News- Timberwolves: Hudson opts for free agency

[Mazzocchi]

Friday, Jun 4, 2004 11:11 am EDT
News
Timberwolves point guard Troy Hudson informed the team on Thursday that he would decline his player option for the 2004-05 season and enter free agency. Hudson would have made $2.1 million next season but remained the backup to Sam Cassell. A severe ankle injury limited Hudson to only 29 games in 2003-04, and he missed all of the playoffs after undergoing surgery in April. Agent Bill Neff told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that Hudson isn't necessarily looking for a starting role and would be happy with a sixth man spot. "It doesn't preclude us from going back," Neff told the Associated Press

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With Cassell likely to have hip surgery, the Wolves would love to persuade Hudson to re-sign in Minnesota. The team can offer him a mid-level exception salary (around $5 million), but other clubs who are under the salary cap can beat that offer. The free agent market, in general, is fairly weak this offseason, and Hudson could be the top point guard option if Gary Payton returns to the Lakers and Steve Nash stays with the Mavericks. We'd think that Hudson would get some good offers if he can prove that his ankle is healthy. If he does land a starting gig somewhere, Troy showed in 2002-03 that he can be a decent fantasy guard, as he averaged 14.2 points, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.2 threes per game.

(on a lesser note, this is my first ever news story reported )

and if this is old news, "my bad"

[-BHZMAFIA-]

and from what ive heard the twolves are looking at derek fisher and most likely they will get him from what i saw in the startribune. plus, i got a friend that lives in minny that told me that.

[Steve04]

The T-Wolves want Fisher? Hmmm, Are they stocking up on Laker Role Players?

[-BHZMAFIA-]

The T-Wolves want Fisher? Hmmm, Are they stocking up on Laker Role Players?

[Vins15]

interesting...i wonder if Hudson will go to Bobcats...cuz Hudson didn't rili get to play in the playoffs...actually the most of the season cuz of the injury and Sam Cassell...i guess he isn't happy...Bobcats would really need a player this quality..can score in a instant..as because most of their players would be average to poor...

[Amphatoast]

i dont think LA wants to give up Derek Fisher...he is one of their better perimeter shooters plus GP might leave

[matmat8]

i dont think LA wants to give up Derek Fisher...he is one of their better perimeter shooters plus GP might leave

Well there is going to be a lot of changes in LA for next year so i think he could leave just like every player on lakers roster

[Jackal]

The T-Wolves want Fisher? Hmmm, Are they stocking up on Laker Role Players?

Madsen did help though, his hustle is unbelievable.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

yea and i remember in that grizzlies game where the twolves couldve won, but madsen missed a wide open uncontested lay up to win the game at the buzzer they help give the grizz their 50th win!

[Bang]

You DON'T give up a player who scored and won a game with 0.4 seconds to live!

[Amphatoast]

You DON'T give up a player who scored and won a game with 0.4 seconds to live!

they did give up Robert Horry and he did beat the Kings in 2002..

[Colin]

Yea but Horry stunk it up the next year.

[matmat8]

You DON'T give up a player who scored and won a game with 0.4 seconds to live!

I think if they are ready to give up SHAQ or KOBE or PHIL they could let go derek fisher

[Jackal]

They aren't just willing to give up those people you mentioned, it's more out of pressure they are doing it...not as if they said one fine day..."Oh, let's dump em now".

Fisher won't walk.

[matmat8]

Of course they are not willing to give them that's not what i meant.
What i wanted to point out is no one knows what the lakers 2004/2005 will look like and if they want a rebuilding process they could let him go.

[Matt]

the funny thing about Lakers in rebuiling mode is they are always in the playoffs

[RedTorro]

interesting...i wonder if Hudson will go to Bobcats...cuz Hudson didn't rili get to play in the playoffs...actually the most of the season cuz of the injury and Sam Cassell...i guess he isn't happy...Bobcats would really need a player this quality..can score in a instant..as because most of their players would be average to poor...

How do you know what the Bobcats need if they don't even have a team yet? The roster size is zero.. LOl

[Andrew]

the funny thing about Lakers in rebuiling mode is they are always in the playoffs

I'd say the way they've lost players to retirement but continually added replacements and avoided making changes for changes sake has certainly been more successful than completely dismantling the team. The last time the Lakers missed the playoffs was 1994. Their 1994 roster was definitely one of their weakest, though they still finished ninth in the West with a record of 33-49.

At least eight players from the 1994 team returned the following season while Eddie Jones was added through the draft. LA was back in the playoffs in 1995 as the fifth seed (48-34), where they upset fourth seeded Seattle. Since then, they haven't missed the playoffs and have won three consecutive titles at the beginning of this decade. The Lakers certainly know how to rebuild without suffering through a lot of losing seasons.

[Riot]

I live in Minnesota and Kevin Garnett has told the Timberwolves numerous times to pay Hudson more and keep him around. It looks like the Timberwolves will offer Hudson some more money using the Early Bird that they have on t-hud. We'll see if T-Hud takes it.

Plus, with T-Hud's injury I don't know how much cash other teams will give him. Cash is basically what he is after.

[magius]

the laker dynasty is going to crumble without jerry west. you heard it here first.

[Jackal]

Not really, I suggested something like that last year before Kupchak managed to sign Malone & Payton. Hah!

[twolvezfanfoever]

I dont care bout the Lakers.Im a long time T'Wolves fan.I dont Fisher if you asked me.I didnt want Madsen really.Even though Im glad we have him.ANd the Lakers are dead now.They probably gonna make the playoffs.But as a low seed.Hopefully they play the T'Wolves so we can elimate them once and for all.And I hope we cough up some money to keep Hudson.

[magius]

Not really, I suggested something like that last year before Kupchak managed to sign Malone & Payton. Hah!

i think you spelled shaq wrong