04/18/24
October 01, 2003
Damn! And I was looking forward to asking if he was going to stay!: Kevin Garnett has reached an agreement on a contract extension with the Minnesota Timberwolves. The deal is said to average more than $21 Million over the next 5 years. I'm glad KG is staying in Minny but, did they just mortgage their future again?
More inside....
posted by lilnemo to basketball at 03:49 PM - 6 comments
I agree with you lilnemo: the subplot I find most interesting will be seeing how Wally responds when he assumes his rightful role as a third- or fourth-option spot-up shooter (albeit a very good one). Bold prediction: KG doubles his triple-double total from 2002-03 and finshes with 12.
posted by smithers at 04:20 PM on October 01, 2003
Interesting prediction smithers. But assists could be a problem with these guys as they have a tendency to force shots on occasion. When SpoFi Fantasy Basketball Season Arrives we shall see...
posted by lilnemo at 04:25 PM on October 01, 2003
Blah! - Miinny and LA were responsible for the last work stoppage and CBA! They offered up the friggin' deals. Anytime you spend on a superstar the price is a certain amount of flexibility in future deals - but it's supposed to be worth it becuase you've signed a once-in-a-generation player. Is KG one of those guys? Yep. Is he worth the money? Whoa - that's different.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 04:33 PM on October 01, 2003
Didn't the TWolves already do an almost complete roster turn this Summer? I don't see how this makes for much of a negative.
posted by billsaysthis at 05:09 PM on October 01, 2003
Weedy-I completely agree with your assessment. Teams have to show some "fiscal responsibility" in negotiations. And as such they largely hold the blame for these lucrative contracts. I didn't mean to implicate the players themselves, only the deals they were offered. Hell I'd take the money! billsaysthis-You have to agree that the KG contract takes up the bulk of Minny's cap space. Yes, they did a roster overhaul but bear this in mind: No one is signed long term except KG & Wally. And Wally isn't a shoo-in to stay. Spree & Hudson have PO for next season. Cassell and Kandi's deals end the season after that. Who do they keep? They will want either extensions, or new contracts. Thats if they don't bolt like this years crop of FA did. It's not like Minny has good picks to throw in trades, or cash. And if significant contributors leave there won't be any draftees to stand in and adequately replace them, much less "enough" money for suitable FA replacements.
posted by lilnemo at 06:09 PM on October 01, 2003
Kevin Garnett and Shaq were responsible for the last work stoppage, and subsequent CBA. Since Shaq plays for a team in a "Major Media Market" money isn't as much of an issue (though Jerry Buss is loathe to exceed the Luxury tax limit). But KG plays for "Small Market" Minny, where some of that extra-curricular cash doesn't regularly flow. Does this adversely effect Minnesota's ability to mix-and-match in the free agent derbies to come? We all know they're still down a few draft picks for the next few years thanks to "Ordinary Joe" Smith. So Free Agency would be the only logical way to add or re-enfuse the team if you will. I don't suggest that the team as it is currently constituted isn't capable of winning and winning big. But there are a few variables involved. All the "tradeable assets" they have acquired are also combustible (Sprewell, Cassell, Olowokandi). If things don't go right this could go ugly. Fast. And if it doesn't, who do you resign? Cassell and Hudson have similar games (though Cassell is very effective in the post). Spree and Wally both demand the ball ( though Spree is better at creating his own shot). This could truly be a season that determines the course of the franchise. Moreso than the year that bonehead Joe screwed them in the first place.