sjm34 wrote:thedoper wrote:
I didn't read this article as this GM thinks this is what is best for the Timberwolves. I read it as an opportunity for someone who has been working in the game to bitch about the state of the league with some candid honesty. For the overall betterment of the game Jimmy should be made a lesson in this instance. It's a shitty way for him to conduct business and shouldn't be rewarded by getting what he wants here. I also agree with the source wholeheartedly that we shouldn't be blindly trusting scoop oriented reports like Woj on the internal state of the Wolves when his sources are likely agents with a pro-player and not pro-fan agenda. The way the NBA is reported now you may as well relegate the whole league to 10 teams. It sucks. The situation has sucked for Minnesota since their inception but now there's no point in even hiding it. Star players want to leave the franchises that have given them often hundreds of millions of dollars and the national coverage lauds them for it. It's getting even harder to be a fan in a small market. I feel for New Orleans and Milwaukee. Their time is coming too and the media will praise them for going to LA. It's sad.
I agree Doper.
I would have no problem with the wolves playing hardball. If they can get something comparable to what they gave up to get him, fine. No way I take 50 cents on the dollar for him. If I was Thibs, I would tell his agent what we want, and let him find a deal to bring to us. If nothing else, it would show Jimmy that he isn't as highly sought after as he thinks, and that he would have been lucky to get a max offer from us.
Lip, if Jimmy sits out the season (without a valid reason or permission) he wouldn't a FA next season. I just read somewhere that he has 30 days from the start of camp (or longer when rehabbing) to show up, or he doesn't get credit for the season on his contract. Not sure how credible the source was because I honestly don't remember where I saw that.
You're right about what happens if Jimmy sits out without an excuse or permission. But he can probably find a medical excuse like elective surgery. Look what KL did. If not, then what have we gained? Butler would be even more pissed next season and players around the League (moreso their agents) would potentially blackball the Wolves.
Reports on the internal state of the Wolves have come from a lot of sources and date back many months even before the end of last season. And Thibodeau's repetition precedes him. It should go without saying that we shouldn't believe everything we read. But multiple consistent reports can't be ignored just because they might not be true. There are very few things in life we actually see or hear with our own eyes or ears. Most of our opinions and understandings come from the reports and interpretations of others.
Should the Wolves drive a hard bargain for Jimmy? Of course they should. But we need to be realistic about what we can get for him. He's a 29-year old with a history of missing games with injuries, he has only 1 year left on his contract with no way to guaranty he'll re-sign, and he has further cemented his reputation around the League as having a toxic impact on team chemistry. So while fans may get carried away with the emotion of the moment, our front office needs to be even-tempered, thoughtful and realistic even as they attempt to drive a hard bargain.
So yes, Thibodeau and Layden should be tough, determined negotiators. And I agree that it would make sense to be clear with Jimmy's agent on what we want and tell him to help the Wolves get it. But as I've said before, I'm more concerned about our front office driving a dumb bargain than I am about them driving a hard bargain. Reports that the Wolves are seeking financial savings via the Butler deal by offloading Dieng's contract are the reports that truly trouble me for the reasons I've already stated in other posts. That's my big concern. Otherwise, go ahead, Thibodeau, and be a hard-ass negotiator. Just don't be a dumb-ass negotiator!