NBA: Why Timberwolves Fans Should Be Upset Today

Dear Timberwolves Diehards,

I know that yesterday's activity got many folks excited about O.J. Mayo, Aaron Brooks, Hasheem Thabeet and maybe even Raja Bell. 

This Trade Deadline Fever may also be leaving you with a hangover today—a hangover which you may think that a new Wolf from the above list would cure.  

Each of these players may have marginally improved the team over the remainder of the season, but in the long run, are any of these guys going to take us into playoff contention?

Probably not.

So, I'm not upset about the Wolves decision not to pull the trigger on any of these guys.

The deal I am upset we did not make is the coup that Cleveland pulled off.

In this deal, the Cavs sent Baron Davis and an unprotected first round pick in this year's draft to the Clippers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon.

Yes, Donald Sterling wanted Baron Davis (and his salary) off his roster so badly that he downgraded at PG and gave away a lottery pick with no protection.

Where were the Wolves when all this was happening?

We had Eddie Curry's expiring contract, Telfair and his expiring contract, a young PG in Flynn and Ridnour. The argument can be made that Mo Williams is better than Ridnour, but I don't think it is a slam dunk, especially since Ridnour is half the cost.

I'm guessing at this point you are saying, "But, Erik,why do we want Baron Davis?" Good question. 

We don't, but the answer lies in the "Allan Houston Rule." 

For those of you who do not remember the Allan Houston Rule (ironically named since it did not actually end up applying to him), it came into place with the signing of the last CBA. In 2005, the CBA allowed each team to release one player and he would not count against the team's luxury tax number. The team still had to pay the player, but was able to escape the financial implications of his contract.

Based on the chatter around the new CBA regarding an actual hard salary-cap, it seems entirely likely that there would have to be a...we'll call it a Baron Davis Rule. 

The team gets to dump a salary for cap purposes, while still paying the player to ease them into the new hard cap.

So, my gut tells me Cleveland just got an unprotected lottery pick for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon.

But, Erik, if this was true why wouldn't Donald Sterling have thought of it? Well, when has Donald Sterling ever thought beyond the move he was making? If you like an example, see the signing of Baron Davis (Hey, where did Elton go?)

So, why am I upset at the Wolves today? Because they did not outsmart Donald Sterling, which is quite possibly the scariest move/non-move David Kahn has made.