<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The NBA's most coveted free agents will be out of the Timberwolves' grasp simply because of their expected pricetags. Players such as Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Joe Johnson, Larry Hughes and Zydrunas Ilgauskas probably will get richer offers than the mid-level salary cap exception ($5 million), the best tool Minnesota has to lure other teams' talent this summer. So barring a crafty and dramatic sign-and-trade maneuver, the Wolves will be sifting through the next level or two of players. Here are some possibilities (*-restricted free agent; current team can match offers): Marko Jaric* Guard L.A. Clippers 9.9 ppg, 6.1 apg Jaric, 26, is a 6-7 guard with playmaker skills who made 37 percent of his three-pointers. He has battled injuries in three NBA seasons, appearing in only 50 games last season. He is a restricted free agent, but the Clippers have blinked before when dared to match a fat deal, and they might spend too much keeping teams away from swingman Bobby Simmons. Stromile Swift Forward Memphis 10.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg Swift sacrificed last season on a one-year deal to attain unrestricted status. He is an athletic 6-9, a ferocious leaper who runs the floor well but has a remedial offensive game. He blocks lots of shots without always playing smart defense. He is 25, is "long" and has quite the "wingspan," two traits the Wolves are high on this year. Zaza Pachulia* Center Milwaukee 6.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg With Milwaukee drafting Andrew Bogut at No. 1 and still happy with Dan Gadzuric as an active backup, the Bucks might not strain to match offers to Pachulia. At 6-11, the 21-year-old from Russia averaged less than 19 minutes per game last season. Shareef Abdur-Rahim Forward Portland 16.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg Abdur-Rahim won't be returning to Portland -- he had to yield to Zach Randolph at power forward and, at 28, doesn't fit their youth movement. Word is, New Jersey has a bead on him. But Abdur-Rahim is friendly with Kevin Garnett, and he might be persuaded to come for his first taste of the playoffs after nine seasons. Gary Payton Guard Boston 11.3 ppg, 6.1 apg Payton is headed back to the Western Conference, and his good pal KG finally might have a shot at talking him into a Wolves stint. It doesn't hurt that Dwane Casey worked with Payton for nine seasons in Seattle. The Glove is a little leathery -- he will turn 37 this month. Eddie Griffin Forward Wolves 7.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg Griffin isn't an outsider, but he might as well be; the Wolves will have to use all or part of their mid-level exception to re-sign him. Griffin eased Garnett's workload, had 80 blocks in his last 39 games and showed enough last season to earn another deal. But other teams also noticed.</div> Source
i don't beleive stormile is reachable,teams with much greater money strengths will easlt attract him that if he wouldn't stay in memphis- a team that got better and could progress. Rahim is rumored to be signed by the Mavs. the only way i think wolves could get him is by the hypothatic means, if he beleivs some' speacial could happen if he gets here than that could greatly effect but dallas looked very strong last season and with him they might get even better... *edit* Payton aint looking reachable either,he's old and wants a ring and fast before retires,he will go to a sure contender. i'm thinking the suns are going to grab him. I truely hope and beleive EG will remain a wolf,our team gave him the chance to prove himself again and he did great here,he got to know KG from close and connected him very well,to be honest i love this guy. all others are reachable to me....
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting the main event:</div><div class="quote_post">i don't beleive stormile is reachable,teams with much greater money strengths will easlt attract him that if he wouldn't stay in memphis- a team that got better and could progress. Rahim is rumored to be signed by the Mavs. the only way i think wolves could get him is by the hypothatic means, if he beleivs some' speacial could happen if he gets here than that could greatly effect but dallas looked very strong last season and with him they might get even better... I truely hope and beleive EG will remain a wolf,our team gave him the chance to prove himself again and he did great here,he got to know KG from close and connected him very well,to be honest i love this guy. all others are reachable to me....</div> Where did you hear Reef to the Mavs rumor? Any way, I think the Wolves at best, barring some type of trade of Sammy or Wally S, will come out of this offseason with the resigning of Eddie Griffen and the addition of Rashard McCants. At first I was thinking there would be major shake ups but I dont think the Wolves have much to work with to create those shake ups. I think that Mchale and the rest of the front office will look at it like this with Sprewell gone as a negative affect on the team, maybe certain guys can go back to being product. Cassell loses his off court buddy, so maybe he can go back to focusing on basketball, Wally S doesnt have to compete with Sprewell for minutes & shots out their on the wing. I think the Wolves will go to bat with the same group as last year, if they cant move Cassell.
what about kwanme Brown? Tyson Chandler, hell we can at least make a run at ray right? I know it is unlikely. I do think we could sign Stwift, and he would be a good addition. I question if Eddie G needs to use all of the mid level exemption, since he was on our team last year dosnt he fall under the larry bird program? SAR would be a major addition for us, with him teams wouldnt be able to double team KG. We need to get new players in here. We cant just resign Eddie, and add McCants. Trade Troy, for what I know? Trade Sammy he is old, but he does have the ability to play well and his salary will come off the books next year. Use his expiring salary to attrack a quality young player that we can build our team with. FOR example Larry Hughes. I know McHacle will be tempted to hold on to sammy and let him go next year to have the extra cap space. Trade wally say to Seattle for Ray allen, lets do something to imporve our team.
if they can afford stro than i think they should pick him up right away. hes young, athletic, and can someday become a superstar
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Paulijacks:</div><div class="quote_post">what about kwanme Brown? Tyson Chandler, hell we can at least make a run at ray right? I know it is unlikely. I do think we could sign Stwift, and he would be a good addition. I question if Eddie G needs to use all of the mid level exemption, since he was on our team last year dosnt he fall under the larry bird program? SAR would be a major addition for us, with him teams wouldnt be able to double team KG. We need to get new players in here. We cant just resign Eddie, and add McCants. Trade Troy, for what I know? Trade Sammy he is old, but he does have the ability to play well and his salary will come off the books next year. Use his expiring salary to attrack a quality young player that we can build our team with. FOR example Larry Hughes. I know McHacle will be tempted to hold on to sammy and let him go next year to have the extra cap space. Trade wally say to Seattle for Ray allen, lets do something to imporve our team.</div> your excited, i am too. the summer just began,getting allen/huges is very very unlikely to happen but mchale said the wolves will be very active on the market this off-season so look for more changes to come
Theres a rumor on ESPN that we are getting into talks with PG Marko Jaric, personally i dont think we need him unless we trade Cassell.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GarnettKG21:</div><div class="quote_post">Theres a rumor on ESPN that we are getting into talks with PG Marko Jaric, personally i dont think we need him unless we trade Cassell.</div> Unless McCants is ready to start at SG, Jaric would be a solid signing.. He'd fit in w' Cassell in the backcourt pretty well as they're both shoot-first point guards (I'm not saying they're like AI/Marbury in terms of ball-hogging but they can/do score).. They could share handlin' of the rock and both can shoot/finish..
