Taylor, Kaplan talks on Wolves ownership hit wall

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/03/04/ap-source-taylor-kaplan-talks-on-wolves-ownership-hit-wall-2/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcsAP source: Taylor, Kaplan talks on Wolves ownership hit wall

"The standstill could have ramifications in Minnesota.

Both sides were hoping to complete a deal before the end of the season to allow Kaplan to come aboard and give input into several major decisions facing the franchise. Two of the biggest are the fates of GM Milt Newton and coach Sam Mitchell, both of whom are essentially working on an interim basis after taking over for Flip Saunders, who was both president of basketball operations and coach before he died in October from Hodgkin's lymphoma."

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Ugh.....probably means Taylor takes the path of least resistance by choosing stability over change: That means keeping Newton and Mitchell in place.

[Monster]

Ugh.....probably means Taylor takes the path of least resistance by choosing stability over change: That means keeping Newton and Mitchell in place.

That's very possible. I wish LST was able to post and give his feelings because he is basically the only person on this board that was all in on Sam as the current and future coach. I'd be interested in whether he still believes or not.

As for me I don't believe Sam is the answer however I could see some merit in him staying another year. The team has clearly been playing better lately and sure they have dropped a couple games that were ugly but they are either winning or staying in a lot of games where they are playing guys (all but Prince and Rubio) with 3 years or less experience. They are staying in games playing a 19 year old PG as the back up. It feels to me when Inwatch games guys look more loose and comfortable. Would I rather see another coach other than Sam and probably another top level Basketball front office person take over the team? Yes. I have more Faith in Milt being the guy than Sam but I do wonder if Sam can be the coach for another year and it will be alright especially if they brought in some defensive assistant. As I have said numerous times other than Thibs I just don't feel there is a guy I feel is a no-brainer. Last year I would have liked Hoiberg and Malone and Thibs too and it seems like there is another young guy I am forgetting.

Anyway I know most people are pounding their fist for Sam to be gone and that's a perfectly reasonable stance. Let's see how this team finishes up. When was the last time the wolves had a re-re-re-re-build team that finished strong when they weren't actually playing for anything? It seems they usually end up being brutally bad when it comes to the wins/loss column. So I'm gonna be curious how this plays out but mostly it's nice to watch a team that seems to be playing watchable basketball the last stretch of games. That could end up turning around in a bad way though.

[Carlos Danger]

http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/03/04/ap-source-taylor-kaplan-talks-on-wolves-ownership-hit-wall-2/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcsAP source: Taylor, Kaplan talks on Wolves ownership hit wall

"The standstill could have ramifications in Minnesota.

Both sides were hoping to complete a deal before the end of the season to allow Kaplan to come aboard and give input into several major decisions facing the franchise. Two of the biggest are the fates of GM Milt Newton and coach Sam Mitchell, both of whom are essentially working on an interim basis after taking over for Flip Saunders, who was both president of basketball operations and coach before he died in October from Hodgkin's lymphoma."

Giving up control is going to be the biggest stumbling block IMO. Reports I've read indicate Taylor like's to run the show. Selling an interest to a minority owner without giving that new owner a voice in decision making (like coach and GM) isn't going to make anyone reach for their checkbooks to close the deal. This has been going on for years. If Taylor wants to sell, he needs to sell and get out of the way. But he wants to sell and still be "the guy" from the reports I've read.

[bleedspeed]

CD - I completely agree. I am sure the stake requires that they will be given the opportunity to buy the majority share when he sells, but Kaplan is already in that boat with the Griz. Why would he want to be in the same position here? I think he is finding it ties his hands to a degree.

[thedoper]

If it has anything to do with keeping Mitchell and Newton then Taylor really is a total moron. Not that I've ever felt any differently.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

LOL. get ready for at least another season of Sam Mitchell. And since he wants a scoring PG it means Rubio is on the way out, and since the replacement will most likely come in the draft get ready for another season of losing.
It will never end until Taylor bites the dust...

[Phenom]

The way that I read it made me think that the problem is on the Grizzlies end, not between Taylor and Kaplan. I always suspected that Taylor would have to allow the future owner to have some say in decision making to generate a buyer and this article supports that.

I hope Kaplan can get out of Memphis soon.

[Carlos Danger]

The way that I read it made me think that the problem is on the Grizzlies end, not between Taylor and Kaplan. I always suspected that Taylor would have to allow the future owner to have some say in decision making to generate a buyer and this article supports that.

I hope Kaplan can get out of Memphis soon.

Phenom - the local version of this story (from the Strib) has a slightly different angle which is consistent with reports I've read in the past. Here's from today's Strib:

"Last week, Taylor called negotiations to sell 30 percent of the team at a "standstill" while Kaplan pursues selling his ownership stake in the Memphis Grizzlies. NBA rules prohibit owning parts of two teams.

That matter won't be a deal breaker if other issues can be resolved, according to the person. Among them: How much voice the new minority ownership group will have in vital decisions concerning the franchise, the sheer complexity of such a sales agreement and whether Taylor, who has owned the team since 1994, will really sell a business he loves when it comes to putting pen to paper."

Source: http://www.startribune.com/wolves-looking-to-add-another-player/371010871/

[Monster]

I am listening to Jon K and Souhan's podcast and the issue is basically the Grizzlies owner making it hard for Kaplan to get out. I think we have heard enough about that guy to know that's probably the case. Jon seems to think the deal between Kaplan and Glen is not dead but on life support. He also says that he really thinks that Kaplan would have had some real input this summer if he would have been able to get out of his stake with the Grizzlies and make the deal with Glen.

The deal with Glen wanting to sell to me seems that he wants an exit strategy because nobody in his family wants the franchise when he is gone. You have to wonder if Flip's passing made him make more concessions for a monority owner coming on to ride shotgun than he was before and obviously when Flip was here he probably felt more comfortable with waiting a bit. Should Glen flat out sell? Maybe he should but I also can't blame him for wanting to keep ownership of a franchise finally looking like it may be turning around. He k owns the feeling of that with the Lynx I'm sure he would like to turn things around with the Wolves.