Minnesota Sports Forum

I saw the following on Hoopshype:

There's buzz now that Kevin Garnett, who is said to be worth more than $200 million, will be heavily involved in the Timberwolves basketball department if he joins franchise investors Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore if/when they gain full control in 2023. The word is Garnett, the ex-Timberwolf, wants the franchise to remain in Minnesota but Rodriguez wants to move it to Seattle, where he played for seven seasons. 1 day ago - via Charley Walters @ St. Paul Pioneer Press

As I was reading it, I didn't understand the reference to Kevin Garnett's desire to keep the Wolves in Minnesota in juxtaposition to A-Rod's purported desire to move the franchise to Seattle. I mean, KG has no ownership interest in the team. Then as I finished reading the paragraph I noticed that the report was authored by Charley Walters. At that point I knew I had just read some nonsensical, disconnected thoughts from a guy who's been sharing random thoughts conjured in his imagination for decades as he's struggled for relevance in the shadow of the now departed Sid Hartman. He's still struggling for relevance as a scribe with no real sources other than some neighbors at his local barbershop or the voices in his own head.

Glen's logic is a little flawed. He states that the new owners would be responsible for the 1.5 billion purchase and a 2 billion franchise fee if moving to Seattle. Glen apparently doesn't realize that there are likely several cities that will be vying for a new franchise, so the owners would still see their franchise fee from one of them. I see A-rod having to lay out 50 million for breaking the lease, and nothing else. I am sure that Seattle will be more than happy to take care of that fee.

Sigh, and just when I thought the deal was done and we could finally move on (to Seattle perhaps?), Glen makes life difficult

sjm34 wrote:Glen's logic is a little flawed. He states that the new owners would be responsible for the 1.5 billion purchase and a 2 billion franchise fee if moving to Seattle. Glen apparently doesn't realize that there are likely several cities that will be vying for a new franchise, so the owners would still see their franchise fee from one of them. I see A-rod having to lay out 50 million for breaking the lease, and nothing else. I am sure that Seattle will be more than happy to take care of that fee.

No other cities are vying for a franchise right now. And there are very few cities that can support an NBA franchise. Even the Miami Heat have terrible attendance when their not winning.

A viable destination for Lore and A-Rod to move to would require a sizable market with a strong economy and political leadership willing to spend a lot of money to build a new state-of-the-art arena. In addition, the destination would have to be a market the NBA would prefer over the Minneapolis/upper Midwest market. Finally, it would have to be a market without the potential for a new franchise that would pay the lucrative franchise fee. The other 29 NBA owners will always have a strong preference for a new franchise over relocation of an existing one.

All that isn't to say the Wolves will never move. It's just not likely - at least not over the next 5-7 years. Maybe by then, another city will emerge with an offer Lore and A-Rod can't refuse to relocate. But even then, the NBA might be ready to add a couple new teams to the League, in which case the lure of a lucrative franchise fee stifle any effort to relocate the Wolves.

lipoli390 wrote:I saw the following on Hoopshype:

There's buzz now that Kevin Garnett, who is said to be worth more than $200 million, will be heavily involved in the Timberwolves basketball department if he joins franchise investors Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore if/when they gain full control in 2023. The word is Garnett, the ex-Timberwolf, wants the franchise to remain in Minnesota but Rodriguez wants to move it to Seattle, where he played for seven seasons. 1 day ago - via Charley Walters @ St. Paul Pioneer Press

As I was reading it, I didn't understand the reference to Kevin Garnett's desire to keep the Wolves in Minnesota in juxtaposition to A-Rod's purported desire to move the franchise to Seattle. I mean, KG has no ownership interest in the team. Then as I finished reading the paragraph I noticed that the report was authored by Charley Walters. At that point I knew I had just read some nonsensical, disconnected thoughts from a guy who's been sharing random thoughts conjured in his imagination for decades as he's struggled for relevance in the shadow of the now departed Sid Hartman. He's still struggling for relevance as a scribe with no real sources other than some neighbors at his local barbershop or the voices in his own head.

Did KG win the lottery recently? Is TNT paying him 50-100 million a year to be on TV? KG isn't worth anywhere $200 million based on everything I have seen especially since he got a large chunk of his money stole from him. That's why I'm not buying it...and KG isn't buying the Wolves either...sorry I couldn't help myself.

Not long after the announcement was made it was reported that A Rod wanted to bring Garnett into the ownership group so if the latest chatter is true it makes sense to hear they are in disagreement. I don't see KG getting involved if they are just going to move. He seems intent on playing a role in the future of the cities and mentioned rebuilding it in his HoF speech.

All in all I'm not worried about them moving yet. Some good points have been made in the thread already and I think the big one is Vegas and Seattle already being in contention for expansion teams.

TheGrey08 wrote:Not long after the announcement was made it was reported that A Rod wanted to bring Garnett into the ownership group so if the latest chatter is true it makes sense to hear they are in disagreement. I don't see KG getting involved if they are just going to move. He seems intent on playing a role in the future of the cities and mentioned rebuilding it in his HoF speech.

All in all I'm not worried about them moving yet. Some good points have been made in the thread already and I think the big one is Vegas and Seattle already being in contention for expansion teams.

I'm not worried about them moving to Seattle for the reason you mentioned. I also don't believe that A-Rod wants to move the Wolves to Seattle. I think that's a total fabrication. A-Rod tried to buy the Mets. Obviously, he wasn't going to move the Mets to Seattle. The point is that A-Rod has apparently wanted to own a professional sports franchise. He tried to buy the Mets, but that fell through. Having failed to buy the team he wanted most, in his home town of New York, he has now joined with Lore to purchase the Timberwolves. It wasn't about some dream to bring an NBA team to Seattle - a place he hasn't lived for decades. It was about owning a professional sports team.

The problem KG has is a lack of resources. He doesn't have the money to get a significant stake in the franchise. And if I were Lore or A-Rod, I'd be reluctant to give KG any franchise control. It's hard to come up with a role for KG that he would embrace.

lipoli390 wrote:

TheGrey08 wrote:Not long after the announcement was made it was reported that A Rod wanted to bring Garnett into the ownership group so if the latest chatter is true it makes sense to hear they are in disagreement. I don't see KG getting involved if they are just going to move. He seems intent on playing a role in the future of the cities and mentioned rebuilding it in his HoF speech.

All in all I'm not worried about them moving yet. Some good points have been made in the thread already and I think the big one is Vegas and Seattle already being in contention for expansion teams.

I'm not worried about them moving to Seattle for the reason you mentioned. I also don't believe that A-Rod wants to move the Wolves to Seattle. I think that's a total fabrication. A-Rod tried to buy the Mets. Obviously, he wasn't going to move the Mets to Seattle. The point is that A-Rod has apparently wanted to own a professional sports franchise. I tried to buy the Mets, but that fell through. Having failed to buy the team he wanted most, in his home town of New York, he has now joined with Lore to purchase the Timberwolves. It wasn't about some dream to bring an NBA team to Seattle - a place he hasn't lived for decades. It was about owning a professional sports team.

The problem KG has is a lack of resources. He doesn't have the money to get a significant stake in the franchise. And if I were Lore or A-Rod, I'd be reluctant to give KG any franchise control. It's hard to come up with a role for KG that he would embrace.

When Glen is out of the picture KG will come back get his jersey retired and all that unless they somehow do something to piss him off but that seems unlikely. I don't think it will be hard to get KG back just hanging around because I think he still loves the area etc and so they won't need to make a role for him just welcome him being around. KG did quell the idea of him being the next Celtics coach. Lol

monsterpile wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

TheGrey08 wrote:Not long after the announcement was made it was reported that A Rod wanted to bring Garnett into the ownership group so if the latest chatter is true it makes sense to hear they are in disagreement. I don't see KG getting involved if they are just going to move. He seems intent on playing a role in the future of the cities and mentioned rebuilding it in his HoF speech.

All in all I'm not worried about them moving yet. Some good points have been made in the thread already and I think the big one is Vegas and Seattle already being in contention for expansion teams.

I'm not worried about them moving to Seattle for the reason you mentioned. I also don't believe that A-Rod wants to move the Wolves to Seattle. I think that's a total fabrication. A-Rod tried to buy the Mets. Obviously, he wasn't going to move the Mets to Seattle. The point is that A-Rod has apparently wanted to own a professional sports franchise. I tried to buy the Mets, but that fell through. Having failed to buy the team he wanted most, in his home town of New York, he has now joined with Lore to purchase the Timberwolves. It wasn't about some dream to bring an NBA team to Seattle - a place he hasn't lived for decades. It was about owning a professional sports team.

The problem KG has is a lack of resources. He doesn't have the money to get a significant stake in the franchise. And if I were Lore or A-Rod, I'd be reluctant to give KG any franchise control. It's hard to come up with a role for KG that he would embrace.

When Glen is out of the picture KG will come back get his jersey retired and all that unless they somehow do something to piss him off but that seems unlikely. I don't think it will be hard to get KG back just hanging around because I think he still loves the area etc and so they won't need to make a role for him just welcome him being around. KG did quell the idea of him being the next Celtics coach. Lol

Good points, Monster. I agree that KG would probably welcome an informal role with the franchise and that he'll finally have his jersey retired. He loves Minneapolis and still feels an attachment to the Wolves. As you noted, with Glen out of the way, the path to KG's return in some capacity is clear. My only point is that it's unlikely he'll return in an ownership role.

lipoli390 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

lipoli390 wrote:

TheGrey08 wrote:Not long after the announcement was made it was reported that A Rod wanted to bring Garnett into the ownership group so if the latest chatter is true it makes sense to hear they are in disagreement. I don't see KG getting involved if they are just going to move. He seems intent on playing a role in the future of the cities and mentioned rebuilding it in his HoF speech.

All in all I'm not worried about them moving yet. Some good points have been made in the thread already and I think the big one is Vegas and Seattle already being in contention for expansion teams.

I'm not worried about them moving to Seattle for the reason you mentioned. I also don't believe that A-Rod wants to move the Wolves to Seattle. I think that's a total fabrication. A-Rod tried to buy the Mets. Obviously, he wasn't going to move the Mets to Seattle. The point is that A-Rod has apparently wanted to own a professional sports franchise. I tried to buy the Mets, but that fell through. Having failed to buy the team he wanted most, in his home town of New York, he has now joined with Lore to purchase the Timberwolves. It wasn't about some dream to bring an NBA team to Seattle - a place he hasn't lived for decades. It was about owning a professional sports team.

The problem KG has is a lack of resources. He doesn't have the money to get a significant stake in the franchise. And if I were Lore or A-Rod, I'd be reluctant to give KG any franchise control. It's hard to come up with a role for KG that he would embrace.

When Glen is out of the picture KG will come back get his jersey retired and all that unless they somehow do something to piss him off but that seems unlikely. I don't think it will be hard to get KG back just hanging around because I think he still loves the area etc and so they won't need to make a role for him just welcome him being around. KG did quell the idea of him being the next Celtics coach. Lol

Good points, Monster. I agree that KG would probably welcome an informal role with the franchise and that he'll finally have his jersey retired. He loves Minneapolis and still feels an attachment to the Wolves. As you noted, with Glen out of the way, the path to KG's return in some capacity is clear. My only point is that it's unlikely he'll return in an ownership role.

I agree with the idea that KG isn't going to be involved in ownership any time soon. Basically my point was the only thing keeping KG from hanging around the franchise and getting his jersey retired is he hates Glen Taylor. I hope he is around some but I kinda hope he sticks with the media stuff and stays away from being involved in the business aspect of basketball. Mentoring some young players maybe doing some individual workouts? Sure sounds good. I think he shouldn't just do that for wolves players though. KG having a say in what happens with a team scares me to some extent. I just don't think that's his talent. That's not a knock on him as he has other talents related to the game that he can use and make money at. That's my take.