Timberwolves to meet with Mike James - Who?

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...le&cid=1151963410225&call_pageid=969907729483

Toronto Star - 07/04 - 6:09 AM EST

LAS VEGAS—The Raptors have zeroed in on a couple of free agents they expect to sign next week and they aren't going to be all-star calibre.

But for a team that needs depth and "glue" guys more than anything, that's not a huge problem.

Character and a willingness to accept a specific role are more important to the ever-changing team because many of the high-profile spots are already filled.

With Chris Bosh, T.J. Ford, veteran swingman Morris Peterson, rookie Andrea Bargnani and veteran centre Rasho Nesterovic, the team needs players who fit, rather than players to build around, and it's logical to think they've already got their men.

Having been at negotiations since midnight Friday night — Toronto was assuredly letting its targeted free agents know of the interest as soon as it was allowed — there's every reason to expect they've got agreements in principle in place.

Several players —Tim Thomas, Vladimir Radmanovic and Bobby Jackson most notably — have already signaled they will move and it'd be foolish to think the Raptors, with about $13 million (all figures U.S.) in cap room, won't be as active as the teams that have already added players.

There are a handful of players still on the market who would fit into the category of someone useful without commanding a huge salary.

Phoenix's Eddie House would be intriguing, a proven scorer off the bench, Cleveland's Flip Murray is a combo guard, and Indiana's Fred Jones has the kind of athleticism Toronto might want.

Toss in the likes of Utah's Matt Harpring, a tough competitor and backup outside shooter the team lacks, with Denver's Greg Buckner and there are several players the Raptors might like.

No one from the team will comment on or off the record on potential signings because of the moratorium the league has imposed. Teams can reach agreements with free agents at any time but can't sign them officially until July 12.

Meanwhile, ex-Raptor guard Mike James, who has drawn interest from the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks since the free agent negotiation period opened Saturday, is to meet with officials from Minnesota here today but if he is to become a member of the Timberwolves, the Raptors aren't going to facilitate the move in a sign-and-trade transaction.

There is no one on the Minnesota roster who remotely interests the Raptors — save the unavailable Kevin Garnett, that is — so James will have to accept a mid-level exception starting salary of just over $5 million.

In a sign-and-trade deal, James could get much more by signing with Toronto for any amount and being immediately shipped to the Timberwovles.

However, because they have no interest in taking on any Minnesota players, the Raptors are not interested.

 

Looks like the Wolves are eager to get him:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/14982905.htm

Timberwolves making big push to sign James
Free-agent point guard also meeting with Rockets, Mavericks
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press

LAS VEGAS — The Timberwolves' pursuit of Mike James is in high gear, and the free-agent point guard said Thursday that the Wolves are one of three teams he's still considering.

Wolves officials had a meeting scheduled late Thursday night to recruit James. But that didn't stop them from getting together earlier in the day in what James described as a get-to-know-you session.

James was in attendance at the Cox Pavilion for Thursday's summer league games. He took advantage of the opportunity to sit in the stands and talk with Wolves vice president Kevin McHale and general manager Jim Stack. James' agent, Bill Duffy, was there, too.

James, one of the biggest names remaining on the free-agent market, was a busy man Thursday. He met with the Houston Rockets and had a long talk at Cox Pavilion with Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

"Minnesota is definitely one of my top (choices)," James said. "They have one of the best players in the NBA in Kevin Garnett. I've been a fan of Kevin since I've been in the game. It would be an honor for me to play with somebody like that, because I think he thinks like me as far as how I approach the game, and he would bring out the best in me."

At one point, while Cuban and James chatted in the stands, McHale visited with Duffy at the other end of the arena.

James has decisions to make. The Wolves, Mavericks and Rockets all are interested in landing him. James said he wasn't leaning toward signing with any of the teams, but that was before he was set to get together and talk contract figures with the Wolves later in the evening.

The Wolves appear to be making a serious push for James. Owner Glen Taylor has spoken with the veteran as well. James also talked with Rob Babcock, his former general manager in Toronto who now works in Minnesota's front office, on Thursday.

James, who turned 31 in June, averaged 20.3 points and 5.8 assists last season in Toronto. He shot 44.2 percent from three-point range last season and ranked fourth in the NBA.

Teams can agree to contracts with free agents but can't officially sign them until the moratorium ends Wednesday.