Kahn: Kevin Martin NOT coming to Wolves, in so many words!
by Rumblebee on Feb 8, 2010 11:37 AM CST
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PrintJust heard the last half of David Kahn getting interviewed on PA's show on KFAN. I missed the start, but at the end PA summarized that Kahn said Al Jefferson will not be traded before the deadline. Not on the PODCAST yet, but I'm sure you can find it in an hour or two.
The part I heard was Kahn saying the next biggest trade targets on the Wolves have been a tie between Kevin Love and Jonny Flynn. Thought the Flynn detractors might find that interesting. PA asked if teams were asking about Brewer, and Kahn said no, and added "not yet" like he figured that would change, then went on to compliment CB and added a little humor about Corey finally starting to not look surprised when he drains a three.
Kahn also mentioned he doubts Rubio will try to get a buyout to come to the NBA next season. There was no hedging, as Kahn will sometimes do, saying it is highly, highly, highly, unlikely Rubio leaves this summer. Kahn mentioned that Rubio's current team paid $5.3 million to buyout out his contract last summer. Kahn didn't seem overly concerned because he sees Rubio making progress, including gaining upper body strength.
On to Kevin Martin. PA tried to ask about a couple players w/o asking directly about players (hinting). Without talking about Martin by name, Kahn made it clear he did not like Martin's contract, no hedging. Anybody proposing a Martin to the Wolves deal can stop, it ain't happening.
PA tried to do a similar question about Rudy Gay, but Kahn wasn't going to bite on that one, and that was pretty much the end of the interview. At first I thought Kahn shied away because PA was a little too specific in his question, but I suppose it could be that Kahn is interested in RG and doesn't want to say anything that could effect future or current negotiations. As I mentioned earlier, I missed the start of the interview, but Kahn's interviews w/ PA are usually pretty good, so it you can find the PODCAST it is probably worth listening.
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Hmmm
I kind of like Kevin Martin’s contract as these things go. Too bad.
One assumes that Kahn has a pretty specific target list for the off-season.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 8, 2010 12:05 PM CST reply actions
I like specific
Means, hopefully, that a clear plan is in place and that the plan has ‘actionable’ aspects to it (as opposed to: Step 1. Draft next Lebron. Step 2. Go to playoffs).
"Come on Eddie, let's get serious."
Martin's Contract.
Martins contract seems pretty reasonable for his production. 10M, escalating by 1M per year through 2012/13.
As usual Kahn is talking his book. “I don’t like Kevin Martin’s contract, so I would need another nice piece to make a trade palatable…say, maybe a Jason Thompson.”
Kahn is not a liar, but good luck getting him to break character.
I've been stunned...
… at how well he’s stayed in character, as you say. (Perfect analogy, btw.) There are very few people capable of doing that over long periods of time.
I think there is a pretty good reason
that Stern and Kahn are friends and used to work together before the NBA.
by TheEvilProfessor on Feb 10, 2010 8:32 AM CST up reply actions
I hemmed and hawed on Martin
after the SacBee mentioned the Wolves as a potential suitor today.
Then I decisively came down to “NO” to Kevin Martin joining the Wolves, for the following reasons:
1. He scores points (or at least, he used to). But I’m not sure the way he scores points = wins.
2. He is not exactly known for his defensive prowess. Martin and Flynn/Sessions will get abused on the perimeter.
3. His $10 mill per year added to AlJeff’s contract means that almost half of what the Wolves will likely spend will be tied up in those two until 13/14.
4. The NBA owners may not get a $50 mill hard cap. But there will be a reduction in player salaries, after which Martin will appear to be even more expensive than he already is.
5. His injury history is not so good, missing double-digit games in each of the last three seasons.
6. He turned 27 last week—although his offensive strengths (shooting) shouldn’t diminish that much, it’s unlikely his lack of athleticism will cease to be a drawback as he ages.
7. He seems more like the “final piece” rather than part of a core that doesn’t expect to get to the playoffs for a few more years (ask Sacto about that).
I like the guy, just not at 10 mill for three more years, and at the rate that the Kings are likely to value him in a potential trade.
Ha. We all know you're bitter because you couldn't get accepted to Western Carolina
As for your “reasons”
1. Not sure what this means. He’s been a very efficient scorer who gets to the line and makes 3s. He isn’t just a volume guy.
2. Fair enough; defense isn’t his strong suit.
3. This doesn’t really make sense to me. At some point it’s going to be Al Jefferson and someone else making the big money. Not spending isn’t going to make them better.
4. We can’t anticipate what the CBA is going to be, but if he can play, the expense isn’t going to be a problem. It isn’t a KG contract.
5. True. This is my number one concern about Martin.
6. Wha? He just turned 27…making him about the youngest good player the Wolves could legitimately acquire from anywhere other than the draft.
7. I dunno. I think a healthy Martin makes a difference on this team.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 8, 2010 4:49 PM CST up reply actions
One thing that concerns me about Martin...
is the Kings’ record with him, versus without him, this year.
2-16 with Martin in the lineup. 14-18 without Martin in the lineup. That seems like too big of a difference to not say something about his impact.
But I hardly ever catch the Kings, so I won’t pretend to know why this actually is the case. It might have more to do with how Martin and Evans (don’t) fit together, as opposed to a straight knock on Martin’s game.
I'll have you know
that although I couldn’t get a fair shake from the snobs at Western Carolina, I have an application in for the Animal Care Specialist program at ICS. I don’t want to seem cocky, but I’m cocky that I will be accepted.
So you’re saying that you have injury concerns about Martin and that defense isn’t his strong suit, but we should pretty much obliterate any major salary flexibility for the next three seasons for a guy whose return coincided with a .500 team turning into the worst team in the NBA and who is very near if not at the peak or even past his peak? Sign ME up!
Well
it seems to me that salary flexibility is only useful if you actually use it. The question then becomes whether Martin is a good way to use that flexibility, as compared to other possible options. I think he probably is, though YMMV.
As for your ambition to get into that animal care program, good luck, but you better hope they don’t find those pictures on your computer.
by Eric in Madison on Feb 8, 2010 5:42 PM CST up reply actions
Good point on the salary flexibility
Most teams are going to end up spending less money than they have room or than their fans would prefer. But some will find that HOLY SHXT WE ONLY HAVE ONE FORWARD ON THE ROSTER and end up giving Bobby Simmons a five year deal at the MLE.
If the proposition is “Kevin Martin or What We’ve Got Plus Draft Picks” for the next three years, I prefer Martin—but not by much (ask me again when I come down from the four-game winning streak high).
Also—the SacBee/ESPN article I referenced above mentions something like “Not sure if the Wolves are willing to part with Al Jefferson or Kevin Love to get Martin.” How would y’all feel if one of the two best players on the Wolves were swapped for Martin?
I think Kahn's comments also give insight to CBA negotiations
Kahn and the Wolves have an advantage due to Glen Taylor’s position on the Board of Governors. Based on what has been reported about the recent offer owner’s made to the players union, and Kahn saying Martin has a bad contract, I believe the owner’s intention is to have far fewer $10 mil+ per season contracts. Guys like Martin are probably going to be more in the $7-9 mil range in the near future.
not to mention
that being below the cap allows you to pull off very lopsided deals and aquire draft picks and cheap prospects like the Thunder did with the Jazz and Maynor. Or like the Sonics and Suns soo many years ago. The cap is not use it or lose it until the trade deadline. So many opportunities are wasted that way.
by TheEvilProfessor on Feb 8, 2010 6:45 PM CST up reply actions
Trading cap space now
has some value, but this summer the value could explode. When a team realizes this summer they are $4 mil in cap space away from their coveted free agent, they will be much more generous to get that cap space.
Here's what I think...
…not that it matters…
1st: No way should we give up Al or KLove for Martin — he is not the piece we need.
2nd: I think Kahn is a better GM than most posters on the thread, and Kahn has a unique position — he gets to learn what is in Taylor’s head (& the other owners) about future salary caps. So if we second guess Kahn here, we are playing poker without seeing the cards that he can see.
"Kahn is a better GM than most posters on the thread"
Poor Dick notes with satisfaction that you didn’t say “all.”
(kidding)
by I.M. Fletcher on Feb 8, 2010 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
After what Rudy Gay did the other night...
Sign me up as being on the “Let’s get Rudy” bandwagon. He’d be perfect. We can draft a defensive big and this is a playoff team in 3 years, with a core comparable to OKC
This team would still be without a number one option.
Martin is another number 2. We can be the Atlanta Hawks of the West lol. Too bad we traded that Roy guy. Just hope we get Wall and all our problems will be solved.
Joe Johnson has no one to compliment him down low
I’m sorry but Horford is NOT and All star level player and Josh Smith while clearly better isn’t really a #2 guy. If we had Martin, we would be dangerous, Last game Gomes was red hot , just imagine if we had a perimeter guy who could get us an efficient 20-30 pts EVERY NIGHT. The only concern with him would be health but I’d rather pay Martin 10 mil a yr for what he does, than over pay Gay 12-15 mil for what we hope he might do.
Sooner or Later
Taylor and Kahn are going to have to spend some money and give Al a wing who can be a game changer, 10M for what Martin does seems reasonable, The only concern would be injuries but his last injury was to his wrist which isn’t too bad. With a healthy Al and an all star level wing we would be a good team.
There are a few
There are a few good Wings in this draft. Most notably Evan Turner, who can play the 1,2, or 3. I would consider Martin but nothing should go down until after the draft.
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