Rumor: Al Jefferson on the block?

[Who]

As currently construed, where is this unit going to get them?  They can't even make the playoffs. Their ceiling isn't very high, even with a healthy Jefferson. Something needs to be done in Minnesota to mix it up and they can't keep hoping to address things via the draft.   

Jefferson is an attractive bargaining chip.  Shopping him around is actually a pretty smart idea. 

Can't argue much with that line of thought, Dons.

But it's all about what you can get for Jefferson. If you're not getting more than payroll relief, you're selling way too low.

Agreed -- no point in trading Big Al when you're getting so little in return for him. He has far more value as a player than he does as a trade asset at this point in time.

That means you keep the player.

[JSD]

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/17014/wolves-burning-up-the-phones

According to sources they've offered him to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince this week and have also contacted the Pacers about their interest in Jefferson for Troy Murphy's expiring contract.

However, the latest thing I'm hearing out of Minnesota may have the most legs. Sources have told me that the Wolves and Grizzlies have been discussing a swap that would send Jefferson to the Grizzlies for Zach Randolph. The deal would allow the Wolves to save a lot of money over time. Randolph has one year, $17.6 million left on his contract. Jefferson has three years, $42 million left.

Al Jefferson for an expiring contract. Incredible.

It's looknig more and more like Kahn is lost. Jefferson is the type of player to add to, not trade for cap relief... Insane.

I don't know.  Given Big Al's injury concerns and the problems trotting out a Love/Jefferson combo, something needs to be done.  I'm not sure Big Al's the building piece they necessarily need since there really hasn't been indications that Love could be moved.

Outside of Taylor pocketing extra doe, trading Jefferson for cap relief is a terrible idea.

As currently construed, where is this unit going to get them?  They can't even make the playoffs. Their ceiling isn't very high, even with a healthy Jefferson. Something needs to be done in Minnesota to mix it up and they can't keep hoping to address things via the draft.  

Jefferson is an attractive bargaining chip.  Shopping him around is actually a pretty smart idea.  

I'm not saying don't trade him, I'm saying don't give him away. I don't subcribe to the "Let's keep shuffling the deck and we'll hit eventually" theory of NBA Gm'ing. Give them a chance, allow the team to mature and grow. Bring some veteran leadership in.

[nyceltsfan]

The way the league is going, I bet he gets traded for Luke Walton's left pinky toe.

[JSD]

The way the league is going, I bet he gets traded for Luke Walton's left pinky toe.

Imagine.... Luke Walton and Sasha V. for Big Al? I'd puke, but it's possible if they're just looking for expiring contracts.

[Lucky17]

The way the league is going, I bet he gets traded for Luke Walton's left pinky toe.

The trade would be rescinded when the toe failed both its physical and its drug test (contact high from dear old dad).

[ManUp]

I interpret this as they are going for Cousins.

It would be a great move for the Grizzlies.

They'd have an unbelievable young core assuming they resign Gay.

[byennie]

Here's my stab:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2bdt2j8

In short: Beasley & Perk to Minnesota, cap relief (Sheed) to Miami, Big Al to Boston

[Chris]

Here's my stab:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2bdt2j8

In short: Beasley & Perk to Minnesota, cap relief (Sheed) to Miami, Big Al to Boston

Hmmm, thats actually not a bad deal all around.  I still don't think it happens...and I don't think Danny has much interest in bringing Al back to pay him to sit in street clothes.  But it is an interesting option.

[Eddie20]

Minnesota gets way too much IMO. Especially since they basically want to dump Al for an expiring.

[byennie]

Here's my stab:
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2bdt2j8

In short: Beasley & Perk to Minnesota, cap relief (Sheed) to Miami, Big Al to Boston

Hmmm, thats actually not a bad deal all around.  I still don't think it happens...and I don't think Danny has much interest in bringing Al back to pay him to sit in street clothes.  But it is an interesting option.

Yeah, I doubt it happens, but I think it makes a lot of sense for everyone involved. Cs get better now AND for the future, albeit with some risks around Big Al. But with Perk hurt and in the last year of his deal, and Sheed retiring... that's a nice haul.

Miami gets the cap relief they want, and Minnesota gets Beasley who would fit much better alongside Love (and makes a lot less money). Perk can backup Love for defense.

Down the road Big Al ain't cheap but $25M for Big Al + Rondo isn't too bad considering the amount of $20M players in the league.

[byennie]

Minnesota gets way too much IMO. Especially since they basically want to dump Al for an expiring.

But which team is not happy with that trade? Miami has already offered Beasley around for cap relief, and Boston is only giving up Perk and a retiring Sheed... so it may stack up well for Minnesota but I see it as a win-win deal.

I also don't buy that Minnesota offers Al for an expiring. They want at least a good cheap young talent along with that.

[LB3533]

I don't want Al Jefferson back. He's too much of an injury risk and at such a young age too.

It's understandable if an older player has some injury concerns.

Also, Al Jefferson's game is not suited for Rondo.

Al Jefferson's game is boring. He has no real hops and doesn't run the break.

An aging KG still runs the break.

[xmuscularghandix]

I don't want Al Jefferson back. He's too much of an injury risk and at such a young age too.

It's understandable if an older player has some injury concerns.

Also, Al Jefferson's game is not suited for Rondo.

Al Jefferson's game is boring. He has no real hops and doesn't run the break.

An aging KG still runs the break.

This is all true. 

But it kills me because Big Al was gonna be the next big Celtic after PP...

[KungPoweChicken]

If Rasheed officially says he will retire, why not offer Perkins, Sheed (cap relief), and Big Baby Davis?


Minnesota gets a traditional big man to pair up with Love. We get a young, legitimate 20/10 guy.

[greg_kite]

If Minn trades Big Al for cap relief or Tayshawn Prince then Kahn needs to be fired.  Big Al can get healthy and be a 20-10 guy again this year.  He's 2 years removed from 20 and 11 and he's still young.  They have no idea what they're doing in Sota.

I hope Al goes to Memphis.  At least they're a fun team to watch that's heading in the right direction.  Big Al and Rudy was the forward pairing I wanted to see in Boston.  I'd have a new second favorite team and I wouldn't have to hope that Minn doesn't screw up another draft.

Big Al's hard work to become a solid post player was good enough to get us KG and win a title, so he'll always be one of my favorite players and always a Celtic.