Charley Walters: "Lakers called Wolves"

[AQuintus]

It was the Los Angeles Lakers who called the Timberwolves seeking their interest in Pau Gasol. The Wolves, who don't know how serious the Lakers are about trading the 7-foot forward-center who turns 32 on Thursday and is guaranteed $38 million over the next two seasons, were listeners. The Wolves have some interest and will continue to listen.

It also was the Lakers who called the Wolves suggesting they offer second-year forward Derrick Williams to Charlotte for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft with the possibility of Charlotte then trading Williams to the Lakers as part of a three-way deal for the Wolves to get Gasol. The Wolves said no thanks.

The Lakers have been initiating talks with many teams to gauge interest in deals. Moving Wolves center Nik Pekovic, although Adelman likes him a lot, isn't out of the question if Minnesota finds an appealing deal for Gasol.

Edit: http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_20981618/charley-walters-land-zach-parise-wild-will-have

Not surprising at all.

[Calinks]

Happy the wolvves aren't the ones offering up all these assets to LA. If the wolves did get the second pick though and traded it for Gasol I'd be upset.

[Breakdown777]

lol @ LA: "Hey MN, here's how you can get another team to help you help us rip you off." Had to be the Lakers, .

[[RCG]]

And they changed the title of my T&T thread even though I was right...

[Krapinsky]

Hard to say where the truth lies. This could just be the Wolves leaking something for damage control.

[cpfsf]

Hard to say where the truth lies. This could just be the Wolves leaking something for damage control.

It's plausible. Minnesota and LA could agree to the trade, but not Charlotte.

[eagles nut]

Lakers wanted Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Tells me Lakers aren't that enamored with the idea of Derrick Williams on their team.

[trevor0333]

While I never thought the Wolves were chasing Gasol as hard as the reports were sounding. This is Charlie Walters, he has absolutely no credibility. None.

[Tirion]

Damage control from Kahn.

How do I know it's damage control?

This part:

It also was the Lakers who called the Wolves suggesting they offer second-year forward Derrick Williams to Charlotte for the No. 2 overall pick in the draft with the possibility of Charlotte then trading Williams to the Lakers as part of a three-way deal for the Wolves to get Gasol. The Wolves said no thanks.

makes zero sense.

How do I know it's from Kahn?

He wants to trade Pek.

[OOO]

You guys are believing this crap? Multiple well respected reporters reported that the Wolves started the trade talk except this obvious homer.

[andyhop]

You guys are believing this crap? Multiple well respected reporters reported that the Wolves started the trade talk except this obvious homer.

The problem with this stuff is you need to know the sources of the information to be able to judge the truth of the story.

If a Wolves source told the reporters they were going all out for Gasol it is likely true.
If a Lakers source told the reporters the Wolves were doing it ,it is less likely to be true as they have a big incentive to get that story out there to try and get someone else to bite on trading for Gasol.

[mandurugo]

You guys are believing this crap? Multiple well respected reporters reported that the Wolves started the trade talk except this obvious homer.

Well respected sports reporters? I don't know what planet you're living on, but there aren't too many gonzo reporters in this world getting the truth out there in dependent of the source. Sports reporters are mouth pieces for the industry, LA has access to all of them, they're going to get their spin in 99% of all national stories when it's them vs. MN.

[eagles nut]

Walters followed up on twitter in a response to someone that even though the Lakers were the one who called this time that the T-Wolves are and have been very interested in Gasol and the conversation dates back to last year. So likely the Wolves have been offering a package based on Derrick Williams(the T-Wolves were reported to be offering the #2 pick before last year's draft) and the Lakers said no thanks but called the T-Wolves now and said see how high of a pick you can get for Williams because we want Kidd-Gilchrist.

[jscott]

Walters followed up on twitter in a response to someone that even though the Lakers were the one who called this time that the T-Wolves are and have been very interested in Gasol and the conversation dates back to last year. So likely the Wolves have been offering a package based on Derrick Williams(the T-Wolves were reported to be offering the #2 pick before last year's draft) and the Lakers said no thanks but called the T-Wolves now and said see how high of a pick you can get for Williams because we want Kidd-Gilchrist.

Another reporter (Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN) told me via Twitter DM:

I think I know who Charley's source is on that. If I am right about that, I would trust that report.
Direct message sent by Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) to you (@johnscott01) on Jul 01, 2:38 PM.