if a draft-day trade happened. But I don’t think Kahn will be overpaying anyone.

I still maintain that we should set our sights on Wade. You must rebuild with quality. I see Gay as a complementary piece. We have plenty of those. We need to shoot for the stars here. Gay is settling in my opinion.

I don’t think the Wolves have a shot at the top 5 – Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Amare, Joe Johnson. I don’t believe Gay is worth a big contract and someone will offer him too much money – please don’t let it be us!

I think having empty cap space in order to absorb a big contract is the best idea I’ve heard.

Another possibility – offer Tracy McGrady a max two year contract – with year two being a team option.

Clearly we need to see him play the next couple of months, but it is quite possible he’s still good. He may not get a better offer, and he becomes a really high end expiring contract and a potential DUST chip with the year 2 team option.

There’s also the possibility he’s a good fit, helps the team develop, makes the Wolves competitive before he fades away.

we have a chance at any of the “top tier” free agents. But among all other teams who have cleared the cap space for one of these guys, how are we not one of the more attractive destinations? We have a new GM with a sincere, concrete “plan”, along with, IMO, an all star coaching staff, and ALL the pieces for the future. What does NY have? enough money to Buy 2 stars- but then what? they only have 5 other guys under contract next season, and two ride the pine. Last time I checked, you can NOT win a championship with two guys. Also, NJ? all they have is Jay-Z and maybe Beyonce if she tags along for the ride. And Miami is only as good as Wade is. If he bolts, they are in rebuilding mode. All these teams are shooting from the hip. I think MN looks Very attractive. Who wouldnt want to be a part of something that could mature into a dynasty of sorts? Thats where we are if we play all of our cards right.

a huge opportunity missed.

There are now 6 teams (Knicks (x2), Bulls, Heat, Clippers, Nets and Wizards) all max money. If Amare opts out, Phoenix too. Cleveland, Toronto, Miami, LA (if Kobe opts out), Dallas (if Dirk does too) can all resign their players.

You have 8-10 teams chasing 4-5 game changing players. We are probably the 8-10 team on the list. I see us getting nothing. And, if anyone does switch teams (meaning LeBron, Wade, Bosh), the team they leave will now compete with us for the next tier.

It’s clear that we will now need a very lucky ping pong ball to keep moving. A ping pong ball less that #3 will be very disappointing. Plus, it signals to me that Jefferson or Love will have to be traded this summer.

I see my FO friend tonight. Maybe he will inspire me!! But I am a rather disappointed fan.

It’s become quite clear that the way to go is going to be a trade. Those options have also changed a little. Deng has been discussed, but Chicago’s deadline activity makes a Deng deal less likely. Iguodala likely would have to be a package with Dalembert, but we don’t have that much cap room.

I think something similar to what Houston did is a likely option for the Wolves. Acquire assets/prospects for a bad contract.

An asset attached to Dalembert would make sense.

Galinari or Chandler attached to Eddy Curry could make sense if NY got word that LeBron and Wade were thinking package deal and they wanted to keep David Lee. I know they love Gallo, but if they could get two max guys while clearing enough to keep Lee, they’d have to consider it right? We could send them one of our extra picks (which they could trade for a future first to replace the one they’re sending to Houston). If the finances worked, Sessions could also be involved given their interest in him last summer.

My favorite is GS. Maggette and Biedrins have both been rumored to be on the block because of salaries. Both are overpaid, but would at least have decent on court value. I’d take either if it meant getting the Warriors pick. Of course we’d send back additional considerations, some combo of the Bobcats/Jazz picks and Pekovic’s rights. Anthony Morrow would be interesting as well given his 3 pt shooting acumen. Would you take Biedrins contract for Morrow? There’s A. Randolph as well who’s been rumored to be available for the right price.

Several options out there in the trade game…any other suggestions?

The best case is for most to change teams.

LeBron to NY with a resigned Lee.
STAT to Miami with Wade.
Boozer to Chicago.
Bosh to NJ.
Rudy Gay to the Clippers.

That would leave Washington and Sacto as our only real competition in terms of facilitating big trades.