The Italian Option
by Stop-n-Pop on Apr 21, 2008 6:35 AM CDT
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PrintSeeing that the Wolves have already thrown the door open to $1/game season ticket gimmicks, here's my contribution to the Let's Build the Blueprint (Insert Next Year's Marketing Slogan Here) extravaganza: the Italian Option. It only works if the Wolves pick 2nd 3rd-6th or lower. With no further delay, here it goes:
- Draft Danilo Gallinari.
- Trade $2.8 mil trade exception and one 2nd round pick to the Warriors for Marco Belinelli.
- Trade Rashad McCants, Marko Jaric + other 2nd rounder + Heat or Celtic 1st rounder to Toronto for Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries (honorary Italian), and the Raptors' 2008 1st rounder (currently 17th).
- Draft best available from list of honorary Italians (in order): CDR, Chase Budinger, or Joe Alexander.
- Re-sign Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes, and Chris Richard.
Next year's Italian Option lineup:
- Foye/Bassy
- (CDR/Budinger/Alexander)/Belinelli/Brewer
- Gallinari/Gomes/Brewer
- Jefferson/Humphries
- Bargnani/Richard
NOTE: I have conflicting sources for Humphries' 2008 salary availability. If he does not have a contract, substitute a sign-and-trade option or Joey Graham to keep the Italian Option in order.
Since the Wolves had trouble getting over 2,000 fans to watch their home games, they need to find new markets to sell their goods. Why not Italy? After all, when you're selling tickets that are cheaper than Apple Valley Eagle H.S. home games, something is amiss. The Wolves would be Italy's favorite NBA team. Ami i lupi!!!
Actually, I'd be more than happy with the Italian Option lineup. It has size and shooting: 2 things the current squad can't seem to put together.
Finally, the Italian Option fits one of the off-season's most important criteria: it's not hard on Glen's wallet. Entering the 2008-09 season the Italian Option would cost the Wolves roughly $62.1 million over 14 contracts (including draft picks). 47% of that amount would be locked up in buyouts and players who don't play (Walker, Buckner, Madsen). At the beginning of the 2009-10 season the Italian Option would cost the Wolves $49.7 million over 13 contracts (not counting the Wolves' top pick which may or may not end up in LA). 27% of this amount would be dedicated to buyouts and players who don't play.
PS: Since we're on the subject of Italian basketball, why not grab former Tar Heel Kris Lang? He played in the premier Italian league last year. Could he be any less effective than Chris Richard? Come on!!! Viva the Italian Option!!!
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Are you seriously saying the Wolves should pick Galinari over Beasley or Rose? Or does this only work if we pick 3rd or lower?
Also, I think Warriors fans would revolt if Mullin traded a 1st rounder for cash and a 2nd after just one year.
Lastly, Bargnani would get mauled in the post. I’d almost rather gasp play Al at the 5.
I’ll make the change about 3rd or lower. Beasley and Rose are still there. This is kind of tongue in cheek; my attempt to help the Wolves find new markets that are a bit more lucrative than the one they’re in. Once you’ve pissed off all the locals and started offering them $1 tickets, it’s time to find less cynical folks. However, even though I started it as a joke, the more and more I think about it, the more I like it.
I think the Warriors fans are used to having their 1st round picks abused by Nelly. O’Bryant, Wright, Belinelli…none of them play a lick and Belinelli is burried on the depth chart. That’s guaranteed money that will never get off the Warriors’ bench.
I agree that Bargnani would get mauled. He still has legit height and all he would need to do is give 25 minutes/game at the 5. Let Richard and Big Al handle the rest. Plus, he’s a perfect offensive big man compliment to Al; he won’t demand the ball in the post and clog up the lane.
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