Minny Rumors

[granger05]

Why are there always rumors about us offering trades to Minnesota? It seems that something like this leaks out every other week.

There's this Roy rumor now, the Granger/Beasley/Rubio/#2/etc... business a few weeks ago, Johnny Flynn for the #10 before the last draft. I tried to quickly compile a list from google, but it was taking more time than I cared to spend. I think we have more rumored deals with Minny than all other teams combined. Why is this? Is there someone that's worked in both organizations and provides some link between them so they talk more? Is there someone on one side or the other that just has a hard-on for players from the other team and so these rumors keep getting out? It's kind of curious, that's all.

[DougInOz]

If you believe the rumours the #2 has been offered to and/or requested by every team about 3 times over. Who cares, Kahn will just pick a point guard anyway.

[granger05]

These always seem to start as rumors of what we're offering Minnesota. At least for these last couple, Chad Ford eventually writes something about it and he views them as being generated by Minnesota. This was from a chat last month about the Granger rumor:

Brandon (Phoenix, AZ)

Thoughts on the rumor of Granger going to Minny for players and the #2? I would love it only if Indy drafted Kanter then they could move George to the 3 and pick up a SG in F.A.
Chad Ford (1:31 PM)

I think it's bogus. It think that's Minnesota trying to set the bar for what they're looking for. If the Pacers did swing a deal like that, I think it would be Derrick Williams that they grabbed. He's No. 2 on virtually EVERY board.

Today he wrote this in his draft buzz article regarding the Hibbert rumor:

• Larry Bird shot down a rumor that the Pacers and Timberwolves were discussing a Roy Hibbert for the No. 2 pick trade.

"We're not doing that," Bird said at a news conference Tuesday. "I'm not interested in trading Roy. Roy is one of our core group guys."

The Wolves are trying to find a trade partner for the No. 2 pick, but the Pacers' refusal to give up Hibbert for it (and the Wizards' refusal to part ways with JaVale McGee) show just how difficult that task might be. Both Hibbert and McGee were mid-first-round picks.

As I said before, it's just curious. An on OT note, that draft buzz column mentions us maybe packaging Rush and the #15 to move up to the Bucks' pick at #10.

[Scoot McGroot]

As I said before, it's just curious. An on OT note, that draft buzz column mentions us maybe packaging Rush and the #15 to move up to the Bucks' pick at #10.

I don't know that I see a HUGE difference between 10 and 15 in this draft, but if all it took was dumping Brandon Rush, I'd do it in a second. Hell, I was ready to package Brandon in a Fed-Ex box on the trade forum when a Bulls fan offered up the #28 and #30.

[pacer10]

If we traded up to 10th, it would probley be to jump ahead of the jazz and get jimmer.

[Indy2thaWindy]

If we traded up to 10th, it would probley be to jump ahead of the jazz and get jimmer.

I doubt it. One of Biyombo, Tristan Thompson, or even Valanciunas would probably be left. I don't think we move up to take a 4th point guard, who I don't see being an upgrade over DC, when a big man is a huge need. Then you have to think about how high Larry is on Lance. Even if we picked Jimmer at 15, I think there would be a better chance that he's traded to NY than there is of him playing for us.

[pacer10]

If we traded up to 10th, it would probley be to jump ahead of the jazz and get jimmer.

I doubt it. One of Biyombo, Tristan Thompson, or even Valanciunas would probably be left. I don't think we move up to take a 4th point guard, who I don't see being an upgrade over DC, when a big man is a huge need. Then you have to think about how high Larry is on Lance. Even if we picked Jimmer at 15, I think there would be a better chance that he's traded to NY than there is of him playing for us.

I would love to get Biyombo but in Bird's latest press conference it sounds like he wants to add scoring more than anything else.

[PR07]

Given that Bird's last move was to try to acquire OJ Mayo, my guess is he wants a scoring guard.

As for these rumors, Minnesota's GM, David Kahn, must not be able to keep his mouth shut. He leaks everything.

[paulgeorge24]

Now the #2 is linked for Steve Nash, just confirmation that all rumors involving the #2 are bogus.

[Wizop]

I'm convinced that MN leaks bogus Pacer trades to both tweak us and troll for other offers at the same time. We're not trading Hibbert to get real high and Larry has said he doesn't see any point in moving up a little bit as he is confident that one of the guys he wants will be there at 15. Sounds right to me. We'd have to give up a core player to get really high and there won't be a big quality difference from a small move. Trading down is possible if surprises leave an unexpected number of the guys we like still on the board at 15.