Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Odds & Ends: Atlantic, Previews, Draft

September 28th, 2012 at 9:22pm CST by Alex Lee

Here are a few odds and ends from around the NBA on Friday night:

Dei Lynam of CSN Philly goes "Around the Atlantic," touching on Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett and a glowing quote from Keyon Dooling on Rajon Rondo.
Here is the index page of HoopsWorld's team-by-team season previews for the upcoming season.
We are a long way away from the 2013 NBA Draft, nine months to be (close to) exact, but I can't help myself. After dubbing LeBryan Nash the top NBA prospect in the Big 12 a few days ago, Draft Express rounds out their top five with Myck Kabongo, Jeff Withey, Elijah Johnson and Pierre Jackson respectively.
More draft news, as Joe Kotch of Sheridan Hoops published his top 10 list for the 2013 event. As we all know, this will change exponentially as the draft approaches. Now entering the 2012-13 season, be sure to use us to look back on the 2012 draft this past June.

T-Wolves Introduce Andrei Kirilenko

September 28th, 2012 at 8:30pm CST by Alex Lee

After signing Andrei Kirilenko in July, the Timberwolves formally introduced the versatile Russian on Friday at a news conference at the Target Center, says Wolves beat writer Jerry Zgoda. Zgoda also provides a link to video interview he did with Kirilenko, who seems convinced that the team's eclectic mix of talent will mesh without issue.

Due to last season's lockout, Kirilenko returned to Russia and played the entire season for CSKA Moscow, winning the 2011-12 Euroleague MVP in the process. Before that, of course, he spent 10 years with the Jazz. While Kirilenko is no longer the All-Star caliber player he was in his prime, his last four years in Utah were remarkably consistent. From 2007 to 2011, the rangy forward averaged between 11 and 12 points and 4.5 and 5.1 rebounds per game.

He should provide plenty of value and veteran stability to an up-and-coming roster in Minnesota.

Jazz Tell Raja Bell To Stay Away From Camp

September 28th, 2012 at 6:49pm CST by Alex Lee

The Jazz announced Friday that they have told Raja Bell, who is under contract with the team, that it would be best if he did not attend training camp next week. General Manager Dennis Lindsey issued the following statement:

“I have spoken with Raja and his representative, Herb Rudoy, and we have mutually agreed that although Raja remains under contract, it is in the best interest of all parties that he not re-join the team next week when the Jazz begins training camp. We will now move forward focusing on Jazz basketball and our preparation for the upcoming season. We will have no further comment on this matter.”

There has been plenty of buzz lately around Bell's situation in Utah, and many assumed that it would result in a trade or buy out before the start of camp. Bell was in Salt Lake City on Monday for a physical, but as of yesterday had not heard from the team, says Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune.

The 35-year-old Bell is set to make $3.5MM in his final season with the Jazz. His playing time drastically fell last season as he reportedly butted heads with head coach Tyrone Corbin, but Bell could probably still be a valuable role player on the right team.

Jerry Zgoda, of the Star Tribune, tweets that the Timberwolves valued Bell's defense before which indicates they may be a fit once again. While I can't imagine the Jazz agreeing to send Bell to a division rival, if Zgoda is right it could explain part of their hesitation to simply part ways with the guard.

T-Wolves Sign Six To Finalize Camp Roster

September 28th, 2012 at 4:11pm CST by Luke Adams

The Timberwolves formally announced today that they have signed six players to fill out their roster for training camp. Besides Will Conroy and Seth Tarver, whose signings had been previously reported, Minnesota has also added Jermaine Taylor, Mike Harris, Chris Johnson, and Phil Jones, according to the team (Twitter link).

Of the four additions that we're hearing about for the first time, Taylor, Harris, and Johnson all have previous NBA experience, though only Johnson logged NBA minutes in 2011/12. Taylor, the 32nd overall pick in 2009 appeared in 65 games for the Rockets and Kings, while the undrafted Harris played for the Rockets and Wizards in parts of three seasons. Jones, meanwhile, played his college ball for the Charlotte 49ers, where his senior year was cut short in 2011 after he was ruled academically ineligible for the second half.

Conroy has a small guarantee on his contract, which should give him a slight advantage over the other five players for the T-Wolves' 15th and final roster spot. However, I expect the team would be happy to eat the $100K owed to Conroy if one of the other non-guaranteed players excels in training camp and preseason action.

With Minnesota's roster now at 20 players, it appears the T-Wolves are officially out of the running for Sean Williams, Hassan Whiteside, and various other big men that have been linked to the team in recent weeks.

Odds & Ends: Timberwolves, Nets, Daniels

September 27th, 2012 at 10:47pm CST by Ryan Raroque

There's a chance that Minnesota could bring Hassan Whiteside into training camp, but Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 believes that it would have to be a non-guaranteed contract. Wolfson also covers a few more miscellaneous notes surrounding the Timberwolves, including the status of Nikola Pekovic, other players under consideration along with Louis Amundson, and that Chicago businessman Richard Chaifetz has been "kicking the tires" on the prospect of owning the team. Here's what else we've heard from around the league tonight:

In a Q&A with Mike Wells of IndyStar.com, Danny Granger said that he will try to take things slow through training camp after experiencing irritation in his knee this summer. He also mentioned that he would play if the Pacers were currently in the regular season, adding that the team is just being cautionary right now.
Paul Flannery of WEEI.com provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Celtics' moves this offseason, complete with some input from coach Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge.
Tyson Chandler told Tim Bontemps that his workouts with Hakeem Olajuwon have been going very well, says Marc Berman of the New York Post (Sulia link).
After recently signing an extension in Boston, Keyon Dooling talked about his abrupt decision to retire from the NBA (Jessica Camerato of CSNNE reports).
The Kamenetzky Brothers of 710 ESPN in Los Angeles took to their radio show to discuss Steve Blake's injury and the possible opportunities for Chris Duhon and Darius Morris, Kobe Bryant's ESPN ranking at number six, and Jason Terry's recent comments about the Heat and Lakers.

Timberwolves To Sign Seth Tarver

September 27th, 2012 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

The Timberwolves will add former Oregon State shooting guard Seth Tarver to their training camp roster, according to Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 (via Twitter). Terms of the deal aren't known, but it will almost certainly be a non-guaranteed summer contract.

Tarver, 24, graduated from Oregon State in 2010 after posting 10.2 PPG and 4.6 RPG in his senior year. His numbers since then, in 94 games over two seasons for the D-League's Idaho Stampede, have been nearly identical (10.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG).

The move will bring the Timberwolves' roster to 16 players when it becomes official. Of those 16, 14 have fully guaranteed deals. Will Conroy's contract is partially guaranteed for just $100K.

Western Notes: Rubio, Arthur, Babbitt, Jones

September 26th, 2012 at 2:57pm CST by Luke Adams

When the Timberwolves signed Kevin Love to a four-year extension, rather than a five-year deal, many assumed the team was saving its five-year franchise-player designation for Ricky Rubio. However, Britt Robson, who recently wrote about T-Wolves owner Glen Taylor for Twin Cities Business, hears from GM David Kahn that Rubio is likely to receive the same four-year offer Love did (Twitter link). Here are a few more links dealing with Western Conference clubs:

Darrell Arthur, who was re-signed by the Grizzlies this summer, has suffered a leg fracture and won't be ready for training camp, tweets Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. It's another bad break for Arthur, who torn his achilles tendon and missed all of last season.
Luke Babbitt isn't sure whether or not the Trail Blazers will pick up his fourth-year option for 2013/14, but he doesn't intend to let his contract become a distraction, as Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com writes.
Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News believes Dominique Jones, who also has a fourth-year option decision pending, could be a breakout candidate for the Mavericks.
Heading into the season with a newly rebuilt roster and virtually no veteran players, GM Daryl Morey thinks his Rockets will be perhaps the league's most difficult team to forecast. Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle has the story.

Northwest Rumors: Hickson, Morrison, Jazz

September 25th, 2012 at 7:03pm CST by Chuck Myron

It's been a busy day for current and former members of the Timberwolves. The team officially announced the signing of Louis Amundson, having reportedly passed on Sean Williams and Yi Jianlian. Anthony Tolliver was also in the running to return until yesterday, and today he agreed to sign with the Hawks. Mark Deeks of ShamSports revealed the Wolves can get out of the last year of their contract with Brandon Roy if he reinjures his knees this season, and after an offseason of changes, Kevin Love says he's satisfied with the team's moves. There's news on Minnesota's Northwest Division rivals as well, and we'll round it up here:

J.J. Hickson will start training camp with the inside track to be the starter at center for the Blazers, said coach Terry Stotts, who also gave a nod to the strides rookie Meyers Leonard made over the summer, as The Oregonian's Joe Freeman writes.
In the same piece, Freeman reports that the Blazers will give strong consideration to keeping Adam Morrison for the entire season. The third overall pick in the 2006 draft signed a non-guaranteed contract with the team last week.
The Jazz have added 27-year-old former University of Utah guard Johnnie Bryant to their staff as a player development assistant, reports Jody Genessy of the Deseret News (Twitter link).

Odds & Ends: T-Wolves, Yi, Arroyo, Rockets

September 25th, 2012 at 5:50pm CST by Luke Adams

Let's round up a few of today's odds and ends from around the Association….

The Timberwolves ultimately signed Louis Amundson to a minimum-salary deal to bolster their frontcourt, but were also seriously considering Sean Williams and were close to signing Yi Jianlian, tweets Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500. Yi ended up signing in China, where he presumably received a larger guarantee.
Two and a half months after urging management to make roster upgrades, Kevin Love says he's happy about the changes and is optimistic about the Timberwolves' playoff chances, according to an AP report (via NBA.com).
According to a Primera Hora report (Spanish link), longtime NBA point guard Carlos Arroyo is still debating whether to join an NBA team's training camp or play in Turkey.
The Rockets announced a series of coaching and basketball operations hirings and promotions today, including a pair of assistant coaches.
There has been so much turnover in New Orleans in recent years that Jason Smith, who joined the team almost exactly two years ago, is now the longest-tenured Hornet. Smith spoke to Jim Eichenhofer of Hornets.com about the club's offseason acquisitions and his expectations for the coming year.

Timberwolves Sign Louis Amundson

September 25th, 2012 at 3:25pm CST by Luke Adams

TUESDAY, 3:25pm: The Timberwolves have officially signed Amundson, according to the team's Twitter feed.

MONDAY, 1:37pm: After we heard last night that unrestricted free agent Louis Amundson was closing in on a new deal with an unknown team, Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida fills in the blanks — Tomasson hears from a source that Amundson is set to sign with the Timberwolves (Twitter link).

Amundson will only receive a one-year, minimum-salary deal, but it will be for guaranteed money, according to Tomasson (via Twitter). The big man is already in Minnesota and will be with the team for the start of training camp (Twitter link).

Amundson, a six-year veteran, spent last season with the Pacers, recording 3.6 PPG and 3.7 RPG in 60 contests (12.6 MPG). Prior to his brief stint in Indiana, the 6'9" forward also played for the Warriors, Suns, Sixers, and Jazz. In part-time action over the course of 288 career contests, Amundson has posted a 12.8 PER.

Up against the cap and having already used their room exception on Greg Stiemsma, a minimum-salary contract was the most the Timberwolves could offer. Amundson was said to be in the market for a deal worth around the mini mid-level a few weeks back, but with few players receiving more than make-good deals for the minimum these days, the 29-year-old may be fortunate just to receive a guarantee. When Amundson's deal becomes official, the T-Wolves will have 15 players under contract, including 14 with full guarantees. Will Conroy's deal is only partially guaranteed.