Unresolved Issues

[Lipoli390]

I see two major unresolved personnel issues for the Wolves this summer. One is the status of Kevin Garnett. The other is the health status of Pek. It seems to me that both issues have at least some bearing on what the Wolves do this summer, including the draft, free agency and possible trades.

Personally I will KG would retire. But I don't think he will. It's a bit irritating that he hasn't even met with Thibs. That's classic KG. I like the way he plays, but he's a diva of the first order off the court. He talks about loyalty. Well, how about resolving his status sooner rather than later to help this organization make some key decisions over the summer? As for Pek, there's really nothing Pek can do. If he feels good physically, then hard to blame him for giving it another go. He's certainly not likely to give up $24 million prematurely.

I think the Wolves have to move forward as if neither KG nor Pek will be contributing anything next season. If KG doesn't retire, the Wolves organization should assume he's planted on the end of the bench as a quasi-coach. If he's needed on the court because of injuries, then you get from him what you can. Same with Pek. Assume he's on the roster but not contributing on the court. This assumption regarding both players should open the door to considering things like signing Noah, Horford or Cole Aldridge as free agents or trading down and drafting Sabonis.

Thoughts?

[Camden [enjin:6601484]]

I don't want KG back next year either, BUT I believe he's dealing with a family matter and that's why he hasn't met with Thibs.

It's also fair to speculate that KG's future role with the organization is up in the air and perhaps he's upset about it. When Flip was here, we heard about how KG was going to have some ownership and possibly a front office role. With Thibodeau and Layden taking over, that's probably not the case.

[60WinTim]

Also on KG, it could easily be a mutual decision by both Thibs and KG to wait until after the draft to have their discussion. Get BPA in the draft (or whatever else might transpire that improves the team), and then start figuring out what needs to happen in the offseason, which would begin with resolving KG's future.

[Monster]

Cam and Tim laid out stuff about why we haven't heard much on the KG front.

To me ultimately I don't think either guy is going to make a significant difference on what happens this offseason or (as Lip laid out) on the court. Sure if KG retires yeah that give some more money to play with but I don't see that as a deal breaker either way although it could if they right guy was available and would have wanted to come here. It's just a matter of when these guys are off the roster in one way or another. I'd love to see both guys be able to contribute to some decent degree for at least 40 games this season but I doubt it will play out like that.

[TAFKASP]

There is nothing to be done regarding Pek, we won't know his status until he's on the floor, he won't know his status until then either.

Regarding KG's status and the draft, I don't think it matters. IMO with a top 5 pick you take the player who you think is going to be the best player, period. Second, if KG doesn't retire you still know you need help at the 4 because he simply cannot be counted on for significant, nor regular minutes. All moves with regard to the 4 must be made with no real consideration for KG.

The only way in which KG can be faulted IMO, is if he decides to retire, and does so well after the opening of free agency. The only question is if his $8M will be available to use, or found sitting behind the bench in suit and tie. The sooner we know this the better obviously.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Yep, those are the two biggest unresolved issues that it would be nice to more about soon. Here are my thoughts.

Garnett: It's frustrating that there has been such limited contact with KG this spring/summer. I understand they are dealing with his mother-in-law's illness, but that doesn't preclude Thibs and KG meeting somewhere in a gym for a workout and discussion. Although I'm frustrated, I definitely want KG back if he is near the health level he was at at the beginning of last season. Even at 39, he was easily our best plus/minus player in the few games he played in, and both our offense and defense looked more effective when he was on the court. If he could give us 15-20 MPG, we would be a better team. Maybe Thibs knows more about KG than he is letting on, but if not, he needs to hop on a plane and have some face-to-face contact.

Pek: I have been optimistic about Pek playing this year because of the positive comments Arnie Kander made last February...he was confident Pek would not be hampered next year by the injury that sidelined him most of the past two years. But I heard something from a friend (not connected in any way with the Timberwolves) last week that has me thinking otherwise. Thibs was looking for a downtown condo a month ago, and was introduced to my friend who lives at the Carlyle (the same building Pek lives in and where Love lived when he was here). My friend is a big sports fan, and he and Thibs talked for a hour...said he was a great guy. Most of what my friend heard was the same as we have all heard (best young core in the league, need to be better defensively, etc), except for one thing. When my friend asked him what he was expecting from Pek, Thibs said "Pek is done"...that's it, nothing else. It sounded surprisingly definitive coming from a guy who has mastered the art of revealing little. I actually wasn't too disappointed, because Pek was terrible last year in the few games he played in. There are only 2 more years left on his contract, and I don't think that $24 million is going to limit the Wolves' plans. Eat the contract and be happy to have the cap space in 2018-9.

[Monster]

Yep, those are the two biggest unresolved issues that it would be nice to more about soon. Here are my thoughts.

Garnett: It's frustrating that there has been such limited contact with KG this spring/summer. I understand they are dealing with his mother-in-law's illness, but that doesn't preclude Thibs and KG meeting somewhere in a gym for a workout and discussion. Although I'm frustrated, I definitely want KG back if he is near the health level he was at at the beginning of last season. Even at 39, he was easily our best plus/minus player in the few games he played in, and both our offense and defense looked more effective when he was on the court. If he could give us 15-20 MPG, we would be a better team. Maybe Thibs knows more about KG than he is letting on, but if not, he needs to hop on a plane and have some face-to-face contact.

Pek: I have been optimistic about Pek playing this year because of the positive comments Arnie Kander made last February...he was confident Pek would not be hampered next year by the injury that sidelined him most of the past two years. But I heard something from a friend (not connected in any way with the Timberwolves) last week that has me thinking otherwise. Thibs was looking for a downtown condo a month ago, and was introduced to my friend who lives at the Carlyle (the same building Pek lives in and where Love lived when he was here). My friend is a big sports fan, and he and Thibs talked for a hour...said he was a great guy. Most of what my friend heard was the same as we have all heard (best young core in the league, need to be better defensively, etc), except for one thing. When my friend asked him what he was expecting from Pek, Thibs said "Pek is done"...that's it, nothing else. It sounded surprisingly definitive coming from a guy who has mastered the art of revealing little. I actually wasn't too disappointed, because Pek was terrible last year in the few games he played in. There are only 2 more years left on his contract, and I don't think that $24 million is going to limit the Wolves' plans. Eat the contract and be happy to have the cap space in 2018-9.

Interesting info on Pek LST. I wondered how new people in charge would treat Pek. Flip resigned him and I would bet Pek is well liked by all the Wolves people because he seems like good guy etc. I think the Wolves wanted to do everything possible to let him get a shot at playing or whatever. Thibs and Layden aren't going to have such positive feelings. If the guy can't play they aren't going to worry about it and based on the roster why would they? I mean in theory they need more bigs especially one like Pek IF he could play but there is even less hope of that now with some additional info LST gave us.

It will be interesting how this plays out. Maybe the Wolves with Layden and Thibs feel Pek is done. Maybe he is. Does Pek still think he has a shot (maybe rationally or irrationally) but the Wolves now don't? Like I said I am not sure it matters Pek isn't going to walk away from all his money and if he thinks he may still be able to play he isn't going to walk away for a while. I figured this may not get resolved till later in the season at the earliest after Pek gave it a go but maybe it goes down earlier. I wouldn't bet on it. I also wonder how insurance on his contract will come into play.

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

I guess I'm in the minority here, but I don't see any problem with KG being back. He's under contract and he's a very good teammate looking to build up and impart knowledge to the young guys. He also had one of the better plus/minus ratings on the team last year. I don't like the idea of Thibs taking the initiative to talk with KG about retirement. Maybe, it won't be an issue but it has the potential to create unwanted friction between the two.

If anyone should be bought out, its Pek. Maybe he'll see the court again, but his best playing days are behind him. If we can buy out his contract at less than 100%, I'm all for it.

[BizarroJerry [enjin:6592520]]

What's the Pek status again? One more year at 11 million? Geez, what a bad decision that was. And do the wolves have any recourse here or is Pek able to keep collecting if he's 'eligible' to play?

[Lipoli390]

What's the Pek status again? One more year at 11 million? Geez, what a bad decision that was. And do the wolves have any recourse here or is Pek able to keep collecting if he's 'eligible' to play?

Two more years at $12 per year.