Ratliff Update

[karch34]

I think your last point was probably the key MN DieHard. Right now I don't see there being any real incentive to buy Theo out. If he can play he'll help us out on the floor and maybe give a little more confidence that helps the team learn how to win.

But if he really wants to leave, we might do it just for an image boost. I think Juwon Howard's positive comments on his buy out have helped and this would further that.

That said, barring some trade for a young C at the deadline, I'd like to see Theo playing for us.

[MN Die Hard]

I think your last point was probably the key MN DieHard. Right now I don't see there being any real incentive to buy Theo out. If he can play he'll help us out on the floor and maybe give a little more confidence that helps the team learn how to win.

But if he really wants to leave, we might do it just for an image boost. I think Juwon Howard's positive comments on his buy out have helped and this would further that.

That said, barring some trade for a young C at the deadline, I'd like to see Theo playing for us.

Oh yeah, I agree that there is no incentive for us to buy him out for no reason, other than good will if he does ask to leave. Its not like he's a bad seed and needs to be cut for chemistry reasons.

My argument isnt that we SHOULD buy him out, because there really is nothing for the Wolves to gain by it. My argument is that buying him out doesnt hurt us for any reason. If he wants to stay and play out his contract, I have no problem with that.

[Krapinsky]

TRADE.

MN: Ratliff

LAKERS: Kwame, Vujacic, rights to Marc Gasol.

We do this to get the rights to Marc Gasol. Potentially a body that could play some minutes at C next year. Vujacic gets immediately waived or bought out. The Lakers do this because they need someone who can play D at the five while not committing a turnover everytime he touches the ball on offense. Kwame needs to get out of LA. Camby ran right by him all night tonight. The Staples Center boos him everytime he touches the ball, and you can just see he can't deal with it anymore there. Lucky for us Kwame's contract also expires at the end of the year.

thoughts?

[Krapinsky]

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Marc-Gasol-155/

"November 29, 2007
Gasol on the other hand looks like an absolute steal for the Lakers, having drafted him in the late second round (#48) this past June. His skill level is looking better and better these days, knocking down a 3-pointer calmly, hitting a pretty turnaround jumper, and doing a terrific job moving off the ball and creating space for his post-mate Vroman to operate. He

[shrink]

I like the deal a lot. Prospects like Marc Gasol can only help this team, and I wouldn't mind having a look at Kwame for next season. The key, I suupose, is how fast Ratliff can come back. I think this is a good idea.

The only alteration I might make invoves us doing a 1-for-2. I suppose Doleac is the most likely to go, but right now, Doleac would be useful in LAL too (particularly since he's also an expiring). He could help out underneath, particularly until Ratliff can play bigger minutes.

Unfortunately, matching Ratliff + Doleac to (Gasol +) Kwame + __________? is tough.

Many combinations just miss matching, just like Kwame (+ Gasol) for Ratliff just misses.

What would you guys think of Ariza here? He's 6'8" and only 22, but the Lakers may deal him since he broke his foot and is out for eight weeks. He fits financially this year, but he has a player-option for $3.1 mil next year that could really confine our ability to bring back a pup.

[Krapinsky]

The Lakers really like Ariza a lot. I think they have every intention of bringing him back. For us, he duplicates Brewers talents.

[shrink]

Maybe this?

Ratliff, Doleac, Craig Smith

Kwame, Sasha, Crittendon (Gasol)

Low post scoring and better defense for LAL, and they maintain their expirings to get closer to the lux next year. MIN gets to take a look at Crit.

I'm trying hard to make this a 2-for-2 or a 3-for-3, because I think the valuation is close. I know many Laker fans want Kwame gone yesterday, but does anyone know when Ratliff returns? Doleac is a short-term band-aid. A Bynum-Craig Smith combo would look pretty nice, I think.

[Calinks]

There is no need. NO NEED. To bring Kwame Brown in here. Come on people. Kwame Brown? Marc Gasol must be a very good player if you are willing to take on Kwame, a player people claim is lazy and uninspired. I don't think he would be too good to have around our locker room Just keep Theo and his contract for ourselves. We have enough personnel juggle already without having to bring more players into the mix.

[Devilzsidewalk]

if Crittenton is in the package, then I'm game.

[deeney0]

Kwame for Ratliff? No. Kwame for Walker? Perhaps. Kwame for Jaric? Gimme. Kwame's only value is his contract.

[Krapinsky]

idea was to get Gasol. Could be a longterm C option for us.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Kwame for Ratliff? No. Kwame for Walker? Perhaps. Kwame for Jaric? Gimme. Kwame's only value is his contract.

Whats wrong w/ Kwame for Ratliff though?

[shrink]

It falls just outside the cba's 25% + $100,000 salary matching requirement.

If it didn't, I'd make that trade (w/Gasol for incentive). MIN also gets saves $1 mil this season, paying the smaller contract for the rest of the year.

[Devilzsidewalk]

It falls just outside the cba's 25% + $100,000 salary matching requirement.

If it didn't, I'd make that trade (w/Gasol for incentive). MIN also gets saves $1 mil this season, paying the smaller contract for the rest of the year.

I'd do Ratliff + both our 2nds for Brown and Crittenton

deal?

[Krapinsky]

I don't think they do that. They're roster is pretty much set for the future except for some minor tinkering. They don't need the 2nds and they really like Crttentons potential out here in LA..


I still think the best and most fair deal is the one I originally proposed.

Kwame + Sasha + Gasol for Theo Ratliff. Either Sasha or Kwame could be immediately bought out or waived. I would guess it would be Sasha though. If they would want an extra trade piece, I'd be willing to throw in our second rounder to make this deal happen.

[4ho5ive]

Maybe this?

Ratliff, Doleac, Craig Smith

Kwame, Sasha, Crittendon (Gasol)

Low post scoring and better defense for LAL, and they maintain their expirings to get closer to the lux next year. MIN gets to take a look at Crit.

I'm trying hard to make this a 2-for-2 or a 3-for-3, because I think the valuation is close. I know many Laker fans want Kwame gone yesterday, but does anyone know when Ratliff returns? Doleac is a short-term band-aid. A Bynum-Craig Smith combo would look pretty nice, I think.

I would do this. We would just be renting Kwame for his contract, Sasha is worthless to me, but Crittenton and Gasol are two guys i really liked this past draft. I was upset when we chose Richard over Gasol (dont kill me, I didnt know about Richard then). If we could get him here with Java, I would go nuts.

[Devilzsidewalk]

thing is, Kwame has a trade kicker, Wolves need at least some incentive. Marc Gasol is a decent Euro, but he's no Loukas Mavrokaleidoscopeidis

[shrink]

Either Sasha or Kwame could be immediately bought out or waived.

The latest CBA did away with the injured reserve, and inadvertantly did away with this possibility.

In the past, if a team wanted to make a trade that put tham about the NBA roster limit, they would simply invent an injury for one of their players ("knee tendinitis" was a favorite), put him in the injured reserve, make the trade, cut the guy they didn't want, and then remove their player from the injured list. "Knee tendinitis" seemed to miraculously disappear overnight!

Now, with no injured list, teams need to cut one of their own players before they make a trade. They can never exceed 15 players, either before or after the deal, so in order for MIN to do a 1-for-2 deal, they'd need to reduce their roster to 14.

Doleac would be the most likely cut, but considering the Lakers situation with big men right now, they probably wouldn't mind including him in the deal, and pay him the rest of the season.

I'm not saying your deal isn't fair. I'm just trying to make it a little bit easier on the roster and the finances for both teams.

[Krapinsky]

Well that depends what you think of Gasol. IMO If he were in this draft I think he'd go 15-20.

[Krapinsky]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xOAF2zjkRDk&feature=related

here's a clip of Gasol running the floor, passing down low, shooting the three.