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Kahn on Antonio Daniels and other matters

Posted on September 24th, 2009 – 6:04 PM
By Jerry Zgoda

Sat down with David Kahn for about an hour this afternoon for a camp-opening Q-and-A session that will run in Monday’s paper to preview that day’s media day and Tuesday’s opening of training camp in Mankato.

Wearing a NBA cap emblazoned with “Destination: Finals” and with flu medication in hand, he talked on a variety of subjects — some of which I’ll touch on here — before newly acquired Antonio Daniels entered his Target Center office as I left.

A smattering of things:

* He put Daniels in the same category as traded-away Quentin Richardson and absent Mark Blount. Daniels, 34, was acquired from New Orleans earlier this month mainly because Kahn opened more cap space for next summer by trading Darius Songaila and the two years remaining on his contract away. Daniels wants to play significant minutes so he score another sizable contract next summer, a prospect that, barring injury, isn’t likely with the Wolves committed to Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions at point guard.

He said he would trade Daniels to a team where he can play more — as he did by dealing Richardson to Miami for Blount — if he can get a similar expiring $6.6 million contract in return. Kahn said he believes helping players in that situation if possible is a bit of goodwill that eventually will benefit the franchise with other players down the road.

* He expects Al Jefferson and Corey Brewer to be ready to participate fully when camp starts Tuesday, but said Jefferson might sit for portions or all of the second half of two-a-days as a precaution or if he’s sore in his return from February knee surgery.

* He said Oleksiy Pecherov, acquired in that draft-week trade with Washington, is the only player who won’t be ready Tuesday. Pecherov broke his hand while playing for his national team a month ago and Kahn said he expects him to be cleared to resume playing a week from today.

* He said he still considers Flynn the team’s starting point guard even with the signing of Sessions, although he said that decision belongs to new coach Kurt Rambis and training-camp play could change things.

* When I asked him which of his lesser publicized acquisitions might most surprise Wolves fans this season, he pondered and said the signing of Sasha Pavlovic.

* Expect him to soon announce a reconfigured front office that will reassign such employees as Jim Stack and Jerry Sichting in a beefed-up regional scouting system intended to prepare the team for next summer’s free-agency period. Fred Hoiberg and Rob Babcock could get new titles, but look for them to remain in the front office.

* Kahn said he expects he’ll be the only one (Mark Blount excepted, of course) who won’t be at the team’s media day Monday. Kahn won’t be there because Monday is Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.

98 Responses to "Kahn on Antonio Daniels and other matters"

Marty McFly says:

September 24th, 2009 at 6:21 pm

GroundHog Kahn see his shadow => 20 wins this season.

Bryan says:

September 24th, 2009 at 6:21 pm

Hmmm, I appreciate the desire to let Daniels go to a team he can help (the Celtics, Suns, and Spurs all come to mind)…but if we deal him, I think we need to pick up a third point guard. Especially if Sessions is going to be spending time at shooting guard.

Jama says:

September 24th, 2009 at 6:22 pm

Jerry,

Please ask Kahn if he’s planning on picking up Brewer’s option. That’s much more important than whether or not Daniels is cut or traded.

Josh says:

September 24th, 2009 at 6:45 pm

Jerry, is Daniels for Jerome James a possibility?

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Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

I’m sure they won’t make that decision on Brewer until they have to, after they get to see him all of October and right as the regular season begins. But unless he really wows in training camp, I’ll bet they don’t.

Jama says:

September 24th, 2009 at 7:53 pm

What is the deadline on when they have to decide on Brewer’s option? I thought it was the middle of October.

Jama says:

September 24th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

Nevermind it’s October 31st.

Arenal says:

September 24th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

Brewer gets picked up and hopefully Siler as well.

adam w says:

September 24th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

I just got back from KFANS Pressbox. David Kahn and Kurt Rambis were there. I got the tix from the Timberwolves. I was very impressed with the both of them and how bad they want a winner in Minny.
Jama i wish i seen your post, that was an excellent question i could of asked about Corey. But i will say this they said Corey was shooting the ball crooked and Rambis said he worked on that with him and his shot is already getting better. Kahn said if his offense doesnt pick up that will unacceptable. And we all know what that means…

BTW got pics with both of them.

GO WOLVES>

Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 8:13 pm

I don’t know, at $3.7 million for Brewer for 2010-11? Unless they’re convinced he can transform them defensively and thrives in this new uptempo style, they’ll probably figure they can still sign him for less than that if they choose to do so next summer.

adam w says:

September 24th, 2009 at 8:16 pm

Also Kahn mentioned about one last little tweek before training camp begins… sounded like he was waiting for a commitment from a player… So it will be interesting…

Ron says:

September 24th, 2009 at 9:00 pm

Who can shoot the ball on this team? With all the slashers, the defense will sag and no one will hit the shot!

Gendo says:

September 24th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

The toilets at Target Center will be nice and shiny with Marty the fly cleaning them up.

Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

It’s going to have to be Pavlovic, Ellington, Love, Gomes, Flynn perhaps and, yes, Brewer, which tells you something about that question.

Arenal says:

September 24th, 2009 at 9:11 pm

Ellington is the best 3-baller. But Sessions, Gomes, Flynn, Pavlovic, AJ, etc all have decent FG %’s.

logical thinker says:

September 24th, 2009 at 9:38 pm

Shooting, or more accurately lack of it, will kill Wolves this year. Big AL the only real offensive threat, will have guys hanging on him steady. Hard to play inside/out with AL without court spacers. Sessions at 2 with Flynn on the ball, had better be with AL on the bench cause both need ball in their hands and neither can hit 3 ball. I like Pavlovic at his salary, best move by the non basketball guy, Kahn, to date.

Foo says:

September 24th, 2009 at 9:46 pm

Nobody uses the words “this year” more than Eeyore. Everybody else on the board is focused largely on the real objectives of the team for 3 years down the road.

Wile E Coyote says:

September 24th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

Good stuff Jerry!

Seems like the with exodus of Blount and Daniels the team will need another big and another PG. Does Kahn think he can get functional players back (also expiring) in a trade, or will they bring in DLeague/fringe NBA guys, or ?

Bryan says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:01 pm

Considering how many years we had nothing BUT shooting, I’ll very willingly take this problem in exchange of all the things we’ve gained that we didn’t have before. Real point guards, athletic wings, the potential to actually play defense and get to the free throw line…that’s a good foundation to build up from.

As for Sessions, I think his ability to play off the ball is very underrated. He spent most of his time last year at shooting guard filling in for Michael Redd.

Jama says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

I agree that Brewer at close to $4 million seems excessive. I would be pretty shocked if Kahn picks up that option. Jerry has Kahn talked about the fact that Rubio is very likely not coming over for 3 years and not the 2 years that he keeps talking about?

Bryan says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:06 pm

Fringe guys and DLeague players can be good assets if the team does its homework. I’m still very intrigued by Rob Kurz, and there’s no shortage of capable DLeague point guards who have become solid pros. You land a guy like Will Bynum, and he can change the whole team.

I definitely think we need a third point guard, if for no other reason than injury insurance. Another big would be nice too, but it sounds like Kahn is going to give Pecherov a shot at that role and see what he does.

Sam says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:09 pm

I think that’s really interesting that Kahn still thinks Flynn’s the starting point. Would Sessions have signed here as a backup?

Or maybe, hopefully, they really are planning a Flynn-Sessions starting backcourt. Considering our other options at the 2, I would be just fine with that.

Jama says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

Sessions made 34 3 pointers and shot 17% last year from behind the arc. I wouldn’t say he replaced Redd. That’s another reason I’m not sure he should be playing a lot at the 2.

Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

I asked him about the Rubio/three years thing and he said he’s read all that stuff and then he reminded that the CBA could look quite different in two years than it does now. He also made sure to mention that his owner is on a crucial NBA committee that will determine those new rules and he suggested nothing will go through with regard to European players that will negatively affect the Rubio situation. In short, he didn’t seem too concerned about the three-year thing. He kept talking about two years. Also, I’ve seen it reported wrong, so I asked Kahn about tnis: If Rubio does come over in two years, he still would be slotted as the fifth pick on the rookie scale (if it still exists as is) but it will be at whatever the salary is in 2011, not this season’s slotted fifth salary. So Rubio and his agent are taking a gamble on what the new CBA will look like.

Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

I think Sessions signed here because it was the most guaranteed money he could get and because he knows he’s going to get plenty of minutes either way.

Foo says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:18 pm

To me, Antonio Daniels is actually a lot different than folks like Quentin Richardson, Mark Blount and Brian Cardinal. This guy could actually fetch a legitimate asset in return.

I know it was from three years ago, but I was watching a Wizards-Cavs game tonight on ESPN Classic and Daniels was lighting it up as The Wizards’ 6th-man. He’s a smart veteran who still has skills and versatility. He doesn’t really do a ton for The Wolves in their rebuild because I don’t think Minnesota can afford to take minutes away from Flynn and Sessions this year.

I could see a few contenders really benefitting from a vet like Daniels:
*Denver (he’s better than Denver backcourt backups A.Carter and A.Afflalo)
*Miami (Chris Quinn backing up Chalmers)
*Phoenix (Goran Dragic backing up Nash)

I don’t love the guy, but he’s definitely worthy of a back-up guard role on a contender. Contenders love those smart, mistake-free veterans coming off the bench.

Foo says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:24 pm

Sam - Although I’d love to con myself into believing that Sessions signed here because he honestly wanted to be here, I think the truth is that he had no other multi-year offers.

Multi-year offers for the restricted FAs were pretty scarce, just ask David Lee and Raymond Felton…

Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

Another thing I asked him about: Is the team positioned to make the right free agent their most well-paid player next summer? He said yes, which would surpass Al’s $13 million salary. When I asked the obvious question whether anybody that good would come here,and he said this: Depending how much the cap shrinks, there will be few teams as well positioned as the Wolves with money to spend and he pointed out Sessions came here after New York and L.A. pursued, Rambis left Manhattan Beach and the Lakers to come here, and Laimbeer and Theus both came here. He’s suggesting, methinks, that he’s changing the culture here.

Bryan says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:53 pm

It all depends on how we play. The attitude about and within the team is different, but will that make us perform better?

Like fans, the easiest and best way to draw free agents is to win.

Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 10:55 pm

And pay them A LOT of money

Wile E Coyote says:

September 24th, 2009 at 11:06 pm

Jerry, I’ve been kind of assuming the Wolves would not win a beauty contest next summer vs. the glamour teams with cap space: HOU/MIA/NYC/etc. So they would likely try to trade for their star either with expirings at the deadline or via a trade into their cap room next summer.

Does Kahn give any indication that that is the “real” plan, or does he seem fully committed to the beauty pageant?

Wile E Coyote says:

September 24th, 2009 at 11:08 pm

PS: D Wade seems unrealistic even though I think our roster is better than Miami’s sans Wade.

Joe Johnson would obviously look great here. Not sure why he’d leave a good playoff team in Atlanta unless we offer tons more $$.

Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 11:23 pm

How much is Rudy Gay worth in a contract too painful for Memphis to match? The guy’s 23. That’d be a pretty nice young nucleus with Al, KLove, Flynn, Sessions, two or three more 2010 first-round picks and evenutally Rubio/player(s) or picks, wouldn’t it?

Bryan says:

September 24th, 2009 at 11:38 pm

I have reservations about Gay’s effort. He has worlds of potential, but one would think he’d be a better rebounder and defender than he is, given the physical tools he has to work with.

Jerry Zgoda says:

September 24th, 2009 at 11:40 pm

He’s still really young, and he’s been playing in Memphis…

Bryan says:

September 24th, 2009 at 11:46 pm

Is he a franchise player though? That’s a lot of money to spend on a #2 or #3 option. His development has seemed to stall the past two seasons.

He is, though, the best combination of youth, potential, and production next year unless we swing for the fence with a run at Wade or Bosh. I just don’t see some of the things Kahn is looking for in his game.

Bryan says:

September 24th, 2009 at 11:49 pm

It’s ironic though that his name is brought up so often now, because he was the guy I spent months lobbying for the year we got Foye.

Sam says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:02 am

Gay is a classic example of testing out the culture of a team. If you trust that your coaching staff, veteran players and overall atmosphere can get his potential to come out in full, you sign him.

And then we have a really interesting case study of whether underachieving players are just underachievers or whether the system they’re in doesn’t support them well enough.

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:08 am

Someone was reading the David Thorpe chat

C-Note says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:50 am

It will be between Gay or JJ thats it, otherwise save the cap space for the following year or trades.

Bryan says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:59 am

What I mean about Gay is that he regressed in every single area last year compared to the year before. Scoring was down, shooting % down, rebounding down, assists down, steals down, blocks down. Yes he was sharing the ball with OJ Mayo, but he was also no longer sharing the ball with Pau Gasol or Mike Miller.

But most concerning was he kind of disappeared. Two years ago people were buzzing about him. He was scoring big numbers, hit a bunch of game winners, and really looked like a player on the path to superstardom. Then last year he was just….listless. No heart, no energy, nothing.

With Mayo still around and Randolph and Iverson inbound, it’s going to be nearly impossible for Rudy to get back to the 20ppg mark this year. But I need to see him show some real fire and drive and get back all those intangibles in his game before I’m going to support throwing big money his way.

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 7:31 am

Iverson, Randolph, Mayo and Gay ? I envision a new record for most steals per game from your own teammate….Teen Wolf style.

Sportsjunkie says:

September 25th, 2009 at 8:55 am

I read where Rashad McCants signed a non-guaranteed contract with Houston…what a waste of a talent….

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 9:26 am

McCants with an already good defensive team to make up for his lack of defense ? Playing with an excellent passer in McGrady ? He’s lucky. He could actually be a solid contributor for a team like that.

Peterson says:

September 25th, 2009 at 9:27 am

Why wouldn’t Joe Johnson stay in Atlanta? They should have the money and he basically left Phoenix to start his own thing in Atlanta and they’ve now been in the playoffs. I’d think he’d want to see things through there. They seem to have money there too based on the hoopshype salaries. I’d love to have him here but I would wonder what would make him come? Do we really think Atlanta is going to low ball him?

East Coast twins fan says:

September 25th, 2009 at 9:40 am

Gay should be the target free agent. He fits the bill for this team (young, athletic scorer) and I like his potential playing next to a true point in Flynn or Sessions.

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 9:40 am

Atlanta doesn’t low ball anyone ! (Paging Josh Childress)

Peterson says:

September 25th, 2009 at 9:42 am

To me their are only 5 players that fit the bill of a $13 million + per season player that are free agents next year:
1. Lebron
2. Kobe
3. Wade
4. Johnson
5. Gay

Next Class down I’d put:
6. Bosh (but we have Al Jeff)
7. Nowitzki (can’t imagine he doesn’t pick up a 21 mil player option)
8. Yao (foot issues)
9. Ginobili (not getting younger)
10. Tmac (on the decline, fragile)
11. Amare (but we have Al Jeff)
12. Boozer (but we have Al Jeff)

lakesbison says:

September 25th, 2009 at 10:30 am

Ben Woodside from NDSU coming back for fall camp? i know woody signed a deal with TOP A france league, but I thought there was a clause for him to play in camp with twolves.

please find out for us readers!!

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 10:36 am

Swan

Do you really expect McGrady to play or contribute much this year? I’d guess McCants signed there because he will probably get some minutes with McGrady coming off his knee surgery.

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 10:37 am

What is the most you guys would be willing to pay Gay per season? I’m pretty torn on going after him, he seems to be the prototypical boom or bust player. Plus he adds no shooting to the roster, which right now and into the future looks to be their biggest issue.

blah says:

September 25th, 2009 at 11:11 am

Looking at the free agent list I wonder if it would make sense to sign one of the other free agent top tier PFs that would fit a running style more (Bosh or Amare) and trade an undervalued Al Jefferson contract for a prime 2,3 or 5. It doesn’t seem we have the ability sign anyone that would really fit with the pieces we have now. Seeing how Lebron, Kobe or Wade would never sign here.

Madison Dan says:

September 25th, 2009 at 11:36 am

jama: I’m not great with the salary stuff, but I’d guess that I’d pay Gay around $10 million per year. As I’ve said before, I wouldn’t mind having him on the team, but I think we’d have to pay him more than he’s worth to get him here.

Gav says:

September 25th, 2009 at 11:43 am

Jerry, Kahn mentioned a couple weeks back about one more big move. I have a feeling he was not talking about Pavlovic. Any idea about what might still be left up his sleeve?

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 11:48 am

Looking at contracts from this off season, I don’t think you can justify giving Gay more than MABYE $11 million per. That is roughly what Ben Gordon got from the Pistons and he has accomplished a lot more up to now in his career than Gay has. Ideally I think he should sign for something around the 4 year $40-$45 million mark unless he has a breakout year this year.

Of course since he will be a RFA there is still a chance that Memphis could match which means Madison Dan is right and you will have to pay him around 20% more than you normally would

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 11:59 am

Jama - Check out the ESPN article on McGrady from within a week…better medical staff / trainers this past offseason. Guys who have worked wonders. Shaq got some good help from trainers in Phoenix and rejuvinated him…a different medical staff may have done the same for McGrady.

Peterson says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:05 pm

blah… was thinking the same thing but then the question is who’s out there that would go for the trade that has assets (Granger and a 1st round for Jefferson? Ben Gordon and a 1st round for Jefferson?)

I’d hit Gay for a declining contract at 13, 12, 11, 10 mil for 4 years early in the offseason while teams are bidding on Lebron and D-wade and if that falls through make your push for the bigs while exploring trades.

Sha Sha says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:14 pm

I’m a fan of the idea of trading AJ, as long as we can get a good, young, athletic player in return. He doesn’t fit the running system. He’s a great low post player, but doesn’t play defense and doesn’t pass out of the post. He’s Zach Randolph w/out the bad attitude. But, some teams want that.

I’ve brought it up before, but I think that AJ to Miami for Beasley and Haslem would make sense. I know Beasley has had some issues, but putting him in a mellow city like Mpls would be good for him. He could play the 3 or the 4. Miami was trying to get Boozer, so they are obviously looking for low post help.

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:18 pm

The best trade partner for the Wolves is probably the Bulls. I would guess they’d be willing to do a trade based around either Love or Jefferson for Loul Deng + another piece.

kingsxman says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Gav, the Pavlovic move was the big move. (I dont think though he said at the time it was going to be big). Kahnsy said yesterday on Barrerio’s show that he only has one minor move left and he’s waiting for word from the player on whether or not they’ll agree. I’m assuming thats Daniels.

Sportsjunkie says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Peterson…..You forgot to add Dwight Howard to your top 5 ….and I’d love to get Beasley and his baggage for Rubios rights

Gav says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

kingsxman, thanks for the info

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

Why would another team trade for Rubio’s rights before the new CBA is figured out? Right now you are selling Rubio’s rights for nickels on the dollar. I don’t think they will trade him until either they get blown away on a deal, he blows up in Europe, or he gets much closer to coming over.

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

Swan

The difference between McGrady and Shaq is that McGrady had microfracture surgery in February of this year. That is 7 months ago, he’s not going to be full strength and ready to play 30+ minutes per game until at least the middle of December if then.

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:35 pm

If Al Jefferson doesn’t fit a running style can someone please explain Kareem’s tenure on the showtime lakers ?

You need a guy you can just dump it into and get points. Al is one of the better in the league for this.

If that’s your rationale, that he doesn’t or can’t fit with a running squad, for him to be traded for someone who is probably worse (see: Stoudamire, Amare) overall, then make other points please. That one isn’t good enough.

I’d be all for exploring trade options for Jefferson for a good reason.

Sha Sha says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

Hey Swan… How about the fact that Beasley is a younger, cheaper, and more athletic player? AND fits the system better. :)

If we didn’t have Love, I’d agree. But we don’t need 2 lead-footed guys starting for an up tempo team. And, Love adds value with his outlet passing to start the fast break.

Sportsjunkie says:

September 25th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

I’d trade Love before even thinking of trading Jefferson…

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:03 pm

Sportsjunkie - The problem with trading Love is that he has a relatively small contract and would only warrant a similiar contract in return (of course unless we trade expirings and picks along with it). The return on Jefferson would probably get you more…a player or two and picks…

Sha Sha - How bout that Beasley isn’t nearly as good as Jefferson ? We’d have to get a future first rounder in that deal for it to make sense…honestly he is a lot like Jefferson except with better range…he isn’t that much of a high flyer…I don’t know where you get that…faster maybe…as good on the boards ? Absolutely not. Better defender ? Toss of a coin. Better scorer ? YTBD.

East Coast twins fan says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

Jefferson is a dominant low-post scorer with a great contract. He should not be traded. period.

John Doe says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:30 pm

Zgoda, it’s nice to see you on the bandwagon for a realistic offseason target in Rudy Gay after seeing you bring up names like David Lee and Jason Richardson in the past.

It seems like most people around here would be willing to pay him considerably more than he’s worth, however. In the new NBA economy, he’s an $8 million/year player. A contract in that range would put him on a similar payscale to Devin Harris, Kevin Martin, Andris Biedrins, and Paul Millsap. With any luck, Memphis’s season will go south, Gay won’t get enough touches, and they won’t be motivated to match his offer sheet next offseason.

Rejection says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

I’m in Paris right now and I think I saw little Benny Woodside at the Louvre yesterday.

Greg says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Trades that work for Daniels:

To Chicago for Jerome James (probably wouldn’t meet what Daniels is after)
To Milwaukee for Luke Ridnour (Milwaukee probably not interested because Ridnour is a starter)
To New Jersey for Tony Battie (doesn’t fit for Daniels)
To Philly for Jason Kapono (Philly’s probably not interested)
To Washington for Mike James (nooooooo!!!!!!)
To Utah for Matt Harpring (Utah seems to either want him to have him on the team or retire so they can clear his salary)

Wile E Coyote says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:44 pm

“Jefferson is a dominant low-post scorer with a great contract. He should not be traded. period.”

+1. If you cannot build around Big Al, you need a new plan.

Madison Dan says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:49 pm

You might be right, John Doe. I was looking through current contracts to compare values, but if the market is down, then $10 million would be high. Frankly, I was trying to be reasonable (or realistic?) because my knee-jerk reaction is that all FA signings are for way too much money.

Madison Dan says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

*all “big” FA signings. Not counting guys like Sessions.

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

John Doe

The problem comparing Rudy Gay to the guys you mentioned is that none of those players expect for Milsap ever reached Free Agency. The other three all signed with their teams before anyone else had a chance to raise up the price. The other thing to remember is that the Wolves aren’t just competing against the Grizzlies for Gay, there are other teams that are in the market for a young SF.

Wile E Coyote says:

September 25th, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Jerry, any idea what the training camp roster looks like? Devin Green included?

Peterson says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

SportsJunkie I had listed free agents next summer above. Dwight Howard isn’t one according to ESPN 2009-2010 NBA free agency page.

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:25 pm

That’s because Howard already signed a 5 year extension for $85 mil.

C-Note says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Our whole team for Durant or Granger, lol

C-Note says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

except Flynn

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

C-Note

Are you saying Granger and Durant have the same value?

dan says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

howard re-upped last year

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:36 pm

durant is superior to granger.

jama says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:39 pm

I completely agree. After this year Durant will be at least a top 10 player in the league. Granger is maybe top 30.

edkroeten says:

September 25th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

Why get Gay I don’t want a poor shooter (look at his percentages) who plays no D from a bad team.
Do not trade Al there just aren’t that many low post scorers in the whole league.
For the person who ask who shoots the 3’s Flynn and Ellington come to mind. This does mean starting two rookies but the Wolves aren’t going anywhere this year anyway. So let them get some experience.

Rubio-not-in-NY says:

September 25th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

Jerry, I’ve heard ALOT of talk on here and other sites about trading for Kevin Martin, I personally am not a fan, but do you know if Kahn is interested in him?

Expression451 says:

September 25th, 2009 at 4:15 pm

While E Coyote,

Blackhole Jefferson is a good ball player, but he is hardly a franchise ball player. Kahn himself has said that on a playoff team that Jefferson is the 2nd option. I’m not convinced he’s the 2nd option on a playoff team because he’s only good for low post points, and boards… he doesn’t make anyone else on the team any better, and on a young team like this… he is your number 1 asset.

I think we go after Amare or Bosh after this season, and look to trade Jefferson. Both of those players will sell tickets, both of those players can fly up and down the court, and both of those players know how to pass the ball if they have to. They both also have a bit of playoff experience.

Remember this Jefferson has been a loser his entire career, and we don’t know if he could handle the pressure of a playoff team.

Swan Dizzle says:

September 25th, 2009 at 4:25 pm

Amare ?! What an awful idea. Worse in almost every single way.

Bosh is much preferable option out of those two names.

Pipeline says:

September 25th, 2009 at 4:48 pm

Rudy Gay’s going to get squeezed by the larger free agent class next year; he’ll have to wait to see where all the other FA ahead of him fall, and frankly there are more FA targets than their are legitimate suitors. Same thing with Sessions this season.

Gay will also be squeezed by what will happen in Memphis; as suggested above, not enough scoring chances to go around. His numbers will be way down; people will be paying for potential, not past performance.

Very intriguing info, JZ, regarding Glen Taylor’s influence on the rules committee regarding overseas players, and the overall shape of the next CBA.

Finally…I can’t think of a better person to back up McGrady than McCan’ts. Fragile, selfish SG’s who don’t do anything to make teammates better, peas in a pod. No training staff can fix what truly ails them.

Funky Bunch says:

September 25th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

I agree that Jefferson is a 2nd option if the wolves are to be a great team. 2nd option on a great team is not such a bad deal. Who were the second options on those great Laker, Piston, Celtic, and Bulls teams? Most of those second options are now Hall of Fame or Top 50 of all time. Marbury never could swallow that… hopefully Jefferson won’t have a problem being that guy.

Arenal says:

September 25th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

BC: you are insanse, any player who is a 20-10 machine is a franchise player. I agree w/Kahn that AJ needs to either be a 2nd 1st option or a 2nd option on a PO team. Fact is in the PO’s you need a low post dominance. Yeah he’s only good for points and rebounds..and Cris Carter only caught touchdowns. brilliant. He can make people on the team better by demanding double teams and have them hit open shots. This is the first year he will have actual talent around him, first year he’ll have a actual coaching staff around him, etc. Kid is 24. relax. All good players go through this, even MJ..he thought the team was better w/him shooting over double teams than dishing cuz his teammates sucked. He’ll learn as the rest of them did.
Absolutely not on Amare–prima donna. Bosh possibly. AJ’s not exactly slow either, he can run the fact he hasn’t/didn’t was due to the system the team was playing in. Pressure of a PO team? Remember AJ has also gotten better each year as well, not the mark of a loser.
As someone mentioned on here, Gay hasn’t progressed each year and actually dropped last year…thats a far bigger question.

Its always nice to be able to dump the ball inside, knowing you are going to get points or FT’s. Flynn and the 2 we get will be our 1st options eventually with AJ being a nice add in. Again he’ll either be the 2nd 1st option or a damn good 2nd option.

Expression451 says:

September 25th, 2009 at 7:26 pm

Funky Bunch… to even think of the Wolves and Al Jefferson with any of those CHAMPIONSHIP DYNASTIES is getting way the hell in front of yourself… this team may not win 20 games this year.

Sha Sha says:

September 25th, 2009 at 7:49 pm

Hey Arenal, Zach Randolph is a 20-10 player. Is he a “franchise player”? I think not. You have to be able to play defense and pass the ball to be a franchise player, in addition to being a dominant scorer. Franchise players make their teammates better. AJ doesn’t play defense, doesn’t pass the ball, and doesn’t make his teammates better. (See Mike Miller) When your own GM says you’re not a franchise player, then you’re not.

To imply that he is untradeable is silly.

busersports.com - fantasy basketball information, analysis, and discussion / Setting the Stage - the 2009-10 Season says:

September 26th, 2009 at 8:36 pm

[…] - some positive early signs from Al Jefferson would help fantasy owners in terms of confidence when it comes to picking him […]

blog dude says:

October 2nd, 2009 at 5:07 am

thanks for this post, a good read.

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