The Wolves must decide whether they can trim salary without sacrificing team quality, and that is a challenging question in this case. As so few players outside of the starters make large amounts, there are not many options for deals there, so the choices get tough pretty quickly. Undoubtedly, the most fascinating of those is whether Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid would be able to step into Towns’ shoes as the starting power forward, and there is an argument that he can. In the stretch Towns missed in March and April, Reid averaged 17 points and seven rebounds on respectable efficiency as a starter. Towns’ disappointing help defense makes replacing him on that end much more manageable, especially with Gobert anchoring the defense. Still, theoretically parting with one of the league’s most intriguing 7-footers is a downgrade and even tougher to swallow for the team and fans alike if it is done primarily for financial reasons. Still, it is a path.
The Wolves must decide whether they can trim salary wit…
September 17, 2024 | 7:28 pm EDT Update
Sachin Gupta leaves Timberwolves to join Premier League soccer team
Jon Krawczynsk: Sachin Gupta is leaving his post as executive VP of Basketball Ops for the Minnesota Timberwolves to take a prominent position with Chelsea FC, league sources tell @TheAthletic. Gupta spent 5 years with the Wolves and now joins one of the world’s most well-known franchises.
Pistons signs Dereon Seabron
Michael Scotto: The Detroit Pistons and Dereon Seabron have agreed to an Exhibit 10 deal, league sources told @hoopshype. Seabron was a two-way player for the New Orleans Pelicans over the past two seasons.
In June, the team went out and drafted what it hopes to be Jones’ long-term replacement, using the No. 4 pick to select Connecticut star Stephon Castle. A week later, the Spurs brought in Jones’ short-term replacement in Chris Paul. Jones says he was neither bothered nor disappointed at the Spurs’ offseason machinations at point guard. “That thought never crossed my mind,” Tre Jones said. “My main thing has been just wanting to win games.”
Faced with the fact the organization has seemed in constant search of an upgrade at his position, Jones can only shrug. The question is above his paygrade. “That’s just the game of basketball right now,” Jones said. “There’s a lot of guys who are handling the ball a lot. You’ve got a 7-5 guy bringing the ball up sometimes. You’ve got to continue to make sure you’re ready at any moment and help the team out as much as you can.”
From a personal standpoint, Jones believes Paul’s presence can only help him take the next step in his NBA career – even if it means beginning training camp later this month as a backup. “He’s a guy who thinks the game at such a high level,” Jones said. “He’s been on some of the best teams and been around some of the greatest to play the game. He’s gone to the Finals. He’s been in huge moments in the playoffs. Just being able to pick his brain and learn from him all year – I’m going to take full advantage of that.”
Jorge Sierra: The most common age of All-NBA selections in league history. The longevity of LeBron/KD/Curry is basically an aberration.
Jeff Zillgitt: Brian Goorjian steps down as Australia men’s national basketball team coach. The U.S.-born Goorjian, who played at Pepperdine and professionally in Australia, led Australia to a bronze medal at 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
September 17, 2024 | 5:27 pm EDT Update
Cavaliers officially re-sign Isaac Okoro
The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed guard/forward Isaac Okoro to a multi-year contract, Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.
