RealGM

Wolves won't sign expensive free agents
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said because the team has to pay millions of dollars to players whose contracts were bought out such as Troy Hudson and Juwan Howard, there won't be a lot of money available to sign big-money free agents for the 2008-09 season.

Way down on the page.....

http://www.startribune.com/sports/15926162.html

From following the rebuilding Bulls I can tell you there won't be any big-money free agents knocking on the Wolves door any time soon anyway. We all know how the main objective for experienced players is to join a a team that will be a ready main title contender sooner rather than later.

Why would anyone even with money stay in the business of losing millions every year on a pro team. I think it happens to the best of them. They must just like the tax deduction.

I saw the other day where one up and coming player (can't remember his name) can expect a pay check next year of 10 times what he is making this year. It isn't any wonder teams can't balance their budget when they are only allowed something like a 6% increase in salary when most players at the least get a 10% increase. Doesn't work for my budget which is pennyies in comparison but I know how to manage.

Cy32 wrote:.

Why would anyone even with money stay in the business of losing millions every year on a pro team. I think it happens to the best of them. They must just like the tax deduction.

Because the teams increase in value so much. For example, Red McCombs bought the Vikings for less than 250 million in 1998 and sold them in 2005 for 625 million.

I just looked it up, Glen Taylor bought the Wolves in 1995 for 89 million. They were recently valued by Forbes at 303 million.

Worm Guts wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Because the teams increase in value so much. For example, Red McCombs bought the Vikings for less than 250 million in 1998 and sold them in 2005 for 625 million.

That's true but Taylor says the Wolves will lose 15 million this year which is much smaller than in the past so he has lost a lot of millions through the years. I would venture a guess he could have made a lot more money investing that amount of money in the stock market in all the years he has had the team. I guess he probably has done a lot of that as well and owning most of a team probably gives a different fulfillment. The article says that he has never charged the losses to the other share holders, but rather has a loan on those losses and interest certainly costs a lot, too....I know all tax deductions.

It's a good thing someone wants to do it.

Cy32 wrote:

I saw the other day where one up and coming player (can't remember his name) can expect a pay check next year of 10 times what he is making this year.

Monta Ellis - a second round pick from a few years ago who, by NBA standards, is a bargain at like $600k or $700k right now.

I like the phrase "improve from within."

Not that I want to trash the franchise, but unless the pick they get turns out to be a stunningly successful addition, the lack of a key FA will keep Minny at the bottom of the barrel, especially given the current status of the WC playoff picture and the 2 or 3 teams just outside of that picture.

This is terribly unfortunate for the Wolves.

This is not news. Anyone who has looked at the numbers (shrink has had quite a few posts about this) knows that the Wolves will be right up against the lux next season if they keep Bassy, Gomes, and Smith. Other than maybe a cheap body at C, no FA acquisitions should be expected in 2008.

2009 is a different story.

Also, note that Portland added no new contributers between last year and this year, and they're on pace to increase their win total by like 20.

deeney0 wrote:Also, note that Portland added no new contributers between last year and this year, and they're on pace to increase their win total by like 20.

Didn't they add Steve Blake? Or was he already on the team?

This doesn't surprise me. When we decided to rebuild I have accepted the fact that we wont be a playoff caliber team for a number of years. IF we are very lucky it may be only 2 or 3.

Improving from within is not such a bad thing considering how young our players are. As a team they should grow and get better after a couple of seasons under their belts. Once this team gets to the point where they are near playoff contenders then we will have an easier time attracting Free Agents. If Big Al continues to grow into a beast and Brewer does become that tough versatile lock-down defender then I can see players being interested in playing for Minnesota.

tsherkin wrote:
This is terribly unfortunate for the Wolves.

Only if you were hoping for vast improvement next season. I think the Wolves are better off not making any moves this offseason, getting a good draft pick this season and next season. Then using cap room to augment the team in 2009.
Or the Wolves could look to package Antoine Walker's expiring contract and some draft picks at the deadline next year for an impact player. Either way 2009 is probably the key year in the Wolves rebuilding project.

Well if we could figure out what we have with foye, I am not sure how rashads attitude is as the 6th man, but the kid can shoot it well. Problem is for Brewer is lack of offense. Everyine stresses defense, but when you struggle to score points its a lot easier having more than a one trick pony like brewer, Atleast with Wally he was a 50% shooter, compared with 28% for brewer, I guess i would take the shooting over the defense..

No doubt its important that Brewer develops an outside shot but it's easier to learn how to shoot than it is to become a defensive athlete.

I want to hear reports this off season about how Corey Brewer has been the best player in practice ala Ronnie Brewer improvements.

Brewer's also got a nice feel for the game that it's tough to pick up. Right now he might lead the team in instances where you think "good idea, execution needs work." A lot of passes when guys aren't ready/where they can't get to it, a lot of lay-ins that rim out, etc. He's one of the players on the Wolves I enjoy watching the most. He's just so flippin' energetic.

I like how after he blocked Jerry Stackhouse, he got so pumped and screamed.

In 2009 (two years from now) we should have these guys coming off our cap:

Antoine Walker $9,052,460
Greg Buckner $4,010,005
Juwan Howard $5,172,414
Troy Hudson $5,042,400
Total: $23,277,279

I think it is safe to assume that the Timberwolves made the buy-outs so that we wouldn't be paying in 2009, due to the repeated statements from the FO saying we will be players for free agents in 2009. More could be saved by trading Mark Madsen or Marko Jaric, and seems possible with the big expirings in Buck and Walk we have.

we were never expected to make much noise this coming offseason in regards to FA signings..the plan all along was to add somebody 2-3 years down the road when the young players have developed to the point where minnesota is an attractive FA destination

Of course Brewer has to improve his shooting. Status quo is no where near good enough. But I think see no reason to think he can't do it.