Chicago Bulls Rumors: Why Minny Wanted Martin Deal!
By Ronald Agers
Welcome back Pippen Peoples to another episode of Chicago Bulls Rumors! Pippen Ain’t Easy’s fastest growing information segment is another reason why we are your best choice for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews. Boy is this a good one. This one concerns rumors that was gaining steam with no legs. This rumor was so big that another website, TravelersToday.com quoted me on the situation (Thanks for the love by the way.) The word around the campfire was that the Minnesota Timberwolves was in negotiations to make a deal with the Chicago Bulls for Kevin Martin.
Guess what Pippen Peoples. In my opinion he ain’t coming. Follow me and I will tell you why.
Apr 11, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Eric Bledsoe (2) dunks over San Antonio Spurs forward Marco Belinelli (3) during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports, restricted free agent guard Eric Bledsoe has come to terms on a five-year $70 million dollar contract extension with the Phoenix Suns. Bledsoe and his agent Rich Paul arrived in Phoenix on Wednesday to meet with Suns management and finalize the contract.
Now Pippen Peoples, I know what you are thinking. Who cares man! What does Eric Bledsoe got to do with the price of China much less Kevin Martin?
Well let me tell you…EVERYTHING!
The Minnesota Timberwolves were showing a willingness to offer Eric Bledsoe a four-year, $63 million dollar max deal in a sign and trade with the Phoenix Suns. But only if they could unload bad contracts on the Suns. Had that happened, the Suns would have taken on salary that would hamper chances of making future moves like retaining the Morris twins and Gerald Green next offseason. Never forget that Goran Dragic will have to be taken care of as well.
After Phoenix finished banging the phone on the table while making fake static noises and yelling “can you hear me now?” before hanging up, they went ahead and signed Bledsoe.
Jan 18, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves shooting guard Kevin Martin (23) dunks the ball in the second half against the Utah Jazz at Target Center. The Timberwolves won 98-72. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Now to Kevin Martin. Do you remember what I said about a week ago about Martin and his contract.
"Let’s talk about finances. If this deal went down, the Bulls would be taking on Kevin Martin’s contract which would add up to $6.8 million dollars while sending out Mike Dunleavy’s expiring contract and Tony Snell’s contract which adds up to about $4.8 million dollars."
There is a reason why I keep saying that players and teams use the Chicago Bulls to get their name in the paper. This potential trade was all about Eric Bledsoe. The only problem was that Minnesota is $6 million dollars over the salary cap, and has only minimum contracts and a $1.5 million dollar trade exception slot to offer.
Even if the Suns was stuck with signing Bledsoe to the $3.7 million dollar qualifying offer and taking their chances of losing him, do you really think the Suns would have done business with the Timberwolves?
Of course not. You see the Phoenix Suns are under the salary cap. Isn’t it amazing that a team like Phoenix is on the rise and in great financial shape while Minnesota is in a quagmire on the court and even worse with their salary cap situation? Furthermore, the Suns only wanted an All-Star or a potential one in exchange for Bledsoe. That ship sailed when Kevin Love was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Here’s where the Chicago Bulls come in. Minnesota never thought that the Suns would cave (really none of us did) and give Bledsoe a deal like this. In my opinion the Suns overpaid a guy that is unproven and is coming off a major injury. The Timberwolves thought they could pony up something and steal him. You see Minnesota is not only trying to get rid of Kevin Martin. No Pippen Peoples, they are begging anyone to take J.J. Barea and his albatross contract of their hands and don’t think Ricky Rubio and his even uglier jump shot isn’t out of the equation either. Only one problem…
The entire NBA knows it. Last I checked, the Chicago Bulls are still part of the NBA.
Here’s how the deal was supposed to go down.
The Minnesota Timberwolves trade Kevin Martin to the Chicago Bulls.
FOR
Mike Dunleavy, Tony Snell and a 2015 second round pick.
When Bledsoe and the Suns were at an impasse, the Timberwolves were planning to put together a package to fleece the Bulls of their assets to offer up to the Suns. Of course it looks good on paper. Kevin Martin does average 19 points per game while giving the Bulls someone who can shoot straight one every five minutes from the two guard position, but this was about the Timberwolves and their agendas.
Mar 19, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy (34) shoots a jump shot during the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Bulls defeated the Sixers 102-94. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Had this deal gone down, Mike Dunleavy would have never darkened Flip Saunders’ office door. Shoot, the Timberwolves would have done the physical at Dunleavy’s house to save time. His contract would be dealt with as soon as the physical had gone through. Just like I said last week…
"If Mike Dunleavy was traded to Minnesota, he probably would be bought out so quick that he would not have to pack to leave Chicago."
As for Tony Snell, the Timberwolves might have used him as a spot 15 minute a game player, but this was clearing cap space to make a move for Bledsoe.
I never liked the vibe of this rumor from the start. It never made sense. The Chicago Bulls are built and ready to make a run this season. They really did not need Martin to come in at this stage of the game. I didn’t like the idea then and I don’t like it now.
Secondly, the money. I’ve followed the Chicago Bulls for about eight months now. The one thing that is at the top of any move that happens in the Windy City is attached to the question…How much? Let me tell you. Martin signed a four year $28 million dollar deal last summer. I don’t think Jerry Reinsdorf will sleep well taking on that contract. I may be wrong, but I doubt it.
Well Pippen Peoples, that concludes another episode of Chicago Bulls Rumors. Pippen Ain’t Easy will be on top of this continuing story. For more information and analysis on all things Chicago Bulls, keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy, your best choice for Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews. Leave your comment below and let your voices be heard. We’re down to the wire before the season starts!
Like us on Facebook: Pippen Ain’t Easy and follow us on Twitter: @BullsBeatBlog.