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Somehow I think this will be settled and Spree should remain a T-Wolve.
Sprewell wants trade
BY MIKE WELLS, Pioneer Press
Swingman says Wolves are dragging feet on a new deal
Latrell Sprewell thinks he will not receive a contract extension before Wednesday's season opener against the New York Knicks, so the swingman wants a trade.
Sprewell, who is in the last year of his contract, added fuel to the fire Sunday when he said the contract the Wolves have offered him is "insulting."
"I pretty much told them I don't want what they're talking about," he said. "So if we can't work it out, work something out with somebody else."
The Wolves are believed to be offering Sprewell, 34, a three-year, $27 million extension, which likely is substantially more than what he would receive if he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. Some say Sprewell probably would be offered a team's midlevel exception, which is about $5.1 million a season, or slightly more than that if he becomes a free agent.
Sprewell doesn't believe the Wolves are offering enough for his value to the team. He told the Pioneer Press and a reporter from New York on Oct. 21 he wants a deal completed by Wednesday Sprewell never has negotiated during the season, and he won't continue talking once the season starts.
"I'm not trying to stay the year here, I will say that," he said. "If they don't want to sign me, I want to go somewhere else."
Coach Flip Saunders and owner Glen Taylor declined to comment. Vice president of operations Kevin McHale was unavailable for comment Sunday.
The Wolves have the final say in trading Sprewell, but that won't stop him from trying.
"I don't know, whatever I can," he said. "If they don't want to pay me, why would I want to stay here and risk injury and sit there and be with nothing, no contract? If something happens to me, who is going to look out for Spree then? Nobody."
A possible solution for Sprewell would be to play out his contract, help the Wolves in their quest for an NBA le, then leave as a free agent. He said he won't re-sign if he becomes a free agent.
"Why would I want to help them win a le?" he said. "They're not doing anything for me. I've got a lot at risk here. I've got my family to feed. Anything can happen; it's a long season. You never know."
Sprewell's $14.6 million salary this season is tied with eight other players for the ninth highest in the league. To put that into context, Sprewell's salary is more than double that of Indiana's Ron Artest and Detroit's Richard Hamilton, players who are more than five years younger and considered better than Sprewell.
Sprewell seems most upset about the timing. He thought something would be done more than three months ago. Sprewell had the option to walk away from his contact at the end of last season, but he says the Wolves gave him the impression he would have a new deal by the end of July. However, talks quickly ceased, leaving Sprewell wondering how important he is to the team.
"It's not tough; it's disappointing," he said. "You would think after what we were able to accomplish last year, they would be at least offering something decent."
Sprewell, who has an injured right ankle, went through a contact practice Sunday for the first time in a couple of weeks, but he is not sure if he will play Wednesday.
"It's not 100 percent. I'm able to run, but I'm still taking my time," he said. "I can play this way, but I'll see how I feel. I'll decide after Tuesday."
When he does take the court, Sprewell said he will play the way he always does, which is hard and with a lot of passion.
"I coach my guys when they step on the floor. My guys step on the floor, and they give me 100 percent and that's all I ask," Saunders said.
Sunday's was the latest episode in which Sprewell voiced animosity toward the front office. Besides setting a deadline for when he wanted an extension, Sprewell told the Pioneer Press on Friday that he was proving a point on how serious he is about getting a deal done when he skipped the team's luncheon Thursday at Target Center.
Wolves officials can try to disguise things all they want by saying the situation is not going to distract them from what they are trying to accomplish on the court, but with the season two days away, it looks as if the turmoil will carry into the season. Sam Cassell also is seeking an extension.
Nothing has been promised to Cassell, who has two years left on his deal, but all indications pointed to the Wolves taking care of Sprewell and then moving on to Cassell.
"I want what I deserve," Cassell said Friday. "Nothing more, nothing less. Me and Spree aren't valuable enough? Kevin is the man; me and Spree are his sidekicks. You pay this guy and that guy, and we're supposed to be happy about everything? It doesn't work like that."
Mike Wells covers the Timberwolves and the NBA. He can be reached at [email protected].
Somehow I think this will be settled and Spree should remain a T-Wolve.
I've got a lot at risk here. I've got my family to feed.You must have an awfully large family, Spree. You know, there really are people who have trouble putting food on the table. Moron.
And what is this about him risking injury and ? He's under contract. He's being paid several million dollars to play. I'm sorry that your family is going to starve to death, but nobody is under an obligation to agree to pay you for anything beyond your current contract.
You deserve what you are making because you agreed to sign the contract. If you wanted to, you could have signed for a shorter length of time or held out for more money. You were a dumbass for signing that contract in the first place."I want what I deserve," Cassell said Friday. "Nothing more, nothing less.
They aren't doing anything except paying you as one of the top ten players in the league even when it's clear that you aren't."Why would I want to help them win a le?" he said. "They're not doing anything for me.
They are paying you. More than most other players in the game. If something happens to you, other than your family starving to death, I'm sure you would be O.K."If they don't want to pay me, why would I want to stay here and risk injury and sit there and be with nothing, no contract? If something happens to me, who is going to look out for Spree then? Nobody."
hahahahaha.....i could feed my state with the veterans minimum , idiot, but if he leaves, so much for the mighty t-wolves
What a loser....he's getting paid 14million this season and they are offering almost 9 million for the next 3 years, given his age and potential..that's pretty sweet. Him and cassell are es....this is reason they won't win....maybe Spree should choke the GM. Chumps.
Feed my family...please
Spree was a fan faverite a few months ago, as of right now MN sports fans probably have more disgust for him than Steph, Knoblauch, and Hitler combined. I think the wolves brass delibrately let the $9 mill price tag out into the public to save face and make Spree that bad guy. Which he is if he's going to about it. The Wolves have contacted the league to see if they can fine him for skipping that luncheon. It looks more and more like World is staying in MN and spree will be gone. I wouldn't have one problem with Glen Taylor just using sprees contract for cap space instead of trading him, he deserves it. He is by far the best owner the minn sports scene has. He looks like Steinbrenner compared to that cheap ass McCombs.
Well I know Pop loves Spree but I don't think even he loves him enough to want him at that price.
If Spreewell isnt in Minny, then they can be lowered a notch in the NBA world, making it SPurs, Pistons, and everyone else.
He can split the MLE with Scola next season....
pfft, fat chance of that.
But the problem is, I wouldnt bring him in.
Who do you move to put him in???
The Wolves are believed to be offering Sprewell, 34, a three-year, $27 million extension
I see him maybe in portland or mavs NOT A SPUR
Side note: Do the Spurs have re-sign Devin this summer? Or do they have a team option?He can split the MLE with Scola next season....
I think this year is the team option.
I think hes a free agent this summer.
at his age, if Spree passes up 9 million per for the next three years, he's an idiot.
According to Patricia's site, there's no option -- it was just a 2 year deal, 2003-05. But several people have said the Spurs have an option. If Devin is a free agent this summer, where are the Spurs going to come up with money for him?
Scola would have to wait another year.
Depends on how Devin Brown plays.
If he shows no improvement, wich IMO, he really hasnt, then I would give the money to Scola.
Sprewell last year played nice cause it was a new place, and they almost won it all.
Now hes back in gangsta pay me mah money mode, and gonna be a distraction to the team.
Props to the Spurs for not trading Ginobili and Rose for him.
"They're not doing anything for me. I've got a lot at risk here. I've got my family to feed."
"Sprewell's $14.6 million salary this season"
Damn...how much does his family eat??
Ummm... I know you missed the preseason, but you do realize that he was the Spurs second leading scorer and rebounder behind Duncan, plus he has extended his range to 3-point range, right?If he shows no improvement, wich IMO, he really hasnt,
He's gonna be the real deal, but the Spurs are going to have to be patient. While he might not explode this season - and, in a way, I hope he doesn't so he'll re-sign for cheap - he'll be a solid player down the road. He's got skills.
Yeah Brodels, I wasn't saying Devin was awesome. I was just addressing Tpark saying that Devin hasn't improved at all and if he doesn't, then shouldn't be re-signed.
"They're not doing anything for me. I've got a lot at risk here. I've got my family to feed."
"Sprewell's $14.6 million salary this season"
Damn...how much does his family eat??
His entourage perhaps?A lot of African American Athlete's and Artist are known to take care of most of their homies from the ghetto.
I agee, the boy has improved. I think he may have the potential to the main 6 man guard of the bench once Barry retires or leaves. He may even give Manu a run for his money in the upcoming years?
Maybe he adopted all of Shawn Kemp's children."They're not doing anything for me. I've got a lot at risk here. I've got my family to feed."
"Sprewell's $14.6 million salary this season"
Damn...how much does his family eat??
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