RealGM

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/14486778/rebuilding-turning-into-lengthy-process-for-timberwolves

It is actually and interesting article... it talks about how the Wolves see Rubio and Mayo together in the backcourt, but the main reason I did post this is because it says a source close to the wolves says Rubio will be joining the team next year.

And just want to add that even with a lockout next year I find it almost to be a better situation for Rubio. He comes in gets some rest well working on his game... Could help ease the transition

"Corey Brewer and Sebastian Telfair, are seeking trades"

That's news to me.

Sounds good to me!

Flynn + Memphis + Utah + Brewer + Pekovic + Ellington + Hayward are all available in a trade.

I think we should be able to make a three way trade happen with that somehow.

First ive heard about the atmosphere around the team being poor, frankly, Ive read the opposite. First ive heard that Brewer and Telfair want out as well(perhaps he is confusing Brewer and Telfair being shopped with them wanting out? If so, shoddy journalism). Not that it really matters, because the have absolutely no leverage to demand a trade.

Really poor article. It sounds like he is just talking out of his ass

So we are making runs at Anthony Randolph and OJ Mayo and trying to deal Brewer and Telfair? I think something else must be involved if we are making an offer for Mayo. Interesting...certainly compounds the glut we would have at 2/3...Mayo/Webster/Beasley/Johnson is too much for 96 total minutes of playing time. The only way that would seem to work is if we played a lot of Love at 5 and Beas at 4 when Darko sat.

What about Brewer + Memphis pick for Mayo

I have not heard word of Brewer asking for a trade.

Also, the lockerroom is good as far as I know. The players understand it is a process and they are growing together.

Since when is the Beasley trade a head scratcher?

I do agree that we need to evaluate this team HEALTHY. An example being that maybe our wing situation is better with Webster/Johnson/Beasley and we do not need to take on Iggy. Also, we can see between Ridnour/Flynn who we should move or keep. Also, what is to be made of Pekovic?

The Mayo rumor is interesting. Not sure what it would be for and I go back and forth if I like it. I think this offensive system would be perfect for him, but he is a tweener that is struggling with defense. Mayo is frustrated with coming off the bench, but he would likely be doing the same here. What about Johnson? Do we lose the size/speed advantage we have had all year?

We would not part with Ridnour for Randolph? Interesting...

funkatron101 wrote:"Corey Brewer and Sebastian Telfair, are seeking trades"

That's news to me.

I love that they're seeking trades - like they have any assemblance of negotiating power or demand for their services. I think saying the Wolves are seeking ANYTHING in return for them right now is more appropriate.

revprodeji wrote:We would not part with Ridnour for Randolph? Interesting...

Very. Seems to confirm Flynn is not in ther team's long term plans. But if we're dangling Telfair we can't move Flynn until the offseason which means he wouldn't be part of a Mayo deal at the deadline.

I love the idea of Mayo being a Navarro type player in our back court.

revprodeji wrote:I have not heard word of Brewer asking for a trade.

Also, the lockerroom is good as far as I know. The players understand it is a process and they are growing together.

Since when is the Beasley trade a head scratcher?

I do agree that we need to evaluate this team HEALTHY. An example being that maybe our wing situation is better with Webster/Johnson/Beasley and we do not need to take on Iggy. Also, we can see between Ridnour/Flynn who we should move or keep. Also, what is to be made of Pekovic?

The Mayo rumor is interesting. Not sure what it would be for and I go back and forth if I like it. I think this offensive system would be perfect for him, but he is a tweener that is struggling with defense. Mayo is frustrated with coming off the bench, but he would likely be doing the same here. What about Johnson? Do we lose the size/speed advantage we have had all year?

We would not part with Ridnour for Randolph? Interesting...

That entire article felt like a guy that was taking info from a couple of national blogs and turning it into a story. All you have to do as an outsider is look at the context clues of how players are reacting on the bench and to each to other to get a feel for what's happening behind the scenes. How often have you seen bench guys standing up at the end of games cheering their teammates? Pretty much every game. For an 8-24 team, that's fantastic.

The other non-story in this story is Kahn showing some patience. He made a ton of moves then told us he was going to evaluate the team. He's doing just that. I actually don't want them to make another move unless it involves a deep bench player (Brewer, Telfair, Hayward) as I want to see these guys play for a month or two and see what develops.

As for Mayo, bleh. I'm sure what advantage we're going by playing him instead of Webster or Johnon. If he's free, I'll take him. If he costs anything at all, I'll pass.

Krapinsky wrote:

revprodeji wrote:We would not part with Ridnour for Randolph? Interesting...

Very. Seems to confirm Flynn is not in ther team's long term plans. But if we're dangling Telfair we can't move Flynn until the offseason which means he wouldn't be part of a Mayo deal at the deadline.

I love the idea of Mayo being a Navarro type player in our back court.

I think that's VERY interesting. I don't know if it's because they want to move Telfair first then reassess, or because they like the guy long-term. At any rate, Ridnour or Flynn have to go in the event Rubio does show up - it seems early to me to give up on Flynn unless they just have no faith in him.

If Mayo could accept coming off the bench, I would go for him in a heartbeat, but he wants to be an NBA star and he doesn't have an NBA star game. A backup lineup of Pek, Tolliver, Webster, Mayo and Flynn/Ridnour is interesting.

Navarro can get away with his height in Europe. Mayo defending the SG scares me.

W/O 6' 3.25"
W/ 6' 4.25"
Wingspan 6' 6" (Most damning)
Standing reach 8' 3.5

Lets compare that

Randy Foye
6' 2.25"
6' 3.25"
6' 6.25"
8' 1"

Ellingson
6' 3.75"
6' 4.75"
6' 7"
8' 5.5"

Johnson
6' 6.25"
6' 7.25"
7' 1"
8' 10"

Webster
6' 6"
6' 7.5"
6' 11"
8' 10"

Mayo is too small to defend the SG position. Only exception is Ellis and maybe that is why he struggles to defend?

The entire article seemed like a big piece of crap. From the bad locker room, to Brewer seeking a trade and Beasley being a head scratcher of a move, it doesn't make alot of sense.

I'm not a fan of Mayo. I think he's too high maintenance for a guy who is undersized, can't get to the rim and doesn't play D.

But if we acquire Randolph and Mayo we'd have the number 2, 3, 5 and 14 picks from the 2008 NBA draft. Wouldn't they all be up for extensions at the same time? That can't be good.

can someone tell me why would would rather have Mayo than Johnson??

Piecake wrote:Really poor article. It sounds like he is just talking out of his ass

I agree. I generally like Berger's articles, which often have a more monetary spin, but on this one, he didn't do his homework. Most of it I think is incorrect.

I wish MIN team all the best...Kahn imo is doing great job as gm(ok, aside from AL trade).

A future team of

rubio/ridnour
mayo/johnson
beasley/webster
love/randolph
milicic/pekovic

has great potential, just need time to gel. And if Randolph gets it together to be Odom type 4/5 of the bench.

I think you could get mayo with Flynn+Brewer and Randolph with Telfair+1 round pick

minnisisky wrote:can someone tell me why would would rather have Mayo than Johnson??

I don't think anyone is saying they'd rather have Mayo than Johnson. However, I like Mayo as a starting 2 guard more than Johnson. Mayo has handles, is a better passer, and is despite his defensive struggles, will most likely be better guarding the perimeter than Johnson against opposing 2's.

As several others have mentioned, this article sounds like mostly BS. I'm surprised because it's not presented as speculation at all, but FACT that they're trying to get Mayo and Randolph, and there are these supposed locker room divisions.

The Beasley trade comment was idiotic. That and his moronic PG opinions leave me to just call shenanigans.

After thinking about it for awhile, I still can't figure out why we'd want Mayo here. I've come to the conclusion that this is Memphis floating a rumor to try and jack up the market value of Mayo before they trade him in the next couple of weeks.

Krapinsky wrote:

minnisisky wrote:can someone tell me why would would rather have Mayo than Johnson??

I don't think anyone is saying they'd rather have Mayo than Johnson. However, I like Mayo as a starting 2 guard more than Johnson. Mayo has handles, is a better passer, and is despite his defensive struggles, will most likely be better guarding the perimeter than Johnson against opposing 2's.

Better passer than Johnson? I think Johnson is the best passer and has the best court vision on our team. His handles sure do suck though