Ex-Raptor James agrees to deal with Wolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves' willingness to make a four-year commitment to Mike James has landed them the best point guard still available on the free-agent market.

NBA front-office sources told ESPN.com that James on Tuesday agreed to sign a four-year contract with the Wolves worth an estimated $25 million.

James also confirmed the agreement to radio station ESPN790 in Houston on Tuesday.

Wednesday is the first day free agents can officially sign contracts.

James had narrowed his choice to Minnesota, Dallas and Houston -- where he maintains an offseason home -- and indicated over the weekend that the Mavericks had a slight edge, largely because of his relationship with Mavs coach Avery Johnson and their recent trip to the NBA Finals.

But the Mavericks and Rockets, according to sources, wouldn't commit to more than a three-year offer to the 31-year-old.

Minnesota's four-year pitch and the chance to team with Kevin Garnett won it for the Wolves, who have injected their backcourt with plenty of scoring potential by signing James and acquiring rookie Randy Foye on draft night.

Signing James alleviates Minnesota's need to start Foye as a rookie. James would likely team with Ricky Davis as the Wolves' starters in the backcourt, with defensive stopper Trenton Hassell at small forward and Foye coming off the bench.

If Foye can make an immediate impact and James can approach his production from last season's breakout performance in Toronto -- 20.3 points and 5.8 assists per game, as well as 44.2 percent shooting from 3-point range -- Garnett figures to be pleased.

The Wolves have resisted all trade interest in Garnett, vowing to take one more stab at building around their 30-year-old franchise player by finding scorers to play off him.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2516449

shocking since i figured he was a lock for houston.

Wolves are bound to make another trade.

At the 1 they got...James, Foye, Jaric, and Hudson. Hudson and Jaric are SHITTY ASSS MOTHERFUCKING contracts, so maybe KG's dealt:)

i think just the opposite; KG is even less likely to be traded now. they appear to be lining up a decent team around him to make one more run.

i think foye can play some 2 guard, so that helps.

as for jaric and hudson.....i don't know exactly where they stand but i don't imagine there are great plans for either.

Well Foye in summer league play has 100 points and 2 assists.

So Foye can play the 2.

yeah he's certainly not a true PG!

Congrats to Mike James.

He's earned his payday.

I agree with Taymelo

So they chose James-Bitch over the Golden Child?

What becomes of Mr. Banks?

Great job Minnesota on overpaying a one-dimensional point guard who won't pass the ball, is an average defender, and is constantly overrated by Piston fans because he has a catchy name.

Don't know GD.

I know he won't be back in Minny.

They're already paying Jaric and Hudson a combined $12mil.

Add James and Foye into that and there just isn't any money left for Marcus.

I wonder would they take Dale + their second for Banks in a S&T?

They get their pick back and an expiring deal.

We get a capable back-up PG with s atrting salary of $4mil approx.

We could still use the BAE to add a big man, too.

Joe has options. Pity he's too busy wondering if he should scratch his ass with his left hand or his right hand.


I agree with Pharaoh

I like that idea (Dale + Minny pick for Banks) very much.

Well, don't wait for it to be "rumoured" or announced.

We sit around and think shit up.

Joe doesn't do that.

I'm sure he has some idea of "who" might be available via trade, but I doubt the front office boys just run through entire teams and say "I like that guy, that guy is shit, that guy is a moron, that guy is crap, that guy! Sign him! He's gonna be good in our system" like I (we) do.

I've gone through teams of players before even coming up with trade scenarios for certain players.

Guys like Juan Dixon and Marcus Banks are not mentioned by me because they're "my" guys. They're mentioned because of their contract situation, their current team's salary situation and a ton of other reasons.

What they can actually do on the court is obviously important, but I don't even really think about that until I find it IF they could be acquired.

Would they take a S+T'ed Cato for Banks?
They're desperate for a C beyond the Blount instrument.

Well, Cato (signed to a Zelly/McCaskill contract) + their pick for Banks is even better for us.

Either way they get something for a guy that they're gonna let walk.

They aren't getting much, but it's better than a kick in the balls.

If we can pawn Cato off on them for Banks then I'll jump on that Banks bandwagon with you guys.

I think I'd rather have DD (and his expiring deal that we could move later) than Banks, however.

Definitely a fan of Cato and a 2nd for Banks.

Banks has talent, and would be learning from another talented PG that needed time to actually take advantage of that talent.

Wondering if McHale would want to risk losing another good PG to Detroit though. Or am I giving to much emotion to a GM?

Adding Banks would leave us with the need/want to add a Big and a wing. Could be Caner-Medly actually at the wing, and as a big, Evans, Ely, Elson, and Butler is my list.

Well, Cato (signed to a Zelly/McCaskill contract) + their pick for Banks is even better for us.

Either way they get something for a guy that they're gonna let walk.

They aren't getting much, but it's better than a kick in the balls.

Minny has Banks bird rights, does that change anything?

No, it just means they can go over the cap to sign him.

They are right at the luxury tax level now and adding another guard is something I doubt they want to do.