Walker would welcome a trade

[big3_8_19_21]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors/post ... ba%2C65638

[deeney0]

I didn't post this on the trade board because I didn't want to get chewed out, but I think Walker/Green for Barry/Elson (both expiring) makes sense for the Wolves and the Spurs. Buyout Barry, maybe Elson too.

[TheProdigy]

LOL @ Toine for thinking that anyone would want him.

[funkatron101]

I guess I like his attitude about it.

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

Not going to lie. Aside from his occasional 3 pt shot that is unnecessary, he hasnt been as bad of a cancer to the young players as anticipated.

Not even as close as what Blount and Davis would've been.

He's a vet, he has the right to say "i dont know what my position is in the future for this team, so if you can find a place to move me, ill take it"

[dunkonu21]

This makes me sad, I wish he wouldn't have said that. I do not however, have a problem with what he said.

[cookie_rhino_5_]

toiner has become one of my favs on this team with his great attitude he brought for our young pups...i respect what he said and as much as i would love to keep him around, it would be interesting to see if there is anything we could snipe for him in a trade.

[JBoog35]

I think Toine is just like Derek Fisher. Hot and Cold, but someone you want to be part of your playoff team. A vet who can make it when it counts. Walker has some shimmy left and I don't see why a team like SanAntonio, Utah, Den, etc. wouldn't want him. I don't care that he said it, it's obvious he isn't a long term solution anyways.

[Klomp]

Green and Walker for Marshall and Newble?

[colincb]

Walker has never been a cancer. Just the opposite. Not sure what happened with Miami, but Riley trading him for Davis and Blount was pretty stupid.

Walker wants to play more of a role and here he's behind people he's better than. That's what happens with youth movements.

[TheProdigy]

I bet there are a lot of teams that would like to pay a guy 9 million a year to shoot half of his shots from three at a 33% rate.

Seriously though, why is this guy rewarded with any minutes at all when he's shooting 37% from the field, is too slow to play defense, and can't rebound? Sure, he hasn't been a cancer in the locker room as far as we know, but what kind of message is Wittman sending to guys like 'Shad when he gives Toine the green light to suck.

Either Wittman is very stupid, or he's in on McHale's agenda to secure ping pong balls at the draft lottery.

[karch34]

I think he's been a decent player. Up and down at times, but his attitude has been very good and I think we made out great on the trade. I have no problem with his comments, he knows the situation and was honest about it without being a jerk.

Green and Walker for Marshall and Newble?

I thought that something like that would help Cleveland with some punch off the bench.

I also thought Orlando for something like Arroyo and Garrity as well.

[revprodeji]

LOL @ Toine for thinking that anyone would want him.

I think many teams would want him if it was not for his contract.

[kandiking]

-= original quote snipped =-



I think many teams would want him if it was not for his contract.

ummmmmmmmmm...duh.

shaq would be great at the MLE.

[shrink]

Green and Walker for Marshall and Newble?

Nicely done, on a difficult guy to move.

CLE might be a little apprehensive over Newble, because since they are over the lux, letting his $3.5 mil contract expire would save them $7 mil. However, CLE knows they need to do something, and they know they don't have any real assets. Walker and Green produce about double the PPG. However, I think Marshall's just back from injury, and I think they gave NEwble some minutes last game.

Good idea though.

[shrink]

I think many teams would want him if it was not for his contract.

I've been going round and round on walker, trying to figure out what his value is.

We'd all agree that next season, when he's a $9 mil expiring like Kwame, he has some decent value in the NBA, right?

What if you could trade for him before the 82nd game of the season, pay him for one game, and then own that expiring. That'd still be valuable too, right?

So I've been wondering at what point during this season (or how many games left on the contract), is the tipping point where he goes from being unvaluable to valuable? Would he have a slightly positive value now, where a team picks up half his paycheck ($4.1 mil) to own that $9 mil expiring later? I doubt it, but if a team wants to acquire him in the Summer, he'll undoubtedly cost more in assets.

[karch34]

I think it depends now on what the team would have to give up as far as how valuable Walker is to them. By trade deadline when he's due a pro-rated $4 million or so, plus the $9 million it might be enough to get rid of a bad contract with a longer duration as part of the deal. I agree with Cleveland being at the luxury tax Newble might not be a contract they want to move.

I agree that next year Walker will have a lot of value as a $9 million expiring.

I wouldn't be surprised with Buckner and Walker's contracts expiring if we're pretty popular with most GMs this summer.

[shrink]

A few thoughts on Walker:

1. If Walker is saying he wants to be traded (and I'm not sure he is), then the Wolves should say, "We'll buy you out for 75%" Go join a veteran team (BOS?) and make up the gap."

2. If Walker wants a defined role, I'd give him one:

"Antoine, you can be helpful on the court, but you shoot far too much for a developing team. Here's your role -- be Marko Jaric. You're a good passer, and can dribble pretty well (though you look embarrassing) for a big guy. Go out on the floor, and help the team. You get to take five shots/game. Once you've taken your fifth shot, you're done, so make sure they are good looks. If you have done the other things well, the coach may put you back in, at his disgression, but you've got to play the role of team-player, not scorer. That's the role that's available to you on the floor with the Wolves -- do you want it?"

3. I think this is the fourth time a player has complained to the media about his minutes (Walker, Jaric, Green, and now Walker again). In the first three, all were awarded more minutes immediately. The Wolves are like bad parents, enabling this behavior. I understand these are all prima donna, sensitive multi-millionaires here, but I wish they'd draw some kind of line in the sand.

[deeney0]

Even a 90% buyout gives the Wolves a lot more room to work next year.

[Hoops23]

Walker would welcome a trade but the question is would he be welcome by other teams?
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