Mavericks interested in Al Jefferson

cpfsf · Post #1 » by **cpfsf** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:37 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=5340850

The Dallas Mavericks' search for help to support star forward Dirk Nowitzki included inquiries about Minnesota Timberwolves center Al Jefferson prior to last week's NBA draft, according to sources close to the situation.

Sources with knowledge of the Mavericks' thinking, however, told ESPNDallas.com that Jefferson is a "down the list" target for the team who is unlikely to be pursued further until after Dallas makes a series of sign-and-trade bids for top free agents.

Two sources said the initial round of Mavs-Wolves discussions never got beyond the preliminary stage. Minnesota still wants more than mere salary relief for Jefferson, and Dallas is not willing to part with any of its prime trade assets -- such as Erick Dampier's $13 million non-guaranteed contract -- to acquire a player with proven low-post scoring skills but a troubled injury history.

Sources with knowledge of Minnesota's thinking told ESPN.com's Marc Stein that the Wolves are determined to move Jefferson before the start of next season, seeing Kevin Love as a better (and more cost effective) fit. The prospect of pairing Jefferson and Nowitzki, though, would create some of the same issues that the Timberwolves face defensively when Jefferson and Love play together.

shangrila · Post #2 » by **shangrila** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:06 pm

They're not even offering Dampier's salary relief contract? They've got to be kidding themselves.

Post #3 » by **The J Rocka** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:37 pm

If they're not gonna give up Dampier then i'm guessing Roddy is untouchable... :roll:

Wolves21 · Post #4 » by **Wolves21** » Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:53 pm

That's fine if they want to keep Dampier's contract but then give us Bulter and Roddy and maybe a pick for Jefferson and whatever else(Brewer,Hollins,Ellington) that what I would due.Plus if the Mavs loses Dirk their going to jump at a trade for Big Al and then we can get whatever we want from them.

Post #5 » by **revprodeji** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:03 am

Perhaps the Mavs unwilling to give the ED contract is the reason this did not happen.

Post #6 » by **Klomp** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:18 am

Haywood S/T?

Post #7 » by **The J Rocka** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:26 am

Klomp wrote:Haywood S/T?

To backup Darko or replace?

Scal · Post #8 » by **Scal** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:33 am

wow.. not even for dampier? ... lets keep Al and have our brilliant coaching staff figure out how the F**** to make Love and Al effective.. this is getting just stupid.. hes a 20,10 bordlerline all star when healthy.. im heated

Post #9 » by **revprodeji** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:37 am

Do you know how weird the salary would need to be to make that work? Haywood would not be the best fit here either.

Krapinsky · Post #10 » by **Krapinsky** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:48 am

They'll trade Damp for Al. They just want to make sure they can't get Joe Johnson or another premier free agent first.

shangrila · Post #11 » by **shangrila** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:51 am

The worse the offers the better the chance there is off keeping Al, so at least there's a bright side.

cpfsf · Post #12 » by **cpfsf** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:54 am

shangrila wrote:The worse the offers the better the chance there is off keeping Al, so at least there's a bright side.

How is that a bright side?

Krapinsky · Post #13 » by **Krapinsky** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:57 am

I see Al returning with a vengeance this year. 24 and 12.

shangrila · Post #14 » by **shangrila** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:59 am

Krapinsky wrote:I see Al returning with a vengeance this year. 24 and 12.

This is the bright side

JMillott · Post #15 » by **JMillott** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:01 am

To be honest the only guy i'd want to deal Al Jefferson for to Dallas would be in a sign and trade for Dirk, short window or not Dirk would put the Wolves on the map and adding Rubio could then put them into elite class.

Post #16 » by **Calinks** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:04 am

It would be great if we couldn't find a deal and Al became extremely pissed off that he was auctioned around like a piece of meat. Suddenly he starts breaking his foot off in everybody's ass and Rambis is like "Hmmmm... Maybe I can find a way to make this work." Teams start calling up begging for Al trades and Kahn is just like "You had your chances bitches!" And then Al goes on to be an all-star, wins bigman of the year (new award inspired by Al and subsequently named after him), most improved, first team all-nba, Olympian gold medalist, etc. etc.

shangrila · Post #17 » by **shangrila** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 3:51 am

The BAY (Big Al of the Year) award

MN Die Hard · Post #18 » by **MN Die Hard** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:30 pm

Krapinsky wrote:They'll trade Damp for Al. They just want to make sure they can't get Joe Johnson or another premier free agent first.

That's the way I took it too.

jordananderson · Post #19 » by **jordananderson** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:40 pm

I know they would be doing this deal to acquire another star to go along with Dirk Nowitzki, but what if they were thinking of trading Dirk for Al? Far fetched but instead of completely losing Dirk at the end of the year, they could get something in return. If not Dirk, please don't be dumb and recieve Dampier...

Breakdown777 · Post #20 » by **Breakdown777** » Wed Jun 30, 2010 1:24 pm

I'm not worried about this. As stated before, Al's value is low right now, but it's even lower because of all the available free agents. If we wait it out, better deals will start popping up.

I don't think something like Damp, a youngster, and a pick is that bad. If we don't make a big signing, and end up having like 3 extra million in space after the offseason, and get Damps expiring deal, then we'd be around 15 mil. in cap space for another season.