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Year-Round News & Updates on the Minnesota Timberwolves
According to ESPN.com the Atlanta Hawks defensive dynamo: Josh Smith is unhappy with the Atlanta Hawks. It seems as though Smith is simply looking for a change of scenery, with concerns about team chemistry and the ongoing criticism about his play. In the weeks heading up to the NBA Draft the Timberwolves and the Hawks were active in trade talks regarding Josh Smith. Likely a trade that centered around the #2 pick. As Smith is still unhappy, Kahn could easily pick up the phone--just to see how much the Hawks are looking for--in return. Smith is currently "on the books" for $12.4M this season and another $13.2M in 2012-13. A trade for J-Smoove would instantly boost the Timberwolves defense, however, Smith would be, yet another versatile forward added to the bunch. A trade that centered around Michael Beasley & Wesley Johnson could potentially net Smith, however the Hawks would likely be more interested in rookie Derrick Williams. Smith would be a great fit at the small forward. The Wolves would add an athletic young forward, a perennial All-Star 'snub', a shot blocker, and a 14.6ppg (career) scorer (16.5ppg in 10-11). Beyond the Timberwolves, the Orlando Magic and the New Orleans Hornets are both "in play" for Smith, as the Atlanta Hawks could easily be a third-team in any deal that would move Dwight Howard & Chris Paul. That's all for now, thanks for reading and remember to check back daily for all your Timberwolves news, information & updates all year round. GO WOLVES!
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The Minnesota Timberwolves will likely come to training camp on December 9th with 15 players under contract, however they're still looking at some free agents.
Currently under contract are 13 players and by training camp, rookies: Derrick Williams & Malcolm Lee should have contracts. As such, that doesn't leave to much room for any more players. However, that hasn't prevented David Kahn to reach out to a number of different free agents. The first is forward/center: Chuck Hayes. Last season, the 6-6 Hayes started at center for Rick Adelman's Rockets and he could reunite with his coach in Minnesota and easily snag the starting center job. According to Calvin Andrews (Hayes agent), Chuck has also received interest from the Portland Trailblazers, Toronto Raptors & Sacramento Kings. Hayes, has stated that he hopes to remain in Houston and he will likely have a decision "nailed down" by this weekend. The next free agent the Wolves have expressed interest in, is Nuggets shooting guard Arron Afflalo. Afflalo is a restricted free agent, so any offer he receives the Nuggets will be able to match it and that's exactly what they intend to do. It would have to be a crazy offer from the Wolves for Afflalo to come here, but if he did, he'd almost definitely be able to step into a starting role. Along with the Wolves & Nuggets, the Bulls, Lakers and Nets have all expressed interest, but I'd fully expect Afflalo to be a Nugget in 2011-12. Another veteran shooting guard the Wolves are reportedly looking at is Von Wafer. The role player for Boston last season will be an unrestricted free agent. Along with the Wolves, the Blazers, Suns and Hornets are all interested in Wafer's services. Wafer would battle Wes Johnson & Wayne Ellington for playing time at the '2'. The Wolves are definitely interested in finding a veteran player. As such it's no surprise the Wolves are interested in swingman Shane Battier. The former Houston Rocket is obviously familiar with Rick Adelman and his system, but how much time would he receive with all the versatile forwards currently on the roster? I fully expect Battier to sign on with a contender. Beyond Minnesota, the Grizzlies, Rockets, Heat, Thunder and Bulls are all interested in Battier. These are just the reported players that David Kahn has looked into so far, I'm sure he's got his eyes on a few more as well. He has said that there's a good chance that someone may be cut to be able to sign a free agent. The most likely candidate (to me) would have to be Lazar Hayward. Of course nothing is imminent and Hayward could easily remain with the Wolves this season. That's all for now, thanks for reading and remember to check back daily for all your Timberwolves news, information and updates all year round. GO WOLVES! The Minnesota Timberwolves, along with the rest of the NBA, will begin training camps on December 9th. The Timberwolves are coming to camp with 15 players (the Wolves currently have 13 players under contract, but by Dec. 9th, they should have rookies Derrick Williams & Malcolm Lee under contract).
As of yesterday (Thursday, Dec. 1st) practice facilities around the NBA opened. According to multiple reports, the only player at the Target Center was Anthony Randolph. Apparently, he only lifted weights and did not speak with the media. During David Kahn's media availability, he stated that he fully expects the majority of the Wolves will be at the Target Center. Training camp opens on Friday and TWolves forward Anthony Tolliver stated earlier this week that the players will be getting together for a "mini pre-camp". On December 9th the Timberwolves players will get their first chance to meet their new coach: Rick Adelman. Adelman and the players will need to get acclimated with one another quickly, because as noted before the Timberwolves will be playing there preseason games against the Milwaukee Bucks. Today (12/2) the dates were set for the preseason action. The first game is Saturday, December 17th at the Target Center & the second on Wednesday, December 21st at the Bradley Center. Both games are set for 7pmCT and both can be heard on WCCO Radio. As such, the Wolves have just nine days of practice before there first game. That's just nine days for Adelman to assign roles, create & teach a system and pray that everyone shows up in playing-shape. Thanks for reading and remember to check back daily for all your Timberwolves news, information & updates all year round. GO WOLVES! The 2011-12 NBA season is fast approaching and we've still got a number of questions, regarding our TWolves. Today we'll be focusing on the Wolves' best player: Kevin Love. The biggest question is, will we see a continued improvement following Love's breakout All-Star season OR will we be left disappointed. Kevin Love snagged the NBA's Most Improved Player of the Year Award, along with the rebounding title, and an All-Star appearance. Let's be clear, when we say: "continued improvement", we can assume Love won't be the NBA's Most Improved Player of 2011-12 and will have to have a "hell-of-a-year" to break into the All-Star game once again. The reason of course, the bevy of incredible forwards in the West: Dirk Nowitzki (DAL), Luis Scola (HOU), Blake Griffin (LAC), Pau Gasol (LAL), Zach Randolph (MEM), LaMarcus Aldridge (POR), Tim Duncan (SAS) and Paul Millsap (UTA). And of course, there are a number of forwards that could easily breakout in the West: David Lee (GSW), Serge Ibaka (OKC), J.J. Hickson (SAC) and Derrick Favors (UTA). However, the Minnesota Timberwolves' longest-tenured player could easily match and exceed last year's performance(s). One big reason? According to a story from the Portland Tribune, the All-Star forward has apparently been working out vigorously this summer and has dropped 25 pounds (from 265 to 240). According to his long-time personal trainer: Love is in the best shape he's ever seen him. Love will increase his longevity with less wear and tear on his knees. He's also been working on his lower body strength in his legs which should counter those pounds lost. At 23, Kevin Love states that this is the best shape he's been in since his freshman year of high school. Love has also been working on his mid-range and close-range shots. Also with the weight loss, Love will be more mobile on both ends of the court hopefully improving his defensive skill set. Love is a great player, but with all these versatile forwards currently on the roster (Wesley Johnson, Michael Beasley, Derrick Williams, Martell Webster, Lazar Hayward, Anthony Randolph and Anthony Tolliver), Rick Adelman may look to "share the sugar" and Love may not be getting as many minutes per game. All in all, we'll just have to wait and see. We'll get our first chance when the Timberwolves duel the Milwaukee Bucks in their two shortened NBA preseason games. That's all for now, thanks for reading and remember to check back daily for all your TWolves news, information & updates all year round. GO WOLVES! |
Cody AndersonA TWolves fan, bringing you the daily updates. News Archives
August 2017
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