<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">15th January, 2006 - 12:37 pm Star-Tribune - Apparently the real reason the Timberwolves have not been playing Michael Olowokandi is that the center, in his last year of his contract, could be traded very soon. Wolves owner Glen Taylor strongly hinted at that after Friday night's victory over Denver at Target Center. "Call me in 72 hours and I will have some news for you," said Taylor, sounding like the deal had been made and will be announced soon. However, Taylor said the Wolves don't have any interest in suspended Orlando point guard Steve Francis, who is making too much money.</div> Link It looks like something is finally going to happen. Who do you think it involves? Francis? Artest?
i thought the magics offered francis for wally and trenton hassel? or kandi + hassel for francis??? man these trades are confusing whos going where especially in almost every forum "artest is coming to our team" "should we get francis" "will paul pierce come to the nuggets"
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">After Timberwolves practice Sunday at Target Center, in a hurry to catch a plane to New York, center Michael Olowokandi declined to talk with reporters. He left the locker room and headed down the hall. Would it be one of the last times he would make this walk? A report in Sunday's Star Tribune suggested that Olowokandi was part of a potential Wolves trade that was, if not imminent, at least brewing. Reached at his home Sunday, owner Glen Taylor acknowledged that the Wolves were attempting to make a deal to upgrade the team. "I would tell you, we're out there actively talking to other teams," Taylor said. "But we don't have anything going right yet." After practice Sunday, Kevin McHale, Wolves vice president of basketball operations, wouldn't comment on any trade talk. But he said he is always looking for ways to improve the team. "We've lost a lot of close games this year," said McHale, when asked if he was content with the makeup of the team right now. "I think when you do that, you lose some confidence. ... We've lost so many close games. But our defense is very solid. I would like to add a little more scoring for us to have a little more punch in those games." On Friday, ESPN reported that Orlando was seeking a trade with the Wolves involving Wally Szczerbiak in exchange for suspended Magic guard Steve Francis. But in the Sunday report Taylor said the Wolves were not interested in Francis. Taylor also said he didn't think the Wolves were going to be the team successful in working a deal for Indiana's Ron Artest. If the Wolves are indeed looking to increase scoring, it would seem unlikely they would part with Szczerbiak, the team's second-leading scorer. Speculation surrounds Olowokandi chiefly because he has fallen out of the starting lineup and didn't play in the past two games. Coach Dwane Casey has been adamant that the reason Olowokandi has sat is matchups; Chicago and Denver -- the Wolves' past two opponents -- played with small lineups.</div> Source There's an update. Sounds like a potential Wally + Kandi for Francis. I actually like the deal for both teams, but wonder about the future of Rashad McCants in Minny if they acquire Francis. Francis will work in Minny, because he can play SG with Jaric being a 6'7 PG. Him and KG will be a solid one-two punch for the TWolves.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting UnLeAsHeD:</div><div class="quote_post">Kandi for Mark Blount...wooohooooo</div> That's like trading Wilt for Russell
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GarnettKG21:</div><div class="quote_post">I guess I'd rather have Blount, at least he scores sometimes, its a pretty pointless trade though..</div> Agreed. It is a pointless trade especially for the TWolves. At least Blount's poor rebounding will go unnoticed because KG cleans the glass. Blount can hit the mid range shot fairly consistently, so he wouldn't get in KG's way down low. You just worry about his defense and how long he can stay focused. I think there's a better deal out there for the TWolves, and avoiding a long term contract like Blount's would be in their best interest.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Blount Deal Imminent 17th January, 2006 - 10:52 am Boston Globe - According to two league sources, a deal that would send Mark Blount to Minnesota or Memphis could be completed soon. One source described a deal as ''imminent." The most likely scenario would have the Celtics shipping Blount to Minnesota for 7-foot, 270-pound center Michael Olowokandi. The Celtics play the Timberwolves tomorrow night at the TD Banknorth Garden. It is less clear whom the Celtics would receive from the Grizzlies for Blount, if they went that route. Lorenzen Wright, a 6-11 center, might be one possibility because he is in the last year of his contract. Although the salary numbers work, one source said 6-8 Memphis forward Brian Cardinal is not a candidate. The Celtics reportedly tried to deal Blount to Memphis last offseason. Memphis was one of the teams that aggressively pursued Blount when he was a free agent. After an extremely disappointing 2004-05 season, Blount and his agent Mark Bartelstein talked with coach Doc Rivers and executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge last summer. Blount arrived at training camp determined to reclaim the form he showed when playing for his current six-year, $40 million contract -- a contract with a 15 percent trade kicker.</div> What the hell is up with this trade? How is Blount going to improve this team? We get ready of Kandi who is in the lasy year of his contract, and get Blount's 6-year contract. This sounds like a bad trade.
Just cross your fingers and hope Blount is sent to Memphis instead. I think the TWolves should pursue Melvin Ely instead.
This trade won't do anything significantly to both teams. Maybe, they know something we don't. I think this trade will not go down, I think they are trying to get Francis.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KG-MVP:</div><div class="quote_post">What the hell is up with this trade? How is Blount going to improve this team? We get ready of Kandi who is in the lasy year of his contract, and get Blount's 6-year contract. This sounds like a bad trade.</div> It makes you wonder, with the way McHale has been running things.
Its ironic, because we play the Celtics tonight, will be interesting to see if both of them are on the court at the same time or not.
