Veteran forward Kyle Anderson has agreed to a buyout with the Grizzlies and intends to sign with the Timberwolves after he clears waivers, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
As Charania notes, Anderson previously played two seasons in Minnesota, including helping the Wolves reach the Western Conference finals in 2023/24.
Anderson opened the season with Utah, appearing in 20 games prior to being traded to Memphis earlier this month in the Jaren Jackson Jr. blockbuster. The 32-year-old’s second stint with the rebuilding Grizzlies will be very brief (he appeared in four games), as he’ll return to a Minnesota team hoping to make another deep playoff run.
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter links), at least one other contending team was eyeing Anderson, who is a 12-year veteran. He was a locker-room leader in his first stint with the Timberwolves and amicably parted ways with the organization in 2024 (via sign-and-trade), Krawczynski adds.
Known for his versatility and solid defense, Anderson has averaged 7.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 20.4 minutes per game across his 24 appearances this season. He has shot 56.3% from the field and 67.4% from the free throw line.
As ESPN’s Bobby Marks tweets, Anderson was under contract through next season, but his $9.7MM salary for 2026/27 was non-guaranteed. He was still owed $2.3MM of his $9.2MM salary for this season, per Marks.
Anderson will be the latest addition for the Wolves, who traded for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips at the deadline, re-signed Mike Conley after trading him (he was traded a second time before being waived), and added Jules Bernard on a two-way contract, Marks notes (via Twitter).
As we noted in another story, Memphis will fill Anderson’s roster spot by signing veteran big man Taj Gibson, who had been out of the league this season until now.
I like the KA signing. Hopefully he’s still got some juice and wants to stay next year for cheap. Trade Randle, promote Naz, and have our back up PF already on the roster.
The UCLA team with Anderson, LaVine, Powell, Jordan Adams & co is forever one of my fav all-time basketball teams. While everyone was all excited for him to get drafted to the Spurs, I’m still to this day disappointed that we never got to see Kyle Anderson running a team with the ball in his hand as a young player… link to youtube.com
Welcome home Slo Mo!
Hmm not the warriors… have to read into that one