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Year-Round News & Updates on the Minnesota Timberwolves
One of Minnesota's most important players in a return to the Playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade is currently going through some rehabilitation after tearing his ACL & LCL last March.
Today, he had a checkup with the doctor that performed the knee surgery in Vail Colorado. Following the checkup, Rubio posted this on his Twitter account (@rickyrubio9): "Check out w the doctor went great! My knee its good even better than he expected! #hardwork" Hopefully that translate into him being ahead of schedule and that he will hopefully be ready for the season opener on November 2nd vs. the Sacramento Kings. He was hoping that the doctor would tell him that he could begin running again, however there hasn't been any word on that. There are definitely a 'plethora' of guards on the Timberwolves roster, but none more important to the team's success that Ricky Rubio. Clearly we all were witness to that, last season. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES!
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We got a look at the two newest Minnesota Timberwolves in an Olympic quarterfinal matchup with Great Britain in which Russia won 95-75.
Alexey Shved & Andrei Kirilenko led Russia with some standout performances that should definitely have Timberwolves fans VERY excited about this upcoming season! Shved finished the afternoon with 16pts, 6reb, 13ast, 4stls, 3blks, 6/11 FG (55%), 2/4 3PT (50%) and 2/2 FT (100%). AK47 led the game with 35pts, 4reb, 1ast, 1stl, 2blks, 14/17 FG (82%), 1/2 3PT (50%) and 6/8 FT (75%). David Kahn says he likes the versatility of the Minnesota Timberwolves roster. A quick glance at those stat lines validates his point. Russian coach David Blatt said after today's game: "If I'm the Minnesota Timberwolves...I've got a big, fat smile on my face." The prospect of Ricky Rubio & Alexey Shved running the backcourt together is going to be MORE than fun to watch! I watched the first three quarters, but didn't catch the final one. What I saw in that time? Shved has a great handle (if he's going to be playing mainly shooting guard, he's the ball handling off-guard the Wolves have been lacking), he's got court vision that's reminiscent of another TWolf and he was a surprisingly effective scorer with jumpers, layups, threes. Just an active player on both ends of the floor. AK47. We know exactly what he can do. He spent 10 years with the Jazz as one of the most versatile forwards in the League, that could ultimately play all five positions, if needed. His role won't be to score 35 points a game for Minnesota, but there's no doubt he'll have those 'outburst' nights. There were also a number of LOBS from Shved to AK. Let's just say Chris Paul & Blake Griffin got nothing on our Russian Connection! Haha...not really, BUT there's definitely some chemistry between these two that can only help with their transition with Minnesota & for Shved his transition to the NBA, to have a fellow countryman & teammate on the team, should only benefit him. Russia will play China on Tuesday, so set your DVR's in case you missed today's game, or if you want to see more...I know I do. Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves said goodbye to Wesley Johnson today and hello to 10-year NBA veteran Andrei Kirilenko.
That three-team deal that had a 'snag' in it...well apparently it was...unsnagged? desnagged? We'll just say sorted out and completed. The three-team deal involving Minnesota, Phoenix and New Orleans, saw Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick head to the Hornets, Wesley Johnson, Brad Miller (or his contract, ultimately), Jerome Dyson and a first-round pick to Phoenix and three 2nd-round picks to Minnnesota. The three second round picks the Wolves receive; two of them were the same picks they traded to the Hornets w/Miller's contract a few weeks back and the other belongs to the L.A. Lakers, acquired by the Suns via Steve Nash's sign-and-trade. The first-round pick the Timberwolves sent to Phoenix is in Kahn's words "well-protected" depending on how the year plays out, it will either be Memphis' first round pick or our first round pick. Either way, the first-rounder will be lottery-protected. With Johnson's salary off the books the Timberwolves were able to move ahead and sign Andrei Kirilenko. AK is an excellent pickup and a great fit for the Wolves. AK47 has the ability to defend multiple positions. He plays both forwards and will likely be the team's starting small forward. He'll also guard the other teams best forward, leaving Kevin Love to take the other...which is a HUGE plus (given Love's below-average D). He'll contribute 8-12 points a night, get steals, blocks and be the anchor of Minnesota's defense. The Wolves paid Kirilenko $10million a year for the next two years (and it's sounding as though the second year is possibly a player option). I would agree it's fairly high, however he's such a great fit and fills a HUGE need...so the price doesn't bother me as much. Andrei will be the Timberwolves' second-highest paid player next season (behind Kevin Love @$12million+) and he'll be the oldest and most experienced (years pro) on the roster. The Wolves' starting lineup is now set AND the roster could very well be set! The Wolves will likely start: Ricky Rubio (once healthy), Brandon Roy (if he stays healthy), Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin Love and Nikola Pekovic. Their second unit will consist of Luke Ridnour, J.J. Barea or Alexey Shved, Chase Budinger, Derrick Williams and Greg Stiemsma. While also having Dante Cunningham as a reserve forward and Malcolm Lee as a reserve combo guard. It is still unknown if the Wolves will bring back Tolliver. I personally think they should. He's a versatile player who can play 3, 4 and 5. Three-point shooter, glue guy, energy and hustle galore! I REALLY do hope he'll be back. The current roster stands at 13 players. The maximum is 15, so Tolliver would put them at 14. There's also Robbie Hummel who the Wolves selected 58th overall in last month's draft. I don't know if he'll be a 'Wolf', this season. But if they were to bring both him & Tolliver back then it'd put them at the max of 15 players. Technically the roster will be at 13 once the deals for Roy & Stiemsma are finalized. Roy's is expected to be completed sometime early next week. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The reported three-team deal involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Hornets has reportedly hit a bit of a 'snag'.
The past two days we've been hearing that talks are progressing. The problem isn't an agreement. All three teams have reached a verbal agreement, however the problem lies with the new CBA. In the reported deal...
Dyson would likely be waived and the second round picks the Timberwolves receive are likely the same ones they sent to the Hornets along with Brad Miller. The 1st-round pick the Timberwolves send to Phoenix is the Memphis pick that's lottery-protected. The holdup seems to be Brad Miller's involvement in the trade. No matter the team that receives him will buy out his $5million-plus 2012-13 contract for around $800,000. The problem being that since Miller was traded from Minnesota to New Orleans just a few weeks ago, he cannot be traded again unless it's in a deal where he's the only player traded. All teams involved want to get a deal done. Phoenix gains another wing player and a first-round pick. The Hornets get a starting center to pair with Anthony Davis in the frontcourt and Minnesota sheds some cap space in order to sign Andrei Kirilenko to a 2-year $20million deal. All teams have something to lose (beyond maybe Phoenix). The teams were still working diligently yesterday (Thursday) and word is they hope to have a deal that fits within the rules of the new CBA and is agreeable for all teams involved by sometime Friday. We should have something for you either way. Stay tuned to HOWL and @donnycersado27 on Twitter for all the updates. GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially signed Russian guard Alexey Shved. Shved can play both guard positions as well as some spot small forward. With the plethora of guards on the roster, I assume Shved will find the majority of his minutes as the reserve shooting guard, likely behind Brandon Roy on the depth chart. "We are excited to have Alexey join the Minnesota Timberwolves," president of basketball operations David Kahn said in a release. "Alexey has been regarded as one of the best young talents in Europe for the past few seasons and will be a tremendous addition to our club. He is a smooth, fast-paced player who brings great shooting and passing abilities to our team. He will fit in well with our style of play and we look forward to seeing him in a Timberwolves uniform." The Timberwolves continue to try and trade away Wes Johnson to Phoenix in that three-team deal highlighted here: Goodbye Wes, Hello AK47? Doing so, they can clear some cap space and make a push to sign free agent Andrei Kirilenko, who played with CKSA Moscow last season. The same team Shved played for last season. You can find out more about Alexey Shved in this post: TWolves to Sign Russian Guard Alexey Shved. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! No Nicolas Batum, no problem! The Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a deal with forward Andrei Kirilenko on a two-year deal, estimated to be worth around $20million ($10million a year). According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter) he says the second year could be a player option. I don't think that matters much, considering there's little doubt he'd leave $10million on the table, to likely sign a mid-level deal elsewhere. Does that mean I think they overpaid? Yeah. However, he fills a big need. His best position may be more power forward, however it's certain he'll be starting at small forward for Minnesota, next season. Will they start a guy they're paying $10million (AK47) or a guy they're paying just under $900,000 (Budinger)? Fair enough. Although he'll start at small forward, there's a good chance he'd shift to power forward, with Love at center in certain rotations. Kirilenko didn't play in the NBA last season. Due to the lockout, he took his talents overseas to CKSA Moscow (the same team Alexey Shved played for). Prior to that he was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 1999 as the 24th overall pick and spent 10 years there. He's a versatile forward that can do a little bit of everything. Some of his career averages (in 10 years w/the Utah Jazz): In 681 games, he shot 47% FG, 31% 3PT, 76% FT, 5.6rpg, 2.8apg, 2.0bpg, 1.4spg and 12.4ppg. Obviously AK isn't going to be a 20-point scorer, but he'll contribute 10-12 points a night, a couple steals, blocks and lead the charge as the defensive force for Minnesota. At least we hope so...for $10million a year. He was reportedly weighing a one-year offer from the L.A. Lakers for the veteran's minimum ($1.3million). Who knows why he took Minnesota's offer? I guess that's the $8.7million question! :) With this signing we also saw the departure of Wesley Johnson. Johnson went to the Phoenix Suns as a part of a three-team deal. Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick went from Phoenix to New Orleans in this trade and Minnesota got Jerome Dyson (I assume he'll be waived) and a couple 2nd round draft picks. Ironically the second round draft picks Minnesota gets are the same ones that they traded to New Orleans along with Brad Miller a couple weeks back. Brad Miller (or his contract, rather) did go to Phoenix in this trade. So, a bit of a recap of Minnesota's offseason. Welcome Chase Budinger, Dante Cunningham, Robbie Hummel (likely), Andrei Kirilenko, Brandon Roy, Alexey Shved, and Greg Stiemsma. Goodbye Wayne Ellington, Martell Webster, Brad Miller, Darko Milicic, Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph, Anthony Tolliver (likely) and Wesley Johnson. It's sounding as though, with this AK47 signing the Timberwolves are done making moves. Beyond of course finalizing deals for Greg Stiemsma, Brandon Roy, Robbie Hummel and Andrei Kirilenko. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Timberwolves may be saying goodbye to Wesley Johnson and hello to Andrei Kirilenko.
According to a report from Yahoo! Sports, the TWolves may be involved in a potential three-team trade involving the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Hornets. The reported deal would send Robin Lopez from Phoenix to New Orleans in a sign-and-trade as well as the Suns' Hakim Warrick (to the Hornets). Wesley Johnson and a first-round pick (from Minnesota) would head to the Phoenix Suns. And the it's being reported that Brad Miller (his contract), Jerome Dyson and draft picks would be coming back to the Wolves. However, it's quite impossible that this will be the final trade scenario. For one main reason: Minnesota can't reacquire Miller (who they traded to the Hornets along with 2nd round picks for a second round pick). According to Larry Coon (NBA salary cap whiz) a team can't reacquire a player they've traded away in that season. A season begins July 1st and ends June 30th. It's amazing that they have to add a first round pick to ultimately 'dump' Wesley Johnson, a former #4 overall pick. This is clearly a trade that has Minnesota continuing to try and clear cap space. According to multiple sources, the Minnesota Timberwolves will be looking to make a push to sign free agent Andrei Kirilenko. Kirilenko would provide depth at both forward positions and could very well be the starting small forward. The reported offer the Wolves are planning to make would be $9million a year for at least two years. I don't know how I feel about that, but he's certainly a versatile player that would automatically boost Minnesota's defense. And of course, YES, he's another white guy. So, the punchlines can continue. Ricky Rubio, Luke Ridnour, J.J. Barea, Alexey Shved, Chase Budinger, Andrei Kirilenko, Robbie Hummel (if they sign him), Kevin Love, Nikola Pekovic and Greg Stiemsma. I could care less what color their skin is, if they can play and they make the Minnesota Timberwolves better, I'm all for it! That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! UPDATE (7/23 @10:55amCT): According to 'multiple reports' it's sounding as though Dante Cunningham may not be long for Minnesota. Minnesota reportedly contacted two teams prior to the trade being announced on Tuesday. He shouldn't be hard to move Dante, he's a versatile forward that defends well and is an energy guy on both ends of the floor. The Minnesota Timberwolves have officially traded guard Wayne Ellington to the Memphis Grizzlies for Dante Cunningham.
This trade thins out the plethora of guards on Minnesota's roster and adds a versatile big man that can also play limited minutes at small forward. Cunningham tweeted: "Minnesota here I come". Just a few minutes ago. This may spell the end of Anthony Tolliver in Minnesota, too. Though he won't have trouble finding a role elsewhere. I'd say there's a good chance we could see another trade or FA signing that brings someone who can play both shooting guard and small forward. Brandon Rush? Willie Green? That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to strike out on free agent targets. You can now add Ronnie Brewer to that list that includes: Nicolas Batum, Jordan Hill and Courtney Lee.
Batum is back in Portland, Hill resigned with the Lakers and Lee was moved to the Celtics in a sign-and-trade w/Houston. Ronnie Brewer was bought out by the Chicago Bulls early in free agency as they'll be looking to 'tread water' in 2012-13, while they await for Derrick Rose's return. Brewer is a versatile wing that can play shooting guard and small forward and would automatically upgrade the Timberwolves' bench production and Minnesota's defense. Instead, Brewer is going to the Knicks on a one-year deal (likely for the veteran's minimum). Minnesota did make Brewer an offer, but clearly it was declined. There's no word on what the actual figures were, but I would assume it would be for more than the veteran's minimum. The Timberwolves have made some moves. It was made official that the Timberwolves will sign Brandon Roy and Alexey Shved. It's uncertain as to when those deals will become official. I would assume Minnesota will be looking to see who else they can sign and figure out whether they need to sign Shved or Roy to a mid-level exception, etc. The Timberwolves are still looking at a number of players. The rumored players include: Brandon Rush, Dominic McGuire, Carl Landry, Ronny Turiaf and Willie Green. I would assume there are a few more, you could add to that. Andrei Kirilenko's name has come up, but according to Darren Wolfson, there's someone close to AK that says Minnesota have not called his agent once this offseason. With the lack of depth at power forward and center, I would assume the TWolves will still be looking for another reserve big man. They do have Kevin Love and Derrick Williams at power forward and Nikola Pekovic and Greg Stiemsma at center. There will hopefully be more on this front in the very near future. Until then, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves and restricted free agent Greg Stiemsma have reportedly agreed on contract terms.
The details have not yet been released, however it's sounding as though the Celtics will not match the offer, following the sign-and-trade deal that brought Courtney Lee to Boston. Stiemsma will be the team's backup center, playing behind Pekovic for the majority of his minutes, but could also see a few minutes at power forward, as well. After the Timberwolves missed out on Jordan Hill (resigned with the Lakers), Stiemsma became their next big target. He reportedly received another offer, from another team (not the Celtics), but was weighing that deal, until we got word the Wolves and him had reached a verbal agreement. They'll sign him to an offer sheet and the Celtics will have three days to match (again, not expected). Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! |
Cody AndersonA TWolves fan, bringing you the daily updates. News Archives
August 2017
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