Minnesota Sports Forum

A show on ESPN where guys take turns talking, "around the Horn" was discussing the draft. One question was, would the prize picks rather go to Minny or the Lakers? One had a pretty good response, "the Lakers themselves left Minnesota, why should these guys apologize?". They all agreed going to Minny would not be the end of the world, but all agreed any top pick 19 years old would rather be in LA.

I'm waiting for one of the top choices to go diva through his agent and tell us to pass.

Even a 19 year old should realize playing next to a rising star like Wiggins is much better than playing next to a broke down one in Kobe. It's cold in Chicago and New York too.

That's not breaking news.

None of the top prospects will "go diva" on the Wolves. First of all, they have no leverage. They can't hold out and get paid. They're not going to give up nearly $6 million to play in Hollywood rather than Minnesota. Further, the opportunity to develop along side last season's rookie of the year and other top young talent has an allure of its own that the Lakers can't offer. So I'm not worried at all. Towns has already come out and said he'd be honored to play for the Wolves.

Is there anything to be said for living in Minnesota on a Rookie contract as opposed to living in LA? Endorsements will come after the player proves himself, but until then it's a hell of alot easier to be a small time millionaire in the midwest than it is in LA. After taxes and paying the agent the "crumbs" left over would be much easier to handle in Minneapolis than Hollywood.

PorkChop wrote:Is there anything to be said for living in Minnesota on a Rookie contract as opposed to living in LA? Endorsements will come after the player proves himself, but until then it's a hell of alot easier to be a small time millionaire in the midwest than it is in LA. After taxes and paying the agent the "crumbs" left over would be much easier to handle in Minneapolis than Hollywood.

The best players are going to get endorsements. Kevin Durant is a perfect example.

TRKO wrote:

PorkChop wrote:Is there anything to be said for living in Minnesota on a Rookie contract as opposed to living in LA? Endorsements will come after the player proves himself, but until then it's a hell of alot easier to be a small time millionaire in the midwest than it is in LA. After taxes and paying the agent the "crumbs" left over would be much easier to handle in Minneapolis than Hollywood.

The best players are going to get endorsements. Kevin Durant is a perfect example.

I agree, but guys like Durant or LeBron were seen as much more of a sure thing than this class.. I don't see Nike putting all there eggs in a basket for a guy like Towns who is still described as a "huge potential" player.

PorkChop wrote:

TRKO wrote:

PorkChop wrote:Is there anything to be said for living in Minnesota on a Rookie contract as opposed to living in LA? Endorsements will come after the player proves himself, but until then it's a hell of alot easier to be a small time millionaire in the midwest than it is in LA. After taxes and paying the agent the "crumbs" left over would be much easier to handle in Minneapolis than Hollywood.

The best players are going to get endorsements. Kevin Durant is a perfect example.

I agree, but guys like Durant or LeBron were seen as much more of a sure thing than this class.. I don't see Nike putting all there eggs in a basket for a guy like Towns who is still described as a "huge potential" player.

I think that's the case weather he plays here or LA though. I don't think the market matters to endorsement companies, the skill of the player does.

LIP--Towns has already come out and said he'd be honored to play for the Wolves.

Good to hear that!

lipoli390 wrote:None of the top prospects will "go diva" on the Wolves. First of all, they have no leverage. They can't hold out and get paid. They're not going to give up nearly $6 million to play in Hollywood rather than Minnesota. Further, the opportunity to develop along side last season's rookie of the year and other top young talent has an allure of its own that the Lakers can't offer. So I'm not worried at all. Towns has already come out and said he'd be honored to play for the Wolves.

Good call Flip, I didn't know Towns said that. I was just about to say that I was just reading a Towns interview in the NY Post from May 18th (before the Wolves got #1) in which Towns says, in response to how excited he would be to go #1, he said he'll just be excited to be in the NBA and would be happy to play anywhere.

Also, Towns isn't going to spurn the Wolves as Adrian Wojrumormonger suggests as a possibility. Towns grew up a Knicks fan, so I'm sure playing for their biggest rival city isn't a priority for him.