http://www.startribune.com/507/story/892248.html <div class="quote_poster">Quoting "Minnesotta Star Tribune":</div><div class="quote_post">Changes for Wolves? The fact that the Timberwolves blew a 12-point lead going into the fourth quarter against the Lakers on Wednesday night and were outscored 34-7 will mean some changes in the near future. It might be the end of coach Dwane Casey, who has had little to do with putting together the personnel on this club, or it might be a big trade -- even one involving Kevin Garnett, for whom the Chicago Bulls are willing to give up some valuable players. I've never seen Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor more upset about a loss. He spent a long time visiting with everybody in power in the locker rooms after that loss, and it's apparent that the Timberwolves are not going to draw any fans unless some moves are made. Even some of the T-Wolve's big corporate sponsors have had it. One company official, who asked not to be named, told me that a lot of promises had been made about putting a winning team on the floor this year -- and that isn't going to happen. Taylor normally answers questions from the media, but on Wednesday night he was in no mood to talk. </div> God damnit, how many times do we have to do this. Mitch make some damn phone calls. With the West as strong as it is.....Phoenix, Dallas, Spurs, Nuggets, Houston. LETS FACE IT, we're a GOOD team, but Championship Title Contenders? I'm not so sure anymore, TRADE FOR KG ALREADY BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY (ANYONE NOT NAMED LAMAR) Dude, I know we can whip up a better deal than Chicago.
Hmm, if coporate sponsors start backing out, then Minnesota will be forced to trade KG. I really don't understand the mentality of their organization. If they never had any intention of not putting a winner on the court then why pay KG over $20M to lose? The TWolves couldn't even beat the Nuggets offer, because no one wants their overpaid role players, and the TWolves don't have any draft picks. I was watching FSN the other day and they had KG before he was a star. After watching it, you get a better understanding of why he's so loyal to Minnesota. Prior to declaring for the draft, KG was almost locked up in jail for 15-20 years because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Minnesota franchise gave him a second chance at basketball and a means for him to provide for his family and help less fortunate people. You have to respect KG for not quitting on the franchise, eventhough they've given him plenty of reasons to.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Hmm, if coporate sponsors start backing out, then Minnesota will be forced to trade KG. I really don't understand the mentality of their organization. If they never had any intention of not putting a winner on the court then why pay KG over $20M to lose? The TWolves couldn't even beat the Nuggets offer, because no one wants their overpaid role players, and the TWolves don't have any draft picks. I was watching FSN the other day and they had KG before he was a star. After watching it, you get a better understanding of why he's so loyal to Minnesota. Prior to declaring for the draft, KG was almost locked up in jail for 15-20 years because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Minnesota franchise gave him a second chance at basketball and a means for him to provide for his family and help less fortunate people. You have to respect KG for not quitting on the franchise, eventhough they've given him plenty of reasons to.</div> Dang, I didn't know that. Shape, I mean, what are the chances of KG coming to LA if he demands a trade? I mean can't he say, "I want to be traded to the Lakers" and the Team has to fulfill his request? Or can they do what they want? I ask this because I wonder why Minny would send KG to LA when they're in the same conference and stuff like that. And, in your opinion, who would you rather trade, Kwame or Bynum? Everyone talks about Bynum being young, etc. But Kwame is young as well. And I feel his defense will help us later on. I mean I wouldn't mind keeping Andrew over Kwame, but apart of me would prefer Kwame to stay. Bynum/Kwame + Some expiring contracts + ? I mean what do you think Lakers would most likely deal to land KG?
IMO, it would take one or two more teams for the Lakers to acquire KG via trade. I'd rather deal Kwame than Bynum. At this point Bynum is an insurance policy for the Lakers if they don't win a 'Chip with Kobe & Odom. Bynum is only 19 years old and has the ability to be a franchise player. Kwame is nothing more than a role player for us. If you look at how Bynum plays at his best versus Kwame at his best, Bynum is by far the better player, and he's only 19. Bynum has the ability to dominate the NBA if he continues to work hard and learn. KG does have leverage in any trade because his option year. He can threaten to opt out of his deal if he doesn't get traded to a team he wants. IIRC the Wolves owner also said if KG ever demanded a trade, he would do all he could to accomodate him.
Bynum is our untouchable piece to me. I would rather trade Odom. Why? Bynum is being groomed as a superstar and a franchise player. He isn't being groomed as a role player. Like Shape said, Bynum has all the qualities to dominate this league a few years down the rode. Odom, Kwame, and a someone else for Garnett. I'm up for that (I always flip flop on this). Kobe and KG is a lot more lethal than Kobe and Odom.
I think if KG demands a trade, his value will fall because everyone knows if he doesn't get traded, he'll opt out, leaving the Timberwolves with nothing. There's a good chance the Timberwolves take something along the lines of Odom + Kwame for Garnett(assuming he demands a trade). Although I'm still hoping we can put a piece together that consists of Kwame + Radman + Mihm and draft picks. This deal is still better than the deal the 76'ers got in return for Iverson.
If we could aquire KG WITH keeping Odom, that would be an event of epic proportions. However, I think it's damn near impossible.
Ok, I always hear the Laker fans saying how they must get KG. Who would you trade? Odom and Kobe aren't getting dealt, and I know you guys would all have a heart attack if Bynum was included in a deal LOL. So, who else is worthy of KG?
<div class="quote_poster">Schaddy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> So, who else is worthy of KG?</div> I trade, Kwame, Walton, Smush, Radman, lol... anyone but our trifecta....
Before this Iverson trade, I thought we wouldn't be able to get Garnett without trading Kobe, Odom or Bynum. However, the Iverson trade just shows that anything is possible.
<div class="quote_poster">kobe23 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Bynum imo is tradable! just not odom... we can trade bynum coz we have kwame and vice versa</div> Bynum is much younger and already a better player than Kwame. Once he get's consistancy, he'll replace Kwame as a starter. Also, Bynum has the potential to be a franchise player where as Kwame is potentially a 15/10 calibure player.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kwame is potentially a 15/10 calibure player.</div> Then what is Bynum?
<div class="quote_poster">bravest Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Then what is Bynum?</div> Didn't you read the words, franchise player? The organization is raising him as a franchise player, not a role player. He has the capabilities of posting 20/10/3.
<div class="quote_poster">TheBlackMamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Didn't you read the words, franchise player? The organization is raising him as a franchise player, not a role player. He has the capabilities of posting 20/10/3.</div> Then again, Kwame had/has the capabilities of posting 20/10. That was what the Wizards organization expected out of him, right?
Kwame was completely mishandled by the Wizards organization. Michael Jordan did nothing positive for the kid. I've been over his MANY times. If you want the story about it, search my post history.
<div class="quote_poster">Franchise4Ever Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Then again, Kwame had/has the capabilities of posting 20/10. That was what the Wizards organization expected out of him, right? </div> That's kinda what I'm saying. You guys seem so against dealing Bynum, and I was just wondering why you don't feel the same way about Kwame.
<div class="quote_poster">TheBlackMamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kwame was completely mishandled by the Wizards organization. Michael Jordan did nothing positive for the kid. I've been over his MANY times. If you want the story about it, search my post history.</div> I'm not saying anything against that, I know of this already. I've seen plenty of your posts, just because I'm not overly active it doesn't mean I don't read. What I'm trying to get at is, do you guys still think Kwame can be that 20/10 guy? Can he be what the Wizards hoped he would be? What's saying Bynum wont turn out like a "Kwame" for this organization? Remember, Kwame showed many flashed in a lot of games in the Wizards his first year(s). Bynum is being brought up as a Franchise player, so was Kwame. If the Wizards did nothing good, does that mean there is still hope of him being that type of player? He is in a much "warmer" organization.
<div class="quote_poster">illmatic Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Dude, I know we can whip up a better deal than Chicago. </div> Who you trying to get with that? The Bulls have more valuable pieces that they are willing to trade, then the Lakers could ever dream of having. Ben Gordon, Tyrus Thomas, the Knicks first round pick, etc. The question is will the price be too high for the Bulls? I don't expect the Wolves to get much for KG after seeing that AI trade go down. Most teams will try and low ball them.
