Minnesota Sports Forum

Something smells fishy in Brooklyn.

I understand the skepticism on this board about AK's deal, but I don't think there is anything illegal here. Yes, it would be easy for Prokhorov to slip AK millions under the table, just as it would be easy for any other owner to do the same using offshore bank accounts. The NBA would never be able to detect that this had happened. But there would be enormous risk to Prokhorov in doing this. He would have to trust that AK would not turn on him in the future and disclose the nature of the illegality. Or maybe someone else that has knowledge of the deal (AK's wife, lawyers, etc) might disclose it in the future. The penalties and sanctions that the NBA would dole out would be devastating to the value of the franchise. Prokhorov didn't become a billionaire by being dumb, and taking a chance like this just to sign an oft-injured 32-year-old that isn't even an all-star, would be the definition of dumb. Also, I don't know AK, but he doesn't strike me as an unethical guy. The deal looks strange, I admit, but I think AK didn't have many offers, and saw this as his best chance of getting a ring.

longstrangetrip wrote:I understand the skepticism on this board about AK's deal, but I don't think there is anything illegal here. Yes, it would be easy for Prokhorov to slip AK millions under the table, just as it would be easy for any other owner to do the same using offshore bank accounts. The NBA would never be able to detect that this had happened. But there would be enormous risk to Prokhorov in doing this. He would have to trust that AK would not turn on him in the future and disclose the nature of the illegality. Or maybe someone else that has knowledge of the deal (AK's wife, lawyers, etc) might disclose it in the future. The penalties and sanctions that the NBA would dole out would be devastating to the value of the franchise. Prokhorov didn't become a billionaire by being dumb, and taking a chance like this just to sign an oft-injured 32-year-old that isn't even an all-star, would be the definition of dumb. Also, I don't know AK, but he doesn't strike me as an unethical guy. The deal looks strange, I admit, but I think AK didn't have many offers, and saw this as his best chance of getting a ring.

And if I were to tell you that wolverines would make good house pets, would you believe that too?

No, I wouldn't believe that about wolverines, cool...the one I had as a house pet tore up a beautiful photograph of the swampland I bought in Florida.

Just can't believe AK is such a prize that a savvy guy like Prokhorov would take a chance on destroying the value of his franchise. Don't think NBA owners aren't cognizant of what the league did to the Wolves when they tried their stupid little game with Joe Smith...I'm guessing they talk about that a lot. Fear is more important than ethics with these guys, and Prokhorov has to know that kind of move would be too risky. Maybe he's dumber than I think though...not saying it's beyond the realm of possibility.

Good for them. They're still not better than a healthy CHI Bulls team who I think comes out of the East next year. Wouldn't it be something if our Timber Pups somehow got hot and found their way to play them lol. Classic offensive firepower vs defensive stalwart. Would be a fun series.

Yeah, everyone has their own analysis of various teams' offseasons, cam, but I would argue that the Wolves and Bulls have improved the most, simply because they both have an all-star returning to the lineup (Love and Rose). That's a great start before you even start to analyze offseason moves.