The Minnesota Timberwolves Thread: Timberwolves, Anthony Bennett part ways

[pacificnorsewst]

I dont think they trade Bennett. I think they trade Thaddeus opening up the floor time to let Bennett and Payne develop.

 

[RyGuy45]

Not losing sleep over this all but.......It's a bad decision (IMO) because it's just rare for crappy franchises to make good decisions trading away their future first rounders. It may work out but it's just bad basketball decisions in a sport where there are so many unknowns.

I was OK rolling the dice on Thad Young and giving away a first for that. But now here we are and they have three future firsts they have gotten rid of. You don't do that as a crap franchise - because even if some are protected it still is "worrying about it later" mode and look what that Jaric pick did --This team was sweating out that pick for YEARS - tanking games, tanking games again the next year, and so on.

All this for a player (Payne) you passed on in the draft to take a raw LaVine.

Godfather better hope Payne pans out - and maybe he does which we are all for.

Here are more details:

The pick sent to Atlanta in exchange for Payne kicks in 2017 and is lottery protected in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Essentially, the worst possible outcome of this trade for Minnesota would be for Payne to emerge as a complete bust and, despite this, qualify for the playoffs once between 2017-2020 -- thus granting Atlanta the ever-so-valuable first rounder.

The pick becomes a second rounder in 2021 if Minnesota misses the playoffs in each of those four seasons.

 

[kidkain]

Wiggins with rising star MVP

Lavine bout to put on for us in the dunk contest

 

[RyGuy45]

I have to pause because this is coming from BSPN, but thoughts?

The Minnesota Timberwolves ‎are making an 11th-hour push before Thursday's trade deadline to try to reacquire Wolves legend Kevin Garnett in a swap that would send Thaddeus Young to Brooklyn, ESPN.com has learned.

Sources told ESPN.com the sides have engaged in serious discussions on the deal, which would ultimately require Garnett's approval even if the teams agree before Thursday's 3 p.m. deadline, since Garnett possesses one of the NBA's six full no-trade clauses.

Garnett has insisted in recent weeks that he is not in the market for an in-season exit from Brooklyn, largely because he does not wish to displace his family ‎in the middle of the season.

But the Wolves, sources say, are hopeful that the chance to play out what might be his final NBA season as a member of the team that drafted him out of high school in 1995 -- and under longtime coach Flip Saunders -- could lead Garnett to reconsider. Such a trade, of course, would also mean the hypercompetitive Garnett has to leave the Eastern Conference playoff race to join a team at the bottom of the West.

Saunders remains close with Garnett and is said to covet a reunion to bring back the most popular player in Wolves annals as a mentor to the many youngsters on the current roster, headlined by 2014's No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wiggins.

And in Young, Minnesota possesses a player the Nets have coveted for some time. Brooklyn GM Billy King drafted Young in Philadelphia and would presumably welcome his addition now as the Nets try to fortify their roster in search a playoff berth in the East.

If it matters, Garnett still has a mansion in MN and visits it throughout the year.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

So a 1st round pick for the decaying corpse of KG and the accompanying nostalgia?

I hate to say I told you so but...who am I kidding I love saying it, the thad young trade was, is, dumb.

 

[kidkain]

We all knew the 1st round pick was for Thad was bad...

But from a nostalgia and mentor to our young guys standpoint this is a win...

KG always put on for the twin cities and actually liked being there...i like it

 

[RyGuy45]

Official:

Adrian Wojnarowski @WojYahooNBA · Yahoo Sources: Kevin Garnett accepts trade to Minnesota, Thad Young to Nets. http://yhoo.it/1z3yVtO

Well I'll at least go to a couple more games this year :\

Jerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda · Some intel gathered: Wolves & KG are not considering this a 29-game thing. Both sides fully intend he'll play at least next season too

Jerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda · Wolves discussions with KG thru his agent have been ongoing for weeks while each side sized the other up again

Jerry Zgoda @JerryZgoda · If you're wondering why a KG trade make sense: Probably keeps Flip in position with new ownership if KG gathers group to buy team someday

 

[pacificnorsewst]

Absolutely the best thing that could have happened to an 11-42 Minnesota team.

kidkain and I have seen eye to eye on this one. The mentor he can be to the young guys is akin to what Sam Mitchell and Terry Porter were to him. Kevin has stated how important that was to him, so likewise for this situation. And it'll be great for the young guys to see how Minnesota can adore a superstar if they're willing to put in the work. They'll want the same things.

Other than that though, KG is my all-time favorite athlete across all sports and It's so awesome to see him back where he belongs.

 

[kidkain]

^^^ exactly

Hopefully bennett starts to flourish with him around

 

[RyGuy45]

It will be interesting though to see where these minutes at the Forward spots are going to be distributed. You now have essentially Bennett, Budinger, Garnett, Muhammad, Wiggins, and Adreian Payne at the F spots.

The key with this team now moving forward is securing that high draft pick this summer. That is the very next step here and they need to land a stud.

 

[jpzx]

I'm sure 651 and others feel I've developed into a cynic through the way I post about the team (because I feel like I can sense the change in my tone over time based on the way I post ) but man -- is it pessimism/dread about every move, or does every move look questionable because it's an exception when anything we do isn't questionable?

I have so many thoughts on what happened yesterday, a lot of which are negative. I'll air them out in here later on today.

 

[jpzx]

104-103. 2 minutes to go.

 

[jpzx]

Thanks Portland for matching the offer sheet Nicolas Batum signed with the T-Wolves. $46 million saved and Rubio's become what Kahn wanted him to offer us anyway.

 

[kidkain]

I'm sure 651 and others feel I've developed into a cynic through the way I post about the team (because I feel like I can sense the change in my tone over time based on the way I post ) but man -- is it pessimism/dread about every move, or does every move look questionable because it's an exception when anything we do isn't questionable?

I have so many thoughts on what happened yesterday, a lot of which are negative. I'll air them out in here later on today.

Well lay it out there champ

 

[hood17]

21 years in the league for number 21?

I'm cool with the move have no faith these guys can do right with a first round pick anyways. But all in with the core of this team. I can't wait to see Pek and KGs encounter.

Ricky wants a picture with him badly I hope Ricky and Wiggins more importantly sees how much KG meant to us and how much we mean to him.

We need a new Slam cover magazine with Rubio, KG, Wiggins, and LaVine

 

[Arthur Shelby]

Kevin Garnett Timberwolves Introductory Press Conference

 

[RyGuy45]

Because this move was partly orchestrated by Flip Saunders for his own interests I am obviously turned off by it - but like everyone else I admit I will be tuning in with much anticipation tonight

For the 900th time, I just cannot get over this entire Saunders situation and the guy has everyone played perfectly. He's a snake and I can't stand him and want him gone.

He's going nowhere - and he'll be coaching this team for years to come too. Especially now that Garnett is back and Randy Wittman will eventually be canned by Washington (it's coming) and can come back to join Saunders and the whole gang really is back together!

 

[hood17]

God I hope not.

 

[carver]

Who going to da game tonight

I want to so bad but my lady had a planned night out with some old coworkers. So I'll be watching on the couch with my lil mans

 

[iks mod]

Who going to da game tonight

I want to so bad but my lady had a planned night out with some old coworkers. So I'll be watching on the couch with my lil mans

I'll be watching from home as well.  I actually had a ticket, but they guys I was going with backed out last minute.  Gave the ticket to someone I knew who was looking. Could have probably gone alone... but would rather not and gave someone the opportunity to go

 

[kidkain]

Because this move was partly orchestrated by Flip Saunders for his own interests I am obviously turned off by it - but like everyone else I admit I will be tuning in with much anticipation tonight

For the 900th time, I just cannot get over this entire Saunders situation and the guy has everyone played perfectly. He's a snake and I can't stand him and want him gone.

He's going nowhere - and he'll be coaching this team for years to come too. Especially now that Garnett is back and Randy Wittman will eventually be canned by Washington (it's coming) and can come back to join Saunders and the whole gang really is back together!

I hope not....I don't see him staying as the coach tho

 

[hood17]

Il be cheering from Phx for a Rubio to KG dunk.

 

[pacificnorsewst]

 

[RyGuy45]

Randy Wittman

Great entertainment last night fellas. Powerful moments. Garnett didn't fill up the stat sheet but to me he looked like he was 28 out there. And you could tell Wolves players were completely amped and went all-out for 48 minutes.

The Wolves did a good presentation last night and did a good job this week patting themselves on the back for bringing Garnett home for the fans (I've heard numerous Wolves employees on radio this week). But lost in the entire Garnett emotion is the main reason WHY the fans are so emotional about it. They are emotional because it's KG - but also because they have not been given anything since he left. Last night was one giant cheer from the fanbase indirectly telling Glen Taylor "this right here....is all we've ever had."

Anyway.....There are 26 total games left, 14 on the road. You never know what will happen with this team - but it's pretty evident they are going to win a few more now than they should to close the year. Creating a winning culture is something we will all take and as fans it's always nice to watch a win. But the wild card is going to be that lottery pick spot and I am going to be following this nightly.

Some real words from Garnett after the game:

"The place tonight was rocking, man. I had a little bit of a longer introduction than I would have liked it to be, but I understood.
This is its own thing. When I won in Boston, that was a special time. My kids being born was a special time. But this is full circle, coming back experienced. I've been back before, and I never paid attention to how much love is here still for me because I'm too busy being focused on the game. Tonight, it was over the top. I didn't know the city missed me like this."

I hope not....I don't see him staying as the coach tho

Let me ask you this - Is there a single thing Saunders has done recently to suggest he's stepping down this summer and handing the keys to another coach?

 

[pacificnorsewst]

Despite how they got to this point, I think the Wolves made the right decision by bringing in Payne and especially KG. Payne looks like that quintessential hustle/effort-guy that does all the dirty work. Once he settles down and stops travelling, he'll be a good role player.

I have nothing to add about KG coming. It's simply awesome.