Good for them now this probable may result in the blazers tring to do a trade with philly since they are looking for a swing man and glenn robinson is on the market. I think we over payed for hassel, but we had to do it since he is the teams best defender. It is a good thing that the big three all have a good contract situation and are not looking for more money because after this signing we wont have much money to offer anyone. I dont know if they still have the full MLE to offer anyone or if they even have it, but if they do they should try and offer that to keon clark or someone since they need a center and he is a good shot blocker and decent player. I know that mchale said he would stick with kandi as there starter and not perssue a free agent center, but I dont buy that. Considering that portland is intrested in kandi and wally and our back up center is 38 years old soon. I think he will try and get someone to play that spot in free agency if he can.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pure Skillz:</div><div class="quote_post">Good for them now this probable may result in the blazers tring to do a trade with philly since they are looking for a swing man and glenn robinson is on the market. I think we over payed for hassel, but we had to do it since he is the teams best defender. It is a good thing that the big three all have a good contract situation and are not looking for more money because after this signing we wont have much money to offer anyone. I dont know if they still have the full MLE to offer anyone or if they even have it, but if they do they should try and offer that to keon clark or someone since they need a center and he is a good shot blocker and decent player. I know that mchale said he would stick with kandi as there starter and not perssue a free agent center, but I dont buy that. Considering that portland is intrested in kandi and wally and our back up center is 38 years old soon. I think he will try and get someone to play that spot in free agency if he can.</div> Zelko Rebraca wouldn't be a bad option at this point. He's certainly an upgrade from Johnson.....good defender. The only other viable center left on the market is prolly Joel Pryzbilla. Ugh.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1852048 MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves matched the Portland Trail Blazers' offer for restricted free agent Trenton Hassell, meaning the team will keep one of its top defenders. The Wolves didn't reveal terms, but Hassell's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said earlier that the Blazers' offer was worth $27 million over six years. Hassell started 74 games for Minnesota last season after two seasons for the Chicago Bulls, who picked him in the second round of the 2001 draft. Defense is his specialty; he averaged 5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists. "I'm happy to be staying in Minnesota and I can't wait for the start of the season to hit the court and get back to work," Hassell said. Wolves Vice President Kevin McHale said Hassell was a key contributor to the team's run to the Western Conference finals. The Timberwolves still haven't re-signed point guard Troy Hudson, the team's top offseason priority. The two sides tentatively agreed on a deal in early July, but haven't been able to wrap it up. There is the ESPN article, I think that Hassell is going to be part of some sort of trade in the future. T-Hud will re-sign soon I'm sure.
I definitely agree that they overpaid for Hassell but I'm sure they know better than me so I'm not gonna criticize the move. It's good to keep the #1 team in the West in one piece anyway.
That would be the ideal situation. If he now can play with the confidence that the team is behind him. It'd just be terrible if he lays off cause he's got his long term contract like some of the guys do.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Drocks502:</div><div class="quote_post">I definitely agree that they overpaid for Hassell but I'm sure they know better than me so I'm not gonna criticize the move. It's good to keep the #1 team in the West in one piece anyway.</div> Paying a lockdown defender $4 million a year isn't overspending by any stretch of the imagination. Trenton's value is in frustrating the daylights out of players like Melo, Peja, Kobe, Pierce, etc. His offense will improve, too. He's got the skills. What he needs is a shot of offensive aggression. Ron Artest & Tayshaun Prince are probably better perimeter defenders but not by much. I'd rate Trenton higher than Bowen, too.
