Trenton Hassell to Blazers?

[F-Dog]

Link

If a report out of Minnesota is true, Timberwolves guard Trenton Hassell is in line for a monster raise and a possible climate change.

Citing "insiders," a St. Paul Pioneer Press columnist wrote Tuesday the Portland Trail Blazers have made the restricted free agent a four-year, $16 million contract offer.

Hassell is the best swingman left IMO, and he's a great pickup for that price.

I think the Wolves would be stupid not to match, but I know they've got luxury-tax issues...

 

[George O'Brien]

Link

Hassell is the best swingman left IMO, and he's a great pickup for that price.

I think the Wolves would be stupid not to match, but I know they've got luxury-tax issues...

They were discussing "sign and trade" with the Nuggets, but luxury tax may preclude that.

 

[F-Dog]

Portland did indeed wind up signing Hassell, but they paid this summer's usual premium:

Six-year, $27 million deal on the table


It will be interesting to see whether Minnesota matches. Shooting guards aren't tough to find, but losing Hassell would leave a hole, especially since this is the last year of Latrell Sprewell's contract...

 

[George O'Brien]

This would certainly seem to put the SAR to the Nets deal in limbo for a while. As the article points out, if the Blazers have Hassel, why would they need Kittles?