<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Damien Wilkins, a Sonics restricted free agent, is expected to sign a five-year, $15 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA sources say. The Sonics, who were hoping to retain the 25-year-old forward, have the option to match the Timberwolves' offer but are unlikely to do so because of the amount of money in the deal. Wilkins, who averaged 6.3 points in 29 games during his rookie campaign last season and performed admirably in the playoffs in place of injured regulars Rashard Lewis and Vladimir Radmanovic, had also been considering an offer from Portland. The Trail Blazers are now led by ex-Sonics coach Nate McMillan. The Timberwolves pursued Wilkins based on advice from new coach Dwane Casey, who left the Sonics' staff this summer after 11 seasons with the club to take over in Minnesota.</div> Seattle Times. I love what Damien brought, but should we match that? For five seasons? I'm inclined to say no, but he is young, energetic and plays D. It will eat into our MLE however, and I think it's probably a little expensive for someone not proven in extended minutes. IMO we have to go after Mo Evans now. Sactown don't seem that interested in bringing him back, and Minny were rumoured to be his biggest suitor before they went after Damien. The chance is there to bring in a strong, hustling, defensive swingman in Evans and we should take it.
Damien's a nice player, but I think Mo Evans is better - not sure why Sac wouldn't want to bring him back unless he has some attitude/character problem. That aside, I think the Sac series is a lot closer or maybe they even win it if they put Evans on Ray from Game 1.
I'm upset to see Damien Wilkins go to, but considering how he would have been third on our depth chart if Vlad returned, I don't think this is a monumental loss. I'm shock to see an undrafted rookie free agent get a 5 year deal after spending 2/3 of the season on the injured list. Kudos to his agent. We can't match that offer b/c that would not give us enough money to use our mid level exception on another free agent. Signing Vlad, Reggie, and Flip will not count against our mid-level exception b/c they all have "Larry Bird" rights--which means we've had them on our roster for three years. I don't know if Mo' Evans is the answer, but I wouldn't be against him signing with us. I'd be more inclined to get Ronald Dupree or Devin Brown. Congratulations to Damien. Who would have thought last year that our free agents would have this much value?
If Doug Christie gets waived, maybe we can pick him up?..Cuz I know Christie can play the 2 and 3, and hes a pretty good defender.
Also, I would assume this means they've given up on Trenton Hassell who plays almost exactly the same as Damien. It's funny because I was kinda hoping that best case Damien would turn into Hassell for us someday.
Christie will go to Dallas I would think. Anyway, not so fast it seems... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In today?s Seattle Times it was reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves will sign Damien Wilkins a 5 year $15 million offer sheet. I just spoke with Timberwolves head coach Dwane Casey and he said that is not accurate. ?There is sincere interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves but there is no formal offer sheet extended to Damien Wilkins.? Minnesota doesn?t want to have its money tied up the seven day period of restricted free agency. In addition, the report in the Times said that the Sonics are unlikely to match. The word around the NBA is very different. The Sonics have told Wilkins agent Mark Bartelstein that they will match offers for Wilkins. An issue that has not be discussed is that Wilkins may not want to return to Seattle. Bartelstein has told the Sonics that his client would like to go some place where he can start. With the Sonics Wilkins chances are minimal for significant playing time with Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis ahead of him on the depth chart. Whereas in the other cities that are suiting Wilkins he would have a chance to start. Minnesota is very interested in Wilkins, Flip Murray and Reggie Evans. At the current time Minnesota can?t afford to have their money tied up in an offer sheet. However, it is fair to anticipate that at some point Minnesota will extend an offer sheet to either Wilkins or Murray. Minnesota will try to make the Sonics decided. Other teams interested are Atlanta and Denver.</div> Locked On Sports. I wonder if Dwane is being truthful or not.
Casey must have been REAL high on Damien. Center and SF have been the weakest positions for the Wolves for a while now. Perhaps they are looking to Damien for scoring/defense combination since Wally was the offense and Hassell the defense last year. Though, without Spree does Wally move back to the 2?
Seems like the Wolves will make a hard run at Reggie and may have a crack at Flip too. Ah, the joys of losing your head coach and primary assistant to conference rivals.
I guess it will be official in the next day or so. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Here is the latest on the Supersonics. Expectations are the in the next day or two you will see a 5 year 14.6 million dollar offer sheet from the Minnesota Timberwolves to Damien Wilkins. According to numerous reports the Wolves have already used 2.5 million of their mid-level exception to sign Eddie Griffin leaving just 2.5 million to start to offer for Wilkins. There is a little game of cat and mouse going on here as the Wolves have delayed announcing the Griffin because it allows the Sonics to know what they are going to offer Wilkins in an offer sheet. Remember the Sonics have to use their mid-level to re-sign Wilkins. Wilkins and his agent Mark Bartelstein have told the Sonics that Wilkins would rather not return to Seattle because he doesn?t want to be behind Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis for the length on the contract. The Wolves have told Wilkins he would start.</div> Link
I guess it will be official in the next day or so. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Here is the latest on the Supersonics. Expectations are the in the next day or two you will see a 5 year 14.6 million dollar offer sheet from the Minnesota Timberwolves to Damien Wilkins. According to numerous reports the Wolves have already used 2.5 million of their mid-level exception to sign Eddie Griffin leaving just 2.5 million to start to offer for Wilkins. There is a little game of cat and mouse going on here as the Wolves have delayed announcing the Griffin because it allows the Sonics to know what they are going to offer Wilkins in an offer sheet. Remember the Sonics have to use their mid-level to re-sign Wilkins. Wilkins and his agent Mark Bartelstein have told the Sonics that Wilkins would rather not return to Seattle because he doesn?t want to be behind Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis for the length on the contract. The Wolves have told Wilkins he would start.</div> Locked On Sports I guess that they have to back load his contract so that they don't go over the mid level exception. Regardless, I think that Rick isn't going to waste time with a player who obviously feels that he is beneath a back up role when he was just trying to make the team this time last season. I'm guessing that Rick will tell him to "Walk on By." I don't quite think he is better than Trenton Hassel or Wally at this point in his career but obviously Dwane is giving him the "hometown" advantage for the starting small forward spot.
Meh, can't really blame either party here. If Damien can get the starting role and the cash, you can't blame him for going after it. That's the name of the game. Management would be better off not matching this. I still see no way Vlad isn't back next season, and thus there is no point to giving five years to a guy who, for some impressive performances last season, is still going to be behind Ray, Rashard and Vlad. Get Flip back to fill the fourth guard role, and we're fine.
