SB Nation Minnesota - Al Jefferson Traded To Utah Jazz For 2 First-Round Picks

Jefferson Trade 'A Waste,' Says One NBA Writer

2010-07-14T17:50:56Z

Kelly Dwyer of Ball Don’t Lie isn’t blind to Al Jefferson’s faults, as he makes clear in this evaluation of the trade that sent him from Minnesota to Utah. And he believes the Timberwolves had to deal Jefferson. But Dwyer also believes that GM David Kahn goofed up with this trade:

Analysis? They’re a mess. They got Kosta Koufos in the deal, and he might be worth taking a look at, but they’ve completely wasted all the assets they’ve had come through Minnesota over the last few years. Al Jefferson and Kevin Love couldn’t play together, but this was the best deal possible? And this is when you make the deal? For a trade exception, and picks? Such a waste.

Here's What To Think About the Big Al Trade

2010-07-14T04:36:54Z

Perhaps, like me, you were hoping that somebody could tell you what to think about the Al Jefferson trade. That person is Stop-n-Pop from SB Nation's Canis Hoopus, who says that this move makes sense - and actually gives some hints that David Kahn has a plan in place:

Kahn has his (gigantic) flaws. He is all-in on a Spanish League teenager with no NBA experience. He has a draft record of not selecting the BPA at every step of the way. He appears to be too locked into a system of play rather than simply rolling with the punches and taking the BPA. However, he's not an avocado. He's not insane. Every move he makes doesn't deserve a tsunami of #kaaahnnn tweets. Sorry folks, he's walking a remarkably consistent and forward-looking route towards rebuilding.

For all your Wolves news, visit Canis Hoopus.

Deal Complete, Timberwolves Also Acquire Kosta Koufos

2010-07-14T03:54:14Z

Al Jefferson has officially been traded after spending three seasons in Minnesota. Jefferson came to the Wolves from Boston as the main part of the Kevin Garnett deal.

In addition to the two first-round draft picks, the Wolves have also acquired Kosta Koufos from the Utah Jazz. According to Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune, team president David Kahn plans to flip him to a team that can offer more playing time.

The Wolves and Jazz have completed the trade that sends Al Jefferson there for two first-round picks, second-year center Kosta Koufos and that large player trade exception.

David Kahn just said here in Las Vegas that he has already talked to Koufos’ agent and will try to move Koufos on a team where he might play more than on a Wolves team that now has Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, Darko Milicic and soon Nikola Pekovic.

Report: Al Jefferson Traded For Two First-Round Draft Picks

2010-07-13T18:20:23Z

Jon Krawczynski of the Associated Press tweets that, according to sources, the Minnesota Timberwolves have traded forward Al Jefferson to the Utah Jazz in exchange for two first-round draft picks and a trade exception.

AP Sources: #Jazz get big man Al Jefferson from #Timberwolves for 2 1st-round picks and trade exception from Boozer deal.

The Timberwolves had been in talks with the Dallas Mavericks and Cleveland Cavaliers according to earlier reports, but they were looking to move Jefferson without taking back salary, something they won’t do in this deal.

One of the two draft picks that the Wolves will receive is originally from the Memphis Grizzlies. More information on the second pick should be known soon.

Utah 'Close' To Acquiring Al Jefferson, Dallas Out

2010-07-13T04:01:31Z

With Utah owner Greg Miller tweeting that he has approved a roster move, and reports that the Jazz are closing in on a deal, Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports tweets that a deal between the Wolves and Jazz is close, and the Dallas Mavericks appear to be out of the discussion.

The Jazz are “close” to acquiring Al Jefferson from Wolves, a source told Yahoo! Sports. Another source said Mavs not in the running.

Information is beginning to leak, and it sounds as if the Wolves will receive a trade exception and a first-round draft pick previously owned by the Memphis Grizzlies. Whether or not the Wolves will receive any players or additional assets still isn’t clear.

Al Jefferson On The Move Tomorrow?

2010-07-13T02:55:19Z

After reporting that the Utah Jazz had taken the lead in the Al Jefferson race, ESPN’s Marc Stein wrote in a story that a deal could come together quickly with the Timberwolves potentially not wanting players in return.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Jazz and Timberwolves are engaged in serious discussions on a deal that would slot Jefferson’s contract into the $14 million trade exception that Utah created earlier this week in its sign-and-trade deal with Chicago for Carlos Boozer.

It was not immediately known what Minnesota would receive in return, but Utah can complete such a deal without sending back any players to the Wolves. Sources with knowledge of Minnesota’s thinking said Monday that the Wolves’ main aim in shopping Jefferson in recent weeks has been securing multiple future first-round picks and taking back as little salary if possible.

Soon after, the CEO of the Utah Jazz, Greg Miller, tweeted about a deal that he has approved.

I just approved a Jazz roster move that I’m very excited about. Planning to share details tomorrow.

Whether or not Miller is hinting at a trade involving Jefferson is unclear.

Report: Utah Jazz Take Lead In Al Jefferson Sweepstakes

2010-07-13T02:45:47Z

The race to acquire forward Al Jefferson may be moving closer to a finish. ESPNDallas.com has reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks exchanged proposals throughout the weekend and moved closer to the possibility of a trade.

The Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves continue to exchange proposals on an Al Jefferson trade and moved closer to a deal over the weekend, according to sources with knowledge of the talks.

But the sides still don’t have a done deal, sources said, despite the fact that Dallas has somewhat eased its stance on the inclusion of Erick Dampier’s lucrative non-guaranteed contract in a trade for Jefferson.

While the Mavericks have softened their stance on Erick Dampier, they have not eased up on their demand of both DeShawn Stevenson and Matt Carroll being included in a deal to help lessen the load of Jefferson and his remaining 3-year, $42 million contract.

Now, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Utah Jazz have jumped into the picture and have apparently taken the lead after losing forward Carlos Boozer in free agency.

Just filed to ESPN.com: Sources say UTA has quickly moved into lead in race to acquire Al Jefferson from MIN and working now to seal deal

The key in a deal with Utah is the lack of big contracts coming back to Minnesota. In losing Boozer via a sign-and-trade, the Jazz acquired a trade exception that could keep them from sending unwanted contracts out in a potential deal as Dallas is currently looking to do.

Trade exception created by Boozer sign-and-trade can let UTA absorb Jefferson contract w/out sending out salary and seal deal w/draft picks

A timetable for a completed deal is unknown, but Al Jefferson’s days in Minnesota certainly appear to be numbered.

Reports: Wolves' Asking Price Remains High

2010-07-10T23:04:52Z

When Timberwolves’ President David Kahn first acknowledged that the team will listen to offers for forward Al Jefferson, he said he wouldn’t simply give the last piece remaining from the Kevin Garnett trade away. Apparently he wasn’t lying.

Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets today that while the Cleveland Cavaliers are having talks with the Wolves, they remain preliminary because Kahn is looking for more than just a salary dump.

#Cavs have had talks with the Wolves about Al Jefferson. Not serious at moment. Wolves want assets in return not just salary dump.

Marc Stein of ESPN followed up Windhorst with an update on the talks between the Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks sharing a similar sentiment.

Mavs’ Jefferson talks have been more frequent but Wolves want draft picks WITH Dampier’s cap-friendly contract. Mavs offering neither.

With many of the top forwards off the board in the free agent market, the interest in Jefferson is picking up. The Timberwolves however seem to be content with taking their time until the price is right.