February 17, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jon Leuer (30) during the first half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The Wolves missed out on another coveted free agent yesterday as the Boston Celtics acquired shooting guard Courtney Lee in a sign and trade deal with the Houston Rockets. The reported deal is valued at $21.5 million over four years, per Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Many speculated that Lee would be the Wolves’ plan B after the Portland Trailblazers decided to match their offer for restricted free agent Nicolas Batum. Interestingly enough, the Lee deal was at one point threatened due to financial restrictions of the Celtics until the Blazers agreed to accept a second round pick and Sasha Palvovic’s contract.

The Wolves have now placed themselves in a difficult position forced to make up for the losses of Batum and Lee. The free agents still available simply do not rival the talent of either player. David Kahn, General Manager of the Timberwolves, may now turn his attention to shooting guard, Ronnie Brewer or use their remaining cap space ($14-16 million) to sign backup centers such as Jordan Hill or Greg Stiemsma. Other possible solutions as wing replacements include sophomore forward Jon Leuer, forward Carl Landry and restricted free agent Brandon Rush. The Wolves may look to sign Leuer as soon as he clears waivers tomorrow as other teams under the cap including the Phoneix Suns and New Orleans Hornets have been rumored to pursue him, according to the Pioneer Press. Leuer grew up in Long Lake which may prove to be an advantage as the Wolves compete to secure his talents.

Those hoping the Wolves may still target Andre Igoudala or Rudy Gay should temper their expectations. Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune states the Wolves have been reluctant to take on Igoudala’s $15 million/per year salary. With the need to still sign a backup big after the amnesty of Darko Milicic this makes an Igoudala trade even less likely.

I wrote in an article last week that the Wolves long drawn out pursuit of Batum may risk the movement of players like Lee, Hill and Stiemsma. While still undetermined if they will land either center, the Wolve’s current predicament should highlight Kahn’s poor and untimely waiving of Martell Webster contract and the amnestying of Milicic. Significant time and possibly loyalty of players like Lee could have been salvaged had the offer to Batum been submitted to the league office before last Sunday.

While Brewer, Landry, Rush, Stiemsma and Hill may prove to be valuable acquisitions none of their signings are guaranteed, potentially placing the Wolves in an ever more dangerous scenario. The need for Roy and Shved to become versatile/star guards has become more important than ever. We should all wish that the current gaping holes in the Wolves’ roster continue to be filled rather than grow.

Update:  Jon Leuer has been claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Cavaliers according to Zach Lowe of Sports Illustrated

April 8, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard Courtney Lee (5) reacts after the Sacramento Kings were charged with kicking the ball on a pass attempt by Lee in the first quarter at the Power Balance Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-US PRESSWIRE

As the saying goes, ‘Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched,” which means don’t assume you will get something until you actually have it. My use of this proverb is not in reference to the acquisition of Nicolas Batum but rather all the other pieces that are in danger of being lost if the Frenchmen does not become a wolf. Currently the signed offer sheet by Batum has not been submitted to the league office meaning Portland cannot match it nor can the Wolves’ cap space be properly assessed. All signs point to the offer being matched by Portland no matter when the league receives it which begs the question, why is so much time being wasted?

The Wolves have taken multiple strategies in hopes of the Trailblazers finally relinquishing their death grip on their small forward. Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported earlier this week that a sign and trade proposal was made to the Blazers which included Kyle Korver and two first round picks for Batum. Portland responded to this proposal with minimal interest and no deal was made. Since then there has been a great delay on Batum’s signed offer being submitted to the league office which may hint that the Wolves are exploring more sign and trade options with Portland. The problem is that the Wolves are expecting with the right ingredients Portland will alter its stance on Batum, even though they show no signs of abandoning their stubbornness. At this point the two teams appear to be more engaged in a game of chicken (to maintain the article’s theme) than a healthy set of negotiations.

The assumption by many is that Batum is simply a lost hope at this point. Multiple sources including Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News have come out and reported they do not believe a deal will be made at this point. Wolfson says, “Talks continue. But after discussions for days, hard to see things changing now.” He follows this statement with a comment even more worrisome for fans, “What’ll be unfortunate, even though (money) talks loudest, is if the ‪#Twolves‬ lose out on (Courtney) Lee because the Batum saga dragged on too long.” This scenario is exactly the reason the Wolves should refrain from putting all their eggs in Batum’s basket.

According to Wolfson, the Wolves have been in communication daily with Courtney Lee since July 1st. The financial incentives the Wolves can provide to Lee are much greater than competing teams such as the Celtics. Moreover, the Wolves are in need of a wing player able to provide solid defense something sorely lacking at the moment of which Lee seems to recognize. However, with each tick of the clock the chance to bring Lee on-board gets put at risk. Other options are certainly available in OJ Mayo and Andre Igoudala but they are both much more costly and not as familiar with Adelman’s system of which Lee previously played under.

In addition to Lee other free agents with possible ties to the Wolves could possibly be lost out to other teams. Greg Stiemsma has been rumored to be a possible replacement for the recently amnestied Darko Milicic. Jordan Hill has also been mentioned in this capacity. Zgoda said recently, “(Stiemsma) Agent re: on-hold discussions with Wolves: “He wants to play for Minnesota. Greg has a lot of patience.” Perhaps this comment is reason enough to believe Wolves have something to bank on but in the ever changing landscape of the NBA it’s important to remember that nothing is guaranteed.

The Wolves have made some fine moves this off season with Brandon Roy, Chase Budinger and Alexey Shved but in order to truly upgrade their roster more changes must be made. Players like Lee, Stiemsma and Hill may not match the overall talent of Batum but their additions greatly affect the collective talent of this team. For this reason, it is important that the Wolves begin securing these serviceable pieces in order to guarantee that the roster is improved by the start of training camp. With all hope we will start seeing eggs hatching in the next 24 hours.

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