Prokhorov, realizing he couldn’t move into the plush confines of Barclays Center with nothing to sell, still found plenty of players to throw money at.

The Nets ended up re-signing their own big ticket players Deron Williams and Gerald Wallace, while trading for Joe Johnson’s Atlanta bank-breaking contract and keeping Kris Humphries by handing him a 2-year deal worth 24 million.

All this spending to surround their reluctant choice at center, Brook Lopez, but really just to have a product worth hyping.

(Did you know Brooklyn is also home to many musicians? No? A sampling…)

The Nets probable starting lineup:

PG Deron Williams

SG Joe Johnson

SF Keith Bogans

PF Kris Humphries

C Brook Lopez

The Brooklyn Nets debuted Saturday with a 107-100 win over the Toronto Raptors. They did not emerge unscathed, as Gerald Wallace will miss tonight’s tilt against the Wolves with a sprained ankle. They weren’t the only debut Saturday night…

If that’s not ridiculous enough, try google image searching “Brooklyn Knight” without the safety on. Anyway, the entrance music probably should have been more like…

Brooklyn’s other mascot is also a minority owner…

The Timberwolves can take solace that Kyle Lowry hung 28/8/8 with 3 steals and a block on Deron Williams and the Nets the night before he destroyed Luke Ridnour’s (individual) and the Wolves’s (collective) psyche in Toronto. The guy is just out for blood and feasting. A little more concerning would be Brandon Roy’s first egg laid in a Wolves uniform, Pek’s general lack of touches, and the team more than doubling the number of turnovers they committed in their first game (11 to 24).

J.J. Barea is quite questionable after suffering a slight concussion by Dante Cunningham’s foot. Glaring need for perimeter scoring? Check.

The Wolves probable starting lineup:

PG Luke Ridnour

SG Brandon Roy

SF Andrei Kirilenko

PF Derrick Williams

C Nikola Pekovic

Derrick Williams seems to be at least trying to be aggressive on the floor — rebounding and on defense, in particular. It was notable that Coach Adelman pulled the reins quickly after Williams hoisted a long, contested, heat-checking jumper after nailing a 3 from the wing in the third quarter with the shot clock winding down.

Other positive trends were Alexei Shved recovering from some comically bad early miscues and turning in a few nice assists, a couple trips to the free throw line, and the first made 3 of his career. Garbage time is made for such inexperienced players learning what they can and can’t get away with while playing through the nerves Shved obviously is feeling.

In other news, if you think handing AK47 a two-year deal worth 20 million was extravagant. Compare his blur of selfless activity to that of Humphries, check the price tag, and rejoice.

There is one defensive presence in Brooklyn’s entire lineup, and he will be on the bench tonight. Crash’s absence leaves an opportunity for the front line to exploit. Let’s watch Roy bounce back, Pek tear Lopez to shreds, and Shved and Kirilenko stick it to their fellow countryman.

Mar 25, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams (7) laughs during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets 117-100. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Rumors come and go and this one is probably going to have to leave someday as the possibility of this happening is less likely. Discussing it however is still pretty intriguing when you think more about it.

At the start of the 2012 NBA Off-Season much rumors surrounded the Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. Spanish forward Pau Gasol was rumored to be heading to the Twin Cities sometime this summer in exchange for forward Derrick Williams, last season’s 2nd overall pick, plus some other pieces.

Lately, the Timberwolves have been rumored to be on the hunt for another big man. The Timberwolves in the off-season thus far have already acquired forward Dante Cunningham and center Greg Stiemsma, who are both most likely to get some valuable minutes replacing starting big men, Nikola Pekovic and All-Star Kevin Love.

Minnesota, however, doesn’t seem that comfortable by having Dante Cunningham be that 2nd or 3rd guy off the bench in the big man position as he hasn’t really deserved much playing time.

Now the Timberwolves have been rumored to have shown interest with Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao, one of the most active/annoying big men in the game today. Varejao is quite simply the most liked player in Cleveland since LeBron James left even though Kyrie Irving had the spotlight last season. The Brazilian forward is very much popular at the Q and his presence with the Wolves will be pretty effective.

Jan 6, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Luke Ridnour (13) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Target Center. Cleveland defeated Minnesota 98-87. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Varejao can certainly bring some energy off the bench for the Timberwolves and alongside J.J Barea possibly and Greg Stiemsma, grittiness will become a normality for the Timberwolves bench. Defensively, Varejao is one of the better inside defenders in the game with his efficiency in taking charges and most of all getting loose balls and giving his team another shot at the hoop.

However, all of those things stated above are just a dream. I would definitely love to have Varejao on the Timberwolves and I can see him as one of the bigger pieces for the Wolves to take another step forward other than just simply making the playoffs, to which they are on the hunt right now.

In exchange for Varejao, unfortunately, the Wolves will be sending off point guard Luke Ridnour and Derrick Williams. Derrick Williams again? Yes, it seems as if the Timberwolves don’t see any potential in the young forward who pretty much has a bright future alongside Ricky Rubio. The two will definitely be a combo some day and it will be a dream for Wolves fans and a nightmare for the rest of the league.

Luke Ridnour last season had his best season in his NBA career and at this point I don’t see why we should get rid of him. I understand that the Wolves are heavily packed in the guard position with Rubio and newly acquired Brandon Roy most likely starting while Barea and Russian guard Alexey Shved. Luke Ridnour however could be that mentor for these young guards specifically on Rubio and Shved who have little experience of minor success or even playing the the NBA for quite sometime.

To me, in my opinion, if this is how the trading block is supposed to be in reality, I wouldn’t go for it. Ridnour is one of the better scorers for the team and Williams is still a question mark whether or not he can take his game to an NBA level, but he has potential and the assets though.  Yes, Varejao will be solid piece for the Timberwolves especially coming off the bench, but the players the Wolves have to give up are just not right. I’m fine with sending Ridnour alone, but just not Williams.

Seriously David Kahn, don’t get rid of Derrick Williams … yet.

A team executive from Minnesota claims that no conversations about the rumored deal has taken place.