The T-wolves are shopping T-Brandon according to espn. Rumors: Terrell Brandon on the move? By Chad Ford NBA Insider Send an Email to Chad Ford Wednesday, June 11 Updated: June 11 9:38 AM ET Brandon Point guard Terrell Brandon hasn't played an NBA in 17 months, but the T-Wolves still believe he has major trade value. Why? Because Brandon is expected to call it quits this summer due to a knee injury. That means his $11.1 million salary will come off the books completely in February of 2004. For a team trying to clear cap space by the end of the year to avoid luxury-tax penalties, that's huge. Timberwolves VP Kevin McHale claims he already has spoken to more than one team about a trade involving Brandon. "I'll be very surprised if we don't get something done," McHale told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "But I've been surprised before. I think the odds of us being able to do something are very good. But I've said a million times, I may want to make a deal, but if you don't want to, I can't fly to your city and beat you into it." While McHale wouldn't disclose which teams he has talked to, he appears confident one of them will pull the trigger. "We have enough teams that have interest," he said. "There is enough interest on our part that we should be able to work out something." That's a huge revelation for T-Wolves fans. McHale also acknowledged that the team is currently in talks with Kevin Garnett about a contract extension. Garnett has publicly stated that he'd like to wait to sign an extension until he sees what the Wolves do this summer. It sounds like McHale is taking him seriously. What could the T-Wolves get for Brandon's expiring contract? Insider has been poking around for the past few weeks, trying to sniff out a deal. Here are the most likely possibilities. 1. Brandon to the Wizards for Jerry Stackhouse and Christian Laettner Jerry Stackhouse Guard-Forward Washington Wizards Profile 2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT% 70 21.5 3.7 4.5 .409 .878 Why would the Wizards do it? Washington is looking to clean house after Michael Jordan's exit. The team thought Stackhouse would opt out of his deal this year. However, Stackhouse knows he probably won't be able to get more than the $6.5 million he's already due. The move would give the Wizards around $20 million in cap room next season to lure a major free agent to Washington to play alongside young players like Kwame Brown, Brendan Haywood and Jared Jeffries. Why would the Wolves do it? Stackhouse would give the Wolves a lethal scoring threat alongside KG and Wally Szczerbiak. The Wolves were forced to move Szczerbiak and Garnett out of position this past season. This move allows the team to move them back to small forward and power forward, respectively, and concentrate on a point guard in free agency. You think they could lure Gary Payton with a lineup of Stackhouse, Wally, KG and Rasho Nesterovic? That's some serious firepower. Laettner is just a throw-in for cap purposes. Both Stackhouse's and Laettner's deals expire after the 2004-05 season. 2. Brandon to the Heat for Eddie Jones Eddie Jones Shooting Guard Miami Heat Profile 2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT% 47 18.5 4.8 3.7 .423 .822 Why would the Heat do it? Jones' big contract takes away the team's flexibility in the summer. The Heat are eyeing Dwyane Wade and Mickael Pietrus with their No. 5 pick, and neither player fits if Jones is still on board. The move would put the team at about $18 million under the cap for the 2004-05 season. Why would the Wolves do it? Jones has struggled the past two seasons in Miami being the main man. But when he slides into a supporting role, his value shines through. He's a strong defender, has great size for the position, and he can shoot the ball. He'd be a major upgrade at the two for the Wolves and would allow Szczerbiak and Garnett to move back to their respective positions. The bad news is Jones' deal doesn't expire until after the 2006-07 season. 3. Brandon and Marc Jackson to the Bulls for Jalen Rose and Dalibor Bagaric Jalen Rose Guard-Forward Chicago Bulls Profile 2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT% 82 22.1 4.3 4.8 .406 .854 Why would the Bulls do it? Because they haven't been in love with Rose's attitude since Jay Williams came on board last season. The move would put them at around $10 million under the cap for the summer of 2004. It would also give them the flexibility to start signing some of their upcoming free agents like Jamal Crawford, Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry to extensions at the end of the year. Why would the Wolves do it? Because they like Rose and think he'd be a nice fit alongside Garnett and Wally. While no one's sure whether there are enough shots in the world for all three of these guys, they'd be potent offensively. The bad news is Rose's contract doesn't expire until after the 2006-07 season. 4. Brandon and the No. 26 pick to the Cavs for Ricky Davis and Michael Stewart Ricky Davis Guard-Forward Cleveland Cavaliers Profile 2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT% 79 20.6 4.9 5.5 .410 .748 Why would the Wolves do it? They made a tender offer to Davis last season, but the Cavs quickly matched. Davis would give the team a big-time scorer and a guy who's proved he can pass. Why would the Cavs do it? Cap room and chemistry. Davis, LeBron James, Dajuan Wagner and Darius Miles won't be able to co-exist on the same team. The Cavs may be able to get a better deal, but this is the only one that can give them the $15 million in cap room they'll need during the summer of 2004 season to get a dominant low-post player to play with LeBron. 5. Brandon to the Grizzlies for Stromile Swift and Jason Williams Stromile Swift Forward-Center Memphis Grizzlies Profile 2002-2003 SEASON STATISTICS GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT% 67 9.7 5.7 0.7 .481 .722 Why would the Grizzlies do it? I know Jerry West will pick up the phone and claim this doesn't make his team better, but sometimes addition by subtraction is the way to go. Yes, they lose a promising player like Swift, but they already have Pau Gasol, and he's going to dominate the minutes in the paint. The good news is they get Williams' terrible deal off the books and can start looking at $15 million in cap room for the summer of 2004. Mike Miller's new deal will eat up some of that room, but at least the Grizzlies would be a lot closer to clearing enough space to make a run at Kobe in 2004. As for a replacement at the point, West already believes Earl Watson is the answer. Why would the T-Wolves do it? It's an interesting proposition. Swift is starting to show the promise of a No. 2 pick. A front line of Swift, Garnett and Nestrovic would be tough to handle. And as much as people rail on Jason Williams, he has improved. A lineup of Williams, Wally, KG, Swift and Nesterovic would be fun to watch. But remember, the Wolves will have to turn around and find a way to sign Swift in free agency next summer, and they'll be stuck with Williams for the next five seasons. Brandon deal in the cards Greg Johnson / St. Paul Pioneer Press My question is would the Rockets consider sending them Mobley and Taylor for Brandon contract and their 1st rd pick? It would make the Wolves stronger and our team weaker, but what we could get is some real flexibility next season. We could resign Posey and next season have enough to offer the max to someone in the summer of 04. With Rice 9mill and Brandon 11 mill, therockets could be in the running for a top tier free agent. Also , we could fill those spots thisyr with the mle for a player like Barry and Ty Hill. Next summer, we could really be major players. Is it worth the risk?
Umm, no. Let's see what JVG wants. I'm pretty sure he would be interested in others rather than 2nd helpings of Brandon.
The problem with that scenario for Houston is that you're essentially writing off the season in return for cap room. You think Les is going to send us back to the lotto with a big money new coach and a shiny new arena? I don't think so. Hell, I won't be able to stand it if we miss the playoffs again.
lee- Personally, I think you're looking at it in the reverse way. Rice has a contract similar to Brandon's- it also comes off the books at the end of the year, except Rice makes about 1.5 mill less. If these types of deals are out there for Brandon, they're probably out there for Rice- who can still probably give 20-25 mins. a game. If Jason Williams had any sort of shot selection or defense, the Swift/Williams idea would be intriguing...Williams is a playmaker with an eyepopping AST/TO ratio. Swift allows you to parlay Mobley and Griffin or Swift into a pretty good frontcourt talent.
Use this to gauge the value of Rice's deal - as others note. What you get is a trouble (selfish) player and/or a bad contract. I'd rather use Rice as a throw in to sweeten unloading one of our bad contracts - Taylor or Cato. I think you can get more replacing frontcourt guys, anyway. The SAR deal looks pretty sweet in comparison to those listed. If I help Memphis unload JWil - I'd want something really nice in return. They'd have to take Taylor and Mooch or give up Gasol. JWil can play and all but he's no max. In short, won't happen.
Is it really writing the season off though? Posey resigns and plays the 2 spot with Peeler and Norris as a backup. Nachbar,Morris or Rice mans the 3 with the other 2 giving depth. The mle is used or split on a backup 4 to Eddie. Cato backs up ming while the 26th pick,and Hawkins gives us depth. Is that team good enough to compete for a playoff spot? If you answer no, then its all relative, but if you answer yes, then look at the other positives. After the season, the Rockets would have Brandon (11mill),Rice(9mill) and Peeler(2mill) off the books. The only contracts they would have would be Ming(4mill),Francis(10mill),Cato(7mill),Posey(5mill provided he resigns),Griffin (2.5mil) and Nachbar(1mill), plus the draft pick. Thats like 30 mill of a 43mill dollar cap. They would in turn be able to sign a max type free agent to go along with the team they already have on top of not being close to the luxury tax which no owner wants to pay. Who could that be in the summer of 2004? How about Kobe or Wallace? What about oneof those clippers who don't resign like Brand or Odom. Take your pick. I'm not saying it will or it won't happen, I'm just saying that everything should be considered. Most times even when a team gets success, they still tinker with it to make the team better. NJ did it last yr eventhough they made it to the finals. Sacramento has done it every yr since 98 even though they've won over 55 games the last couple of season. Dallas did it last yr and this yr and plans to do it again. Even the team that will be champs are going ot add and subtract players from their roster. The team always needs to look at getting players. Even teams that win the ring still add a player here or a player there to stay on top. The worse thing the Rockets ca be is mediocre.
If the T-wolves are somehow able to land Jalen Rose in a trade, they will finally have a 2nd go-to guy. They won't have to rely on Troy Hudson to take buzzer beaters, and Wally Szcerbiak can go back to being a role player.
yes i would. damnit, leebigez, i'm really starting to enjoy your posts! the reality of this team is that they will only go as far as yao ming and steve francis can take them. mobley, griffin, taylor, and whoever else are all just complementary parts. so, what your question really comes down to is: would you trade complementary parts for a chance to sign a franchise type player the next season? oh hell yes. that's a no brainer. notable free agents in 04: kobe bryant (already stated he WILL be opting out) rasheed wallace (next to eddie and ming? oh my.) elton brand (after he signs the 1 yr tender) lamar odom (see elton brand) allen iverson (if he were to opt out) kenyon martin oh did i forget someone? how about KEVIN GARNETT. that's right. he'll be a FA, too. then there's the 2nd tier players like: manu ginobili jamal crawford you're retaining your core (yao/francis) and have a chance to add a true impact player the next season?? no brainer. of course you do it.
Many was seeing it as a no brainer not to do it, but I was thinking more along the lines of adding a impact player, plus still having a very good core. Playing with Francis and Ming is going to be tempting to anyone. Wallace could be a very good 2nd or 3rd scorer. Brand could be that enforcer rebounder everyone wants while being less than 26yrs old. Kobe, is well Kobe and I might be dreaming thinking about him, but if you have the money, all he can say is no thanks. I'm pretty sure that Les doesn't want to pay luxury tax for a mediocre team. Just thinking of the Rockets going into the season with the team i mentioned and then having the flexibility to add a impact player, then you're really ready to go. Even if Ming Turns into what we think and Francis gets his head on straight, there's a team down I-10 building a potential dynasty. If they sign O'Neal or a pair like Miller and Odom, how will that effect the Rockets? How about combating those players with Francis,Ming, and Wallace or Kobe or Brand?
AND: Even if the Rox offer Cat and MoT for Brandon, I don't think the Wolves will bite. IMHO, Chad Ford's 5 scenarios will sound sweeter to Minnesota. I particularly like the Memphis scenario.
Yes, I did. I still think throwing away a year wouldn't be good for the franchise. They need to come into next season and really play well. Just have everything new except for the players... The hope of getting a franchise player is so slim, the organization just shouldn't throw away a season for it.
how is it throwing away a season if you're retaining your core players (yao & steve)? no matter if motay or cat are here, we only go as far as yao and steve take us, right?
I still don't see how its like throwing a season away. Posey may not score like Mobley, but he's a better defender and would b better for chemistry along with Peeler off the bench . Taylor could be offset with Griffin and the backup 4. I don't see how thats throwing away the season. On top off that we'll be able to add a high quality fa at the end of the season like Sa will do this yr. Verse- Thats what I'm saying. We're getting rid of salaries and role players, but keeping the core and maybe adding another impact player. Is the trade off more appealing if you knew you could get Brand or Wallace to go along with Francis and Ming. Giving up 2 avg players and replacing them with 2 avg players and a impact player sounds more appealing in the quest for a ring to me.
Most of the guys on the list have a bad contract. Cat doesnt. Yeah, i know Mo does, but u dont throw away Cat, your biggest trade hand, unless you know for sure u will get a big time free agent soon. This situation will not be it. And as for KG, he WILL resign w/ Minnesota if they get Cat. He would be a difference maker there. They would've beaten the Lakers this year if they had Cat. As for your question about not throwing the year away. U would be wrong. We just got a coach who is iffy on offense, we had problems of our own last year in scoring, and u wanna go away w/ our secont leading scorer??? Our star players are not like KG or Duncan, and u cant pencil us in the playoffs just w/ Steve and Yao just yet. Cat will be needed. I would say NO THANKS
