Minnesota Sports Forum

The question I have had since I heard last week of the very bad blood between KG and the Wolves is this: why do the Wolves think they have any leverage at all to negotiate a buyout? They owe KG $8 million, and there's no logical reason for him to accept anything less. He's holding all the cards here. Glen needs to quit trying to save a few bucks, and pay KG $8 million to go away...far away. It's not about the roster space, because the guy that takes that 15th spot won't play much anyway. It's about getting rid of a very strong personality that could make things ugly this year if he stays around.

longstrangetrip wrote:The question I have had since I heard last week of the very bad blood between KG and the Wolves is this: why do the Wolves think they have any leverage at all to negotiate a buyout? They owe KG $8 million, and there's no logical reason for him to accept anything less. He's holding all the cards here. Glen needs to quit trying to save a few bucks, and pay KG $8 million to go away...far away. It's not about the roster space, because the guy that takes that 15th spot won't play much anyway. It's about getting rid of a very strong personality that could make things ugly this year if he stays around.

Jon K posted an article about the situation this morning. This was at the end but I found it the most interesting.

"The Timberwolves open training camp on Tuesday, and they still have not heard from Garnett despite repeated attempts to reach him.

The silence may tell them all they need to know."

I've gotten the idea that KG really has only communicated with Glen for a while now. That's not particularly helpful. Why should the Wolves be looking at a buyout? I don't really care if they pay him that whole money (not my money and they don't need cap space) but why should they have to pay a guy all that money for nothing? Remember KG negotiated this deal with no agent so if he doesn't use one for this buyout...good luck with that. Lol oh and if he isn't returning your phone calls as Jon K suggests well that's a pretty good negotiation technique. Lol Like Bleed said I'm sorta just ready to move on. KG ain't coming back I am ok with that and based on the info I have (his lack of communication etc) it's probably a good thing he isn't returning.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/94e09d8558b84022a61a013162898dd3/wolves-preparing-life-without-kevin-garnett

Edit:

One final thought is that KG likely had pretty much free reign from Sam last year to do and say pretty much what he wanted. All things considered that probably made a lot of sense last year. He wasn't going to have that kind of day this year Thibs was going to have his plan which makes sense. It seems more clear to me that KG is done whether he has come to accept it yet or not. His lack of communication as Jon writes says a lot.

longstrangetrip wrote:The question I have had since I heard last week of the very bad blood between KG and the Wolves is this: why do the Wolves think they have any leverage at all to negotiate a buyout? They owe KG $8 million, and there's no logical reason for him to accept anything less. He's holding all the cards here. Glen needs to quit trying to save a few bucks, and pay KG $8 million to go away...far away. It's not about the roster space, because the guy that takes that 15th spot won't play much anyway. It's about getting rid of a very strong personality that could make things ugly this year if he stays around.

Aren't the Wolves far below the salary floor which makes haggling with KG over the buyout amount a moot point? since Taylor still needs to pay up the difference at the end of the season to the players on the roster.

Brooklyn_Wolves wrote:

longstrangetrip wrote:The question I have had since I heard last week of the very bad blood between KG and the Wolves is this: why do the Wolves think they have any leverage at all to negotiate a buyout? They owe KG $8 million, and there's no logical reason for him to accept anything less. He's holding all the cards here. Glen needs to quit trying to save a few bucks, and pay KG $8 million to go away...far away. It's not about the roster space, because the guy that takes that 15th spot won't play much anyway. It's about getting rid of a very strong personality that could make things ugly this year if he stays around.

Aren't the Wolves far below the salary floor which makes haggling with KG over the buyout amount a moot point? since Taylor still needs to pay up the difference at the end of the season to the players on the roster.

I don't think so, Brooklyn, after they sign a 15th player. After signing Hill, Aldrich, Dunn and Rush, the Wolves were only about a million under the floor, so the 15th player who replaces KG will put them over the floor. Also, even if KG accepts a discount from the $8 million, doesn't the entire contract amount count against the cap anyway (I'm not sure about this. Anyone?).

I don't begrudge Taylor trying to appeal to KG with something like this: "Kevin, you don't need the money and you can't play...why not take $4 million to go away?". After all, $4 million is real money, even to a guy like Taylor. I don't expect KG to take anything less than the $8 million that he is owed, but it's worth a shot. I expect this will be resolved in the next couple days with KG walking away with no discount.

As far as leverage goes you don't have to pay a guy who doesn't show up. KG obviously doesn't want to be there so Glenn has that leverage. Ultimately KG's decision is to take a discount or show up and sit at the end of the bench because This doesn't want him there to begin with.

TheSP wrote:As far as leverage goes you don't have to pay a guy who doesn't show up. KG obviously doesn't want to be there so Glenn has that leverage. Ultimately KG's decision is to take a discount or show up and sit at the end of the bench because This doesn't want him there to begin with.

KG's contract is guaranteed. They have to pay him unless he says otherwise. It's obviously not a simple situation but I don't think Glen and the Wolves have a lot of leverage. The only way I see them having leverage is if KG wants to play somewhere else or if he wants to officially file retirement papers and that somehow would affect how much money he would get which I don't care enough to look up how that works.

Yeah, KG can just say "If you guys are saying I need to show up to collect my $8 million, I'll sit there on the bench with a sour face and continue to be the team cancer I've been since you fired Sam. Pay me the $8 million in full and up front, or suffer the consequences.". He has Glen completely over the barrel.

The only leverage Glen has is if KG values his legacy. So far this summer the Wolves have protected KG and not let the public know what a petulant jerk he has been (what is it about Wolves named Kevin?). Maybe Glen is saying, "KG, give me a $4 million discount, and I'll keep my mouth shut about what a dink you're being, and even give you a retirement celebration at TC where you can wave to your adoring fans who still think you are a hero. If you want the entire $8 million, I'm done protecting you...your fans will find out from me who you really are. What's that legacy worth to you, Kevin".

Not pretty, but that's what I think is happening at 600 1st Avenue this week.

So after a bit of reading if KG voluntarily retires his salary still counts and if the Wolves argued to let him retire he would not be able to play again for one year for any other team unless the get a unanimous vote from the NBA board of governors (I wonder who the chair of that is...lol). So that's the bit of leverage Glen and the Wolves have they can sort of control what he does unless he takes a buyout. If KG wants to completely cut loose and have some options open if he decides a few months down the road he wants to sign with the Clippers he could if he does the buyout.

I got my Info from question 63 and then the link to question 79.

http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q63

So it makes sense that KG is pursuing the buyout option. It makes sense the Wolves are likely asking him to take less than his full salary since he won't be playing for them this year. How much of a discount will they agree on? Idk I don't expect it to be a whole lot but I guess I can see it being something. As I have said before don't hold your breath for the news. Lol

Good stuff, monster. That gives a different take than before about what's happening.

Knowns:

1) The Wolves owe KG a guaranteed $8 million
2) The relationship between KG and the Wolves is severely broken

Assumed:

1) KG would like to and thinks he is able to play one more year.
2) There's no way that one more year will be at TC.

All that said, and adding in monster's research on retirement, it's fairly easy to guess what's going on. Glen is a tough negotiator, and if he really believes KG wants to play for Doc in LA, he's driving a hard bargain. He's likely trying to negotiate at least a 50% discount if KG want to go play for the Clippers. Glen is smart enough to know KG's ego and desire to play another year is greater than his need for more money, and he's going to work that angle. I think KG will eventually relent, but is probably pouting right now about having to leave money on the table for a franchise he now hates.

The quicker this drama ends, the better.

Taylor can end the drama. What is he fighting for? He's not going to spend the money he saves. He is and has always been a passive aggressive idiot. I'll bet the farm Taylor publicly shit talks Garnett when this is done. Taylor has been a cancer to this team. I am sure he offered KG an ownership stake at some point, that news was too out there to not have legs. Then he said he had never considered it to the media. What is the point of going public with that. Taylor has always loved to air these things to the media. The guy is a weasel. Be the bigger man and just give KG what he wants if he really has a direct line to him.