<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Drafting Randy Foye on Wednesday was the first step toward restocking the roster. Now the Timberwolves enter Phase II, as free agency began at midnight Friday. Without space under the salary cap, the Wolves' options are limited, and much of their fate will be tied to negotiations with their free-agent point guard, Marcus Banks. Banks will field offers from other teams, and his price could be driven higher than the Wolves would like in their quest to re-sign him. And if Minnesota commits significant resources to Banks, that would eat up a significant chunk of the team's available money to pursue other players. All-star Kevin Garnett has asked the Wolves to add veterans to complement him, and the team wants to keep him happy. The Wolves need a long-range shooter and help near the basket, as well as more leadership in the locker room. A veteran point guard who could be plugged into the starting lineup also would help, and that's where the picture gets cloudy. Do the Wolves move forward with Banks at point guard, hoping he will continue to learn and improve after a half-season of ups and downs with the team? Or do they sign an experienced point guard who is solid but not flashy? Team officials appear intent on trying to re-sign Banks, provided the price is right. Speculation has swirled for months that Banks could be headed to the Los Angeles Lakers, who he grew up following. His agent, however, says the Wolves have as good a chance as any team, maybe better, to sign Banks. "I don't know if there's a better fit than Minnesota right now," Michael Higgins said. Higgins said he expects a number of teams to express interest in his client, but it's clear, though, that the Lakers might be Minnesota's biggest competition for Banks. Exactly how much it would take to get Banks is unclear, but ESPN.com reported that a few teams might be prepared to offer him the full midlevel exception of $5 million a year. That price probably would be too steep for Minnesota.</div> Source
i say try to do a sign and trade with banks for a big, throw eddie g iinto the mix maybe. and if that doesnt work, let him go. he wont help foye at all, and he isnt worth the money he's asking. foye is already better than him. banks cant play d, or dribble while looking at the rest of the court for that matter. isnt mihm available. i know the lakers love banks. maybe even try to pry bynum away from them.
