Click here for the forum’s game thread on tonight’s season opener against Denver.
Kent Youngblood/Star Tribune has a preview of tonight’s game.
Even by McHale’s estimation, it is the 2009-10 season where the big
moves could occur. As of right now, the Wolves have only $32 million on
the books for that season.
moves could occur. As of right now, the Wolves have only $32 million on
the books for that season.
And then there are draft picks. The Wolves still owe the Clippers a
first-round pick, but they’ll keep it next summer if it turns into a
top-10 selection. They should also get Miami’s pick as part of the
Davis-Blount trade, unless the Heat finishes with a lottery pick. In
2009 the Wolves should get Boston’s first-round pick as part of the
Garnett trade.
first-round pick, but they’ll keep it next summer if it turns into a
top-10 selection. They should also get Miami’s pick as part of the
Davis-Blount trade, unless the Heat finishes with a lottery pick. In
2009 the Wolves should get Boston’s first-round pick as part of the
Garnett trade.
Kare 11 has video of an interview they did with Al Jefferson.
Dan Barreiro/KFAN also talked to Jefferson yesterday. You can listen to the interview here.
Before agreeing to a five-year contract with Al Jefferson on Wednesday night, the Timberwolves spent much of the day talking about a three-year deal.
Also from Walters, owner Glen Taylor on buying out Juwan Howard:
"It was hard because Juwan had never played for us,"
Taylor said Thursday. "But I’ve got to have (salary cap) room for next
year and the future. If I’m putting this together the way I think I am,
I’ve got to have the payroll lined up for two years from now as these
guys come out of their rookie contracts. I’ve got to have the money and
plan for that. That’s kind of what I’m doing now."
Taylor said Thursday. "But I’ve got to have (salary cap) room for next
year and the future. If I’m putting this together the way I think I am,
I’ve got to have the payroll lined up for two years from now as these
guys come out of their rookie contracts. I’ve got to have the money and
plan for that. That’s kind of what I’m doing now."
Vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale
said he believes the team will have the ability to sign other players
in the future, in part because Jefferson agreed to less than the
maximum salary. The Wolves will try to re-sign Smith and Gomes next
summer when their deals expire.
said he believes the team will have the ability to sign other players
in the future, in part because Jefferson agreed to less than the
maximum salary. The Wolves will try to re-sign Smith and Gomes next
summer when their deals expire.
Stephen Litel/Downtown Journal with a media roundup of predictions for the season.
The Timberwolves site got a redesign.
Mike Trudell/Timberwolves site with a season preview on Sebastian Telfair.
Timberwolves President Chris Wright says the change requires a new approach to promoting the team.
"We’re moving from a team that developed an image around one player —
whose image, voice, personality was evident in every report that was
talked about on the airwaves, seen on television, or read about in the
newspapers — to much more of a team concept," says Wright.
whose image, voice, personality was evident in every report that was
talked about on the airwaves, seen on television, or read about in the
newspapers — to much more of a team concept," says Wright.
Teammate Sebastian Telfair calls Jefferson a "freak of nature" when he
possesses the ball near the basket. Savvy vet Mark Madsen prefers to
call him a "machine" while Jefferson refers to himself as a "beast."
possesses the ball near the basket. Savvy vet Mark Madsen prefers to
call him a "machine" while Jefferson refers to himself as a "beast."
As the Wolves open their season tonight at Target Center, here’s hoping
Taylor and McHale can regain their credibility, if not their celebrity.
Taylor and McHale can regain their credibility, if not their celebrity.
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