception generated in the LeBron James sign-and-trade this summer to land Wallace by the deadline.
Not too sure why the Wolves wouldn’t be interested in picking up a veteran leader at the small forward position. He can shoot, rebound and, above all, play some of the best perimeter defense in the league. And if the price really is just an expiring contract and a protected first-rounder, the Wolves seem to fit that mold beautifully. Eddy Curry’s contract and the Utah Jazz pick for Gerald Wallace? I’d think twice about that one.
Also big news worth noting since it affects a former T-Wolf, Deron Williams looks like he’s heading to New Jersey. The package in return includes Devin Harris and Derrick Favors. Al Jefferson went from riding high and mighty on his Utah horse to being pushed off violently and being told to mentor a new up and coming power forward, the next Mail Man perhaps? It’ll be interesting to see how the Jazz can recollect themselves from this and make a playoff push at season’s end.
Although we’re still awaiting the official announcement that the trade has gone through, David Kahn and the Wolves are still working the phones.
In the reported Melo-deal that sends Corey Brewer to New York for Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry’s contract, there are now some new developments. The original report said that the Wolves would simply waive Curry and take the temporary hit on his contract. But now Jerry Zgoda is reporting that the Wolves are looking to spin Curry’s contract into some type of player/talent:
#Timberwolves looking to leverage Curry’s contract by dealing it for another asset rather than waive him outright.
This could be bigger than many perceived when the trade was first reported. Curry’s expiring contract is indeed an asset worth dealing. Don’t forget we also have the Al Jefferson trade exception and two useless first rounder on our hands. Nothing big may be in the works, but something’s definitely going on behind the scenes.
New York finally got their man. And so did the Wolves. As a part of the mega Melo deal, New York and Denver will be switching all types of players for one another and the Wolves added Randolph, the guy they’ve wanted all along, to the team.
ESPN reported the news earlier tonight but I just had to get the basics out to you tonight. I promise there will be plenty of commentary posted tomorrow as well as a commemorative article on the one and only Corey Brewer. He’ll be missed dearly.
As the Wolves continue to neglect playing basketball, I lose all desire to write about their distasteful results. But as my duty to serve you, the readers of Wolves fandom, I’ll switch over to self-motivate mode and give you the news. Without further adieu, here are today’s Wolf Tracks:
Timberwolves Tracks:
- The Wolves lost badly last night to the Portland Trailblazers. It’s the second time this year that Portland has rode majestically into the Target Center and sucked the life out of every player, coach and fan in the building. What can ya say — they got our number!
- The game before that, which I also failed to write anything for, the Wolves took a step backwards and lost to the Philadelphia 76ers. Just as humiliating as last night’s loss, the Wolves, and their starters more importantly, just never came ready to play and paid the price for it.
Just a quick side note on these losses since I didn’t grant you a beautifully articulated recap as usual, these two home losses were a giant step backwards. After coming home from a decently successful three game road trip, where they took two out of three, you’d figure that coming home would only harness that momentum and propel them forward to a few more big wins at home. But instead, we witnessed a colossal meltdown of our reserve starters — the guys filling in for injuries — and a lost sense of purpose in both games, because, seriously, neither game was even close.
- As we move forward, the trade deadline is hot on our radar. The Wolves newest, biggest, possibly most realistic target? Steve Nash. Marc Stein has been reporting that no other team has inquired for Nash more than the Wolves, as they hope to make a move for the savvy point guard to mentor young Ricky Rubio when he treads overseas.
- More trade deadline buzz surrounds rumors that it’s only a matter of days until Anthony Randolph becomes a Timberwolf. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that the only reason a one-on-one deal between Minny and New York hasn’t happened yet is because Donnie Walsh is still wading through the “Melo-drama.” It has been affirmed, though, that if just a one-on-one deal occurs, a late first-round pick will be the price the Wolves pay in order to get Randolph. Totally worth it in my mind.
- The Timberwolves are holding their annual “Taste of the Timberwolves” event tonight at the Target Center.
- Stephen Litel of the Downtown Journal writes how the Timberwolves have finally found a foundation to build around, Kevin Love.
Just a couple interesting Tracks for you today. Take a look.
Timberwolves Tracks:
- With just two weeks until the trade deadline comes, David Kahn opened his mouth and shared some of his thoughts/plans. He says a deal will be made, but whether that deal means them being involved in the Melo-blockbuster or a smaller side trade remains to be unseen. One thing we do know is that the moves they make will be both “surgical” and “tactical.”
- More on David Kahn, remember when that Rubio article came out in the New York Times a few weeks ago that blew just a bunch of hoopla in our faces? Well, more is out concerning the Spanish phenom’s shooting woes this season. I’ll tell you one guy who’s not worried though: David Kahn. Go figure, right?
- Here’s some more evidence that the Wolves will make a trade. They have just so many assets (Corey Brewer, first rounders, cap space) to make a deal. It’d shock me if they didn’t.
- As of recently, the Wolves are missing some players, putting gaping holes in the starting lineup and rotations. Jerry Zgoda reviews how the Wolves’ bench and rookies have stepped in.
- Part of the Wolves Care month, the Wolves and some children took over the Mall of America.
ESPN’s own Chris Broussard announced tonight that a potential deal that could send Carmelo Anthony to New York has been discussed.
The puzzling piece of all this is Minnesota’s involvement. According to Broussard’s report, the Wolves would send Corey Brewer and a first rounder to Denver and then receive Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph in return.
I understand that Kahn is looking for more defensive help on the front line — as he should — but does he really think Randolph and Curry could be the answer? I’ll answer that: Not even close. In this exchange, we’d be trading our best perimeter defender for a project forward — a BIG project forward — and an overpaid bench straddler. It goes beyond getting talent in return in this one, though. If there is any type of trade involving Brewer it needs to be something big. He’s quickly been dubbed a fan favorite despite his offensive inefficiencies. And receiving an iffy project and salary cap relief — like we need anymore — isn’t the big trade I was referring to.
