Al returns, Flynn, Ellington out today with flu
Posted on October 26th, 2009 – 3:34 PMBy Jerry Zgoda
Al Jefferson returned to practice today and scrimmaged regularly on the Target Center main floor, but teammates Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington were missing because they went to the doctor with flu-like symptoms.
Jefferson vowed he’d play in Wednesday’s season opener against New Jersey and said he’d probably have to monitor his Achilles tendon for most of the season to make sure it doesn’t get inflamed like it did in the last week.
Flynn and Ellington will be evaluated daily. Their availability for the opener remains uncertain.
The Wolves reach today’s 5 p.m. roster deadline with their 15-man roster set with no changes.
That means Jason Hart is on the team — at least for now — and so is Mark Blount, but that’s in name only.
Blount never came to training camp and won’t show up now. He’ll stay home in Miami but keep getting paid to allow the Wolves what David Kahn calls roster “flexibility” in case his $7.9 million salary slot can be involved in a trade between now and the trading deadline.
He didn’t end up waived like Antonio Daniels was last week because Daniels was willing to give back some money in a buyout of his $6.6 million contract so he can sign with another team (Cleveland?) once he clears waivers.
There’s not another job out there at the moment for Blount, so he’s not willing to give back any of that nearly $8 million salary.
So he’ll stay on the roster, but remain far, far away.
Kahn also sounded like he might wait right up until Saturday’s deadline before deciding in one swoop on players with contract options.
Kevin Love’s extension for the 2010-11 season is what Kahn called a “no brainer.” Corey Brewer’s option almost certainly will be picked up as well.
The question is Oleksiy Pecherov, at nearly $2.4 million. Kahn said he still must consult with the coaches.
Last week, Kurt Rambis called Pecherov a “unique” player because of his size and his skils and he moved him into the starting lineup with Jefferson, but whether he’s $2.4 million unique is another question entirely.
One other little interesting tidbit: Kahn is having breakfast and lunch catered for players when they’re home for practices and games to ensure they eat nutritionally and perhaps a bit to build camaraderie.
“We want them to be here early and stay late, ” Kahn said.
Btw, I will be doing a live chat to preview the opener and the approaching season on Wednesday at 1 p.m. Stay tuned for more details.
34 Responses to "Al returns, Flynn, Ellington out today with flu"
The Swine Flu only affects Wolves’ rookies according to the CDC. Will Crunch adjust to the change? Will he convert from wolf to pig?
Jerry, I must have bad information on Pech’s 2009/10 salary:
2009/10 - $1.55M
2010/11 - $2.4M
2011/12 - $3.4M
Was his salary advanced forward a year with the trade?
Marty
they probably got the same flu that Al had.
Sean/Arenal - responded to your takes on the last blog.
this will open up some time in practice for Ramon to get time with the first team as I am guessing he’s been with the second team against Flynn and the starters.
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med….duh
Jerry: Keep us in the loop on possible player acquisitions these next few days please.
The problem with acquiring Kaman is that (aside from the very real concerns one can have about the guy’s on-court play and injury history) — assuming you want to keep Love and Jefferson — is that you’re poised to then have $30+ million tied up in three players at the 4/5 (when Love signs to his second deal). The Wolves would be far better off hoping Hollins develops into the 3rd guy for that rotation or using their first rounder next year on that player than taking on another large salary there.
Sean
that seems fair. I am thinking that Love might not be here after awhile as Al is the focus of the offense. Bringing in Kaman can help to solidify the 5, with Al moving to his natural 4 position. Kaman does have issues, but its possible a change of scenery might help him. also, if Love does stay, his rookie deal will end the same time as Kaman’s, which allows some flexibility there.
Wolves season preview:
http://mnhowl.wordpress.com/
I’m a teacher, Mark Blount will make more money every time he takes a crap then I will teaching for 9 months! Oh that stinks, literally!
The thought of adding Chris Kaman makes me ill.
Marty, sorry I wasn’t more specific, the contract extension is for the 2010-11 season, not this season. So your chart meshes perfectly. I noted in the previous paragraph that they would pick up Love’s extension for 2010-11, so I assumed you’d know Pech’s would be for that season as well. All those decisions at this time of the year are for a season from now. If they don’t exercise them by Oct. 31, that player becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
The Blount situation exemplifies what a joke the NBA is. Rosters should be reduced to 11-12 players max, and no guaranteed contracts should ever be permitted, ever! If you can’t make a team roster, get a job at a temp agency for $10-15 per hour, like many out there now.
Ken Berger of cbssportsline.com predicts wolves to be surprise of the West: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nba/Y2tZYaKEMuRvfh2nrthG_0YI56BRdOcB
Hi Jerry,
Do you know if Rambis has decided whether to start Pech, Hollins or Gomes alongside Al yet?
Thanks
Jerry, how’s Corey feeling? I saw you noted he took a hard hit in practice the other day.
I don’t care if Al, Gomes AND Hollins all get injured… no way would I start Pecherov, The Russian Stick-Bag.
Corey seemed fine today. I don’t think there are any issues there.
I’m sure Rambis won’t say about the lineup until the press session right before the game, but I’d guess Gomes and Wilkins with Al in the middle. But you never know, could be Gomes-Al-Pecherov.
How about the third point guard search. Just two days until the opener…is Hart the guy?
I could see Wilkins starting at Small Forward… he’s not a great talent and never has been, but Wilkins and Brewer would make a nice perimeter defense tandem.
BTW… I’m putting the nail in Blake Griffin’s career right now. Premature? Definitely… but all the best predictions are. I can’t see Griffin ever living up to his full potential.
Since the draft, he’s had two injuries (right shoulder and knee) and I believe he’s gonna have injuries his entire career.
In a few years, he’ll lose his silly-silly athleticism and explosiveness and have a 10-year career as a solid reserve/average starter.
I feel bad saying it because he’s a good kid and is uber-talented, but he’s had shaky knees (sprained MCL in his left knee/torn cartlidge and surgery in his right knee) for as long as I’ve watched him and he just had another knee injury.
Every few years, there’s a sad story with a good kid getting derailed by injuries. I don’t think this is gonna end quite as well as it should for Griffin.
Is he Ralph Sampson? Antonio McDyess? Sam Bowie?
Sheldon Williams?
Hey Jerry,
In case anyone wonders how Ricky looks so far this year - just check out this clip.. http://www.ballineurope.com/european-basketball/euroleague/barcas-rubio-picks-apart-old-dkv-mates/.
How about the very first play.. Not too shabby.
Thanks for the posting. I hope that Rambis can have some communication with Rubio in the future to have him work on certain things.
Quote Marty McFly: “med….duh”
Marty do you really get to use the word “Duh” in response to anyone when you didn’t even know that when a team picks up an option on a player they are doing it for the following years salary?
The fact that Jerry had to explain it to you really amuses me considering how much smack you talk in this blog.
Uhhh ! 33 hours and 25 minutes til tip off ! 
Notsold - Duh.
“Since the draft, he’s had two injuries (right shoulder and knee) and I believe he’s gonna have injuries his entire career.”
I remember people saying the same types of things about Adrian Peterson.
Didn’t Foye have the same type of injury ? Didn’t look like it affected his athleticism.
Swan
that is because he did not have much to begin with… 
its like watching a video game on that Rubio highlight reel.
Certainly players can get over knee injuries and be just fine. But NBA Big Men seem to get hit harder than other athletes.
I mean Griffin has already had THREE knee injuries.
Could he be fine and never have another knee problem again in his career? Sure. But I just have a hunch that it’s gonna be worse than that for Griff.
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Rubio looks good, wonder if DKV is more than a little pissed they HAD to let him go.
AJ is no longer the focus of the offense, its a team offense with equal opportunity–aka the triangle.
Hope Flynn at least will be available, we can deal w/o Ellington, but no Flynn is a hit. Really wanted to see Flynn vs Harris. We should beat NJ, we better beat NJ b/c november is going to be horrendous.
Griffin is going to be interesting–see how he plays w/kids just as strong as he is, just as quick, etc. I think he is going to have some serious adjustments to make. Then again he is on the Clips so he’ll get alot of garbage points/rebounds. ROY–Flynn.
