Kahn's Free Agents
by Andy G on Apr 2, 2011 2:01 PM CDT
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As you have all read in SnP's "April Fools!" post, Kahn had this to say about attracting free agents to Minnesota.
I'm not concerned about our ability, now and in the future, to be able to attract a high-quality player here.
Let's go with David for a moment and assume that Minnesota is capable of attracting a high-quality player, via free agency. The question remains whether there are any high-quality free agents that could help the Timberwolves. Let's take a closer look.
Here is the list of 2011 and 2012 free agents. I'll limit this post to a discussion of 2011 free agents, because 2012 is too late, for help. The help needs to come this next off-season to avoid giving a high-lottery pick to the Clippers in the '12 Draft, and to save David Kahn's job (if it isn't lost, already).
Unrestricted
What unrestricted free agents could help the Wolves?
Jamal Crawford is a legitimate shooting guard that would be an upgrade over our current players. I have no delusions that he would make the Wolves a playoff team, but he would be an improvement in the short term. He is also 31 years old, however, and would probably not help the Wolves in their long-term plans, whatever those may be.
Ray Allen would be a huge upgrade at shooting guard. He will be 36 years old when next season starts, and would certainly be a short-term solution. Allen could help make the Wolves competitive.
Delonte West is a solid shooting guard who, at 27 years old, is about in his prime. He's an upgrade over the Wolves shooting guards and would probably improve the team to a degree in the short and long term. He has some off-court issues that are troubling, to say the least, though.
Kwame Brown is a hugely talented big man who just needs a fresh opportu... nevermind.
Joel Przybilla has knee problems. If those can be resolved or mitigated he would be an improvement over our starting center.
Caron Butler is one of the more talented UFA's in 2011. He would not come cheap, but would be a significant upgrade over our current small forwards. He has been an All-Star, but has also just recently suffered a serious knee injury. He is 31 years old.
Tyson Chandler, when healthy, is a difference maker on the defensive end of the floor. He should command a large salary, this off-season. He would make the Wolves better by a fair amount, I think.
J.R. Smith has a lot of physical talent, but has never put it together with consistency. He would be an upgrade over our shooting guards and can attack the basket off the dribble.
Tracy McGrady is way past his prime, but is somehow only 31 years old. His game is probably better-suited for Rambis' offense than our current personnel. Motivation and health are two concerns with T-Mac and he may not show either of them on a struggling team such as the Wolves.
Yao Ming may never play basketball, again. If he does, he's a big upgrade over our current center. Obviously, this is all dependent on health. He is only 30 years old.
Shane Battier is a good veteran leader, defender and shooter. He would help the Wolves improve in the short term.
Zach Randolph is probably the best free agent in 2011. Unfortunately for the Wolves, he plays the one position that we have covered pretty well. Could Z-Bo and Love share the floor? I kind of doubt it, although the huge talent bump would have to make the Wolves a fair amount better.
Kris Humphries hits the boards very hard, but plays Love's position and probably wouldn't fit in well on this team.
David West as an early termination option on his contract and just suffered an ACL tear. He plays Love's position.
Jason Richardson is one of the best UFA's in 2011. He would be a big upgrade over the shooting guards on this roster. He is 30 years old.
Earl Clark is a RECLAMATION PROJECT. He is also long and athletic.
Andrei Kirilenko would help the Wolves defense, some.
Josh Howard seems to have lost his way. I don't know if he'll find it, before his career ends. He was very good, a few years back. He is 30 years old.
Restricted
What restricted free agents could help the Wolves?
Jeff Green has been a hot topic of NBA conversation, as the key piece in the Perkins trade. He probably wouldn't help the Wolves much, given the makeup of our roster, however.
Arron Afflalo has a reputation as a great defensive player and shoots the ball well. He would be an upgrade at shooting guard and is only 25 years old.
DeAndre Jordan should be a Timberwolf instead of whatever we got in return for the rights to Mario Chalmers. In any case, he'll be a name that gets tossed around, this off-season. I question whether he's a big upgrade over Darko (if Darko were used properly), but he is very young and has room for improvement. He has a pretty crazy combination of length, bulk and athleticism. He is a horrendous free throw shooter.
Marc Gasol is another name that will get tossed around, this summer. Not only is he a solid young center, but his Spanish team affiliation could be a chip to use with the Rubio situation. He would be a significant upgrade over our starting center.
Thaddeus Young is a very young player on the upstart 76ers squad that looks like a scary first-round playoff opponent. I rarely catch a '6ers tilt, but given his age, shooting percentage and playing time on a Doug Collins playoff-bound team, I'd guess he's having a quality season.
Greg Oden is a nice place to wrap up this long post, since he is the undoubtedly the most controversial free agent of this coming off-season. What do you do with a player this young and talented, but so often injured? This is the big gamble of 2011. I have no idea what his medical situation is or what the long-term prognosis will be, once his latest rehab stint is complete. If it comes down to "everything looks good, but he always gets hurt!" I would say pull the trigger. I can't think of another way to add this caliber of talent, aside from lottery luck in a the right draft (which this one appears not to be.)
What do you all think?
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I can''t imagine Taylor would open his wallet this far,
but if we are really looking for veteran leadership and some semblance of defense, I would think that a combo platter of Chandler and Battier would be the best possible chance to achieve it.
Rambis and Kahn- when do we get to say tanks for the memories?
Is Memphis going to let Battier walk away after dealing Thabeet for him?
That would puzzle me. Wouldn’t be the first time.
It is when we are unsure that we are doubly sure. – RN
Isn't like that saying (somewhere in 2012)
Would the timberwolves let that pocket lint walk after dealing Flynn for him>?
by midlife crisis on Apr 4, 2011 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Of course neither of these guys are young
so signing them to anything longer than a two year contract wouldn’t be possible, but this would likely get us into the playoffs next year especially if a certain pass first european point guard came over. To this fan it would be proof that the FO really wants to compete and that the owner will do what it takes to get it done!
Rambis and Kahn- when do we get to say tanks for the memories?
Does anyone know cap rules well enough...
… to know if there is a poison-pill-type contract structure that would allow us to sign Gasol the Lesser to terms that can’t be matched by a Memphis team that will probably want to lock up ZBo, too? I guess I’m asking if the Nick Collison contract structure (huge opening figure, miniscule final year figures) is advantageous in wrangling other teams’ RFAs or if it merely helps with internal house keeping.
Thanks for the list, Andy. It’s nice to be dealing more concretely with the possibilities. You know, actual, named players and stuff.
I forgot to say thanks as well,
so thanks for the work putting this together Andy, it helps to see what options Kahn actually has to improve the team this Summer.
Rambis and Kahn- when do we get to say tanks for the memories?
Kirilenko
In the even we threw the towel in on Michael Beasley this offseason, AK-47 would be an interesting signing. He is unspeakably better defensively than Beasley and we would immediately be a better team on that end of the floor.
Looking at those free agents...
It seems like our stable veteran will come via trade, but I have no idea who Kahn would have in mind beyond Raja Bell.
Patiently waiting for a new POBO
Oh God, I just figured out what
The wolves are going to offer Pekovic, Webster, and Hayward for…
Rip Hamilton.
I’m going to throw up
Patiently waiting for a new POBO
Well, he and Rambis should certainly get along!
Too bad we couldn’t pick up Delont and Demarcus to see how well Kurt can manage personalities. Maybe he would try the tough love approach.
Rambis and Kahn- when do we get to say tanks for the memories?
I never thought love was that tough ... but he does have that scar ...
My mother was a lovely woman, rest her soul, but she never saw the irony in calling me a "son of a bitch."
- Jack Nicholson
Rip away ...
but if a Detroit 2011 or 2012 1st round pick is attached to Mr. Hamilton for that combo, count me in. I’d also do this deal with Flynn instead of Hayward
"Deserve ain't got nothin' to do with it."
-- W. Munney (1992) / Snoop (2008)
by ol' weird harold on Apr 4, 2011 3:19 AM CDT up reply actions
There are some guys who could really help us out.
Crawford, Afflalo, Butler, J-Rich, Battier, Gasol, Jordan, or Chandler would be great. If we get a center we can have either no Darko or Darko in a much smaller roll. That would be worth wins. If we get a vet SG we fill a position where we really have no players.
I’d say best case scenario
Luke/Crawford/(Kyrie/Ricky)
Crawford/Wes/Webster
Wes/Beas
Love/AR/AT
Jordan/Darko/Pek
Is that .500? Probably not yet, but I bet it’s better than 17 wins. Thanks for the list BTW. Other guys I really like are Battier and Butler.
They are going to go hard after Battier
hopefully he’s not stupid enough to sign up to be a part of this clusterf*ck of a franchise.
I haven't written an insightful post in years.
It would be a little strange
for Battier to join this team, at this stage of his career, wouldn’t it? Unless we really overpaid him, I expect to see Shane on a good team, next year.
It was also strange to see the team pursue David Lee
last summer. with all the comments about adding a veteran and defense, it appears that Battier is their guy. But, I don’t think he comes, just like Lee.
I haven't written an insightful post in years.
There's the elephant in the corner.
Given their behavior at the FA bell last summer, we basically know nothing about what Kahn is going to do in free agency.
Toss in the fact that given the CBA, we may wind up with another Googs-Joe Smith year FA market, lasting like three days. Yikers.
It is when we are unsure that we are doubly sure. – RN
Right
The David Lee stuff was bizarre, if Kahn was serious about adding him to the team. Lee would have been either redundant with Love and expensive, or a replacement for (and worse than) Love and expensive. It made little sense.
Another name that I expect to read rumors about is JR Smith. I really don’t like Smith, and I’m afraid that we’ll be reading about how much interest the Wolves have in him, this summer.
That would actually be a great question for Kahn...
I’d love to hear what his intention was with David Lee, and how he saw Love and Lee fitting together.
Patiently waiting for a new POBO
David Kahn saw David Lee and JaVale McGee playing together
I haven't written an insightful post in years.
Is JaVale who the Wolves would have received for Kevin Love?
I’m shocked the Wiz said no to that.
Patiently waiting for a new POBO
Ugh
I hate JR Smith. Guy’s just a total D bag.
I’m not anti-Crawford, but he’s going to want too much and for too long to play here. Why would he come on a cheap deal when he could go to Orlando for the MLE or something like that?
I think most vet FA’s who are actually worth something on the court are probably going to want more than we should be paying them. I think we should angle for one of the younger guys like Oden/DAJ and maybe try to pick up a vet via trade.
Interviewer: Can you understand why teams value potential ahead of experience and accomplishment in the draft? Wes Johnson: "Yeah. I understand. It’s the youngness of everything – older guys like young women, so it’s the same way."
Excellent summary.
How is it possible that Tracy Mcgrady is only a year (and 100 days) older than Yao Ming? Ridiculous. Ri-dic-u-lous.
The names I tend to want from that field are mostly restricted FAs. What leverage does it take to get RFAs this time around? We don’t know how those levers work in a new CBA, but unless the cap situation puts us in a sort of “sweet spot,” it’s hard to imagine the Wolves not being outbid on someone like Oden.
Offhand options:
A mid-career veteran wing whose defense could help patch the rowboat and who can contribute defensively: Afflalo. (Kelenna Azubuike, we miss you.)
[Overbid]/[trade out some frontcourt piece(s)] to get a steady hand next to Love: Marc Gasol. Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency.
Gamble on potential, in different ways: DeAndre, Oden.
Moderate cost to add a veteran hand who’d keep the defensive fires burning: Kirilenko.
What Kahn’s going to do, though, is pay Jamal Crawford too much money. Veteran, takes the big shot, and whatnot. Kahn’s not enough of a goof to shell out huge coin on Jason Richardson, who would make the team’s defensive problems even worse. But Crawford would grate at me so much… Maybe I saw him too much when he was young and callow. If he wound up on this roster I would expect a whole lot of selfish shot-jacking, and his veteran leadership would be negligible.
Or maybe we can ink Josh Howard to a deal somewhere off in the weeds. Ahem. Or sign Nick Van Exel as our next coach. Yeah.
It is when we are unsure that we are doubly sure. – RN
I fear that Crawford scenario, too.
While I think he’s enough of a talent upgrade at shooting guard to help improve the team, I don’t think he’s good enough to command a big, long-term salary and I’d hate to see the Wolves be the team to give it to him.
It’ll be interesting to see what Memphis does with Battier, Gasol and Randolph. (Not to mention Mayo, who they tried to deal for Josh McRoberts.) They’ve really got things clicking right now (and without huge-salaried Rudy Gay).
What about Tayshaun Price...
I feel like he might be right up Kahn’s alley
Patiently waiting for a new POBO
Did Memphis make the Thabeet-for-Battier deal for a single playoff run this season?
That contract for Gay is going to push them. Might they not decide to deal out of him, instead?
It is when we are unsure that we are doubly sure. – RN
I want nothing to do with the unrestricted FA list. Its pretty old and terrible.
However since I’m fairly tired of Darko as a starter but wouldn’t mind him as a backup I would like us to go after 3 players in this order.
1. Marc Gasol – A down low technician who is not as good as his brother but not shy either.
2. Deandre Jordan – Athletic freak who will clean up the boards and get a lot of alley oops and put backs.
3. Greg Oden – Could be an all star if he stays healthy and basically we have to take a risk cause by playing it safe we at best become mediocre.
by Doug West Domination!!! on Apr 3, 2011 8:20 PM CDT reply actions
What about Mike Dunleavy?
I’m not sure he will be a great scorer. but, he is good defender who make some difference.
Mike Dunleavy, Jr, "good defender"?
The team that picks up Mike as a defensive add is going to be disappointed.
It is when we are unsure that we are doubly sure. – RN
Oh, I guarantee
whoever adds Dunleavy to their roster will start getting defensive almost immediately.
Only four more months until the lockout begins!
Haven't thought this through, so please help me...
Would Portland be interested in something like a Pek for Oden trade? I think for this to happen, we would have to sign Oden to an offer sheet. For Portland to want this, they would have to, at minimum, need to reduce salary. In other words, Portland is dealing with Oden’s salary. They are at $61M next year with Oden and with at least three open spots. They do have a team option on Miller’s $8M, but I don’t know what they would replace that position with. Mills is okay as a backup, not a starter. Oden’s qualifying offer is $9M, but we wouldn’t necessarily have to trade comparable salaries, because the Wolves are under the cap, right?
So we lower Portland’s payroll significantly by giving them a guy who is NOT injured. Their alternative is to pay Oden a whole lot of money for a whole lot of years…or let him go.
You can't dust for vomit.
Isn't Jerebko an RFA this year?
He’d offer defense at the 3. I wanted him at the draft and remain intrigued.
I'd like to see us go after...
Battier and Gasol. If we could do that it’d be great. We still need that shooting guard as I feel Beasely is best off the bench. Battier just seems to be one of those guys who can be a leader and help a young club.
"But this one goes to eleven..."
A vet guard
who can get some buckets would be great. Crawford would actually be a nice pickup, though I can’t imagine he’d ever want to come here unless it’s for way more than he’s worth.
Most realistic target has to be one of the bigs. I’m all for going in on Oden or throwing cash at DeAndre Jordan. Also love the Gasol idea. Not sure what he’s worth and he had a pretty off year, but he’d be a nice pairing with Love, at least offensively, and would probably help the Ricky thing along.
Interviewer: Can you understand why teams value potential ahead of experience and accomplishment in the draft? Wes Johnson: "Yeah. I understand. It’s the youngness of everything – older guys like young women, so it’s the same way."
Tyson Chandler
I remember last season when I was making a trade proposal for him and it got written off as bad almost completely because of Tyson Chandler. I’d still be down. And I think he’d be a perfect complement to both Rubio and Love.
I also really want Kirilenko, but don’t think he will come cheap either. I’d be willing to overpay for him (I’d rather have him than draft Jan Vesley, who, color noted, I am going to continue comparing him to for other reasons)
I’d also be down for TMac, depending on how costly he is (I’d assume a contender will go after him and he will go after a contender).
Butler, no thanks. Overrated.
I don’t think Ray Allen would help us all that much and I think he’ll end up on a contender (not that you are disagreeing).
I’d take a shot at JR Smith.
I’d take any of those RFAs besides Green.
, said Mplax.
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