Bjelica Close

[Lipoli390]

I think Flip has shown over time that we should take him at his word. And his word was that he did not think we need a vet PG. Instead he said he's comfortable with Tyus and LaVine as our backups at PG. So I wouldn't waste any time or effort speculating on who we might sign as a 3rd PG.

As for Bjelica, I think it's a certainty that we'll sign him. Two reasons. First, Jon Kraw is the most plugged-in reliable Wolves reporter in town by far. Second, Flip said that Bjelica would have been a top 10 pick if he had been in this year's draft. On this second point, I can't imagine Flip passing on the chance to sign what would be another top 10 talent in this year's draft - especially for no more than the MLE.

I think only four roster-related questions remain for this summer:

1. Will the Wolves re-sign/extend Hummel?
2. Will the Wolves re-sign/extend Hamilton?
2. Will the Wolves deal or buy out Budinger?
3. Will the Wolves deal Bennett?

Regarding the first two questions, I'm guessing the Wolves will re-sign Hummel but not Hamilton.

Regarding the last two, the challenge will be finding a team willing to give us an equivalent non-guaranteed contract in return. Not sure who that might be. And I would hope Flip doesn't have to give up a future pick to entice another team into such a deal. Ultimately, I think Flip will trade at least one of them this summer and I suspect Bennett is the most likely candidate. Having said that, Flip has shown he can be very patient so I can see him waiting until next Feb to deal either one or both.

[60WinTim]

Good summary, lip. I believe you are misinterpreting Flip's comment about the PG position. Last year a backup PG was needed, so landing Mo Williams was a priority. With Tyus on board, it is only a question mark on the 3rd PG - is it LaVine, or somebody else. No reason to rush on this decision.

I will be mildly surprised if Flip goes into the season with LaVine pegged as the 3rd PG.

And the deadline for extending qualifying offers is June 30th. So we will know that one pretty quick!

[mjs34]

I agree with Lip, and I thought I read somewhere that Flip had already addressed it and stated Jones and Lavine would be the back ups.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

I thought Flip's comment indicated that he was not going to look for a 3rd PG, but will instead rely on LaVine for spot minutes at the 1 if/when needed. He played him a TON there last year, and like Lip says, Flip is a straight shooter, so I expect that will be the case. The real question is if Rubio goes down again, whether Flip would pick up a veteran backup, or really just rely on Tyus and LaVine. I think that would probably be a mistake (unless Tyus REALLY impresses me), but he went with LaVine last year at the point, and Tyus is more ready to run it, so I could see him letting those two take all the minutes at the 1 next year. That would be putting Tyus through the same wringer LaVine went through last year though, so I'd be ready to bring in a vet if it was hurting the team too much and not helping Tyus and LaVine (who I think should play almost entirely at the 2).

[Phenom]

Rubio aint going down again.

[mjs34]

With our luck, Pek will roll his ankle and fall on Towns and Rubio!

[mjs34]

just saw this on Hoopshype

Euroleague star Nemanja Bjelica is in serious discussions with the Minnesota Timberwolves on an approximate three-year, $12 million-plus deal, but the two sides have been exploring all options, league sources told RealGM.

I like him more at 12 mil than 15.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/238432/Nemanja-Bjelica-Timberwolves-Discuss-Three-Year-Deal-While-Exploring-Options

You never know with these Euros. You could end up with Vesely or Mirotic.

But watching videos of this guy makes me feel pretty good about bringing him over. Style-wise, Bjelica seems closer to Vesely (Mirotic is just such a damn good outside shooter), but the fact that he seems to be able to do a little of everything makes me feel safer about him. Can pass, shoot, finish ok at the rim (though I don't see him going up against a lot of shot blockers), can put the ball on the deck, runs the floor, his long arms look useful defensively even if he's a little slow. He's probably not going to get seriously exploited. Maybe could even play a little 3 depending on the opponent's SF. Should be able to come in and fit into some different team needs--rebounder, passer, shooter to stretch the floor a bit. I'm looking forward to seeing this guy.

[mjs34]

It would definitely be an upgrade over Hummel or Hamilton.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

I think Flip is hoping that he can get 15-20 minutes from Pek this next season. I certainly don't see him getting more than 20. But I also think the front office has serious doubts about whether Pek will be able to contribute anything. We may have a Brandon Roy retirement situation on our hands.

Here's where the ghost of David Kahn still haunts us. If Pek doesn't retire, but can't contribute decent minutes even on a limited basis, we are stuck with a big untradable contract for 3 more seasons. That's a $12 million cap hit each of those seasons. Short of retirement, the only mechanism for getting Pek's salary off the cap count would be the one-time amnesty option in the CBA. Unfortunately, Kahn already used it on Darko when Kahn was desperately trying to clear cap space to sign Roy and make his meaningless offer to Batum.

As I said at the time, the Darko signing was one of the most idiotic moves I've ever seen in professional sports. Darko was already a well-established bust and no other NBA team wanted the guy. He was about to go back to Europe before Kahn jumped in and gave him a multi-year $5 million per year guaranteed contract.

So nice to have Flip in charge! I had my doubts about Flip at the beginning, but he's proven himself and then some as head of basketball ops. I may not agree with everything he has done (Payne trade and selling pick #27 two years ago), but I am confident that all his decisions are well grounded in solid analysis and thorough research. And I have a lot of confidence in his judgment.

The amnesty provision is only for deals made under the previous CBA which Pek's deal latest deal did not come before. It was either last year or the year before that there were no more amnesty options available anywhere in the league.