More Trade Rumors

UPDATE: As I finished writing, now Beasley/Crawford/Lakers buzz is flying...I can't keep up anymore.

Over at Canis Hoopus, they referenced a couple more recent trade rumors that are being talked about this afternoon.  One would involve a Michael Beasley/Jason Richardson swap with Orlando, and the other involving CJ Miles from Utah.  One of the options involving CJ Miles is a three team deal where the Wolves would give up Ellington and possible draft picks, and receive Miles and Jamaal Tinsley in return.



Future Timberwolves: Eric Gordon?

As we draw nearer to the NBA trade deadline 2 days from now, more and more rumors are flying around involving Dwight Howard, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Jamal Crawford, Michael Beasley, Pau Gasol, and just about every other player in the league it seems like.  At this point I get the feeling more and more that Minnesota is going to stand pat this week with the roster they have.  Unless they are overwhelmed by an offer for Beasley or Williams, I just don't see Kahn parting with either one of those guys with the team in this position in the Western Conference standings.  The return from a trade by the Wolves would probably be in the form of draft picks, and I would be surprised if the chemistry on this team is disrupted this week - even with the loss of Ricky Rubio.  Looking further ahead beyond this season and into the off-season, however, my eyes are set on one player: Eric Gordon.

 

Wolves/Lakers - Beat the Streak

This past Tuesday, March 6th, marked my fifth anniversary.  Nope, not my wedding anniversary - that's not for a few more weeks.  Tuesday was the 5 year anniversary of the last time I saw my favorite basketball team beat the LA Lakers.  That night at Target Center, Ricky Davis was 2 assists shy of a triple-double (33 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists), KG poured in 26 and 17, Rashad McCants played 22 minutes off the bench, and Marko Jaric and Mark Blount started at the 2 and 5 respectively.  Kobe had his usual performance against the Wolves, scoring 40 points, 13 boards, and 8 assists.  Even Smush Parker scored 24 that night, but it wasn't enough as the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 12-2 in the 2nd overtime to win 117-107.  It's been 17 straight Laker victories since that night.

This is what Kobe thought of Smush Parker.

Sit Back and Relax Mr. Kahn

As one of our most esteemed followers noted after last night's victory, I too am hoping I am not just reacting to one night's performance when I say this.  At this point, unless the Wolves are acquiring a 1st or 2nd scoring option before the trade deadline, I really hope no significant deals are done to disturb what's going on with this team right now.  Are the T'Wolves on a path toward the NBA Finals?  I think that is probably quite a stretch.  However, the type of player it would take to get to that level would take a trade piece with the names "Rubio" or "Love" on the back of the jersey to make that happen.

Darko 2, Blake 0.

Leading up to last night's tilt with the Clippers, hope was at an all-time high and I couldn't wait for the 2nd half of the season to see what my favorite basketball team could do as they push for the playoffs.  More specifically, I really wanted to see the match-up between our best power forward, Kevin Love, and Blake Griffin.  Just to throw this out there right off the bat, I am not a big fan of Blake Griffin.  I never have been and never will be.  My opinion of Blake Griffin before last night was that he was really good at dunking a basketball, and not much else.  So, last night I was really hoping Love would dominate Griffin all-around to validate my opinion.

Future Timberwolves: Lakers 1st Rounder?

Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press noted on Saturday that the Timberwolves are serious about the possibility of trading Michael Beasley for a 1st round pick from the LA Lakers.  On the surface, that sounds like a great idea, knowing that Beasley was acquired from the Miami Heat for a 2nd round pick.  Good job, Kahn!  Right?

The Lakers currently own their own 1st rounders every year moving forward, and they also own Dallas' 2012 pick - top 20 protected.  If the season ended today, the Lakers pick would be #21, and Dallas would own #22 (which means the Lakers would get it this year).  So, the question becomes, is a #21 or #22 draft pick worth acquiring in this upcoming draft for Michael Beasley?