Thoughts on West...

[Stephen S]

I believe he needs to be waived within the next couple of days. I am somewhat interested in going another route...

Since we really don't NEED more cap space, why not let the deadline pass and let the highest bidder get his game? I mean, aren't there a number of teams who are waiting for the Wolves to waive him so they can snatch him up? Why not just keep his contract and receive some sort of compensation for him?

What I am contending is that West as a player is more valuable than the pure cap space that he would provide and, as such, we should hang on to him to deal him as a player to the Celtics or some other team.

[aicnirvana]

To us West is more valuable as cap space I think. We already have a pretty deep depth chart. West is unlikely to get us back a player that would be good enough to provide significant minutes on our current team. He's not really much of a PG, which is pretty much all we need right now til Flynn comes back.

[4ho5ive]

Stay away from my mom

If he wasn't such a clown I would like to keep him around. Seems like a good triangle fit at either guard spot.

[Breakdown777]

To us West is more valuable as cap space I think. We already have a pretty deep depth chart. West is unlikely to get us back a player that would be good enough to provide significant minutes on our current team. He's not really much of a PG, which is pretty much all we need right now til Flynn comes back.

Looking at our depth, I noticed that quite a few teams that are predicted to be pretty bad next year are actually pretty deep. MN, DET, CLE, I even think WASH has some depth. those teams will be horrendous, yet they have many guys capable of being a 5th, 6th, or 7th man...the problem is that there are a few teams with three number 1 guys, and a team full of 6th and 7th men doesn't really do much.

On the flip side, you have a team like the Jazz that is not very deep at all, yet predicted to do very well next season. The league is a mess right now in terms of talent distribution.


My thought's on West...If we can't trade him by the 3rd just waive him. I don't think any teams are looking to take on his salary because of the risks involved. They'd rather pay him much less on a new contract.

[MN Die Hard]

I believe he needs to be waived within the next couple of days. I am somewhat interested in going another route...

Since we really don't NEED more cap space, why not let the deadline pass and let the highest bidder get his game? I mean, aren't there a number of teams who are waiting for the Wolves to waive him so they can snatch him up? Why not just keep his contract and receive some sort of compensation for him?

What I am contending is that West as a player is more valuable than the pure cap space that he would provide and, as such, we should hang on to him to deal him as a player to the Celtics or some other team.

I assume they're interested in paying him the minimum, but not so much the $5 million or whatever he would make this year if he's not waived. If they were willing to pay him that much they would likely want to send us a contract we don't want.

[shangrila]

I assume they're interested in paying him the minimum, but not so much the $5 million or whatever he would make this year if he's not waived. If they were willing to pay him that much they would likely want to send us a contract we don't want.

Beat me to it. Nobody wants West for the money he's earning right now.

[jade_hippo]

He is paid way too much for the trouble he's been into, he isn't a position of need, he's not likely to return anything we need or anything we want to pay for AND what he returns would likely add to any of the logjams we have at every other position. We don't need another blockhead and he's not going to bring us back a PG who can be of use till Flynn returns... cut him.

[eyeteeth]

It's my understanding that West has struggled with serious depression issues. That's a tough burden, and my heart goes out to him. No amount of money makes depression go away. The man deserves sympathy and support, just like anyone else struggling with mental health issues. That said, basketball is a business and players (or rather, the talents that players bring) are the capital assets of the business.

I think that the Cavaliers were very supportive of Delonte West, and I saw Brian Windhorst write that there were many instances of borderline conduct that the Cleveland press didn't pursue, so the community supported him as well. In this kind of situation (which might be considered close to ideal), West is a capable contributor to an NBA team. But it takes resources to devote to that player and an understanding and supportive community. I think most teams that are interested in him as a player are willing to work with him as a person, but that work certainly reduces the amount people are willing to pay him. Furthermore, and this is key, all they have to do is wait, and they know they can have him at a much lower salary.

I think if teams were willing to pay him what he's scheduled to make this year somebody would have offered the Wolves something for him by now.

[Dewey]

Well, the tolerance level typically rolls with the players level of skill ... right or wrong, the NBA teams seem to have less and less tolerance, especially, as we continue to develop our association with players/teams in Europe. The talent pool has grown and guys like West have a much smaller window to mature today than they had 5-10 years ago ...

Some teams will still gamble in the draft, but overall, it seems the movement to draft players in the second round and let them play in Europe is becoming more favorable than drafting guys like West in the 1st round and guarentee them money - obviously there are exceptions to his, but I do think the draft has lost some value outside the top couple players.

Depression is real, but sadly, the level of player accountability is not impressive and often overshadows much of the other problems that exist in the NBA.

anyway ... Just my opinion.

[shrink]

It's surprising we haven't heard anything at this point.

"2010-11 is only partially guaranteed for $500,000 if waived before 8/3/10 "

[shrink]

I believe he needs to be waived within the next couple of days. I am somewhat interested in going another route...

Since we really don't NEED more cap space, why not let the deadline pass and let the highest bidder get his game? I mean, aren't there a number of teams who are waiting for the Wolves to waive him so they can snatch him up? Why not just keep his contract and receive some sort of compensation for him?

What I am contending is that West as a player is more valuable than the pure cap space that he would provide and, as such, we should hang on to him to deal him as a player to the Celtics or some other team.

I assume they're interested in paying him the minimum, but not so much the $5 million or whatever he would make this year if he's not waived. If they were willing to pay him that much they would likely want to send us a contract we don't want.

Based on his history, I really have a hard time putting a price tag on this guy.

If RealGM posting is any indications, there are a lot of teams where he'd fit, so I think he'd get a deal a lot better than the minimum. $4.5 mil feels heavy, but the fact that it's expiring greatly reduces the team's risk on a player with question marks. Moreover, if a team takes over the contract and gives him a chance to play, West will probably be happier than if he and his agent are haggling with a team that wants to make a deal that only has limited years or team options.

When I've seen West discussed on other team's boards, I've posted a couple times, asking them what kind of contract they'd get West to agree to if he was waived. So far, nobody's been willing to hazard a guess.

[funkatron101]

I don't think I can handle seeing his "mouth herps" looking birthmark on a regular basis.

[Biff Cooper]

It's my understanding that West has struggled with serious depression issues. That's a tough burden, and my heart goes out to him. No amount of money makes depression go away. The man deserves sympathy and support, just like anyone else struggling with mental health issues. That said, basketball is a business and players (or rather, the talents that players bring) are the capital assets of the business.

I think that the Cavaliers were very supportive of Delonte West, and I saw Brian Windhorst write that there were many instances of borderline conduct that the Cleveland press didn't pursue, so the community supported him as well. In this kind of situation (which might be considered close to ideal), West is a capable contributor to an NBA team. But it takes resources to devote to that player and an understanding and supportive community. I think most teams that are interested in him as a player are willing to work with him as a person, but that work certainly reduces the amount people are willing to pay him. Furthermore, and this is key, all they have to do is wait, and they know they can have him at a much lower salary.

I think if teams were willing to pay him what he's scheduled to make this year somebody would have offered the Wolves something for him by now.

Good post - I don't have any stats to back this up, but my perception is the Cavs were always playing their best as a team when West was active and getting good minutes. My guess is we waive him, because he makes a lot, and we really need stars rather than good complimentary pieces, but he's probably got a fit somewhere where they already have the stars and just need good complimentary pieces (with a supportive team and community).

[Saltine]

He would fit on a number of the playoff teams. With a strong coach and vets around he is worth the risk on a cheap contract, bae...

[shrink]

I'm getting concerned that we haven't heard anything, at 3:45.

[funkatron101]

I'm getting concerned that we haven't heard anything, at 3:45.

I know! What's the holdup?

[Klomp]

I've heard the date is the 5th, not the 3rd....

[Klomp]

Also, if we waive him, we are going below the minimum salary, whereas if we waive him after the deadline we'd be fine. Could the holdup also be related to the Tolliver decision?

[shrink]

Also, if we waive him, we are going below the minimum salary, whereas if we waive him after the deadline we'd be fine. Could the holdup also be related to the Tolliver decision?

As I understand it, and I could be wrong because this is a very unusual occurence, its not a big deal to be under the minimum salary. It doesn't come into effect until the start of the season, and even if we were still under, all we'd do is pepper out the difference to our current players.

[Worm Guts]

I'm getting concerned that we haven't heard anything, at 3:45.

What's to be concerned about? It doesn't seem like it should be a big deal either way.