<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">News The Oregonian is reporting that the Trailblazers and the Timberwolves are discussing a potential trade that would send power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim to Minnesota in exchange for Wally Szczerbiak and another player for salary purposes.</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
Wow ... this would be a huge move for the TWolves. If they land Reef, I would put them back at #1 in the West. He gives them much needed inside scoring off the bench and will keep KG fresh for the post season. The Wolves might even be able to slide Spree to the starting SG position, move KG to the 3, and start Reef at the 4. Wally was a solid player for the TWolves, but his defense hurt the team and his attitude didn't go over well with the rest of the teammates. The Blazers have a lot of wing players already, and will likely re-sign D. Miles, so it will be interesting to see how they accomadate all of their forwards.
As I mentioned in another thread, I don't like it. Here's why: We resigned Hassell. No sense in trading Wally for Shareef, moving Kg to SF and giving Hassell virtually no minutes at all. Hassell's defense is too good to pass up and it's too good for him to be coming off of the bench. He did a lot for us last season stopping a lot of the top stars of the league. It would also give us yet another scorer which I don't think we need. We have KG, Cassell, Sprewell, Hoiberg, Hudson, Wally, and ocassionaly Hassell. Why add another? It would be one too many. Yes, I would like that Shareef adds inside scoring, but we would be loaded with scorers.
I hardly consider Hoiberg or Hassell scorers on the list of names you mentioned. Hudson gives the TWolves another perimeter and slasher, but he's not going to give you the offensive presence inside like Reef does, when KG gets his rest, nor does Wally. Reef can also create his own offense, where as the other three rely on KG or a guard to draw a double team and kick them the ball for an open look. Reef is also a great rebounder and an underrated defender down in the blocks. He will take some of the load off of KG and allow KG to roam even more on defense, to get the weakside swats. I wasn't aware Hassell was officially re-signed. If he is, I agree he should start, and the Wolves should go with the same starting 5 from last season. This would mean Reef would come off the bench, which IMO, makes him an even better acquisition.
I would really love this it would add alot of depth to the team. With the front line of shareef and KG we would not even need a center. Also it would allow us to bring hassel off the bench since we would move KG to the threea dn play shareef at the 4. Imagine the depth at the three spot. I seriously hope this trade goes down. I was hoping either the wolves or sixers would get him. Hopefully they include miles in the deal he is one of my favorite players. I would love to see him and KG run the break together.
This trade will really improve the Wolves. KG at the three and Reef at the 4 could really dominate especially if Olowacandi is healthy. I hope this trade goes down. If Reef comes of the bench that would be good to so he can let KG rest and whoever the put and the three rest to.
This would be a nice move by both teams, however I don't see why 'Reef would be happy in Minnesota. His main reason that he wanted out was because he was playing out of posistion and lack of PT. Its going to be the same thing there in Minni, if he's acquired.
I like this move for the wolves if it goes down. You could have KG/Reef/Kandi front or even have shareef at SF. It would give you a pretty solid bench as well Hoiberg, Hassel and Hudson. This would put you back on top over the Spurs. I'd pull the trigger on this in second. It would work out well for the blazers too.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Xman:</div><div class="quote_post">I like this move for the wolves if it goes down. You could have KG/Reef/Kandi front or even have shareef at SF. It would give you a pretty solid bench as well Hoiberg, Hassel and Hudson. This would put you back on top over the Spurs. I'd pull the trigger on this in second. It would work out well for the blazers too.</div> I don't think the deal will be 'Reef for Wally straight up, if that works. The deal that's been floating out their is Wally and Derek Anderson for Abdur-Rahim and Michael Olowokandi
I think this would be a great deal for both teams, Wally would be an upgrade over Derek Anderson at the SG slot. Shareef Abdur-Rahim is really underrated but clearly isnt a franchise player seeing from his days in ATL, and would help KG a lot. BTW Isnt there already a thread on this?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Banks:</div><div class="quote_post">This would be a nice move by both teams, however I don't see why 'Reef would be happy in Minnesota. His main reason that he wanted out was because he was playing out of posistion and lack of PT. Its going to be the same thing there in Minni, if he's acquired.</div> Why wouldn't he get PT in Minny? He will likely be the starter or at the worst, 6th man. He also gets a shot at winning a ring and will play alongside an unselfish superstar in KG ... so why wouldn't he be happy?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Why wouldn't he get PT in Minny? He will likely be the starter or at the worst, 6th man. He also gets a shot at winning a ring and will play alongside an unselfish superstar in KG ... so why wouldn't he be happy?</div> Well the speculation is that he'll be coming off the bench and being the 6th man like he was in Portland. However thats the reason he wanted to be out of Portland. He said hes at the prime of his career at 27, and if he cannot start then he wants to be traded. It was obvious he wasn't going to start at PF in Portland cuz of Randolph, and he didn't want to say anything because it would cause a mess in the media and everything, so he kept shut, until now. The same thing will happen in Minny, he'll be coming off the bench or play SF. Even if he starts, and is put at the PF spot, it won't work out. As good as Garnett, he cannot guard SF's everyday, like Carmelo, Marion, Maggette etc. As a result, Flip will have to make some changes, and that would be putting Abdur-Rahim on the bench again. However, I guess its time Abdur-Rahim would try to help win by coming off the bench, because he's not going to beat out KG, and this is his best chance to get in the playoffs. But if he wanted to be in the Playoffs, he should of stayed in Portland and come off the bench and be a contributer, because they were building something there. I don't really know whats going through his head.
Well making the playoffs, and having a shot at the NBA Finals is worlds apart. Portland is not even close to the TWolves are at making it to the Finals. In Portland Reef lost PT to Randolph & D. Miles because the Blazers were not going to make the playoffs so they decided to see how the young players would do. The TWolves will probably include Kandiman in this deal, so KG might spend a few minutes at the Center spot, giving Reef more time on the court. The TWolves can get away with KG at center because there aren't too many teams with a dominant center anymore. Aside from Shaq, Yao, Z, Dampier, there isn't really anyone else KG is not capable of guarding.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Well making the playoffs, and having a shot at the NBA Finals is worlds apart. Portland is not even close to the TWolves are at making it to the Finals. In Portland Reef lost PT to Randolph & D. Miles because the Blazers were not going to make the playoffs so they decided to see how the young players would do. The TWolves will probably include Kandiman in this deal, so KG might spend a few minutes at the Center spot, giving Reef more time on the court. The TWolves can get away with KG at center because there aren't too many teams with a dominant center anymore. Aside from Shaq, Yao, Z, Dampier, there isn't really anyone else KG is not capable of guarding.</div> Yea I understand what you're saying. However, last year the Blazers got on a roll after acquiring Miles and Rahim. They were actually in the race till the 2nd to last game, so they didn't have time to give their young players PT in crucial games like taht.
Well as a player, I don't see what more he could ask for. Not only does he get to play for a great team and coach, the TWolves also have a lot of cap space next year, with Spree and Ervin Johnson coming off the books.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">Well as a player, I don't see what more he could ask for. Not only does he get to play for a great team and coach, the TWolves also have a lot of cap space next year, with Spree and Ervin Johnson coming off the books.</div> IMO, I don't think he liked the trade to Portland first off all because he knew Z-BO was there. He liked the fact that he was on a winning team for the first time in his career, but he believed that he's a starter and deserves more than what he was getting in Portland. He was playing out of posistion, getting 23 Minutes a game, and barely averaging 10 PPG. Finally he got demoted to the bench. Yet they were winning still. I think he felt that he was left out and being under utilized, to help the team win. However if they were to use him more, it would be with Z-BO On the bench. It'll be the same case scenerio in Minnesota, but he might be a bigger factor there than he was in Portland, with Garnett shifting to the C spot when he comes on. And it might be fun for him even if he's puttin up the same numbers at portland, because they'll be winning around 8 more games. However that's all yet to be seen...
Yeah there are a lot of IFs in this deal. A bit off-topic, I don't see why the Lakers cannot get a deal done for 'Reef. They should consider sending George, Walton, and Brian Grant for Reef & Patterson. <font size="1"><div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Portland trades: PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim (16.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 apg in 31.6 minutes) SG Ruben Patterson (7.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.9 apg in 22.6 minutes) Portland receives: PF Luke Walton (2.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.6 apg in 10.1 minutes) SF Devean George (7.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.4 apg in 23.8 minutes) PF Brian Grant (8.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 0.9 apg in 30.3 minutes) Change in team outlook: -4.8 ppg, +1.5 rpg, and 0.0 apg. L.A. Lakers trades: PF Luke Walton (2.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.6 apg in 10.1 minutes) SF Devean George (7.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.4 apg in 23.8 minutes) PF Brian Grant (8.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 0.9 apg in 30.3 minutes) L.A. Lakers receives: PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim (16.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 apg in 85 games) SG Ruben Patterson (7.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.9 apg in 73 games) Change in team outlook: +4.8 ppg, -1.5 rpg, and 0.0 apg. <font color="Lime">TRADE ACCEPTED</font></div></font> The Blazers get a fan favorite back in Brian Grant, and get the Big Red Head's son to join their youth movement. They also get a younger, athletic forward to replace Patterson, and create more PT for Woods and D. Miles (assuming he's resigned.) The Lakers unload Grant's salary and add a bonafide PF to their roster with Reef. They also get defensive help off the bench with Patterson, and his presence should push Kobe to play even harder. Patterson has a disgusting contract, but it's much less than the eyesore Grant's contract is at.
<font color="DarkSlateBlue">Minnesota trades:</font> SG Wally Szczerbiak (10.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.2 apg in 22.2 minutes) C Ervin Johnson (1.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.4 apg in 14.6 minutes) <font color="Red">Minnesota receives:</font> SF Shawn Marion (19.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.7 apg in 40.7 minutes) PF Maciej Lampe (4.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.4 apg in 10.7 minutes) <font color="DarkSlateBlue">Phoenix trades:</font> SF Shawn Marion (19.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.7 apg in 40.7 minutes) PF Maciej Lampe (4.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.4 apg in 10.7 minutes) <font color="Red">Phoenix receives:</font> PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim (16.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 apg in 85 games) <font color="DarkSlateBlue">Portland trades:</font> PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim (16.3 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.0 apg in 31.6 minutes) <font color="Red">Portland receives:</font> SG Wally Szczerbiak (10.2 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.2 apg in 28 games) C Ervin Johnson (1.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 0.4 apg in 66 games) Change in team outlook: -4.2 ppg, -0.9 rpg, and -0.4 apg. <font color="Lime">TRADE ACCEPTED</font> Portland gets rid of SAR & gets Erv's expiring contract & the sharpshooter they need in Wally. Portland would be about $15 million under the cap next summer. Minnesota gets more athletic on the wing with Matrix & younger & more talented with Lampe backing KG up. Lampe was projected as a lottery pick until teams couldn't be guaranteed he could get out of his European contract. Phoenix gets SAR's expiring contract & would be $15-20 million under the cap next summer. I doubt it happens but it makes sense for us for sure.
I don't care how good a team the Wolves are..Shareef will not play small forward or come off the bench. He has demanded to be a starter and stay at PF. I fail to see how going to a contender and doing exactly what he did in Portland is what he wants Shareef is not good as a bench player or a guy used at SF, either he starts at power forward or he's completely useless. For the record I think this would be a great trade for Minny but only If SAR is used the right way and that is as the starting power forward.
If SAR comes right to us and is starting PF then it's a waste. That means, start KG and bench Hassell, so Hassell will get no minutes at all.
