We've heard a lot of rumors about possible acquisitions for the Timberwolves in light of the team's rash of injuries, and GM David Kahn addressed the talk following a meeting about potential moves today with coach Rick Adelman, reports Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Though we heard earlier that a trade could be in the works, Kahn believes that if the team is to make a move, it would most likely be a free agent signing. Kahn said "there are some names out there" the team would consider, most likely a shooting guard or small forward. Still, Kahn said nothing's on the immediate horizon.
"It's not feasible to do anything right now," Kahn said. "It's harder this time of the season to get a player. Certain players can't be traded until after December 15 if they signed in the summer."
Players who signed as free agents or signed offer sheets that were matched by their teams can't be traded for three months after the transaction took place, or December 15, whichever is later. Reports have linked free agents Mickael Pietrus and Josh Howard to Minnesota in the past week. The Wolves have a full roster, at 15 players, though Will Conroy's contract is partially guaranteed for $100K.
Richardson points out the Wolves are one player short of having enough to qualify for a roster hardship that would allow them to bring on a 16th player. In Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and Chase Budinger, the team has three players who will miss at least two weeks of action. They'd need a fourth to get a 16th player on the roster.
As for Love, Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune notes that he's targeting a return in early December from his broken right hand (Twitter links). That would make for an absence of about six to eight weeks, on the long side of the initial projection.