Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Timberwolves’ Covington Undergoes Knee Surgery

April 1st, 2019 at 6:05pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Timberwolves forward Robert Covington underwent a diagnostic arthroscopic procedure Monday morning with debridement and removal of loose bodies in his right knee, according to a team press release. The surgery was performed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. No timetable was released regarding the recovery process.

Covington was dealt to Minnesota from Philadelphia in the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade in November. In 22 games with the Timberwolves, he averaged 14.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 2.3 SPG. He hasn’t played since New Year’s Eve after being diagnosed with a bone bruise.

Covington has three more years remaining on his contract. He’ll receive approximately $11.3MM next season, $12.1MM in 2020/21 and $13MM in 2021/22.

He has averaged 12.7 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 326 career games.

Free Agent Stock Watch 2019: Northwest Division

March 29th, 2019 at 8:26pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Every week, Hoops Rumors takes a closer look at players who will be free agents or could become free agents next offseason. We examine if their stock is rising or falling due to performance and other factors. This week, we turn our attention to the Northwest Division:

Isaiah Thomas, Nuggets, 30, PG (Down) – Signed to a one-year, $2MM deal in 2018
The sad and swift decline in Thomas’ career hit a new low a couple of weeks ago when the veteran was informed by Nuggets coach Michael Malone he would not be in the rotation going forward. Thomas didn’t even make his season debut until mid-February due to his hip condition. He has only seen action in one game since March 8 — a scoreless seven-minute stint in Boston, where his career peaked two seasons ago when he averaged 28.9 PPG. Thomas will probably have to settle for another one year, “show me” contract this summer.

Tyus Jones, Timberwolves, 22, PG (Up) – Signed to a four-year, $6.54MM deal in 2015
Jones has received steady playing time since late February and is now the starter by default with Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose out for the rest of the season. He isn’t much of a scoring threat but he rarely turns the ball over. He’s averaging less than one turnover per game in 25.8 MPG this month. Teague has a $19MM option on his contract for next season and is expected to exercise it, so Jones’ starting gig probably won’t last. The Timberwolves can make Jones a restricted free agent by extending a qualifying offer of $3.57MM and that seems likely, given his age and steady hand at the point.

Markieff Morris, Thunder, 29, SF/PF (Down) — Signed to a one-year, $573K deal in 2019
The above salary figure doesn’t reflect that Morris was making $8.6MM before he was traded by the Wizards to the Pelicans, who waived him. He seemed to be walking into a good situation with a playoff-bound team but hasn’t made much of an impact. He’s averaging 6.0 PPG and 3.5 RPG in 15.9 MPG in 17 appearances with Oklahoma City. He played just seven scoreless minutes against Indiana on Wednesday. Morris brings enough to the table to be a rotation piece but it’s increasing unlikely he’ll get a starter-level offer on the open market.

Enes Kanter, Trail Blazers, 26, C (Up) – Signed to a one-year, $653K deal in 2019
Jusuf Nurkic‘s gruesome leg injury changes the outlook for Kanter in the short- and long-term. He’ll suddenly be playing heavy minutes for Portland, which signed him as a backup after the Knicks reached a buyout agreement with him on his $18.6MM salary this season. A productive postseason by Kanter should enhance his prospects as an unrestricted free agent. He’s not going to make anyone’s All-Defense team but he’s a double-double machine when he plays half the game. While it seems Kanter has been around for awhile, he’s still only 26 and in the prime of his career.

Derrick Favors, Jazz, 27, PF (Up)– Signed to a two-year, $37.6MM deal in 2018
Favors’ $16.9MM contract for next season isn’t guaranteed unless he’s on the roster through July 6. That seemed unlikely from the time he signed the deal but it’s not a given the Jazz will let him go. That salary isn’t outrageous for a starter and the Jazz have plenty of cap room to absorb that salary. Plus, they’d need to have a solid plan to replace Favors, who has posted a 21.9 PER this season. Favors nearly got dealt to Memphis for Mike Conley and Utah could use his expiring contract in a blockbuster trade next season if it retains him.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Atlantic Notes: Butler, Vonleh, VanVleet, Ntilikina

March 28th, 2019 at 6:19pm CST by JD Shaw

Jimmy Butler will return to Minnesota on Saturday when the Sixers visit the Timberwolves, marking his first game back in Target Center since shockingly requesting a trade from the team back in September.

Butler, who received mostly boos in the 10 games after his trade request last fall, is preparing to enter what’s sure to be a hostile environment during his return.

“They’re going to boo me,” Butler said of the Timberwolves fans, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times. “I would boo me, too. I’m not going to lie to you.”

Butler, who’s known as one of the most outspoken players in the NBA, said he’ll even consider joining in with the fans’ boos. Butler spent just one full season on the Wolves, with the 29-year-old set to reach unrestricted free agency on July 1.

“Oh, I love it,” Butler continued about the fans’ reaction to the trade, as relayed by Stein. “I love it. I love it. Who wants to be loved all the time?

“It’s O.K. It’s fine. I don’t need everybody to like me. I know who I am. I can’t say that enough. I know what I’m about. I know where my heart is. People will say, ‘He’s this way, or he’s that way,’ but nobody knows except for the people around me every day. Ask them and they’ll tell you differently.”

Let’s check in on more items from out of the Atlantic…

Knicks forward Noah Vonleh underwent an MRI on Wednesday that revealed a right ankle sprain with a bone bruise in his right foot, the team announced. Vonleh is expected to be re-evaluated in one week, with the 23-year-old averaging a career-high 8.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 25.3 minutes per game this season.
Raptors guard Fred VanVleet turned to analytics in order to improve his game while injured, Blake Murphy of The Athletic writes. VanVleet missed 12 straight games after undergoing surgery to fix ligament damage in his left thumb, returning to the court two weeks ago. “I’ve found some spots where I think I can be good. I’ve looked at my numbers. I’ve been bored outta my mind so I studied some analytics a little bit, watched a lot of film, and just seeing where I can get better,” VanVleet said. “This feels like October again for me so I’m approaching this as a new season, the end of the season, and hopefully I can come back and take another jump of improvement towards the end of the season.”
Knicks coach David Fizdale couldn’t commit to Frank Ntilikina returning this season, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Ntilikina re-injured his groin on Friday, an injury that cost him nearly two months of action earlier in the year. “We don’t know yet on the status of how far away he is from coming back,” Fizdale said when asked whether Ntilikina is out for the season. “I know it was a tough blow to the kid the other night. I just don’t know how severe it is. I just know that it got to a point during the game where it was really bothering him. It’s just been frustrating for the kid. It’s been frustrating for all of us, but for him it’s been tough.”

Wolves Notes: Offseason, Saric, Experimentation

March 28th, 2019 at 3:14pm CST by Austin Kent

It’s been a busy year for the Timberwolves, who find themselves in a very different position now than they did this time last year. Bobby Marks of ESPN (Insider) recently broke down the offseason priorities for a front office still reeling from a whirlwind few months.

Among the first tasks will be figuring out what to do with interim head coach Ryan Saunders, who took the reins after Tom Thibodeau‘s firing with predictably modest results given the circumstances. Minnesota will need to hire a general manager following Thibodeau’s departure and that individual would likely want a say in who is coaching the team.

Marks also flags Derrick Rose and Andrew Wiggins as players that Minnesota’s brass will need to mull over. Just how much of a priority should Rose be, he asks, and is it finally time to consider dramatically downgrading Wiggins’ role?

There’s more out of Minnesota today:

There’s a strong possibility that veteran point guard Jeff Teague opts into the final year of his contract, Michael Rand of the Star Tribune writes. Although the $19MM he’ll earn through 2019-20 may sound steep to Wolves fans eager to rebuild, Rand notes that the team was distinctly better with the 30-year-old on the court in 2018/19.
After an underwhelming season, Dario Saric and the Timberwolves can take solace in the fact that they’ll have another full season in which to gauge how well they fit together before a free agency decision needs to be made, Britt Robson of The Athletic writes.
The Timberwolves won’t be sneaking into the postseason this spring so head coach Ryan Saunders will use the final games of the campaign to tinker with different strategies. Per Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune, Sanders is particularly interested in seeing how Andrew Wiggins and rookie Keita Bates-Diop fare in unusual situations.

Bulls Notes: Rose, Lopez, Markkanen, Harrison

March 28th, 2019 at 1:59pm CST by Arthur Hill

Derrick Rose‘s latest injury decreases the chances that the Bulls will try to sign him next season, writes K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune in an question-and-answer column. The Chicago native and former MVP revived his career in Minnesota this season, averaging 18.0 PPG and shooting 37% from 3-point range in 51 games. However, his season ended early again due to bone chips in his right elbow that required surgery last week.

Rose will be a free agent this summer after signing a one-year deal with the Timberwolves, and there was talk that the Bulls might be interested in pursuing him to settle their issues at point guard. In light of the injury, however, Johnson suggests Ricky Rubio, Darren Collison and Patrick Beverley as better targets.

There’s more Bulls news to pass along:

Chicago probably won’t be able to re-sign veteran center Robin Lopez, Johnson writes in the same column. Even though there’s some mutual interest, Lopez will be seeking a situation that offers regular playing time, and Wendell Carter is the Bulls’ center of the future. Coach Jim Boylen has also mentioned the possibility of using Lauri Markkanen at center and Otto Porter at small forward against smaller lineups, which leaves few available minutes for Lopez. Johnson notes that Bulls management likes team-first veterans, so they would try to find a similar player if Lopez leaves.
Injuries continue to derail the Bulls’ rebuilding process, observes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Markkanen is the latest player to be shut down for the rest of the season after “an episode of rapid heart rate and fatigue.” A source told Cowley that Markkanen was experiencing a rapid heart rate in the locker room during Tuesday’s game. His condition improved after showering and eating, but he became light-headed while waiting for the bus to the airport. Markkanen was limited to 68 games as a rookie because of back issues and managed only 52 games this year after being sidelined at the start of the season with an elbow injury.
Shaquille Harrison has proven he belongs in the NBA during his time with the Bulls, contends Michael Walton of NBC Sports. Harrison’s defensive prowess is well known, but he has been improving as a scorer, pouring in a game-high 21 points last night. Chicago faces a decision this summer as Harrison’s $1,588,231 salary for next season will become guaranteed on August 15.

Derrick Rose Undergoes Successful Elbow Surgery

March 23rd, 2019 at 2:00pm CST by marksuleymanov

Timberwolves point guard Derrick Rose underwent successful arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow, the team announced in a press release on Saturday.

Earlier this week, we relayed that Rose, Robert Covington, and Jeff Teague were done for the season. Rose had missed four games due to soreness and swelling in his right elbow and an MRI revealed a chip fracture and a loose body in his right elbow.

Rose, 30, enjoyed his best season in recent memory before undergoing surgery. The former MVP was a vital piece of Minnesota’s bench, averaging 18.0 PPG and putting himself in the conversation for Sixth Man of the Year. He also shot a career-best 37% from three-point range, showing an improved range from years past.

Set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, Rose has put himself in position for a possible multi-year commitment despite ending another season on the injured list. Health has always been a concern for Rose, who has averaged 51 games since 2014. However, his newfound shooting and performance as a reserve in the Twin Cities this season showed he can still be a valuable contributor.

Wolves Rule Out Covington, Rose, Teague For Season

March 21st, 2019 at 11:06am CST by Luke Adams

Robert Covington, Derrick Rose, and Jeff Teague won’t play again for the Timberwolves this season, the club announced today in a press release.

Covington, who hasn’t played for Minnesota since December 31 due to a right knee bone bruise, recently suffered a setback in his rehab process, per the Wolves. The veteran wing will require additional treatment before returning to the court, so the club will plan on getting him back for the 2019/20 season.

As for Rose, the former MVP had already missed four games due to soreness and swelling in his right elbow. An MRI taken this week revealed a chip fracture and a loose body in that elbow, which will sideline Rose for the season. He and the Wolves are weighing treatment options for the injury.

Teague, meanwhile, has also missed Minnesota’s last four games due to a left foot injury. He received an injection designed to treat chronic inflammation and will wear a boot, according to the team. The Wolves added that he’ll be re-evaluated in three weeks, which means he’ll miss the rest of the season too.

While Covington – a key piece in the package for Jimmy Butler this season – figures to remain a part of the Wolves’ core for the next few years, it’s possible Rose has played his last game for the team. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and is expected to draw interest around the league after a nice bounce-back season in which he averaged 18.0 PPG and 4.3 APG on .482/.370/.856 shooting in 51 games (27.3 MPG).

Teague’s place in Minnesota’s future is somewhat unclear. He has one more year left on his current contract, but may not be in the club’s long-term plans. It’s possible that the Wolves will look to shed his $19MM salary for 2019/20 this summer.

With Covington, Rose, and Teague out and Taj Gibson and Luol Deng also banged up, the Timberwolves will lean on Karl-Anthony Towns and their youngsters down the stretch — Tyus Jones, Andrew Wiggins, Josh Okogie, Dario Saric, Keita Bates-Diop, and Cameron Reynolds all figure to see plenty of action.

Reynolds Gets Three-Year Deal; What To Watch In Coming Weeks

March 20th, 2019 at 10:11am CST by Luke Adams

Cameron Reynolds‘ new multiyear deal with Minnesota is actually a three-year contract that runs through 2020/21, tweets Keith Smith. That means the Timberwolves used a portion of their mid-level exception to sign Reynolds. The deal still isn’t expected to include much – if any – guaranteed money beyond this season.
The Timberwolves‘ playoff hopes have been extinguished, but there’s still plenty to watch in Minnesota in the coming weeks, writes Britt Robson of The Athletic. Most pressingly, it remains to be seen who will be making the personnel decisions for the club this offseason or coaching the team next fall, Robson notes.

Timberwolves Sign Cam Reynolds To Multiyear Deal

March 19th, 2019 at 2:26pm CST by Luke Adams

MARCH 19: The Timberwolves’ new deal with Reynolds is now official, according to NBA.com’s transactions log.

MARCH 15: The Timberwolves and rookie swingman Cameron Reynolds have agreed to terms on a multiyear deal, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (via Twitter). While Charania doesn’t provide additional details on the agreement, Reynolds’ new contract is unlikely to be fully guaranteed after this season.

An undrafted free agent out of Tulane, Reynolds signed with the Kings during the 2018 offseason, but was released before the regular season got underway. After spending most of the season with the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s G League affiliate, the 24-year-old earned a call-up from the Timberwolves last month.

Reynolds is currently on his second 10-day contract with Minnesota, having averaged 4.3 PPG in six NBA games (14.8 MPG) for the Wolves. That deal is set to expire on Monday night, so the two sides figure to make Reynolds’ multiyear contract official after that.

While there’s no guarantee that Reynolds will earn a spot on the Timberwolves’ 2019/20 roster, Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic tweets that head coach Ryan Saunders is a big fan of the youngster. According to Krawcznyski, the club believes that Reynolds’ length and shooting ability could make him a solid rotation player in the future.

Once Reynolds’ new deal is finalized, the Wolves will officially have a full 15-man roster, with all 15 players on standard NBA contracts. As our 10-day contract tracker shows, Reynolds will become the sixth player this season to parlay a 10-day deal into a rest-of-season guarantee from the same club.

Wolves Have No Plans To Shut Down Towns, Wiggins

March 12th, 2019 at 12:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Even after winning their last two contests, the Timberwolves remain 5.5 games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference with just 15 left to play, meaning their hopes of making a postseason push are minuscule. Nonetheless, the club has no plans to shut down its two highest-paid young players, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, both of whom are dealing with injuries.

“We’re a competitive basketball team,” head coach Ryan Saunders said today, reiterating that the Wolves don’t intend to tank down the stretch, per Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic (Twitter link).

Towns, who missed Sunday’s game against the Knicks, is battling right knee inflammation, while Wiggins has been sidelined for Minnesota’s last two games with a left quad contusion. Saunders said today that both players will go through shootaround and warmups before the team determines their availability for Tuesday’s game vs. Denver (Twitter link via Krawczynski).

As we noted on Monday when we discussed Zach LaVine‘s injury, this is typically the time of year when lottery-bound teams take an extra-cautious approach with minor injuries, both to preserve the health of their most valuable players and to potentially improve their draft standing. However, Towns in particular has plenty of incentive to remain in the Wolves’ lineup for the season’s final four weeks.

Towns’ new five-year, maximum-salary extension, which goes into effect for the 2019/20 season, currently projects to be worth about $158MM. However, its projected value would increase to nearly $190MM if KAT earns a spot on an All-NBA team. The big man would have virtually no chance of earning All-NBA honors if he sits out the season’s final month.

We pointed out in February that the Anthony Davis saga in New Orleans could create a clearer path for Towns to snag a spot on an All-NBA team, and his recent numbers suggest he’s motivated to do so — he has posted an impressive 35.1 PPG, 14.1 RPG, and 3.4 APG on .597/.489/.776 shooting in his last seven games (34.1 MPG).