Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Blazers Rumors: Felton, Wallace, Crawford

March 9th, 2012 at 2:39pm CST by Luke Adams

As the Trail Blazers look to return to .500 tonight in Boston, here are a few Friday rumors out of Portland:

Like most other teams, the Blazers won't make any trades that compromise their long-term plans, as acting GM Chad Buchanan tells Joe Freeman of The Oregonian.
Within Freeman's piece, a source says the market for Raymond Felton is "soft" and that shopping Gerald Wallace has been a challenge as well — since Wallace has a pricey player option for next season, teams who just want to rent him are worried he'll exercise the option, while teams who would prefer to keep him next season are concerned he'll opt out.
Freeman notes that if Wallace and Jamal Crawford decline their player options, and the Blazers hang on to the expiring contracts of Felton and Marcus Camby, the team could have about $23MM in cap space this summer. So Portland's not necessarily feeling pressure to make a deal.
Freeman doesn't believe the Blazers are interested in Jose Calderon, but thinks Eric Bledsoe would make a good trade target (Twitter links).
Peter Vecsey of the New York Post says the Timberwolves aren't going to send Luke Ridnour to Portland in order to acquire Crawford. The two sides had reportedly discussed a trade involving those two players.

Minor Moves: Lee, Joseph, Wright

March 9th, 2012 at 2:30pm CST by Luke Adams

We'll keep tabs on today's international and D-League-related transactions of note here:

Malcolm Lee has been recalled from Sioux Falls by the Timberwolves, tweets Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune. Lee, who has yet to make his NBA debut, was assigned to Minnesota's D-League affiliate for the second time last Wednesday.
The Spurs have recalled Cory Joseph from their D-League affiliate in Austin, tweets Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. Joseph, who was assigned to the Toros less than a week ago, returns to San Antonio following T.J. Ford's neck injury.
Former NBA veteran Antoine Wright has joined the D-League in hopes of returning to the NBA, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Wright, a 15th overall pick in 2005, played for the Nets, Mavericks, Raptors, and Kings, last appearing in the NBA in November 2010. The 28-year-old averaged 5.4 PPG in 297 career games.

Jamal Crawford Rumors: Thursday

March 8th, 2012 at 4:32pm CST by Luke Adams

The Timberwolves and Trail Blazers may be discussing a deal involving Jamal Crawford and Luke Ridnour, while the Pacers also have some interest in Crawford, as we learned yesterday. This morning, we also heard that the T-Wolves appear to be the frontrunner for the Blazers shooting guard. We'll continue to track the latest updates on the Crawford sweepstakes here throughout the day, with the newest additions up top:

Ben Golliver of Blazer's Edge reports that the Pacers and Blazers have discussed Crawford, with Portland asking for A.J. Price and a first-round pick. A source tells Golliver that "the first team to give Portland a first round pick for Crawford will have him" (Twitter links).
The Blazers' asking price for Crawford includes a first-round pick in addition to either Ridnour for the Wolves or Eric Bledsoe for the Clippers, says Ken Berger of CBS Sports. That could pose a problem for the Clips, who have already traded both first-rounders they owned for 2012.
Timberwolves GM David Kahn is downplaying the team's interest in making a deadline deal, says Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com. Kahn says the Wolves are "not looking to address anything this season" and that he doesn't mind having three point guards in Ricky Rubio, J.J. Barea, and Ridnour. The GM did leave the door open slightly though, noting that there's still an "eternity" until next Thursday's deadline.
Asked if he was feeling affected by the trade rumors, Crawford told Haynes: "I wouldn't say me so much me, but the people around me for sure. Because decisions like that just don't affect you, they affect everybody."

Odds & Ends: Brooks, Kahn, Raptors, McCants

March 8th, 2012 at 3:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Aaron Brooks' Guangdong Southern Tigers are making a run at the Chinese Basketball Association title, delaying his return to Phoenix. When his season in China ends, Brooks will find himself in a situation similar to Wilson Chandler's in Denver and Patrick Mills' in Portland, as Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic outlines. I expect the longer Brooks remains in China, the less likely he is to play in the NBA this year, since he'll be a restricted free agent again this summer if he sits out the season.

Here are a few more Thursday links from around the Association:

David Kahn is in the final year of his contract, but the Timberwolves hold team options on Kahn for the next two years, and owner Glen Taylor tells Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press he wants to keep his GM around.
In addition to rounding up a few rumors in his morning column for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler also talked trades in a chat today.
The Raptors are contemplating their trade options as the deadline approaches, says Stephen Brotherston of HoopsWorld.
Rashad McCants told Primera Hora that his agent advised him to play in Puerto Rico as a potential route back to the NBA (hat tip to Sportando for the translation).
Pistons GM Joe Dumars, who told MLive earlier this week that he's "talking to everybody," answers a few more trade-related questions from Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News.

Josh Smith Still Hoping For Trade

March 8th, 2012 at 2:04pm CST by Luke Adams

Josh Smith, who has been the subject of numerous trade rumors in the past, has let the Hawks know that he wants be traded by next week's deadline, reports Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Cunningham hears from a source that Smith would like a fresh start in a situation "where he can better reach his potential on and off the court."

Smith wanted out of Atlanta at the end of last season, according to Cunningham, and that desire has resurfaced recently for a number of reasons. The 26-year-old believes the Hawks didn't do enough to promote his for All-Star consideration this season, and wants to play for a franchise he feels is more dedicated to winning a championship, says Cunningham.

Earlier today, ESPN.com's Chad Ford ranked Smith as one of the likeliest big-name players to be traded by the deadline, behind only Rajon Rondo. Recent reports have suggested the Celtics and Timberwolves had some interest in Smith, though Atlanta wouldn't be interested in simply acquiring players on expiring contracts. Cunningham adds the Warriors to the teams who have inquired on Smith, but says the Hawks have yet to indicate whether they want to move the former 17th overall pick.

Smith, who has a 15% trade kicker included in his current deal, is eligible for unrestricted after next season, in the summer of 2013.

Berger On Howard, Pierce, Jackson, Beasley, Nash

March 8th, 2012 at 12:53pm CST by Luke Adams

The latest Postups column from Ken Berger of CBS Sports is packed with interesting deadline notes, so let's dive right in…

While Berger doesn't necessarily predict a quiet deadline, he points to other factors that could contribute to reducing trade activity this season: For potential contenders, the need to roll the dice on a veteran is offset by a strong draft class this summer. Additionally, the amnesty clause gives teams an alternative to trying to offload bad contracts in trades.
The Rockets and Warriors maintain interest in trading for Dwight Howard without assurances that he'd sign long-term. Houston also continues to be "in hot pursuit" of Pau Gasol.
The Celtics are "prepared to entertain offers" on Paul Pierce, but he may be the hardest of Boston's Big Four to move, since he doesn't have an expiring contract like Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, or the youth of Rajon Rondo.
One executive says the Trail Blazers, who have been among the most active teams, need to make major changes.
Rival execs think that the Hawks may deal Kirk Hinrich in the next week.
The Cavaliers are open to absorbing salary in exchange for the right assets.
Stephen Jackson has drawn an "amazing" number of inquiries, though most interested teams would want the Bucks to take on future salary to complete a deal.
The Magic and Nets could look into trading for Michael Beasley, with both teams ultimately sharing the same goal — enticing Dwight Howard by upgrading their rosters at other positions.
Steve Nash is content to remain with the Suns this season, in part because it's not in his nature to ask out and become the bad guy. "He'd like to go and win," a person connected to Nash said. "But he's not prepared to play the Carmelo [Anthony] card." To me, that suggests he'd be a long shot to re-sign in Phoenix at season's end.
Berger also shared an update on Jamal Crawford, which we covered in today's Crawford rumor round-up.

Kyler’s Latest: Sessions, Crawford, Hornets, Bulls

March 8th, 2012 at 8:15am CST by Luke Adams

In today's NBA AM piece for HoopsWorld, Steve Kyler explores a few potential trade situations, providing the latest updates. Here's what he has for us:

The Cavaliers aren't seeking a significant return for Ramon Sessions. The club would prefer a draft pick and an open roster spot rather than a filler player.
While no deal is imminent, the Timberwolves' interest in Jamal Crawford is very real, and they appear to be the frontrunner. The Blazers are still talking to several teams about Crawford, however.
Mike Dunleavy, who is part of the group that is the favorite to buy the Hornets, feels like he could get Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman, two of his old players, signed to new deals in New Orleans.
The Bulls are talking to other teams, but appear to be surveying the landscape rather than actively trying to get any deals done.

Jamal Crawford Rumors: Wednesday

March 7th, 2012 at 1:34pm CST by Luke Adams

The Trail Blazers have slipped to tenth place in the Western Conference standings, and Jamal Crawford reportedly intends to opt out of his contract at season's end, so it's no surprise that the 31-year-old's name has popped up in recent trade rumors. The Clippers and Timberwolves are among the most interested teams, and the Bucks, Kings, and Raptors are also said to have kicked the tires. Here's the latest on Crawford:

In his latest ESPN.com chat, Chad Ford reports that he believes the Blazers and Timberwolves are talking about a swap involving Crawford and Luke Ridnour.
Ford also adds the Pacers to the list of teams interested in Crawford. Unlike the Clippers and T-Wolves, Indiana has the cap space necessary to acquire Crawford without having to send Portland any salary in return.

Kennedy On Crawford, Allen

March 5th, 2012 at 8:50pm CST by Michael Pina

Hoopsworld.com writer Alex Kennedy just sent a couple tweets out that some may find interesting. Here they are:

Minnesota is apparently making a strong push at acquiring Jamal Crawford. With the Trail Blazers beginning to slide out of the playoff picture, the shooting guard has had his name floated in several trade rumors in recent days. It'd be interesting to see what Portland would want from Minnesota. One financial match would be a straight up swap involving Michael Beasley, but apart from them saving about $4MM, not sure why Portland does that deal.
According to a league executive, Boston is not actively shopping Ray Allen, but they are fielding calls. One team that's reportedly shown interest in his services is the Clippers, but it remains to be seen whether they'd be willing to include Eric Bledsoe in the deal, and that's probably who the Celtics are holding out for.

Crawford Drawing Interest From Several Teams

March 4th, 2012 at 8:02pm CST by Ryan Raroque

7:49pm Chris Haynes of Comcast SportsNet Northwest asserts that the Timberwolves and Clippers "are very interested" but can't confirm the other teams being mentioned. (Twitter link).

7:20pm Before the season started, then-free agent Jamal Crawford decided to sign with the Trail Blazers after fielding offers from several teams. With almost ten days before the NBA trade deadline, the 6'5 guard could find himself on the move again, reports Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld.com. While the Timberwolves and the Clippers appear to be the most aggressive in attempting to trade for Crawford, the Bucks, Kings, and Raptors have also sent out their feelers.

The 12th-year veteran is averaging 14.8 PPG, shooting 36.2% from three-point range, and is third in the league in free throw percentage at 92.8%. Crawford possesses a player option for next season and can opt out of his contract this summer. With a recent report of uncertainty brewing within the Trail Blazers' locker room, there is a possibility that Portland deals Crawford for value before the deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing to upcoming free agency.