Minnesota Timberwolves Wiretap

Brandon still tradable asset

When is an injured player who may never play again a valuable trade asset? In the luxury tax era of the NBA. Robbi Pickeral of the Pioneer Press reports that the Timberwolves are looking to deal injured point guard Terrell Brandon even though his knee may force him to retire.

Officially, the Wolves say that they are not shopping Brandon. Owner Glen Taylor said that trading the 32-year old point guard is "not part of our plans at the current time. Right now, he's either going to play next year or he's not going to play next year.''

But Pickeral writes that team sources said that there are teams interested in Brandon and his contract. The reason? If he retires because of the injury, the team that holds his contract will save money against the cap. While the Wolves would love to lower their team salary, they would also welcome the chance to trade Brandon for a player or players that could help them win now.

If Brandon retires and is deemed physically unable to perform by an independent NBA doctor, his team could apply for and receive salary cap relief two years after the injury, which in this case was February 2002.

Players mentioned as possible trade targets: Atlanta’s Theo Ratliff and Heat starters Eddie Jones or Brian Grant.

"I do believe there's trade value, and you could probably get a fairly good player, a player that could contribute, but a player that's overpaid,'' said TNT analyst Danny Ainge, a former NBA player and coach.

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Strickland to miss 3-4 weeks

Minnesota's point guard woes don't seem to be stemming with the news yesterday that Rod Strickland will now miss the next three to four weeks with a groin injury, Steve Aschburner of the Star Tribune is reporting.

The injury happened in the Wolves win over the San Antonio Spurs, Strickland now joining starting point guard Terrell Brandon on the sidelines.

The Wolves do not plan on bringing in a replacement, with coach Flip Saunders claiming "It would be tough to bring anyone to get acclimated with what we're doing [before the All-Star break]."

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Szczerbiak's minutes increase gradually

"I'm getting comfortable up around 30 minutes," he said. "The team is winning and I'm helping make a big contribution, so that's what I've been really focused on."

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Timberwolves Jan 2003 Archive

  • Garnett at guard?

    Kevin Garnett has done almost everything for the Minnesota Timberwolves over the years, yet he cannot seem to drag the franchise out of the first round of the playoffs.

  • Hudson injury not serious

    Luckily for the Minnesota the injury to point guard Troy Hudson is not serious.

  • Bzdelik scorches Nuggets

    Chris Tomasson of the Rocky Mountain News reports on the Denver loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

  • Nesterovic’s talents, wage intrigue Denver

    The Nuggets are looking forward to this summer and Marc J.

  • Denver hopes third time's charm in series vs. Minnesota

    Marc Spears writes a preview of the Nuggets @ T-wolves game set for tonight.

  • Nuggets-Timberwolves preview

  • Retirement not imminent for Wolves' Brandon

    A comment by Timberwolves teammate Kevin Garnett on Wednesday night sparked speculation that Terrell Brandon already has decided to retire, but an article by Steve Aschburner of the Star Tribune confirms that, according to Brandon himself, nothing yet is on the cards.

  • Ageless duo still have it vs. Wolves

    Factor in their age, their timelessness and the fact that Karl Malone and John Stockton are selling the same old stuff in the same old can that they peddled an NBA generation or two ago, and losses such as the Timberwolves' 105-97 setback Saturday night at Target Center aren't just disappointing.

  • Moving four-ward

    After the 32nd game, Jerry Sloan could tell something about his players about which he wasn't necessarily certain at the start of this season.

  • Jazz Get Big Game From Malone

    Calbert Cheaney's good buddy, Karl Malone, scored 33 points Saturday, while Greg Ostertag's pal, Matt Harpring, added 17.

  • Woods suspended again

    Loren Woods rejoined his team on Friday, and according to a report by Robbi Pickeral in the Pioneer Press Woods said the reason he didn't show up at practice Thursday because his orders to do so were sent to the wrong address.

  • Woods M.I.A. again

    Already suspended indefinently by the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Loren Woods saga began a new chapter yesterday when Woods defied a team directive and missed practice.

  • Marbury-Garnett rivalry takes life

    Just days after claiming that rookie sensation Amare Stoudemire should be an All-Star, Suns guard Stephon Marbury used the high-schooler's stellar performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Marbury's ex-team, to fuel a personal vendetta.