Minnesota Sports Forum

We've had an open roster slot all season. Now Butler's out for the rest of the season and possibly the playoffs. So I'll call the question. Should the Wolves add a player to the roster and, if so, who?

Even before Butler's injury, our biggest need has been more depth at the wing position. That's why I was surprised that we didn't pursue signing Belinelli. Maybe he communicated to the Wolves that he had no interest coming here. In any event, that ship has sailed. Meanwhile, I can't think of any current free agents, wings or otherwise, worth signing. I wouldn't touch Rose with a 10-foot pole. We have absolutely no need for another PG and Rose is damaged goods both above and below the neck.

So the only chance the Wolves have at adding a quality player to the roster yet this season would be another player buyout. Who might that be? It was reported yesterday that Atlanta is in the process of buying out Ilyasova's contract. The report said that the Hawks want to give him a chance to catch on with a contender this season. Yet, Ilyasova apparently doesn't have the Wolves on his list of possible destinations. So we're still not a desired destination even though we're tied for 3rd in the West. Go figure.

Here are a couple players I'd like to see us sign if they're released:

1. Tyreke Evans -- In my ideal world, the Grizzlies would buy out Tyreke Evans' contract and the Wolves would sign him. The Grizzlies are going nowhere and should be in full rebuild mode. The 27-year old Tyreke can't possibly fit that franchise going forward. I'd like the see the Grizzlies show Tyreke the same courtesy the Hawks have shown Belinelli and Ilyasova. If that happened, the Wolves should be at the top of his short list given the chance he'd have in Butler's absence to step into a major role for a playoff contender.

2. J. Noah -- At some point the Knicks just need to bite the bullet and buy-out Noah. They're deluding themselves if they think they'll find a trading partner after the season -- not with his contract. I'd like to see Noah compromise a bit on a buyout that would give him the chance to sign with a contender this season. I would think he'd like the chance to rejoin Thibs, Taj and Jimmy for the chance to make the playoffs this season. I don't know how much Noah has left in his tank, but he was still putting up good numbers before the Knicks banished him. I still suspect he's a good defender. I love his competitiveness and he knows Thibs' system. He also brings playoff experience. He's not a wing, so he's not ideal. But I'd still like to sign him for the rest of this season if he became available.

In my ideal world, we'd sign both and release Bazz or MGH to make room. But in the real works, it's unlikely we'll sign either. :(

Any thoughts on possible buy-out candidates to sign yet this season?

TheSP is available! Of course I'm rusty (which is the polite way of saying "I completely lack basketball skill") and out of shape (fat), but I am a great teammate! They don't even have to pay me, just offer plenty pizza with pineapple on it and I'll be there!

Tony Allen.
We could use his defensive chops and toughness.

noah if he gets bought out.

dieng and kat are both soft and have a tough time defending. noah can help for a few minutes a game.

fyi, ily is almost gone to the 6ers. No one seems to have us on their list outside of former bulls.

The deadline for guys to be waived and be eligible for the playoffs is coming up Thursday. There should be some resolution pretty quickly for players on other teams that. Wings seem to be the no brainer type for this team to add but a stretch 4 would be nice also. Ilyasova would have been nice but he obviously really liked playing in Philly. That's a good spot for him and the Sixers.

Tyreke Evans is the dream. The Grizz didn't want to trade him a few weeks ago for some 2nd rounders. They really wanted to keep him. He fits with Memphis...because they refuse to rebuild (except they did get a 2nd for James Ennis). You have to hope there is a spot Evans REALLY wants to go to the Wolves. I'm not holding out hope even though it does make sense.

Tony Allen? Honestly I'm surprised he is still available.

Vince Carter yep he is old and all that but it feels like the guy could still give some solid minutes and can even play as a small PF.

Richard Jefferson if Denver has any interest in buying him out?

Anthony Morrow

Is Dunlevey wanting to play?

Derrick Williams?

At some point down this list I think to myself "might as well play the guys on the roster and see if they can help". That's not because I am super excited about MGH, Bazz and even Anthony Brown it's just that some of these guys aren't that exciting. Brown is a guy that should get a chance. He in theory can take and make 3's has played in the league before and has nice length due to his 6'11" wingspan.

At this point, I doubt we add anyone. Should have made moves before the deadline and even after when Belinelli was released. That window of opportunity is closed. It'll either be the guys we have now or perhaps we add Anthony Brown and hope for lightning in a bottle. It appears management doesn't think we need any help.

I think the play from Thibs perspective was always get the team playoff experience without a huge concern for pushing it past that. Wiggins and Towns are going to get a taste of playoff basketball and hopefully that will get them to continue to develop their games to the next level.

Anthony Bennett

BizarroJerry wrote:Anthony Bennett

So...I couldn't help but look him up and his stats are interesting so I thought I would share. After Boston acquired him for their G-league team in 14 games he has hoisted up 7.6 3's a game in about 33 mpg and hitting over 45% of them he was hitting them at over 40% with his previous team also. It's crazy how the game has changed.

monsterpile wrote:The deadline for guys to be waived and be eligible for the playoffs is coming up Thursday. There should be some resolution pretty quickly for players on other teams that. Wings seem to be the no brainer type for this team to add but a stretch 4 would be nice also. Ilyasova would have been nice but he obviously really liked playing in Philly. That's a good spot for him and the Sixers.

Tyreke Evans is the dream. The Grizz didn't want to trade him a few weeks ago for some 2nd rounders. They really wanted to keep him. He fits with Memphis...because they refuse to rebuild (except they did get a 2nd for James Ennis). You have to hope there is a spot Evans REALLY wants to go to the Wolves. I'm not holding out hope even though it does make sense.

Tony Allen? Honestly I'm surprised he is still available.

Vince Carter yep he is old and all that but it feels like the guy could still give some solid minutes and can even play as a small PF.

Richard Jefferson if Denver has any interest in buying him out?

Anthony Morrow

Is Dunlevey wanting to play?

Derrick Williams?

At some point down this list I think to myself "might as well play the guys on the roster and see if they can help". That's not because I am super excited about MGH, Bazz and even Anthony Brown it's just that some of these guys aren't that exciting. Brown is a guy that should get a chance. He in theory can take and make 3's has played in the league before and has nice length due to his 6'11" wingspan.

We have an open roster spot and I think we should use it with Jimmy out at least until the playoffs. But I don't think we'll end up signing anyone. Thibs was quoted today saying they're always looking but he likes the guys he has. So it would seem that you and Thibs are on the same page. And although I'd sign someone, I'm not sure any realistically available players would make a significant difference for the team beyond what we might get from Anthony Brown.

Tyreke would be the perfect fit, but his release is a pipe dream. He apparently likes it there and, as you pointed out, the Grizzlies seem oddly resistant to acknowledging their need to rebuild. So if the Wolves are inclined to sign someone, my favorite from your list would be Tony Allen. If not him, then I'd probably pursue Morrow, Dunlevey, Williams, Carter and Jefferson in that order.

Apparently, the Sixers are going to buy out Booker's contract to make room for Ilyasova. Should the Wolves sign Booker. It's not a position of need, but I like his rebounding and toughness at the PF position.