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On the eve of free agency, it's looking more and more that at least one, and perhaps two, teams will sign two max free agents each. Right now signs point to Chicago landing LeBron and Bosh and either Miami or New York signing Wade and either Stoudemire or Boozer. The Knicks, especially, are likely to push hard for Joe Johnson if they're left standing at the altar.

Despite exercising his ETO, Nowitzki is virtually certain to return to Dallas.

That leaves teams like New Jersey and the Clippers that have plenty of cap room to pick over--and overpay--the remnants of the top ten (principally, Boozer, Lee, and Gay). And after the last of these so-called first-tier FAs are signed, that will leave some very disappointed teams holding one very empty bag (players) and one that's very full (cap space).

Could this place the Wolves in a better position to move Al to a team that struck out in free agency and is dripping with unused cap space for better assets than we were seeing rumored being offered during the draft? With the possible exception of CP3, Al arguably is the biggest name--the best talent--said to be actively on the block this summer. With aspirations and fan bases to satisfy, would certain teams be willing to move one or two pieces (at PF and SG) that would fit with what the Wolves are trying to build?

Just some thoughts, and am interested in yours.

This sounds too much like a term paper. I'll give it a B. Chicago would be wise to pursue Big Al if they want to increase their odds of getting LBJ.

C. There are no colons is Kurosawa's post, and only one semicolon. Also, he only uses the word "arguably" once, which is a mistake. Arguably is arguably the most important word to use in blogs, message boards and mass media pieces to argue about basketball. For this argument, the word is arguably even more arguable.

If a team finds itself in such a position and has an interest in Al Jefferson then get ready for a trade exception and a 1st round pick in return for Jefferson.

I think he will most likely be a consolation prize. If CHI can get Lebron, then they'll most likely have Boozer, Amare, or Lee follow. I think that if Lee is the only one left, they'd make a trade for Al, but we'd take back Deng and me no likey...

That leaves him has the next best thing for whatever teams cannot get high profile players
NJ is at the top of this list - maybe we can do them a FAVOR, and they'll give us one in return
A S&T with Bosh is highly unlikely, but would also be really neat.
I don't see what NY could give besides more cap space..or wilson "the god" chandler.
The Clippers don't need Al, and a swap for Kaman doesn't do it for either team.
CHI, MIA, and probably NY will walk away with the top talent
What team with space is remaining? WAS? SAC?
What team with space and a decent PF backup, or SG starlet, is remaining?

I think ideally he will be used in a sign and trade. and Kahn clearly has people as targets, he's not just going to trade with the team who strikes out because they are desperate. He gonna go for his targets.

Breakdown777 wrote:NJ is at the top of this list - maybe we can do them a FAVOR, and they'll give us one in return

There has been a lot of speculation that the best free agents will end up with two teams. Why leave your team (and possibly leave $$ on the table) to go to a similar or worse situation?

So, say Miami and Chicago snap up LeBron, Wade, Bosh, Johnson and Stoudemire. It isn't inconvievable that the Wolves could send Jefferson to the Nets for Favors. But if you were Jersey wouldn't you just try and sign Boozer outright first? Or David Lee? Favors is a hell of an asset; if I were Jersy I would exhaust every possibility before sending him off.

Jefferson for Favors >>> many of the deals in the Jefferson trade thread, too. Does Al have that kind of value, even if the Nets strike out in FA?

Al has that value if NJ wants production out of the PF spot. Favors is a project, Al isn't. The New owner may want to win now, probably does. I doubt he wants to brag about how horrible the new basketball team he just overpaid for is to all his Russian friends.

TrentTuckerForever, I'm appealing your grade to the dean. Haven't you heard of grade-flation? Even rambling, illiterate messes get B's these days, and my paper has a thesis, an argument, and a conclusion, with no spelling errors. An A, or you'll be denied tenure.

Kurosawa wrote:TrentTuckerForever, I'm appealing your grade to the dean. Haven't you heard of grade-flation? Even rambling, illiterate messes get B's these days, and my paper has a thesis, an argument, and a conclusion, with no spelling errors. An A, or you'll be denied tenure.

God, tenure as a Wolves fan. Sounds like something they'd do to you in the 7th circle of hell... you have the betrayers and the Wolves fans, all together gnashing their teeth, having their skin flayed off and having to relive the Christian Laettner era, the Joe Smith deal, and Foye over Roy.

TrentTuckerForever wrote:

Kurosawa wrote:TrentTuckerForever, I'm appealing your grade to the dean. Haven't you heard of grade-flation? Even rambling, illiterate messes get B's these days, and my paper has a thesis, an argument, and a conclusion, with no spelling errors. An A, or you'll be denied tenure.

God, tenure as a Wolves fan. Sounds like something they'd do to you in the 7th circle of hell... you have the betrayers and the Wolves fans, all together gnashing their teeth, having their skin flayed off and having to relive the Christian Laettner era, the Joe Smith deal, and Foye over Roy.

Christian Laettner had a pretty solid career; and Joe Smith was the ultimate role player, we did that for KG! and Foye over Roy... yeah we suck

I think Jefferson stays and its Kevin Love that is moved...

its all one big smokescreen

That is more of a nasty fart.

TrentTuckerForever wrote:C. There are no colons is Kurosawa's post, and only one semicolon. Also, he only uses the word "arguably" once, which is a mistake. Arguably is arguably the most important word to use in blogs, message boards and mass media pieces to argue about basketball. For this argument, the word is arguably even more arguable.

I would argue this argument is arguable.

dunkonu21 wrote:I think ideally he will be used in a sign and trade. and Kahn clearly has people as targets, he's not just going to trade with the team who strikes out because they are desperate. He gonna go for his targets.

A sign and trade would be ideal, but I suspect that Jefferson's value will spike up a little after Bosh, Amare, and Lee are off the market. Someone will be desperate for frontcourt help and they'll pay more for him than they would have on draft day, though it does seem like whatever we get in return for him won't be equal value. I know that Kahn says the want to be an uptempo team and I have a hard time believing that he would really hold onto Jefferson for up to 3 seasons until he could find the right deal.

I like Jefferson a lot as a player, but he's a poor fit for what Kahn is trying to do and his lack of effort on defense makes it harder to justify keeping him around when he already is a halfcourt player stuck on what will hopefully be a running team.

Vindicater wrote:I think Jefferson stays and its Kevin Love that is moved...

its all one big smokescreen

Quite possible, although Rambis's man-crush on Love might prevent that. One of them has to go, though. You can't have two undersized, no-D four men and expect to win in the NBA.

Love might be easier due to his contract, but I still think Jefferson is the most likely one, unless they can't get anything close to value back.

Love is eaiser to move

Jefferson/Darko is a much better frontcourt balance wise then Love/Darko.

IM telling you guys, Love is the one moving