Wolves Camp Roster Coming Into Blurry Focus

by wyn on Sep 27, 2008 9:48 AM CDT

Yes, that is who you think it is.

Jerry Zgoda has a blog post and a story about some roster goings-on as we approach the start of training camp (Sep. 30 - Oct. 4 at Mankato State):

[The Wolves] remain in contract discussions with free-agent guard Shaun Livingston.

Chris Richard also is expected to sign the team's qualifying offer before Tuesday's opening practice.

[Blake] Ahearn ... is a candidate to earn a job as a third point guard ... The Wolves also likely will sign another guard to their training-camp roster by Monday.

He also mentions Rafael Araujo is going to be in camp. Do not be fooled. Unless he is a different Rafael Araujo than the 2004 lottery pick, he's not good. I would bet the only reason Araujo's getting the big man invite is because he knows Wolves Assistant General Manager Rob Babcock (Babcock is the GM that used the #8 pick in 2004 on Hoffa). Seriously, go look at that 2004 draft list and tell me why Babcock would want to open the door to reminders of that draft pick.

But back to the point at hand. By my count, the Wolves have 14 players under contract. If Richard signs his qualifying offer, it becomes a one-year contract and that would make 15. Then they're bringing in Ahearn, Araujo, maybe Livingston and another guard?

If one of Ahearn, Livingston or another guard is brought on as the third point guard (which would be advisable given the injury histories of Foye and Telfair), that would make the roster 16.

See what I'm getting at? If Richard (who seems to have handled the team stringing him along all summer very well) and another guard are signed, someone's gotta go. If I were a betting man I'd say Calvin Booth would be the one to go.

But, fear not Wolves fans, all this training camp talk means the season is nearly upon us.

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Araujo's

the guy Babcock drafted for my other favourite team one pick before…Andre Iguodala. Ouch. That’s the move that got Babcock fired. Three years later (i.e. asap given his contract) Araujo was playing in Russia.

Nothing against Araujo, who knows, maybe he’s improved. Really nice, funny guy too – really gregarious Brazilian dude. And I know guys get invited to camp to don’t really have a shot at making the team – kind of like a sparring partner I guess? But like Wyn says, he’s not good – unless he’s improved dramatically, he’s just not an NBA player. And like Wyn, I have to wonder why Babcock would want to do this – why would you want to bring that kind of attention to yourself?

Anyways I should stop typing, you need bodies at camp and I guess that’s what they’re trying to do, and maybe Araujo really has improved.

by plinytheelder on Sep 27, 2008 11:11 AM CDT 0 recs

Can’t see Livingston not getting the “16th” roster spot if he signs. The Ahearn+other guard+Araujo thing is only in case Livingston doesn’t sign .. and if he does we can take a look at them and keep it in mind for the future.

Booth is indeed the most logical option though maybe Cardinal would also take a buyout and fine some contender to go play for the minimum? Booth will probably be harder to buy out because he won’t get any contract from anyone … or am I overestiming Cardinal?

by Wim (Belgium) on Sep 27, 2008 11:18 AM CDT 0 recs

You have too many power forwards

But buying out Cardinal is way too expensive ($13 million, and why should he accept significantly less). And nobody wants to trade for him with this contract. So if you want an additional guard which would make sense, swallowing the $1.1 million for Booth and hoping maybe some team needing a veteran big man picks him up later in the year seems much more realistic.

St. Bayno's 120 Haiku Prospects: Nicolas Batum in the paint—prairie grass, blown by wind. Jerryd Bayless—leaps over a kite string, and keeps going.

by Norsktroll on Sep 27, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

hmm points taken.

by Wim (Belgium) on Sep 27, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

We really need to

get this Livingston deal done.

by Twins Territory on Sep 27, 2008 4:11 PM CDT 0 recs

Both Carney and Booth...

…are essentially paid for already by Philly. They are the most obvious candidates for being kicked to the curb.

The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
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by Stop-n-Pop on Sep 28, 2008 7:59 AM CDT 0 recs

I'd send

Booth to the curb. Carney might provide us something this season, I’m not so sure about Booth.

by Twins Territory on Sep 28, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

I completely agree with this

They owe Brewer more than 1 year…even 2. Carney is completely redundant.

The World's Leading Exporter of Small Area Quickness
www.canishoopus.com

by Stop-n-Pop on Sep 28, 2008 11:39 AM CDT up 0 recs

Hmm; don’t see how Carney is more redudant than Booth.

Carney might give Brewer motivation to do well, or if Brew doesn’t pan out, Carney might.

That’s not really worth much .. but what’s Booth’s use, taking minutes from Richard? Or am I missing something?

by Wim (Belgium) on Sep 28, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Am I remembering this right? I’m not sure.

Didn’t Utah say that Araujo was an NBA level player when he was there? Not a good player but someone who can survive in this league (5th big in the rotation type). The reason he left was the lack of minutes he’d receive, he wanted to play and decided to go to Europe instead.

by NBR on Sep 28, 2008 1:28 PM CDT 0 recs