Taylor will do all he can to turn around the Wolves
Even if the Wolves do sign Marcus Banks and Justin Reed, the only way to improve the team will be to make a trade, which will be difficult because of long-term contracts.

Sid Hartman, Star Tribune

Two years ago, the Wolves were closer to their dream of winning an NBA title, but a big mistake was made when Flip Saunders was fired as coach. And the franchise has gone downhill ever since.

To date the big mid-season trade with the Celtics hasn't been a success, and the Wolves are at their lowest point since Glen Taylor bought the team. That has occurred even though he has said he is willing to spend the money and pay the league luxury tax, if needed, to make the team a success.

There certainly haven't been many positive aspects to the 2005-2006 season, but Taylor recently mentioned possibly the only plus. The team has only two players who are not signed for next year: Marcus Banks and Justin Reed, who both came in the trade that sent Wally Szczerbiak and Michael Olowokandi to the Celtics.

While Taylor is optimistic about signing Banks and Reed, they both have said they intend to test the market before considering signing with the Wolves.

The truth of the matter is, if they do sign Banks and Reed, the roster will be nearly full and the only way to improve the team will be to make a trade, something that will be difficult because of the team's long-term contracts.

The Wolves did acquire a mid-level trade exception from the Celtics.

"It will be about $5 million dollars that we can use on some guy who can help this team," said Taylor. "But, as I said, if we don't sign these guys [Reed and Banks], then we have more positions we can fill."

Taylor said he believes adding four players in the middle of the season made it difficult to put a winner on the floor, and that a training camp will improve team chemistry and make them contenders.

Would consider Marbury

Taylor would be in favor of making a deal with the Knicks for unhappy point guard Stephon Marbury, but said the only way that could work is for the Knicks to pick up a big part of Marbury's salary.

"Yeah, it isn't that we couldn't use somebody like that. We certainly could with his experience, and we know him," Taylor said. "It's that he was signed at a salary that's going to cause us problems. So it would be difficult, it would have to be one of those things where New York would have to say that they really want to get rid of the player and could help us in some financial way to do it. We wouldn't know until this summer if that would even be a possibility."

Taylor said the Wolves' should be able to play better next season even with their current talent. But Taylor's goal is to win a championship, which might require adding a top player.

Taylor said if Kevin McHale could find a way to add a great player to complement Kevin Garnett (not somebody with Marbury's type of contract), he would spend the money to make it happen.

"I've never, in all the years I've been here, had finances been the reason for not getting a guy; it's getting the right personality," he said.

please... it would be a straight up exchange of salary if they made the deal since we would obviously be taking back garbage contracts like Jaric, Hudson, etc... this is just another GM trying to rape the Knicks... i wonder if Isiah will give in to this one's demands as well? not likely considering Marbury's his posterchild, but who knows... the temptation may be too great for him to resist.

So Marbury's contract and not talent is the issue. The same with why the Knicks couldn't move Houston during the Spree vs. Houston trade talks. Taylor is extremely thrifty, I talked with several of his employees in his other businesses. KG is the only guy he really thought worry of his contract and even second guess that contract after he made it.

that's why we're better off waiving steph. we would have to take on god awful deals. at least we know steph is done in 08/09 and not after that. we don't have roster spots either. if we can't send him for an expiring contract, or to a team under the cap this summer (like clippers or atlanta), then waive him.

buy him out or do what indy did with artest.

This is a terrible deal. We would lose our most beloved, inspirational, and charismatic player - "Starbury".

[Edited by - BASKETBALLJONES on 04-20-2006 14:27]

it's a disgrace that a player who's ruined team chemistry on every team he's ever played for can even be in a position to choose what team he goes to.

If they trade him or waive him, it doesn't matter to me. I mean just get something done. I just don't want Brown to bolt on this team after they make moves for him. That's my major concern with Brown really. If he is willing to stick around and build up a contender with or without Thomas, God bless. He has a horrible habit of not doing this for the last 20+ years. I mean contracts don't mean nada with this guy so I guess you can only go on a man's word.