Rumour:Lakers-Magic-Twolves

[PosImpos]

Well, for example -- if Minnesota is trading for Gasol, that mean's they're in "win-now" mode.  In that scenario, they'd have interest in a savvy veteran who can knock down shots like Ray.  They'd also be much more willing to part with a future 1st (e.g. 2013), which would likely be in the 20s. 

Send Ray to Minnesota, get back a couple of players like Webster (one year left on his deal) and Randolph (expiring, perhaps worth re-signing) plus a 2013 or 2014 1st round pick.

This sure is a far cry from a couple posts ago when you said the Celtics should send 'either Pierce or Ray to Orlando' and get back someone who was the  #2 pick in the draft this year.  Either way, trading Ray for anything considerable is not even on the table.  As I have stated countless times - that could change as we get closer to the deadline and a team sees Ray as someone who is necessary to a run.  But again, that's only for a paltry late first. As of now, he is not even worth *that*

Just because Woj said on WEEI that no teams have shown an interest in trading a 1st for Ray right now doesn't mean that situation can't change.

Yea I've said that about five different times now I think.

I think in the context of this multi-team deal, the T-Wolves would be willing.

So now it's the Wolves who you think would take Ray all of a sudden? Three posts ago it was Ray to Orlando for Derrick Williams.

Ray to anywhere for a 1st would be nice.  If we get it, great.  If not, oh well.  Don't cut yourself over it.  Every team in the league knows Ray can be had, and if someone wants him, all they have to do is call Danny.

You really love looking for fights, don't you?

From what I've seen, you spend all of your time posting here looking for ways in which other people disagree with you and then making long posts trying your best to pick apart those points, when the discussion has long ago moved on elsewhere.

You're a discussion killer, birdbrady, in a number of ways.

[birdbrady]

Well, for example -- if Minnesota is trading for Gasol, that mean's they're in "win-now" mode.  In that scenario, they'd have interest in a savvy veteran who can knock down shots like Ray.  They'd also be much more willing to part with a future 1st (e.g. 2013), which would likely be in the 20s. 

Send Ray to Minnesota, get back a couple of players like Webster (one year left on his deal) and Randolph (expiring, perhaps worth re-signing) plus a 2013 or 2014 1st round pick.

This sure is a far cry from a couple posts ago when you said the Celtics should send 'either Pierce or Ray to Orlando' and get back someone who was the  #2 pick in the draft this year.  Either way, trading Ray for anything considerable is not even on the table.  As I have stated countless times - that could change as we get closer to the deadline and a team sees Ray as someone who is necessary to a run.  But again, that's only for a paltry late first. As of now, he is not even worth *that*

Just because Woj said on WEEI that no teams have shown an interest in trading a 1st for Ray right now doesn't mean that situation can't change.

Yea I've said that about five different times now I think.

I think in the context of this multi-team deal, the T-Wolves would be willing.

So now it's the Wolves who you think would take Ray all of a sudden? Three posts ago it was Ray to Orlando for Derrick Williams.

Ray to anywhere for a 1st would be nice.  If we get it, great.  If not, oh well.  Don't cut yourself over it.  Every team in the league knows Ray can be had, and if someone wants him, all they have to do is call Danny.

You really love looking for fights, don't you?

A cheap shot.  I'm making points, don't start calling me out as an instigator.  If you don't want to debate anymore then let it be.

From what I've seen, you spend all of your time posting here looking for ways in which other people disagree with you and then making long posts trying your best to pick apart those points, when the discussion has long ago moved on elsewhere.

You're a discussion killer, birdbrady, in a number of ways.

Why respond to posts with "Yeah I agree!" when I'm intelligent enough to make decent points and pick apart opinions that I consider wrong?

if you don't want to debate then just stop.  Don't start calling foul.

[Donoghus]

Why would Minnesota do this deal?  They're gonna move Williams not even halfway through his rookie year?

For a soon to be 32 year old Pau Gasol?  On a team that is clearly more slanted towards youth movement?  I guess the Rubio/Gasol dynamic would sell tickets but....

I'm not sure if Williams is ever gonna pan out (grown a bit cold on him) but I don't see the organization already moving a kid who was drafted 2nd overall not even a year ago.

Minnesota hasn't been to the playoffs in like 8 years.  They need to make sure they capitalize.  Williams and Johnson are pretty similar players, Beasley is expiring, and the Wolves have been fine without Barea and thus he is expendable.  If you move essentially role players for an All Star big man, you have to do it.  Frankly, I think they would be one of the better teams in the West with a rotation of Gasol, Love, Pekovic, Johnson, Ridnour, Rubio, Webster, Randolph, and Ellington and they would still have Darko and Tolliver for extra bodies.  

That team isn't getting out of the first round of the playoffs.  Sure, I guess if you badly want to make the playoffs for the first time in 8 or so years and then bust out in 5 or 6 games, go head.  I don't think the ceiling for that team is much higher than that.


To me, you don't give up on the #2 pick in the NBA draft halfway through his rookie year unless its the move that puts you over the top as a title contender or the guy is a cancer in the lockeroom.

Then again, we're dealing with Khan so who knows.   I just don't think this is a move that Minnesota does for basketball sake, it'd be done for business and even then the payoff wouldn't be too much, IMO.

[Donoghus]

Knock it off.  You think given the history here, you'd know better than to try and antagonize each other. Enough with the digs at each other. Consider this an official warning

[RJ87]

Blech. I was holding out hope that the C's would somehow snatch Beasley away but - with the exception of CP3 - the Lakers usually get their man. Apparently, they've been engaged in trade talks regarding Beas at other points this season:

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post?id=37357

[PosImpos]

Why respond to posts with "Yeah I agree!" when I'm intelligent enough to make decent points and pick apart opinions that I consider wrong?

if you don't want to debate then just stop.  Don't start calling foul.

there's a difference between debating and going out of your way to look for reasons to disagree.  you never seem at all interested in actually discussing things or coming to a consensus; you just state things you believe are true and then focus on any aspect of what anybody says that seems to disagree with your stated truth and stick to that. 

in other words, you're just looking to create tension, not foster discussion.

i'm calling you out on this, not to make a cheapshot, but because i'm getting tired of you derailing threads this way.  this is a discussion forum, not a debate hall.  the object here isn't to win points for yourself at the expense of everybody else.  i'm telling you this so hopefully you can be a more productive member of the forum, instead of an instigator.

next time i'll just ignore you completely.

[Moranis]

Why would Minnesota do this deal?  They're gonna move Williams not even halfway through his rookie year?

For a soon to be 32 year old Pau Gasol?  On a team that is clearly more slanted towards youth movement?  I guess the Rubio/Gasol dynamic would sell tickets but....

I'm not sure if Williams is ever gonna pan out (grown a bit cold on him) but I don't see the organization already moving a kid who was drafted 2nd overall not even a year ago.

Minnesota hasn't been to the playoffs in like 8 years.  They need to make sure they capitalize.  Williams and Johnson are pretty similar players, Beasley is expiring, and the Wolves have been fine without Barea and thus he is expendable.  If you move essentially role players for an All Star big man, you have to do it.  Frankly, I think they would be one of the better teams in the West with a rotation of Gasol, Love, Pekovic, Johnson, Ridnour, Rubio, Webster, Randolph, and Ellington and they would still have Darko and Tolliver for extra bodies.  

That team isn't getting out of the first round of the playoffs.  Sure, I guess if you badly want to make the playoffs for the first time in 8 or so years and then bust out in 5 or 6 games, go head.  I don't think the ceiling for that team is much higher than that.


To me, you don't give up on the #2 pick in the NBA draft halfway through his rookie year unless its the move that puts you over the top as a title contender or the guy is a cancer in the lockeroom.

Then again, we're dealing with Khan so who knows.   I just don't think this is a move that Minnesota does for basketball sake, it'd be done for business and even then the payoff wouldn't be too much, IMO.

I think they are a clear second round team and possibly WCF team with that lineup.  They are 17-17 without Gasol and they are only giving up bench players in the trade (sure Williams has a lot of talent, but he is still on the bench).  Gasol is a clear top ten big man, and at center might very well be #2 behind Dwight in all of basketball. 

[Donoghus]

Why would Minnesota do this deal?  They're gonna move Williams not even halfway through his rookie year?

For a soon to be 32 year old Pau Gasol?  On a team that is clearly more slanted towards youth movement?  I guess the Rubio/Gasol dynamic would sell tickets but....

I'm not sure if Williams is ever gonna pan out (grown a bit cold on him) but I don't see the organization already moving a kid who was drafted 2nd overall not even a year ago.

Minnesota hasn't been to the playoffs in like 8 years.  They need to make sure they capitalize.  Williams and Johnson are pretty similar players, Beasley is expiring, and the Wolves have been fine without Barea and thus he is expendable.  If you move essentially role players for an All Star big man, you have to do it.  Frankly, I think they would be one of the better teams in the West with a rotation of Gasol, Love, Pekovic, Johnson, Ridnour, Rubio, Webster, Randolph, and Ellington and they would still have Darko and Tolliver for extra bodies.  

That team isn't getting out of the first round of the playoffs.  Sure, I guess if you badly want to make the playoffs for the first time in 8 or so years and then bust out in 5 or 6 games, go head.  I don't think the ceiling for that team is much higher than that.


To me, you don't give up on the #2 pick in the NBA draft halfway through his rookie year unless its the move that puts you over the top as a title contender or the guy is a cancer in the lockeroom.

Then again, we're dealing with Khan so who knows.   I just don't think this is a move that Minnesota does for basketball sake, it'd be done for business and even then the payoff wouldn't be too much, IMO.

I think they are a clear second round team and possibly WCF team with that lineup.  They are 17-17 without Gasol and they are only giving up bench players in the trade (sure Williams has a lot of talent, but he is still on the bench).  Gasol is a clear top ten big man, and at center might very well be #2 behind Dwight in all of basketball.  

I'm not questioning the talent of Gasol.

Right now, they're the 10th seed in the conference so they're on the outside looking it.  Trade deadline is in roughly 2.5 weeks.  Say this trade goes down then and between now & then, MN plays the type of basketball they've played so far.   They have a little over a month to get in gear and make a playoff push with the new roster.

Is it going to be enough to get out of the 7-8 seed range?  Even avoid being the #6 seed?

They're not getting by OKC in the first round with that team.  Don't think they're getting by San Antonio either.  Avoid those two and you're most likely looking at the new look Lakers, Lob City, or Dallas.  I don't think they're winning any of those series. (Maybe Lob City)

Like I said, a first round exit.

[Kane3387]

Why would Minnesota do this deal?  They're gonna move Williams not even halfway through his rookie year?

For a soon to be 32 year old Pau Gasol?  On a team that is clearly more slanted towards youth movement?  I guess the Rubio/Gasol dynamic would sell tickets but....

I'm not sure if Williams is ever gonna pan out (grown a bit cold on him) but I don't see the organization already moving a kid who was drafted 2nd overall not even a year ago.

Minnesota hasn't been to the playoffs in like 8 years.  They need to make sure they capitalize.  Williams and Johnson are pretty similar players, Beasley is expiring, and the Wolves have been fine without Barea and thus he is expendable.  If you move essentially role players for an All Star big man, you have to do it.  Frankly, I think they would be one of the better teams in the West with a rotation of Gasol, Love, Pekovic, Johnson, Ridnour, Rubio, Webster, Randolph, and Ellington and they would still have Darko and Tolliver for extra bodies.  

That team isn't getting out of the first round of the playoffs.  Sure, I guess if you badly want to make the playoffs for the first time in 8 or so years and then bust out in 5 or 6 games, go head.  I don't think the ceiling for that team is much higher than that.


To me, you don't give up on the #2 pick in the NBA draft halfway through his rookie year unless its the move that puts you over the top as a title contender or the guy is a cancer in the lockeroom.

Then again, we're dealing with Khan so who knows.   I just don't think this is a move that Minnesota does for basketball sake, it'd be done for business and even then the payoff wouldn't be too much, IMO.

I think they are a clear second round team and possibly WCF team with that lineup.  They are 17-17 without Gasol and they are only giving up bench players in the trade (sure Williams has a lot of talent, but he is still on the bench).  Gasol is a clear top ten big man, and at center might very well be #2 behind Dwight in all of basketball.  

I'm not questioning the talent of Gasol.

Right now, they're the 10th seed in the conference so they're on the outside looking it.  Trade deadline is in roughly 2.5 weeks.  Say this trade goes down then and between now & then, MN plays the type of basketball they've played so far.   They have a little over a month to get in gear and make a playoff push with the new roster.

Is it going to be enough to get out of the 7-8 seed range?  Even avoid being the #6 seed?

They're not getting by OKC in the first round with that team.  Don't think they're getting by San Antonio either.  Avoid those two and you're most likely looking at the new look Lakers, Lob City, or Dallas.  I don't think they're winning any of those series. (Maybe Lob City)

Like I said, a first round exit.

I think they can give SA issues. The last couple seasons they have played very competitive against SA. Also Gasol and Love would give SA issues just like Gasol and Randolph did last year.

[Moranis]

Why would Minnesota do this deal?  They're gonna move Williams not even halfway through his rookie year?

For a soon to be 32 year old Pau Gasol?  On a team that is clearly more slanted towards youth movement?  I guess the Rubio/Gasol dynamic would sell tickets but....

I'm not sure if Williams is ever gonna pan out (grown a bit cold on him) but I don't see the organization already moving a kid who was drafted 2nd overall not even a year ago.

Minnesota hasn't been to the playoffs in like 8 years.  They need to make sure they capitalize.  Williams and Johnson are pretty similar players, Beasley is expiring, and the Wolves have been fine without Barea and thus he is expendable.  If you move essentially role players for an All Star big man, you have to do it.  Frankly, I think they would be one of the better teams in the West with a rotation of Gasol, Love, Pekovic, Johnson, Ridnour, Rubio, Webster, Randolph, and Ellington and they would still have Darko and Tolliver for extra bodies.  

That team isn't getting out of the first round of the playoffs.  Sure, I guess if you badly want to make the playoffs for the first time in 8 or so years and then bust out in 5 or 6 games, go head.  I don't think the ceiling for that team is much higher than that.


To me, you don't give up on the #2 pick in the NBA draft halfway through his rookie year unless its the move that puts you over the top as a title contender or the guy is a cancer in the lockeroom.

Then again, we're dealing with Khan so who knows.   I just don't think this is a move that Minnesota does for basketball sake, it'd be done for business and even then the payoff wouldn't be too much, IMO.

I think they are a clear second round team and possibly WCF team with that lineup.  They are 17-17 without Gasol and they are only giving up bench players in the trade (sure Williams has a lot of talent, but he is still on the bench).  Gasol is a clear top ten big man, and at center might very well be #2 behind Dwight in all of basketball.  

I'm not questioning the talent of Gasol.

Right now, they're the 10th seed in the conference so they're on the outside looking it.  Trade deadline is in roughly 2.5 weeks.  Say this trade goes down then and between now & then, MN plays the type of basketball they've played so far.   They have a little over a month to get in gear and make a playoff push with the new roster.

Is it going to be enough to get out of the 7-8 seed range?  Even avoid being the #6 seed?

They're not getting by OKC in the first round with that team.  Don't think they're getting by San Antonio either.  Avoid those two and you're most likely looking at the new look Lakers, Lob City, or Dallas.  I don't think they're winning any of those series. (Maybe Lob City)

Like I said, a first round exit.

They may be 10th, but they are only 4 games from the 4th seed.  And I think San An is a regular season team only, just like last year.  They have a lot of depth, but come playoff time when the rotation shrinks, they have issues.

I really think that team is a top 2 or 3 team in the West.  Gasol is what that team lacks and to just give up bench players to get him would be incredible for them.

[LooseCannon]

EDIT:  I suppose the motivation for Minnesota is less now than it was before the emergence of Pekovic, and it leaves them with a hole at SF.  Still, a Pau / Love front line would be scary.

Kahn would just spend the off-season acquiring five small forwards for the roster.  He could certainly try to trade Pekovic for a small forward.  (Cue people posting Pekovic and others for Pierce thread ideas.)

[bostonpatriot]

Complete nonsense and the site isn't Spanish, rather Puerto Rican.

Would Howard re-sign with the Lakers in this scenario? To play with Kobe and a bunch of nobodies? I don't think so.

[SHAQATTACK]

I understand that Howard can pull down some extra money , I've heard 30mil to resign with Orlando.

If this true , I think he is no rush to jump ship he's in the catbird seat , I wouldn't be,  I think I'd rather be a free agent if all possible.

I really don't belive , no matter how stupid it sounds to the experts, I don't think Orlando is looking to let Howard go period , I think they still believe he'll take the money and stay.  ANd I think they are willing to play poker and let him walk if if he don;'t sign. I think there is still a HUGE riff from the Shaq days and Orlando might not do the trade deal unless they get Bynum and Gasol both .  

I don't see how he can walk away from that kind of bonus.  

I'd keep the extra millions myself and call Orlando home.  



As others have pointed out......I really don't think the LAkers are better with Howard , I'd rather have Bynum and Gasol both myself....Lakers really don't need Howard..as many of their bloggers as saying...they need a Point guard (like Rondo) to go with what they have now and a better bench...

[goCeltics]

if the clips are willing to part with williams + bledsoe to create cap space next year, wonder if danny could snatch gasol away with something like this

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=72g2ne2

basically

3 way

Boston gets

Gasol+Walton

Clips get

Allen+Dooling

Lakers get

Mo Williams, Jermaine, Bass, Bledsoe

when u consider houston were going to trade for gasol, by giving martin, scola and dragic, williams, bass and bledsoe aren't that far off when u consider we would be also absorbing walton crappy contract

[ManUp]

Trade makes sense for all teams involved, IMO. I love it if I'm a Lakers fan. I Like it if I'm a Magic fan.I  Like it if I'm a Minny fan. I hate it because I'm a Celtic fan.