With the impending NBA trade deadline and three young players (Telfair, Gomes and Smith) up for restricted free agency, the Timberwolves have some tough decisions to make sooner or later. But what's the ballpark for these guys? What might it take to lock them up? Contingent upon the Timberwolves wanting to, of course.

The real trick will be timing these deals. Whoever gets the first deal will be used as a measuring stick by the other two. In my mind, that's all the more reason to deal one and avoid internal contract jealousy.

Sebastian Telfair was an uber-hyped prospect out of high school but has never lived up to the expectations. While Bassy has certainly improved and looks at times to be vital to Wolves success this year, he still has a shaky jumper and doesn't always appear to know how to run a team.

• Jameer Nelson thought he was better than Devin Harris and asked for 5yrs and $45 million. The Magic, and anyone with a brain, disagreed and offered Jameer $30 million over 5 years. At the time I thought it was a reasonable deal for both sides. Now Nelson is getting bench minutes and losing out to Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling. Ouch.
• The Bucks matched a 5-year/$18.5 million offer that the Heat made to Charlie Bell. While that's a long-term commitment to someone who's not a starter and has probably peaked, it's a reasonable deal for his level of production.
• Steve Blake got a respectable $12 million deal over 3 years from the Blazers, but I suspect he took a pay cut to play with Oden, Roy and Aldridge. Blake's court leadership, shooting and passing are, like Bell, probably peaked, but he's one of the best backup points in the league (when he's not starting).

Prediction: I think Bassy will want to start somewhere near his qualifying offer ($3.5 million) and look for 4 years with a player option on the fourth. Four years starting at $4 million with max raises is about $18.5 million. For a youngster who has proven valuable to a young team, I think it's a deal both the Wolves and Telfair should take.