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Year-Round News & Updates on the Minnesota Timberwolves
For the past month or so, we've discussed in multiple posts, that the Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in adding another big man to the roster, now it appears they're looking at a veteran wing, as well.
According to Darren Wolfson (who else?) David Kahn has reached out to Pietrus' camp. To do so the Minnesota Timberwolves will have to trade someone. Likely one of their guards: likely Luke Ridnour; maybe J.J. Barea. With the cap space they'll have following the trade, they'll be able to sign Pietrus AND a big man (almost certainly: Anthony Tolliver). Pietrus is a veteran wing player, who's known for his defense. The Wolves could use a solid defensive wing. Their only capable defending wing is Andrei Kirilenko. Guys like Roy, Shved and Budinger are stronger on the offensive side of the ball. We keep hearing about all these players the Timberwolves are interested in and about how they'll have to trade one of their guards to have the flexibility to do so...yet David Kahn still hasn't made the necessary trade. Though training camps don't start till early October, so he's got some time. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES!
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ESPN is in the midst of their second-annual #NBARank and for the next few weeks while they unveil all 500 players ranked, we'll be taking a look at where our Minnesota Timberwolves players land. This is the fourth Minnesota Timberwolves player to show up on ESPN's #NBARank. Though, Malcolm Lee is the only Timberwolves player who played with the team last year (that isn't on the team this year) that has their 2012 rank. Anyway, on to Stiemsma. Greg provides a HUGE upgrade over Darko Milicic, I don't think anyone would argue that...of course I'd take any center (not named Eddy Curry) over Darko. Stiemsma brings rim protection to a team that basically had none, last season. He'll likely play 10-15 minutes a night (while Pek gets the majority of minutes at center; 30+ minutes a night). Rebounds, hustle, probably a basket...a couple points each night. He'll lead the team in blocks per game. That's all for now, but theres plenty more to come! Stay tuned, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! ESPN is in the midst of their second-annual #NBARank and for the next few weeks while they unveil all 500 players ranked, we'll be taking a look at where our Minnesota Timberwolves players land. The Timberwolves traded away Wayne Ellington (ranked #344 this season--2.93) and received Dante Cunningham from the Memphis Grizzlies (#298 this season--3.33). The Timberwolves got another versatile body that can play both forward positions. An energy guy that'll hustle on both ends of the floor, grab rebounds, defend and chip in a bucket or two, at times. Cunningham was seen as expendable by the Grizzlies who have Darrell Arthur returning from an achilles injury that kept him out for the entirety of last season as well as Zach Randolph, Marreese Speights, Marc Gasol and Hamed Haddadi in their frontcourt, while O.J. Mayo left Memphis to join the Mavericks, they needed a shooting guard to backup Tony Allen. The TWolves needed another body in the frontcourt, while thinning out the backcourt a bit. Memphis...the opposite. In the end, I think it'll work out well for both teams. Dante's playing time this season, will depend on how Derrick Williams performs. Williams is obviously more talented, but if he doesn't perform up to expectations, you can bet that Adelman will turn to other options (something he didn't really have last season). #NBARank on ESPN continues and therefore, so will these posts. We have three down and plenty more to go! Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! ESPN is in the midst of their second-annual #NBARank and for the next few weeks while they unveil all 500 players ranked, we'll be taking a look at where our Minnesota Timberwolves players fall. The first one, is Malcolm Lee. Lee was a rookie last season, who tore his meniscus in the preseason and had to miss the next six weeks. He came back and played some games in the D-League. At that time Adelman said there was a VERY good chance he'd stay with the Sioux Falls Skyforce for the majority of the remainder of the season. Then, Ricky Rubio went down for the season with a torn ACL and Lee was brought to the Big Leagues as a deep reserve guard. When it was clear the TWolves were out of the playoff picture and Luke Ridnour missed the last 10 games after severely spraining his ankle; Malcolm Lee's role increased as the main backup to J.J. Barea at point guard. Most see Lee as a potential future defensive stopper. This season he'll find most of his time at the off-guard, unless (or more likely: until) the Wolves trade one of their guards away (Ridnour or Barea)--something they have talked about (the Wolves are hoping to trade away one of their guards to open up a roster spot to sign two more players--one of those likely being Anthony Tolliver). That's all for now, plenty more players to come, so stay tuned! Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! ESPN is in the midst of their second-annual #NBARank and for the next few weeks while they unveil all 500 players ranked, we'll be taking a look at where our Minnesota Timberwolves players fall. The next that popped up on that list? The only TWolves rookie this season: Alexey Shved at #353 coming in with a score of 2.86. Shved is one of the biggest unknowns on this season's roster, joining Brandon Roy & Andrei Kirilenko. Unknowns because you just don't know what to expect from them this season. Shved will spend most of his time as the backup shooting guard, likely behind Brandon Roy on the depth chart. David Kahn says he won't be expecting much from Alexey this season as he won't have too much pressure on him to perform at a high-level in his first season in the NBA. In comparison, Nikola Pekovic was a Euro-star and we got nothing but 5-10 minutes a game and a BUNCH of fouls to the box score, each night. If he can play at a high level and deserve extended minutes, GREAT! If not, they have plenty of other guards on the roster who can contribute. With just two down, we've got plenty more to come! Stay tuned! That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! UPDATE (8.28.12 @11:23pmCT): According to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (via Twitter) during that workout in Houston, Andray Blatche was also there working out. While it's uncertain if the Timberwolves have any interest in Blatche, however it's certain that the TWolves scout did get a look at him yesterday afternoon. As per usual, we'll keep you updated--stay tuned! The TWolves are searching for another big man to round out their frontcourt and according to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld (via Twitter) the Wolves are watching him workout in Houston, today.
Whiteside is a 7-foot, 235lb. center that has played the last two seasons in Sacramento, before being waived earlier this summer to make room for Aaron Brooks, rookie Thomas Robinson and the trade with Toronto that brought James Johnson to Sacramento. Hassan has only played 19 games, in his NBA career with 1.5ppg, 2.0rpg and 0.8bpg. He'd be the third string center behind Nikola & Stiemsma on the depth chart, while also having the ability to play some spot minutes at power forward. As always, stay tuned for more. Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! Former Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Martell Webster has moved on since being bought out by the TWolves and as of this afternoon, he had agreed to terms on a contract with the Washington Wizards. This will be the third team Webster has played for in his NBA career, after being drafted by the Trailblazers in 2005 (6th overall). He was sent to the Wolves in a 2010 Draft night trade that saw Luke Babbitt (16th pick that night) and Ryan Gomes (later waived and signed by the Clippers) head to Portland. After two seasons in Minnesota, he was bought out this summer and became an unrestricted free agent. Back problems have plagued his career and that was definitely the case during his short two season tenure in Minnesota. Martell played in 47 games last season. He started 27 of them, after Ricky Rubio went down for the year. His averages in 2012: 6.9ppg, 3.6rpg, & 0.7spg in 24.3mpg. As well as 42% from the field and 34% from three. The dollars & cents of the deal aren't known, but I would assume it isn't for much more than the veteran's minimum and likely for just one-year. Webster will provide depth at the shooting guard and small forward positions for Washington, next season, but it's uncertain how much floor time he'll see. They have Bradley Beal, Jordan Crawford, Cartier Martin, Trevor Ariza, Jan Vesely & Chris Singleton all splitting time at SG & SF. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves amnestied Darko Milicic earlier this summer. It was during that first week in July when the NBA moratorium period was over and free agents could begin signing with NBA teams.
Darko has gotten some interest from a number of NBA contenders. The Boston Celtics were interested, but they have rookie Fab Melo & veteran Jason Collins. The Los Angeles Clippers were interested, but then they signed Ronny Turiaf & Ryan Hollins. The Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat are still in the market for a big man and there's still a chance he could play in the NBA next season. Darko is reportedly negotiating with Real Madrid. Though another report says that he's already passed on the reported offer. Remaining adamant that he wants to remain in the NBA. If I were betting I'd say he'll land with either the Nets or the Heat. The Lakers, Hornets, Knicks and Blazers also remain in the market for another backup big man. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the teams rumored to be interested in free agent forward Eduardo Najera, as we noted in a post on this site, earlier this month.
Now, it appears as though he'll be hanging up the jersey and trading it in for a clipboard and suit as he's primed to become the new part-owner of the NBA D-League's Texas Legends, as well as the new head coach. Najera has no prior coaching experience, but he's good friends with Mavericks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Nelson, who is also the co-owner of the Texas Legends. The 75-year-old Nelson will be a mentor to the 36-year-old Najera as he makes this transition. Najera began his career after he was selected 38th overall in the 2000 NBA Draft. He played 12 NBA seasons, before deciding to retire after playing for the NBA's worst team in history (by winning percentage), the Charlotte Bobcats. The only reason I'm bringing you this story was because he was someone the Timberwolves were rumored to be interested in. If he had decided to stay in the NBA, he likely would've received an offer from a team looking for a third or fourth string combo forward to fill out their roster. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the market for another big man, as we've noted in multiple posts the past couple weeks.
We've heard rumors of trading Derrick Williams to grab someone with a true position, signing a free agent like Mehmet Okur or Eduardo Najera. But, what about forward Anthony Tolliver who has played fairly well the past two seasons for the TWolves. Anthony Tolliver remains a free agent and it sounds as though he doesn't have any despairity of suitors. Of the interested teams: the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Charlotte Bobcats...as well as a handful of overseas teams. According to Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities, resigning Tolliver remains an option (not exactly a 'priority') for the Minnesota Timberwolves, though David Kahn would have to make a move to clear cap space, as they only have the veteran's minimum to offer and Tolliver is looking for a salary in the $2million a year range (very similar to the contract he signed with Minnesota two seasons ago). The search for another big man continues and I'm personally hoping that the TWolves bring back Tolli, he's got a tireless work ethic, is intelligent and is the perfect energy/hustle guy that'll give you 100% every night on both ends of the floor. That's all for now, thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES! |
Cody AndersonA TWolves fan, bringing you the daily updates. News Archives
August 2017
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