Now that the All Star Break has passed, the next big date on everyone's calendar is the NBA trade deadline. Most people have probably seen Woj's report by now. For those who haven't, here it is:
The Memphis Grizzlies are discussing a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves centered on forward Chase Budinger and guard J.J. Barea, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Memphis wants to include forward Tayshaun Prince into the package and the deal could be expanded to include guard Tony Allen, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Components of a proposed deal are still fluid.
It likely won't be the last rumor we see before the deadline passes, either.
In the meantime, while the Wolves did finish the All Star break with a victory, they are still at a point where injuries have really put a toll on their record. They currently sit at 25-28, and their hopes of a playoff berth are as bleak as they've been all year.
Average Ranking: 17.14 (Last week:17.86)
No. 15 (Last Week: 19):: Jason Patt, SB Nation
It was a disappointing first half of the season for the Timberwolves, who were expected to be playoff contenders this year. As it stands, it would take a crazy hot streak and some help to sneak in. Let the Kevin Love Watch begin?
No. 18 (Last Week: 17): Marc Stein, ESPN
The rumbles have already started, as captured by Portland's seen-it-all Kerry Eggers, that Rick Adelman could walk away at season's end. Kevin Martin's injury isn't going to help the Wolves slice into the whopping six-game deficit they suddenly face just to move into the West's last playoff spot.
No. 16 (Last Week: 17): Marc Spears, Yahoo! Sports
The Wolves have interest in acquiring a backup point guard, but are more worried about improving their defense than a trade.
No. 16 (Last Week: 16): Matt Moore, CBS Sports
I would call this their "nothing-can-go-right-for-them" season, but I thought that was last year. Still a chance to turn it around, though.
No. 18 (Last Week: 18): USA Today Writers' Poll
Ricky Rubio can shoot threes (34.9%) and free throws (83.3%). Hell figure out the rest. (Not updated this week)
No. 20 (Last Week: 20): Matt Dollinger, Sports Illustrated
The reeling Wolves face a difficult post-All-Star break gauntlet, with a home game against the Pacers followed by a five-game trip against West teams. Minnesota's margin for error is small as it seeks its first playoff berth since 2004.
No. 17 (Last Week: 17): John Schuhmann, NBA.com
The Wolves ended their four-game slide with an easy win over the Nuggets on Monday, but they've fallen to six games out of the playoffs, with the Pacers and a five-game trip to start off their post-break schedule. At this point, it really doesn't matter what their record should be (according to their point differential). They're broken and it's not clear how they get fixed.