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Year-Round News & Updates on the Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves had a two options heading into free agency (pertaining to Michael Beasley). 1.) Make him a qualifying offer, worth $8.1million--and a restricted free agent OR 2.) Don't make the QO and allow him to become an unrestricted free agent--free to sign with any team he pleases. Well, the Timberwolves...wisely...chose #2. Michael Beasley became an unrestricted free agent and he's already found a new home. Although Michael was adamant that he wanted to stay in Minnesota, it was clear after Rick Adelman's first year with the team--Beasley wasn't going to be a part of the TWolves core, moving forward. Michael Beasley is now a member of the Phoenix Suns and will likely be a part of their rebuilding process. There's a good chance he'll be Phoenix's starting small forward, next season, as well. I think we can all agree, now that Steve Nash is going to be a Laker, Grant Hill won't be returning to the Suns, for next season. Although Michael is getting that $8M a year, he didn't do too bad. Beasley will sign a reported 3-year $18million deal ($6million a year). Goran Dragic also, recently committed to signing with Phoenix. Their starting lineup could look like: Dragic, Dudley, Beasley, Frye, Gortat. They also have a rookie point guard in Kendall Marshall. I'm happy for Beasley, hopefully he'll find his niche in Phoenix. I'll be rooting for him 78 games, next year! That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES!
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A report from csnnw.com has stated that Portland Trailblazers restricted free agent Nicolas Batum has no interest in returning to Portland.
The reports states that Batum doesn't want to return to Portland "under any circumstances for a variety of reasons." Apparently, Nic told the Blazers he didn't want to return to the team, sometime Tuesday. Batum's agent and the Blazers attempted to negotiate an extension during the season, but they REALLY low-balled him with a $6million a year offer. The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly offered Batum (or will in the very near future) $45-$50million over four years. Batum's agent says they're willing to negotiate a sign-and-trade, in a deal that may include players and future draft picks. "Batum never wants to play in Portland again," the source said. "And has determined that Minnesota is the best for him and his family." This report was denied, late Tuesday, by Batum via Twitter. There's a good chance he could end up back in Portland, regardless. As the Blazers have remained adamant that they'll match any offer he receives. These next few days should be interesting... You've got to think the Blazers will be matching this offer, because if they don't, their starting small forward will be...Luke Babbitt? That's all for now, stay tuned for more, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Love is one of the nine players named to the final roster of Team USA.
Love joins LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Tyson Chandler. Seven finalists have dropped out due to injury, they include: Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Chauncey Billups, LaMarcus Aldridge, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. There are three spots left to fill and looking at the confirmed nine, Kevin Love could start...or at least play heavy minutes as one of the two TRUE big men on the roster (along w/Chandler). There will be six players vying for those final three spots. They are Clippers' Blake Griffin, Philly's Andre Iguodala, Memphis' Rudy Gay, Oklahoma City's James Harden, New Orleans' Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis. The three players who don't make the team will be alternates. I'd guess that Blake Griffin, Andre Iguodala and Rudy Gay will be making the team. Anthony Davis had to withdraw due to an ankle injury, Eric Gordon is coming off a season in which he played just nine games due to a knee injury and James Harden is coming off a disappointing postseason performance. All players will report to Las Vegas on Thursday. Training camp will start on Friday and run through July 12th. Stay tuned for more info these next few days. Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! At 11:01pmCT on June 30th, free agency officially got underway and since then, we've heard plenty of rumors and speculation surrounding the Minnesota Timberwolves. If nothing else, you've got to give the TWolves front office credit; they've been very active these past few days exploring a lot of different options and gauging a number of different players' interest. As of right now, the Minnesota Timberwolves have their eyes on about 8-10 players. Some, obviously, more prominent than others. That list as it stands now... Nicolas Batum, F-G, POR, RFA Brandon Roy, G-F, - , UFA Louis Williams, G, PHI, UFA O.J. Mayo, G, MEM, UFA Willie Green, G, ATL, UFA Jamal Crawford, G, POR, UFA Jordan Hill, F-C, LAL, UFA Greg Stiemsma, C-F, BOS, RFA Batum is the Timberwolves main target. Because he's a restricted free agent, any offer the Wolves make him can be matched by the Portland Trailblazers. The Timberwolves can't make an official offer until July 11th and after that the Blazers will have 3 days to match it (July 14th...presumably). The Wolves are preparing to offer him a 4-year $45-$50million contract. Because the Blazers plan on offering restricted free agent Roy Hibbert a max contract, there's a good chance they'd have to let Batum walk (assuming Indiana doesn't match...they did meet with Chris Kaman, yesterday). Batum would solve a lot of the problems for the Wolves, who have lacked a competent wing players since...well, let's just say a LONG while.
The second tier of players the Wolves have on their list are: Brandon Roy, Greg Stiemsma and Jordan Hill. The Wolves desperately need a backup big man. Hill is a former Rocket (and a former player for Coach Adelman). Reports say there is mutual interest between both parties, the same goes for Boston's Greg Stiemsma. Though, for both of those players it's been stated that their main desire is to remain with their teams from last season (LA & BOS). For Roy, he'll have a lot of offers from a number of contenders looking for Roy to be a sixth man/role player. He could start for Minnesota, though the Wolves will need to sign another capable shooting guard as Roy won't be able to handle more than 20-25 minutes a night...understandable when you don't have any cartilage in either of your knees. The remaining players are further on down the list, though, contact has been made between the team and their representatives. As of right now, the TWolves have met with: Batum, Roy, Stiemsma and Hill. The Timberwolves are remaining open to more trades as well. The name brought up the most? As always: Philadelphia's Andre Iguodala. You can add any number of decent shooting guards or small forwards (Memphis' Rudy Gay, Chicago's Luol Deng, Dallas' Shawn Marion, Denver's Wilson Chandler, Golden State's Dorrell Wright, Houston's Kevin Martin, Indiana's Danny Granger, Milwaukee's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Orlando's Jason Richardson or Sacramento's Tyreke Evans or Marcus Thornton...just to name...a few!). These next two weeks will be a flurry or rumors and speculation. Stay tuned to HOWL for all of it! Until then, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves made a call shortly after 11:01pmCT (which marked the beginning of NBA Free Agency) to Nicolas Batum, to make a 'serious offer'. Both sides have arranged to meet later today to discuss it further.
The rumored offer is around 4-years and $45-$50million a year. Because Batum is a restricted free agent, the Portland Trailblazers have the ability to match any offer he receives. Once the Timberwolves make an official offer, the Blazers will have three days to match it, otherwise, Batum could sign with Minnesota. The New Orleans Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs and the Toronto Raptors are also rumored to be interested. The Minnesota Timberwolves will also meet with both unrestricted free agent Jordan Hill and restricted free agent Greg Stiemsma, within the next 24 hours. The TWolves were also one of the five teams that contacted unrestricted free agent Jamal Crawford, last night to officially express their interest in him, no date has been set to meet as of yet. That's all for now, stay tuned for more, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! |
Cody AndersonA TWolves fan, bringing you the daily updates. News Archives
August 2017
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