Kahn strikes again: Darko to MIN

[BudweiserCeltic]

I wonder if this means Big Al is on the move.

What does this have to do with Al?

Well, they have another big man now.  Seems like a silly move (both contracts are expiring) unless it's a prelude to something else.

They traded another big man, to get one, so in that regard nothing changed. Plus, both Big Al and Kevin Love are at their best playing as PF's, so exchanging Brian Cardinal for a better player in Darko who is center is a no brainer as far as I'm concerned.

[cavman]

Sincerely doubt they are moving Big Al. 

Don't worry, they won't send him back for Ray, or Scals & Uno Uno

[More Banners]

Sincerely doubt they are moving Big Al. 

Don't worry, they won't send him back for Ray, or Scals & Uno Uno

I doubt they're moving him just because it would be hard to get equal value, i.e. the young top-level wing scorer that they so desperately need (like the guys we want to trade Ray for).

[indeedproceed]

Apparently the Wolves think they can get something out of Darko, and convince him to stay after this season if he works out. I don't see why they do this otherwise.

The New York Knicks traded Darko Milicic to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Brian Cardinal on Wednesday.

The Timberwolves also received cash considerations in the deal that was completed Wednesday night.

The trade will save the Knicks $1.8 million and give the Wolves a center to audition for the rest of the season. Milicic has been mired at the end of Mike D'Antoni's bench for months and has publicly said he's likely to return to Europe to play basketball when his contract expires this summer.

[jambr380]

Apparently the Wolves think they can get something out of Darko, and convince him to stay after this season if he works out. I don't see why they do this otherwise.

The New York Knicks traded Darko Milicic to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Brian Cardinal on Wednesday.

The Timberwolves also received cash considerations in the deal that was completed Wednesday night.

The trade will save the Knicks $1.8 million and give the Wolves a center to audition for the rest of the season. Milicic has been mired at the end of Mike D'Antoni's bench for months and has publicly said he's likely to return to Europe to play basketball when his contract expires this summer.

This whole NBA experiment for Darko has been kind of a disaster. He has been on the end of NBA benches for a while now. If he really did have all of this potential, it's too bad no one really ever tried to get it out of him- especially after he got that decent contract...now did anyone actually think Cardinal was going to be good?

[slamdunk]

I'm guessing the Knicks did this deal so the Nate/House deal will work cap-wise?

[timepiece33]

I'm guessing the Knicks did this deal so the Nate/House deal will work cap-wise?

Seems like it.  Do the Giddens/House deal with this deal tied in and it works. 

[StartOrien]

Kahn is playing checkers while the rest of the league is playing chess!

[slamtheking]

Darko has tons of untapped potential, but expectations were too high after going #2 in the draft.  He's a good passer and shooter, high-post guy, and defender, so he should be a perfect fit for the triangle offense, and should probably start next to KLove or Al (which is the problem...which one?).

Any chance we get in on this with the Nate/House trade?

Here's one that works on ESPN's trade machine:

BOS:  Nate, Gomes
NYK:  House, Giddens(cut), Cardinal (and BOS 2nd round pick)
MIN:  Darko, Scal (and BOS 1st round pick)

I'm not sure how picks work for salary in trades, but I'd swap a late 1st rounder for Gomes and Scal's expiring.  He'd be a decent big 3/small 4 off the bench, and the last 2 years of his deal are only partially guaranteed.  Minny could get more for him, but I'm hoping they see him as a too-expensive backup on their squad.

so you're ok with getting Gomes and Nate for 3 expiring deals, a low-20's first round pick and a 2nd round pick?

No thanks.  Way to much payment for a 3-month rental of a backup Pg and a short PF/Slow SF.  I like Gomes and Robinson is probably an upgrade over House but that's a lot to give up fo them.