Minnesota Timberwolves Rumors | Hoops Rumors

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.

Brandon Roy’s Contract Details

September 25th, 2012 at 12:39pm CST by Luke Adams

With Brandon Roy prepared to make his return to the NBA this season for the Timberwolves, there's still some uncertainty about how his knees, which forced him out of last season, will hold up during a full 82-game schedule. Roy has undergone platelet rich therapy on his knees and is optimistic about his health, but his two-year contract with the T-Wolves includes a number of interesting details related to his health. Here's how the deal works, according to Mark Deeks of ShamSports:

Both years of Roy's deal are currently fully guaranteed. He'll earn $5,100,000 in 2012/13 and $5,329,500 in 2013/14.
If Roy reinjures his previously-injured knees this season, the second year of the contract becomes non-guaranteed, giving the T-Wolves the opportunity to release him without taking a cap hit in 2013/14.
However, even if Roy's knee problems resurface, the second year of the deal can become guaranteed if the former Blazer plays 1400+ minutes in 2012/13 or is on the active list for 65+ games in '12/13.

If Roy plays poorly this season, or suffers an injury that's unrelated to his past knee problems, the Timberwolves will still be on the hook for the second year of his contract. The agreement should provide the Wolves some insurance in the event that Roy's knees aren't ready to handle NBA action. Conversely, if the 28-year-old's knees hold up, he's assured of receiving a multiyear salary.

Hawks, Suns In Mix For Tolliver; Wolves Out?

September 24th, 2012 at 2:28pm CST by Luke Adams

2:28pm: Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 hears that Tolliver has reached an agreement with a team besides the T-Wolves (Twitter link). He expects official word soon.

2:03pm: Unrestricted free agent forward Anthony Tolliver has narrowed his list of potential destinations to three teams, tweets Chris Tomasson of FOX Sports Florida. According to Tomasson, the Hawks, Timberwolves, and Suns are still in the running for Tolliver, who expects to make a decision Tuesday or Wednesday.

Tolliver also confirmed Tomasson's report that Louis Amundson will sign with Minnesota, and acknowledged that Amundson's deal could affect the T-Wolves' offer. He added that all three offers he's considering are for one year and the minimum salary, which would be a step down from both his 2011/12 salary and his asking price.

"A lot of veterans are taking the minimum," Tolliver said. "That might be the new normal."

We heard last week that Greek team Panathinaikos had interest in Tolliver and that the 27-year-old was still considering playing overseas, but it appears he'll remain in the NBA for at least one more year. Tolliver has been linked to the Timberwolves for much of the offseason, and a late-August report cited mutual interest between Tolliver and the Hawks. The Suns are new to the mix, but make some sense as a suitor — Phoenix still has about $8MM in cap space, and only 12 of its players are on fully guaranteed contracts. One of those 12, Channing Frye, may miss the entire 2012/13 season with a heart condition.

In 51 games last season for the Timberwolves, Tolliver averaged just 4.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 17.3 MPG, with an 8.3 PER. All those rates, among others, were his worst marks since his rookie season in San Antonio, when he appeared in just 19 games.

Sixers, Timberwolves Eyeing Josh Howard

September 24th, 2012 at 12:37pm CST by Luke Adams

A week after meeting with the Spurs, Josh Howard is set to visit the 76ers today and tomorrow, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). Spears adds that Howard is also drawing interest from the Timberwolves.

Howard, 32, has been the subject of ongoing rumors this offseason. He was reportedly close to making a decision on a team in late July, but nearly two months later, he's being linked to an entirely new set of clubs — the Pacers, Warriors, Nets, and Knicks were among the teams said to be in on him earlier in the summer.

We heard last week that Howard would still like to return to the Jazz, with whom he spent the 2011/12 season. However, the team's unresolved buyout situation with Raja Bell means there probably isn't room for a guaranteed contract for Howard at this point.

The Sixers have only 13 players under contract, so there'd be room on the roster for Howard. Philadelphia also has its room exception available, though I'd be surprised if the team offered the full $2.575MM to Howard, who is coming off a down year. As for the Timberwolves, they have an open roster spot, but could only offer a minimum-salary contract.

Mickael Pietrus Talking To Pair Of Teams

September 23rd, 2012 at 9:16am CST by Chuck Myron

Free agent swingman Mickael Pietrus spoke to Alexis Boissel of the French-language website BasketSession.com and indicated that he's narrowed his choices down to two teams. He said he would have signed already, but wasn't interested in the money he was being offered, which seems to reinforce the notion that he's holding out for more than the minimum salary.

We heard from Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com earlier this week that three teams have displayed significant interest in the 6'6" 30-year-old, with two of those teams "very motivated" to complete a deal. It appears those clubs aren't the Timberwolves and the Celtics, as a pair of reports yesterday downplayed the chances of him winding up with those teams. Haynes also wrote that Pietrus has an offer from an overseas club that includes an out if he wanted to return to the NBA.

The Bucks reportedly had interest earlier this summer, but that has since waned, and with this week's signing of Marquis Daniels bringing the roster to 15 players, all of whom are on fully guaranteed contracts, it would be quite a surprise if Pietrus wound up in Milwaukee. The Raptors had internal discussions about Pietrus, but they can't offer him more than the minimum salary. The Hawks could be a possibility, since they have their $1.957MM biannual exception available and none of their three best fits at small forward have guaranteed deals, but that's just my speculation.

Pietrus, a nine-year veteran, has averaged 8.4 points and 3.1 rebounds with an 11.8 PER for his career. He was hampered by a right knee injury last season with the Celtics, when he put up 6.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG and an 8.5 PER, but after a do-over surgery this summer, he appears to feel much better, telling Boissel that his knee problems are behind him and that he is 100%.

Celtics Rumors: Fisher, Bibby, Barbosa, Pietrus

September 22nd, 2012 at 4:14pm CST by Chuck Myron

Keyon Dooling's retirement reduced the number of fully guaranteed contracts on the Celtics roster to 13. Though Dionte Christmas and Jamar Smith have small partial guarantees of $237K and $25K, respectively, the team appears to have the flexibility to add another free agent. They still possess their $1.957MM biannual exception, and with Dooling retired and Avery Bradley recovering from right shoulder surgery, they could be in the market for an experienced backup to point guard Rajon Rondo. In the meantime Jason Terry will serve in that capacity, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com, who believes the former Mav will make the greatest contribution of all the new Celtics this year (Twitter links). Blakely unleashed a series of tweets full of notable Celtics rumors, and we've rounded them up here:

While Dooling will be missed, Blakely doesn't think the team will go after Derek Fisher or Mike Bibby to replace him (Twitter links).
Leandro Barbosa and Mickael Pietrus aren't likely to join the Celtics either, Blakely says (Twitter links). Barbosa has indicated a willingness to sign for the minimum with a contender, while Pietrus expressed an interest in returning to Boston, but for the biannual exception instead of the minimum.
Darko Milicic, who signed a guaranteed one-year minimum deal, is a worthwhile gamble given his low price, Blakely thinks (Twitter link).
The last we heard on Bradley's recovery was that it might keep him out until mid-December. Blakely says it's possible, although not likely, that he'll be back for the regular season opener, and believes Bradley will eventually retake the starting shooting guard job from Courtney Lee. (All Twitter links).
Amongst the team's rookies, Jared Sullinger figures to get the most playing time, Blakely tweets.
The Celtics have "a very good shot" at a championship, but it hinges on the team's health, Blakely opines (Twitter link).
Kenyon Martin has been linked to the Celtics recently, but he'll require more than the minimum, according to Timberwolves assistant coach Bill Bayno, who says that's why his team isn't pursuing the big man, tweets Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 radio.

Odds & Ends: Pietrus, Johnson, Raptors, Thomas

September 22nd, 2012 at 12:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Here's today's look around the Association..

While the Timberwolves continue to talk with Mickael Pietrus' camp, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (via Twitter) is told that there is a better chance the veteran wing winds up with a team in the Eastern Conference. This week it was reported that three teams have major interest in Pietrus with two clubs highly motivated to get a deal done. Pietrus also has a viable option overseas that would include an NBA opt-out.
Doug Smith of the Toronto Star wouldn't be surprised to see either Amir Johnson or Ed Davis traded this season as one is likely to be squeezed out of the rotation in favor of the other. However, Smith is unwilling to handicap the odds of a trade happening or to predict which one will be on the block.
Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld is surprised to see summer league standout Malcolm Thomas still without a guaranteed contract. Thomas posted a double-double in every Summer League game he played for the Bulls, averaging 17.9 PPG and 12.3 RPG for the week in Vegas.
Eric Koreen of the National Post looks at how the Raptors are using advanced statistics to gain an edge going forward. Toronto has contracted KBAR Consulting to handle the analytics for the front office.
Jim Cavan of the New York Times wonders if Adam Morrison will stick with the Blazers in his latest NBA go-round.