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Sessions a Good Buy for Minnesota -- and for fantasy owners

Like a number of other restricted free agents, Ramon Sessions has spent most of the summer waiting for offers that never materialized. The Clippers were interested... but then they acquired Sebastian Telfair to back up Baron Davis. The Knicks were -- and probably still are -- interested... but couldn't be less interested in signing anyone to a contract that extends beyond next summer.

But when Minnesota whiffed on Ricky Rubio -- who recently decided to play in Spain for at least two more seasons -- a spot opened up in the T-Wolves' backcourt. David Kahn filled that spot by signing Sessions to a four-year, $16 million offer sheet. Milwaukee has the right to match, but the odds of that happening hover between "slim" and "you've got to be freaking kidding me."

Sessions is just 23 -- but in Minnesota's backcourt, he's what passes for a veteran. The projected starters are both rookies: Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington. Adding Sessions to the mix gives new coach Kurt Rambis the option of bringing Flynn off the bench initially, as he gets acclimated to the NBA game, or to use Sessions -- a skilled scorer -- as an undersized two. Either way, it seems clear Sessions will finally get the playing time that never materialized in Milwaukee -- much to his fantasy owners' chagrin.

The bigger question: why four years? In theory, Rubio's buyout allows him to join the T-Wolves after two... which would mean Minnesota would have three points on the roster starting in 2011-12. But as ESPN's Chris Sheridan points out, it might make more financial sense for Rubio to stay in Europe until 2012. If Rubio joins the T-Wolves in 2011, he'll be making rookie scale. If he waits until 2012 -- three years after being drafted -- he'll be a regular free agent and eligible to sign for a whole lot more -- assuming that rule isn't changed when the NBA's collective bargaining agreement comes up for renewal.

So Sessions gives Minnesota a pretty decent Rubio replacement for the next two years... and maybe more.

Comments

By: airjan23
On: 9/4/2009 1:08:00 PM		 As a Knicks fan, understand why GM Donnie Walsh didn't want to sign anyone that would eat up additional cap room next year but hate to see Sessions go elsewhere. Truly believed that he could have been our point guard of the future, as well as the now, seeing how Chris Duhon wore down last year and is better suited as a backup. That said, as a Sessions owner in the RW Staff League, happy he will be starting somewhere, though wish it was in the Big Apple.
 
By: The Professor
On: 9/5/2009 11:17:00 AM		 I agree entirely, this is a great move for the Wolves and Sessions owners. Me and Liss own Sessions in a keeper league, and he went from "likely to be cut" to "hmmm, maybe we should cut Jason Terry instead" really quickly. Minnesota has 2.5 proven front court players but a serious vaccum in the backcourt, and both Sessions and Flynn have a good chance to grab some decent numbers in that void.

And continuing our mini-debate from the other thread, I still think the Rubio thing is going according to plan. Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if Kahn doesn't (and didn't) ever plan for Rubio to really wear a Wolves jersey. He may just be their best tread asset that he hopes to fatten up for the highest bidder in 2 or 3 years when he hopes that the Wolves are trying to get back into contention.
 

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