NBA.com: Wolves Match Hassell Contract From Blazers

To be honest, I am kind of shocked the Wolves matched the contract. Huge contract for a bit role player.


http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/hassell_040804.html
Aug. 4, 2004 — Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale today announced the team has matched the free agent contract offered by the Portland Trail Blazers to guard/forward Trenton Hassell. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Under the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Timberwolves had 15 days in which to either match the offer or lose Hassell's services. Hassell signed an offer sheet with the Trail Blazers on July 26. He became a restricted free agent July 1 and therefore was eligible to solicit offers from other clubs.
"We're pleased to have re-signed Trenton and have him in the fold for the next few years," McHale said. "Trenton played a key role in what our team was able to accomplish last season. He works tremendously hard on both ends of the court and will provide depth at the shooting guard and small forward positions."

In his first season with the Wolves in 2003-04, Hassell averaged 5.0 points (career-best .465 FG%), 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 28.0 minutes per game in 81 contests (started 74). He was signed by the Wolves on Oct. 29, after being waived by Chicago six days earlier. The three-year NBA veteran reached double figures on eight occasions, collecting a season-high 15 points vs. Phoenix on Jan. 25. He played a career-high 46 minutes on March 7 vs. Boston; the Wolves finished 25-11 when he logged 30+ minutes, 14-5 when he scored 8+ points and 13-4 when he grabbed 5+ rebounds. He dealt a season-high seven assists on Jan. 6 vs. the L.A. Lakers. Hassell scored 14 points with nine rebounds on Dec. 18 vs. Dallas, and had 14 points and 10 rebounds on Dec. 12 at Washington, his first career double-double.
"I'm happy to be staying in Minnesota and I can't wait for the start of the season to hit the court and get back to work," Hassell said. "I'm excited about where we are going as a team, after the things we accomplished last season."

Hassell was originally selected by Chicago in the second round (30th overall) of the 2001 NBA Draft. The Austin Peay University product appeared in 160 games (started 100) over two seasons with the Bulls (2001-02 and 2002-03), averaging 6.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 26.5 minutes per game. He finished 10th among NBA rookies in scoring, 19th in rebounding, 10th in assists, third in three-point field goal percentage and sixth in minutes.

 

Fair observation. Wally is coming off the bench for the Wolves with Hassell in the lineup. That is a smart move. If the Wolves could move Wally for for SAR that would be a coup for them. SAR would be a super 6th man for them or could be on the front line with Garnett and Johnson. Plus SAR's contract is over after this year so they would get cap relief if they dont resign him.
Garnett, Sprewell, Cassell, Hudson, SAR...that's a lot of firepower on that team. They wouldn't be hurting to score points.

For the Blazers, they want a SF that will compliment Randolph and Wally could be that guy. Makes me then wonder if they would try harder to move Miles. But Wally makes sense in Portland.

 

More on a potential Wally for SAR deal...

http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1091621137167640.xml

 

6 years, 27M. Slightly over 4M each year with no raises I believe.

 

They would still have outside shooting via Cassell, Hudson and Hoiberg.

Garnett is really their only low post presence. Getting SAR would add a second would which I think would be huge. It would give Garnett a chance to take longer breaks on the bench.