Minnesota Sports Forum

CoolBreeze44 wrote:I like to use Portland as a means of comparison. I think most would place Portland as a shoo-in for the playoffs at this point. And I don't see why we should take a back seat to them going forward. In fact it will be a big disappointment to me if we finish behind them this year. I honestly think spots 4 - 11 are wide open in the West, and I guess I'm optimistically placing us ahead of all those teams. Again, this group is ready to make a move - why not this year?

If this is the year Wiggins or towns solidifies themselves as a star, then I'd agree. As it stands, we are not a better tea m than Portland. They have an established star, an emerging one, and have proven they can win. Currently, we just have the emerging star thing going for us.

As for the Westbrook trade/leaving I think you're a bit off. No way Westbrook is more of a villain than Durant if he leaves next year. They lost Durant for nothing to their biggest rival, nobody will blame Westbrook for moving on now. OKC has no trade leverage but they can trade him anywhere, they don't need his approval. The only reason they would is if he would agree to an extension somewhere as that would create leverage for OKC to get more assets, but he's not signing anywhere. LA is not going to give up Ingram to get him when it's likely Westbrook will go there next season anyhow. Boston is not going to give up crowder, smart, and the nets picks for a possible year rental. Clarkson, Young sure. Smart, 1 first sure. Most likely he stays in OKC this season and terminates the league. I want to see a season averaged triple double damnit!

TheFuture wrote:

CoolBreeze44 wrote:I like to use Portland as a means of comparison. I think most would place Portland as a shoo-in for the playoffs at this point. And I don't see why we should take a back seat to them going forward. In fact it will be a big disappointment to me if we finish behind them this year. I honestly think spots 4 - 11 are wide open in the West, and I guess I'm optimistically placing us ahead of all those teams. Again, this group is ready to make a move - why not this year?

If this is the year Wiggins or towns solidifies themselves as a star, then I'd agree. As it stands, we are not a better tea m than Portland. They have an established star, an emerging one, and have proven they can win. Currently, we just have the emerging star thing going for us.

As for the Westbrook trade/leaving I think you're a bit off. No way Westbrook is more of a villain than Durant if he leaves next year. They lost Durant for nothing to their biggest rival, nobody will blame Westbrook for moving on now. OKC has no trade leverage but they can trade him anywhere, they don't need his approval. The only reason they would is if he would agree to an extension somewhere as that would create leverage for OKC to get more assets, but he's not signing anywhere. LA is not going to give up Ingram to get him when it's likely Westbrook will go there next season anyhow. Boston is not going to give up crowder, smart, and the nets picks for a possible year rental. Clarkson, Young sure. Smart, 1 first sure. Most likely he stays in OKC this season and terminates the league. I want to see a season averaged triple double damnit!

Boston will almost certainly make that offer for Westbrook and would probably offer more. Ainge is confident in the ability to convince players to stay and has been willing to trade for stars on one year deals before and paying a high price to do so.

You think they'd trade crowder, smart, and 2 likely top 8 picks for Westbrook? Crowder is one of the biggest bargain in the league right now, he holds a lot of value.

TheFuture wrote:You think they'd trade crowder, smart, and 2 likely top 8 picks for Westbrook? Crowder is the biggest bargain in the league right now, he holds a lot of value.

For Westbrook? Yes. Ainge craves stars and there are none in that proposal. The Brooklyn picks don't guarantee to be great.

They added horford to a 48 win playoff team and lost nothing. Trading 2 core pieces and 2 pieces that will help them improve/sustain future success would be a bad mistake, especially when OKC holds little leverage. I don't think anyone briefed Westbrook is in OKZc for more than one more year.

I don't think Ainge would think twice about it.

slimcalhoun27 wrote:

TRKO wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:Any signings today? Ricky, Monster??

Gerald Henderson to the 76ers. 2 years 18 million.

This is a solid pickup for 76ers. Was my top free agent hopeful for the Wolves at SG.

Yeah that's a really solid signing. I think the Wolves would have been in on Gerald if he was more of a shooter. The 6ers hav my exactly blown FA out of the water but it's gotta be tough to get anyone to go there. If the Womves may be having problems getting some guys to sign as it has been mentioned by respected people on Twitter man Philly is really screwed. They needed guards and perimeter players and now the have Henderson Bayless and Sergio. That's some solid vets that can play. I wouldn't be surprised if Sergio ends up being a big time bargain. None of those guys are signed for big money of for a significant amount of time. If the Sixers can take a step forward in respectability they might be able to attract someone decent or maybe they have some of the answers on the roster or be able to move a bigs for perimeter guys.

Doogie says Wolves inquired today about Brandon Rush. Never interested in Curry or Henderson.

monsterpile wrote:

slimcalhoun27 wrote:

TRKO wrote:

BizarroJerry wrote:Any signings today? Ricky, Monster??

Gerald Henderson to the 76ers. 2 years 18 million.

This is a solid pickup for 76ers. Was my top free agent hopeful for the Wolves at SG.

Yeah that's a really solid signing. I think the Wolves would have been in on Gerald if he was more of a shooter. The 6ers hav my exactly blown FA out of the water but it's gotta be tough to get anyone to go there. If the Womves may be having problems getting some guys to sign as it has been mentioned by respected people on Twitter man Philly is really screwed. They needed guards and perimeter players and now the have Henderson Bayless and Sergio. That's some solid vets that can play. I wouldn't be surprised if Sergio ends up being a big time bargain. None of those guys are signed for big money of for a significant amount of time. If the Sixers can take a step forward in respectability they might be able to attract someone decent or maybe they have some of the answers on the roster or be able to move a bigs for perimeter guys.

I like Henderson as well, but not at the likely price at 8ish mil considering he signed with philly for 9.

Still a bit concerned on the lack of moves by us since the market has moved down to the 4-10 mil range. Hopefully we see a signing today.

Kuzminskas signs with the Knicks.