That and we'd get Hibbert for "free" essentially (i.e. not via trade). Signing Noah is an improvement. I just dunno how much of an improvement, and what the cost to acquire him would be.
They tried to trade him for multiple picks (after #2) in this years draft from what I remember. They aren't that high on Williams.
That and I don't think we have the pieces to make it work. If you are acquiring Dirk the discussion probably revolves around Lillard, LMA, or maybe a S&T Batum to team up with Beaubois?
They were also rejected by Golden State in this years draft, Neil, according to Woj, has no interest in him either.
I guess we will see how bad they want him. I guess the rumors that they already offered us Williams must be false. That does not surprise me though. I found it hard to believe that we turned it down.
They we're trying to get Jeremy Lamb, Dion Waiters, or Bradley Beal. None of those guys are free agents. After 1 season and being logjammed by Beasley, I seriously doubt they're going to give him away for a free agent.
Sidenote: I wouldn't trust Woj on anything Timberwolves related. He's done a terrible job reporting on that team over the years. Anybody remember the "Rubio will never play for the Wolves and they better just trade him to the Knicks" articles?
Who WOULD want Derrick Williams? He's a tweener who can't shoot and can't defend. He's a very poor man's Clarence Weatherspoon.
Williams is still young and could be a good player down the road....IF POR is smart they will opt for a S&T with MIN for Williams and a 1st round pick....Which MIN would gladly do....
MIN will give up neither of those things in that deal. Maybe a lotto protected 2014 pick could be on the table, but Minnesota could get Pau Gasol at that price.
He's not built for defense, and he's not good enough (a la Barkley) to overlook that. He is the forward version of Bayless (albeit even less efficient) - can put up stats but isn't really useful to a winning team. I bet you he never amounts to more than a journeyman who bounces around bad teams. The Wolves will give up on him very shortly. They've already been shopping him for anything and everything and getting rebuffed at every turn.
Woj is very good covering some teams. I don't trust him covering the Wolves. He's got way to big a boner for David Kahn.