Well folks, this is the week.  Two things to think about:

• With Al Jefferson out, anything this team does is for 09/10. 
  
• Cap space may be the most important asset the squad can receive in return for players like Mike Miller and Rashad McCants. With a bad economy and the possibility of a contracted 09 cap, cap space is probably more important than finding a replacement-value big that can fill out the roster for the remainder of the year.  That's what the D-League is there for folks.  Moving 2 players for a single large expiring deal allows the team to clear 09 salary as well as opening up a roster space for someone like Pops Mensah-Bonsu.  Miller + Shaddy for an expiring contract is the best deal fans can hope for short of a miracle deal for someone like Marvin Williams.
  

I mention this because if Mike Miller gets moved for a combo including players like Stromile Swift or Wally, it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.  Think of it as a preemptive strike against the inevitable bitching about giving away a key part of the Love/Mayo deal. 

Here's hoping that the Wolves can clear some salary and open up a roster space this week....maybe picking up a pick along the way. 

Until later.

PS: For old time's sake, here's a Mega Deal Monday:

To the Bulls:

• Amare Stoudemire
• Mike Miller
• Craig Smith

To the Suns:

• Drew Gooden
  
• Tyrus Thomas
• Kirk Hinrich
• Wolves' Utah pick
• Wolves' Boston pick

To the Wolves:

• Joakim Noah
  
• Jared Dudley
• Luke Amundson
• Chicago's 1st round pick
  

Probably not what Phoenix wants with Hinrich, but when Nash eventually bolts or asks for a trade, they'll need a point.  They get a nice young player in Thomas, an expiring contract in Gooden, and 2 additional 1st rounders.  Hell, the Wolves could give them Nikola Pekovic instead of the 2 picks. 

Chicago gets a stud 4, a fantastic shooting 2/3, and a nice 4 off the bench.  The Wolves get the guy they need at the backup 4/5, and additional pick, and with the $7.2 mil they save from the get-go, they can buy out Dudley and/or Amundson.

The Wolves then throw everything they have at the best point in the draft and Marvin Williams...starting next year with this:

1. Bassy/(Rubio/Holiday/Jennings)
2. Foye/Brewer
3. Williams/Gomes
4. Love/Noah
5. Jefferson/Noah

Of course, if Evan Turner comes out, then they should do what they can to land Mr. Turner and a point.  What say you?  Do you have any Mega-Deal Monday suggestions of your own? 

Until later.

UPDATE: Check out this little nugget from ESPN:

Our freshest non-Amare scenario: Sources say Oklahoma City is going after New Orleans center Tyson Chandler, with the Hornets known to be seriously interested in slicing payroll and with the Thunder capable of offering the Hornets two replacement big men with expiring contracts (Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox) as well as one of its five first-round picks in the next two drafts.

Holy crap.  How about Jason Collins, Shaddy, Calvin Booth, and the rights to Pekovic for Chandler?  Call Chandler the equivalent of a big free agent signing and then go after the best point available and Turner (if he declares) with everything else.

UPDATE ii: How about this little deal? It would require dealing with a guy who doesn't deserve to be dealt with, but business is business:

To the Blazers:

• Mike Miller
• Jason Collins

To the Wolves:

• Nicolas Batum
• Raef LaFrentz

Let's get crazy stoopid:

To the Blazers:

• Mike Miller
• Jason Collins

To the Hornets:

• Raef LaFrentz
• Rights to Nikola Pekovic
• Minny's Utah pick
• 2nd round picks from both Minny and Portland

To the Wolves:

• Nicolas Batum
• Tyson Chandler

I will personally scream like a little school girl if this pie-in-the-sky deal is consummated.  Greatest. Deal. Evah.  Essentially, Portland and Minny swap Miller and Batum while the Hornets pick up the cap scrap and future assets.  The Wolves then throw everything they can at the best point in the draft and roll forward with:

1. Bassy/(Best point available)
2. Foye/Brewer
3. Batum/Gomes
4. Love/Chandler
5. Jefferson/Chandler

Yes please.