Timberwolves News

Monty Williams might be a top candidate for Wolves
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July 4
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Sid Hartman
"New Timberwolves boss David Kahn has received permission from the Trail Blazers to talk to Portland assistant coach Monty Williams about his team's coaching vacancy, according to the Portland Oregonian. Williams, 37, has been an assistant coach with Portland for the past four years. "I'm flattered," Williams told the Oregonian on Wednesday. "I'm someone who wants to be a part of a rebuilding process. But at the same time, I'm still a Blazer. So, there's initial excitement, but in reality, nothing has changed. I'm looking forward to the process." He might be the top candidate; Kahn is from Portland and used to cover the team for the Oregonian back when he worked in newspapers. Kahn has made ..."
Rubio: Diamond in rough, an elusive crown jewel, both?
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July 3
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Ricky Rubio is basketball's rock star, a pro since he was 14 with a flair on the court that has made him the sport's first international YouTube sensation. His mop of hair, dark eyes and lanky 6-foot-4, 180-pound frame, combined with his deft passing skills, have drawn repeated comparisons to the legendary Pete Maravich, and teenage girls are said to swoon when he leaves the locker room of his Spanish pro team. So it is not surprising that the selection of this precocious 18-year-old Spaniard by the Timberwolves in last week's NBA draft has created a buzz around the woebegone franchise not seen since Kevin Garnett's glory days. But excitement is tempered on two fronts: Will a huge buyout ..."
Rubio hasn't made a decision about Spain
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July 3
Hoopsworld.com
 
"More Moves Made: Day 3 of NBA Free agency had a lot more movement. Marcin Gortat gave a verbal commitment to the Dallas Mavericks, while Ron Artest chose the Lakers, Trevor Ariza in turn chose the Rockets and Rasheed Wallace got an offer from Boston that's he's seriously considering. Here are some notes for today. Bibby And Hawks: Mike Bibby and the Atlanta Hawks have exchanged some contract ideas and sources close to the situation say they are making progress towards a deal. The Philadelphia 76ers apparently reached out to gauge Bibby's interest and were turned away. Sources near the situation say Bibby's camp made it clear Mike wants to return to Atlanta and the Hawks seem like they ..."
Timberwolves' draft pick Ricky Rubio reportedly will stay in Spain for two years
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July 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick, Ricky Rubio, 18, will remain in Spain to play for his DKV Joventut basketball team for the remaining two years of his contract rather than try to move to the NBA this season, El Periodico reported today. The Barcelona newspaper also says Rubio, who was paid $97,000 last season, plans to withdraw his contract lawsuit against DKV Joventut."
After busy draft, Minnesota Timberwolves expect to cool it during free agency
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July 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"With the salary cap projected to stay about $58.7 million and teams saving their money for 2010, the NBA's free-agency period is expected to be a relatively low-key affair this summer, and the Timberwolves are no exception. They still have some holes to fill after last week's draft, but the Wolves aren't looking to be busy shoppers in free agency, which began at 11:01 p.m. CDT Tuesday. "I think it's secondary, just looking at the players that are out there and available," Wolves owner Glen Taylor said. "To me, we also have to look at trades to get the balance on our team that we need. We've got Ryan (Gomes) at the three position, but I don't think we have a backup there yet. You've ..."
Wolves to interview Williams
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July 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Timberwolves' coaching search has its first confirmed candidate. Portland Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams told The Oregonian on Wednesday that he will interview for the position, perhaps as early as this weekend. "I'm flattered," Williams said. "I'm someone who wants to be a part of a rebuilding process. But at the same time, I'm still a Blazer. So there's initial excitement, but in reality, nothing has changed. I'm looking forward to the process." Williams, 37, has been an assistant in Portland for the past four seasons and is widely credited with the development of Travis Outlaw and Nicolas Batum. Williams played 10 seasons as a forward for the New York Knicks and San ..."
After busy draft, Minnesota Timberwolves expect to cool it during free agency
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July 1
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"With the salary cap projected to stay about $58.7 million and teams saving their money for 2010, the NBA's free-agency period is expected to be a relatively low-key affair this summer, and the Timberwolves are no exception. They still have some holes to fill after last week's draft, but the Wolves aren't looking to be busy shoppers in free agency, which began at 11:01 p.m. CDT Tuesday. "I think it's secondary, just looking at the players that are out there and available," Wolves owner Glen Taylor said. "To me, we also have to look at trades to get the balance on our team that we need. We've got Ryan (Gomes) at the three position, but I don't think we have a backup there yet. You've either ..."
Ricky Rubio creates a buzz
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June 30
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"Pardon me for not getting the NBA's mania for European players. As far as I can tell, the most successful foreign-born player in NBA history has been Steve Nash, who was born in South Africa but grew up western Canada and went to Santa Clara University in California. Whether California is a part of the United States is debatable, but Canada's as close as it gets. So Nash was hardly a foreigner when he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns in 1996. Nash can play the game, as his twin MVP awards attest. I'm not a big fan of Dirk Nowitzki, but at least he's 7 feet tall, which is the one attribute you can't teach, and also has won an MVP. It's the Ricky Rubio craze I don't get. Especially after we ..."
David Kahn maps it out for Minnesota
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June 30
Portland Tribune
 columnist Kerry Eggers
"The new president/basketball operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves is going to need that phone, though. Some of the hay is in the barn, but there's still plenty of work to be done. Since his hiring on May 22, Kahn has put in a rush homework job with the club's scouts to prepare for the NBA draft, decided not to bring Kevin McHale back as coach, traded two veteran guards to Washington in order to acquire the fifth pick in the draft, chose point guards Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn at Nos. 5 and 6 and been so much in demand on a national scale, he was a guest two days in a row on the Dan Patrick radio show. "I think I'm doing a daily segment," Kahn cracks. Kahn, 47, enjoys and understands ..."
Rubio puzzle a taxing, twisted mess
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June 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Ricky Rubio situation is becoming mind-numbingly complicated. It's like peeling back an onion and finding layer upon layer of difficulty. Here's a little subplot going on overseas: The unemployment rate in Spain sits at 17 percent. Times are tough. In fact, Rubio's team, DKV Joventut, asked the Spanish version of the Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda) for permission to postpone a tax payment. In order to do that, the team had to put up collateral. Among that collateral was Rubio's contract. This is where it gets a bit unclear. The Spanish News Agency, EFE, reported June 10 that Rubio's contract was "sold" to Hacienda and that Rubio had filed a lawsuit because he hadn't been notified ..."
Rubio puzzle a taxing, twisted mess
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June 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Tom Powers
"The Ricky Rubio situation is becoming mind-numbingly complicated. It's like peeling back an onion and finding layer upon layer of difficulty. Here's a little subplot going on overseas: The unemployment rate in Spain sits at 17 percent. Times are tough. In fact, Rubio's team, DKV Joventut, asked the Spanish version of the Internal Revenue Service (Hacienda) for permission to postpone a tax payment. In order to do that, the team had to put up collateral. Among that collateral was Rubio's contract. This is where it gets a bit unclear. The Spanish News Agency, EFE, reported June 10 that Rubio's contract was "sold" to Hacienda and that Rubio had filed a lawsuit because he hadn't been notified ..."
Where will Ricky play?
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June 29
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Ricky Rubio soap opera is just a few days into what could be a long summer run, but the Spanish point guard's options for this season aren't that complicated. In no particular order, they are: 1. Play for the Timberwolves. 2. Play for another NBA team that can work out a trade. 3. Return to Europe. At this early stage, it's impossible to say which it will be, or how and when it might end. Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn had no comment Sunday on a Pioneer Press report that Rubio and his father flew to Minneapolis the day before to discuss his NBA future. Kahn has said the Wolves would be willing to wait a year or even two for Rubio, if necessary, after making him ..."
It's time for point guard Rubio to pipe down
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June 29
Washington Examiner
 
"few years ago, Yi Jianlian refused to sign with Milwaukee for six months after the draft. You'd have thought they were the Red Army instead of an NBA team willing to pay him millions. Eventually he won out -- sort of -- by getting shipped to New Jersey. And now Ricky Rubio is pulling the same stunt. He has options, but so does Minnesota, which can afford to wait. Rubio's agent claims he has offers from Turkey and Spain. Heaven knows the NBA might fold if he stays overseas. Agents always bring up the marketing opportunities, or lack of them, in certain places. Let's see: Tim Duncan (San Antonio); LeBron James (Cleveland) and Dwight Howard (Orlando) all have fared just fine. Hmm; win and ..."
Anybody seen Ricky Rubio at El Meson?
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June 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"To address the little birdie and Charley Walters' "report" that Ricky Rubio was in town — or due in town — yesterday to meet with David Kahn… Honestly, I don't know. I've worked to confirm it, which unfortunately as a beat writer is a necessity, but haven't been able to. David Kahn promised "transparency" when he took the job but eventually said "Sorry, we have no comment" when I texted him numerous times to ask if has, or will soon meet, with Rubio and his father. That he says no comment rather than deny it leads me to believe there's something there, which isn't surprising that the two sides would begin some kind of conversation face to face soon. Rubio's agent, Dan Fegan, has not ..."
Rubio Receives Overseas Offers
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June 28
New York Post
 
"A representative for Ricky Rubio's agency in Spain told The Post yesterday the 18-year-old flamboyant point-guard phenom is receiving offers this weekend to play for a club in Turkey and Real Madrid, which would decrease the likelihood of him playing in the NBA next season. Meanwhile, Knicks team president Donnie Walsh spoke to Timberwolves general manager David Kahn yesterday. According to a source, Kahn's being patient and is not interested in talking trade yet and is "trying to keep him." Tim Shea, the former Knicks European scout who is a consultant for Rubio's agency, Winners Factory, said he expects a formal offer from a Turkish club tomorrow. The offer would be about $1 million, ..."
Foye read writing on wall from Wolves
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June 28
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Traded to Washington last week, former Timberwolves guards Randy Foye and Mike Miller seem happy to be with the Wizards. Foye told the Washington Post that he thought his days in Minnesota were numbered when new team president of basketball operations David Kahn dismissed Kevin McHale as coach. "I was in Minnesota working out for about two weeks, and I was like, this just don't feel right," Foye said. "You know when you're not wanted, and I felt wanted when Kevin McHale was there. He was thinking about coming back, but once he left I pretty much knew I had to get out of there. It wasn't anything negative on David Kahn's part. He just wanted new blood. He wanted to bring in new guys, his ..."
NDSU star Woodside to join Wolves summer league squad
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June 28
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Albert Lea's Ben Woodside, a star during a four-year career at North Dakota State, will join the Wolves summer league team July 11-20 in Las Vegas. He's expected to be joined by Wolves draft picks Jonny Flynn and Wayne Ellington, among others, but not by No. 5 pick Ricky Rubio. Woodside, a 5-11 prospect, said he wasn't disappointed when he didn't get drafted Thursday night. Becoming a free agent allowed his agents to find the best fit for the point guard who averaged 23.2 points and 6.2 assists as a senior. "I'm just excited for the opportunity," Woodside said. "I've landed in a great situation. I'm ready to start right away." JERRY ZGODA Mizzcan'tbewrong wins at Canterbury ..."
Open letter from Kahn: Two point guards 'can and will work'
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June 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn has written an open letter to Wolves fans, explaining their draft-day decisions of Thursday night. Dear Timberwolves Fans and Supporters: It's been five weeks since I arrived in Minneapolis and I hope you can feel what I feel: change. I especially want to talk about last night's draft and explain why we made the decisions we did. First, from a philosophical standpoint, I believe that teams should select players in the top 10 of the NBA Draft who have the chance — and I underline the word chance — to be special later in their careers. You do not use the fifth and sixth picks to select rotation players, but only players ..."
Timberwolves 'love Jonny Flynn,' President David Kahn says
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June 27
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Dick Vitale wasn't the only one screaming at his TV set when the Timberwolves used the No. 6 pick in the NBA draft Thursday night on Syracuse sophomore Jonny Flynn. A lot of people were stunned to see the Wolves, having just selected Spain's Ricky Rubio, go for another point guard on the very next pick, especially with Davidson sharpshooter Stephen Curry still available. In typical Vitale fashion, the ESPN analyst ranted that the Wolves would live to regret the decision, but team president of basketball operations David Kahn said Friday that it was nothing against Curry. "We love Jonny Flynn," Kahn said. "It's as simple as that." Kahn added that he was confused by the criticism because ..."
Wolves boss now shifts focus to coaching search
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June 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Timberwolves basketball boss David Kahn invited a reporter to search his suit coat pockets Friday for a list of coaching candidates, a collection that he continued to promise a day after the NBA draft still doesn't exist. But it will soon. Kahn said he will begin interviewing candidates next week to replace Kevin McHale in a private process he hopes to conclude by the end of July. Media reports have made former NBA point guard Mark Jackson, now an ESPN analyst who has never coached, the favorite. "We need a coach, and I can say that today for the first time," Kahn said Friday. "Even though we didn't play it this way, it's going to be easier to go through that process because whoever we ..."
Kahn faces Spanish inquisition
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June 27
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"On Thursday, Timberwolves fans excitedly asked what new basketball boss David Kahn might do with the team's four first-round picks in that night's NBA draft. On Friday, they asked simply, just what has he done? Kahn selected point guards with four of his six picks, and then traded two of them away for future picks. Loudmouth TV commentators and common fans alike wondered whatever possessed Kahn topoint guards Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn with the fifth and sixth picks, especially when it became clear Friday that Rubio -- who didn't attend a Target Center news conference to announce the team's newest players -- is none too keen on playing in Minnesota. Here's a theory: Kahn fancies himself a ..."
Walsh says Knicks will reach out to Minnesota about Ricky Rubio
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June 27
New York Daily News
 
"The Knicks aren't giving up on Ricky Rubio just yet. Friday, team president Donnie Walsh contacted his one-time protégé, Timberwolves GM David Kahn, after Rubio's father told a Spanish news agency that his 18-year-old son may opt to remain in Europe for one or possibly two more years. Rubio has not said publicly that he won't play for Minnesota, but on the day after the Spanish point guard was selected with the fifth pick in the NBA draft, there is a growing sense that Rubio wants to be traded, preferably to the Knicks. On Wednesday, Rubio joked that his mother is worried about him living in a cold-weather city. A person close to the family said Friday that the Rubio clan "doesn't even ..."
Ricky Rubio and Brandon Jennings travel the same European path to the NBA
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June 27
New York Daily News
 columnist Dick Weiss
"Ricky Rubio has prodigy written all over him. The slender 6-4, 180-pound point guard with the floppy Pete Maravich haircut and flashy game from DKV Joventut in Barcelona became the youngest player to appear in a Spanish ACB League game on Oct. 15, 2005 when he was just 14. Two years later, he led the Spanish national team to the FIBA Europe 16-and-under championship, scoring 51 points, grabbing 24 rebounds and contributing 12 assists and 7 steals during a 110-106 double overtime victory over Russia. His fame spread internationally when he was selected FIBA Europe's Young Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008 and was a starter on his country's Olympic team, holding his own against Chris Paul ..."
Knicks Hope To Pry Rubio From Wolves
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June 27
New York Post
 
"The Ricky Rubio sweepstakes is back on! Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he's calling Timberwolves general manager David Kahn to see if the Spanish point guard phenom can be had after Rubio's father told a Spanish Web site that Rubio likely will stay in Spain for the next two seasons instead of paying off a buyout. In another sign he wants nothing to do with Minnesota, Rubio, an 18-year-old, 6-foot-5 showman, was not at yesterday's introductory press conference in Minneapolis, preferring to relax in New York -- a good omen for Knicks fans. Kahn said he didn't ask him to attend. A Minnesota official said there's no timetable for Rubio to report. The T'wolves picked Rubio at No. ..."
Knicks Will Check On Rubio
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June 26
New York Post
 
"Knicks president Donnie Walsh said today he will call the Timberwolves to inquire about Rickey Rubio's availability in the wake of his father threatening the point-guard phenom would play in Spain the next two years. Walsh and Wolves GM David Kahn are friends, with Kahn having worked for Walsh in Indiana. "I haven't spoken to Minnesota; I will," Walsh said at the press conference to introduce draft picks Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas. "He (Kahn) took a lot of point guards. I want to ask him why he did that. I just want to find that out. "He (Rubio) was one of (our) top players," Walsh added. "I would never say never to anything. We're in the offseason. We'll be checking everything out." ..."
Last first-round pick delivers guard-only sweep
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June 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"With the 28th pick in the NBA draft, the Timberwolves continued their evening-long trend of selecting guards, even after drafting three point guards before this pick. This time, though, it was a shooting guard. Wayne Ellington brought relief to many fans inside the Target Center. The pick came two years ago from Boston in the Kevin Garnett trade and made certain the Timberwolves would not field a point guard-only system next season. Earlier in the draft, the Timberwolves became the story of the night by picking their third point guard, Ty Lawson, with the 18th pick. Before that, the Timberwolves drafted Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn with the fifth and sixth picks. At the time, it was enough ..."
Kahn's first moves are fine, if he's not done
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June 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Jim Souhan
"David Kahn either has ESP or ADD. Someday we will view his selection of point guards on consecutive picks in his first draft as the Wolves' basketball boss as either innovation, genius or a really bad case of short-term memory loss. In his whirlwind remaking of the Wolves' lousy roster, Kahn has created a team whose two best holdovers are power forwards, and whose two top draft picks are point guards. That probably isn't going to work, but Kahn's hyperactivity has grabbed our attention and ensured that the Wolves' next losing season will be more interesting than their last. Thursday night, Kahn proved he knew what he was doing when he traded the regrettable Mike Miller and the ..."
Wolves question: What's the point?
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June 26
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Just as Noah did before he floated away into the deluge, the Timberwolves cast off into their great unknown Thursday night two by two. A young, losing team built around a pair of promising power forwards theatrically, mystifyingly selected a pair of point guards -- Spain's Ricky Rubio, Syracuse's Jonny Flynn -- with the fifth and sixth picks in David Kahn's first draft as the team's new basketball boss. In doing so only two days after Kahn essentially cleared the backcourt by trading Randy Foye and Mike Miller, the Wolves upheld a proud draft tradition: They once again left fans who came to Target Center to celebrate absolutely befuddled, perhaps dismayed, and wondering what in the world ..."
Wolves select point guards Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn
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June 25
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Not only did the Timberwolves get Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio in tonight's NBA draft, they didn't even have to trade up in the first round to get him. With Rubio unexpectedly available, the Wolves used the first of their four first-round selections, No. 5 overall, on the flashy 18-year-old with the Pete Maravich hair cut and passing skills to match. With back-to-back picks, the Wolves followed by using the No. 6 selection on another point guard, Jonny Flynn of Syracuse. That suggested a trade might be coming, but a Wolves spokesman said the team is keeping both players and ESPN reported they believe Rubio and Flynn can play in the backcourt together. "Ricky and Jonny are both ..."
Minnesota's Plans
Comment
June 25
SI.com
 (scroll down)
"By acquiring more picks than any other NBA rival heading into Thursday night's talent fair -- four first-rounders and two second-rounders -- the Timberwolves just might be able to stumble into success in spite of their dreary draft history. And really, no one could blame David Kahn, the team's new president, if he had surveyed all he inherited when hired last month -- a 24-victory team, a roster with significant holes and overlaps, a five-year skid out of the playoffs -- and decided, like Roy Scheider in his most famous movie moment, "You're gonna need a bigger boat." So Kahn got the Wolves a bigger boat, acquiring the No. 5 pick to go with the Nos. 6, 18 and 28 that Minnesota already ..."
Kahn won't trade 5 and 6 for 2
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June 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Highlights from David Kahn's Wednesday news conference confirming Tuesday's trade that sends Randy Foye and Mike Miller to Washington for tonight's fifth pick and front-court players Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov: • He said he definitely will not trade the fifth and sixth picks for Memphis' No. 2. "I want to be really clear on this," he said. "We will not do that under no circumstances." • He said he's not selling the 28th pick to New York for $3 million. For now. He called it one of many options and offers and indicated many teams have called offering the maximum $3 million for a pick. • He said he has talked trade with Memphis the past several days. Asked if Glen ..."
Dealer Kahn is reshuffling the deck
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June 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 Patrick Reusse
"The Vikings and Brett Favre are closing in on a deal that will bring the Grey Ego to training camp in Mankato. The Twins are in the high-interest portion of the schedule, before the dog days arrive and the NFL starts to steal headlines. There's also the anticipation for Tiger Woods and Co. arriving at Hazeltine later this summer. Amid this competition, David Kahn in the past week has created more hopeful conversation over the Timberwolves than has existed since May 19, 2004, when they defeated Sacramento 83-80 in Game 7 to advance to the Western Conference finals. A week ago, Kahn made it official that Kevin McHale would not return as coach. The new man gave McHale a fair hearing and a ..."
No coach, no problem as Timberwolves move ahead with draft plans
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June 25
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Waiting until after the draft to hire a coach isn't the norm in the NBA or any other league, but there are precedents. In 2007, the Seattle SuperSonics hired P.J. Carlesimo as coach a week after they used the second overall draft choice on Kevin Durant. In 2005, the Milwaukee Bucks waited until 10 days after the draft to name Terry Stotts, and it took the Indiana Pacers more than two months after the 2003 draft to give the job to Rick Carlisle. The Timberwolves aren't expected to take that much time to find Kevin McHale's successor, but the search won't officially begin until after tonight's draft. Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn insists that's not a problem, but ESPN ..."
Timberwolves create a 'buzz' with latest move
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June 25
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Tom Powers
"All I know is that if Kevin McHale had the No. 5 and the No. 6 picks in the NBA draft tonight, he would wind up making a trade with himself and, somehow, getting screwed. But the Timberwolves have new leadership, and so there is a strong chance this draft could be a tragedy-free experience. It certainly will be interesting, and not in the usual catastrophic way. It was a great move by David Kahn to get the No. 5 overall pick from Washington, basically for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. Foye is a decent player tainted in Minnesota by the "loser" cloud that follows him around. He's the guy McHale acquired for Brandon Roy on draft night in 2006. That's not Foye's fault, but his presence was a ..."
Minnesota Timberwolves new president not through trying to deal
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June 25
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Charley Walters
"It's clear that new Timberwolves President David Kahn, who spent 10 days working a trade with Washington that gained him the No. 5 pick in tonight's NBA draft, now wants to deal with Memphis for the Grizzlies' No. 2 pick. That way, the Wolves could take 7-foot-3 center Hasheem Thabeet of Connecticut or flashy point guard Ricky Rubio of Spain. Kahn, who also has the Nos. 6, 18 and 28 overall picks, wants both players. It's unclear what Memphis would require to relinquish its No. 2. But it wouldn't be surprising if the Wolves offer the Grizzlies forward Kevin Love and the No. 5 pick they received from the Wizards or their own No. 6 — but not both — and then choose a guard, either Tyreke ..."
A Steal May Just Be the Start
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June 25
Washington Times
 columnist Tom Knott
"Here I thought Kevin McHale no longer was with the Timberwolves. Or perhaps David Kahn was channeling McHale's ghost. Is the fifth pick really that appealing? Or is Kahn merely a sucker for a sweet-sounding sonnet as penned by the Poet? This qualifies as a heist, although not in the Caron Butler-Kwame Brown spirit [-] at least not yet. Butler was not a two-time All-Star at the time of the trade. Randy Foye is not done developing, no more than Butler was. Ernie Grunfeld stands guilty of picking on a cripple. Or he came into some incriminating information or pictures that prompted Kahn to take the fifth pick, an accounting error, a 6-footer trapped in the body of a 7-footer and a pair of ..."
Draft and Trade Buzz
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June 24
Yahoo! Sports
 
"As the Minnesota Timberwolves prepare to make a push for Memphis' pick at No. 2, it's become clear that they won't package the fifth and sixth picks to get there. The Wolves have made it clear to teams that are trying to pry their 18th pick that it isn't available. They want to use that in combination with one of the two higher picks to make a deal with Memphis. … The Utah Jazz are enamored with University of Pittsburgh tough guy Sam Young at No. 20, who is a perfect fit for head coach Jerry Sloan. … Golden State has long been enamored with Brandon Jennings at No. 7, but league sources say the Warriors are considering Wake Forest forward James Johnson there as well. Few teams would have ..."
Deal heats up race for Ricky Rubio
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June 24
The Oklahoman
 
"Just when it seemed the Thunder had become serious about going all in for Ricky Rubio on Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma City appeared to lose ground in the race for the Spanish point guard sensation by Tuesday evening. The Washington Wizards have reportedly agreed to trade the fifth overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft and three players to Minnesota in exchange for Randy Foye and Mike Miller. It's a deal that would give Minnesota four first-round picks - Nos. 5, 6, 18 and 28 - or enough to entice Memphis at No. 2 to trade down and allow the Wolves toRubio.The deal, which was first reported by Yahoo! Sports, came just hours after The Oklahoman confirmed a Yahoo! Sports report that the Thunder ..."
Wizards make a deal
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June 24
Washington Examiner
 
"Washington packages No. 5 pick, three others in trade with T-Wolves The Washington Wizards appear set to observe but not participate in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft after making a trade that will make them a contender in the Eastern Conference if they stay healthy. In the first substantial move involving a lottery pick prior to Thursday's draft, the Wizards are expected announce a deal Wednesday to send their No. 5 pick along with Etan Thomas, Oleksiy Pecherov, and Darius Songaila to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Randy Foye and Mike Miller, according to a league source. Foye (16.3 points, 4.3 assists per game last season) and Miller (9.9 ppg, 4.5 apg, 6.6 rebounds ..."
Kahn the dealer strikes early
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June 24
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"New Timberwolves basketball boss David Kahn promised he'd be hyperactive in his efforts to rebuild a franchise that can't sell a $5 ticket since it traded away superstar Kevin Garnett two summers ago. Who knew he had been guzzling Red Bull? Kahn today is expected to finalize his first trade since he became the team's new president of basketball operations 32 days ago. The bold six-piece transaction that sends Mike Miller and Randy Foye to Washington for the fifth pick in Thursday's NBA draft begs a question: With the hours quickly ticking away, just who is he after in a draft some NBA executives have called the thinnest they've seen in years? Kahn's opening move essentially wipes clean the ..."
Wizards snag Foye, Miller
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June 24
Washington Times
 
"The Washington Wizards agreed in principle Tuesday night to send the No. 5 pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, center Etan Thomas and forwards Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov to the Minnesota Timberwolves for guard Randy Foye and veteran swingman Mike Miller, multiple league sources told The Washington Times. The deal is expected to be finalized Wednesday morning after Thomas, who is due a $1.2 million trade bonus, signs an agreement that he won't opt out of his contract - which runs through the 2009-10 season - on July 1 and pursue free agency. Foye, a three-year veteran, started 61 games last season and averaged 16.3 points and 4.3 assists, while Miller has averaged 13.9 points, 5.0 ..."
Cleanup Starts By Throwing Out The Leftovers
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June 24
Washington Post
 columnist Mike Wise
"Seeing how the trade is, oh, three minutes old and not yet consummated, let's take stock of what Ernie "Small Ball" Grunfeld hath wrought anyway: Washington's pro basketball team gets two scoring swingmen who like to have the ball in their hands, and gives up a onetime starting center, a banging veteran forward, a young 7-footer and the fifth pick in tomorrow's NBA draft. Hey, at least Brendan Haywood will never have to worry about his minutes in the pivot being cut again. In an apparent ongoing attempt to run, gun and mirror the pre-Shaq Suns, Grunfeld, the Wizards' president, dealt away that depressing No. 5 selection and three contracts to Minnesota for Mike Miller, Mr. Outside, and ..."
Wizards Make Their Move
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June 24
Washington Post
 
"The Washington Wizards' infatuation with Minnesota continues. The Wizards agreed in principle last night to a deal that would send the No. 5 overall pick, Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila and Oleksiy Pecherov to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for forward Mike Miller and guard Randy Foye, two league sources said. The Wizards had been open to dealing the pick from the moment they slipped to the fifth pick in the draft lottery. Ernie Grunfeld, the Wizards' president of basketball operations, was considering several offers and had spoken with more than a dozen teams, but he jumped on the offer from Minnesota two days before tomorrow's NBA draft. The sources spoke on the condition of ..."
Timberwolves will have plenty of choices at point guard
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June 23
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Derrick Rose showed with the Chicago Bulls last season what a top-shelf point guard can do for a team. Unfortunately for the Timberwolves and other teams with a need at that position, ESPN draft analyst Fran Fraschilla doesn't see anyone in this year's NBA draft class who can have that kind of instant impact. "Even including Ricky Rubio, there's a lot of uncertainty about any point guard a team takes in the top 10 picks," Fraschilla said. "Each of them has some strengths but also some noticeable weaknesses. As deep as the class is with point guards, I don't necessarily think it's a class where there's any one great player. Other than Rubio, I don't think any of them would have gone in the ..."
DeRozan workout scratched; Ellington due Tuesday
Comment
June 22
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Southern California guard/forward DeMar DeRozan has been scratched from this morning's scheduled pre-draft workout with the Timberwolves because of illness. It will be rescheduled for later this week. DeRozan, a candidate to be taken by the Wolves with the sixth overall selection in Thursday's NBA draft, reportedly became ill after working out Sunday for the Memphis Grizzlies. The Wolves, who own three first-round picks, won't have any players in today. A group of late first- and second-round prospects, led by North Carolina guard Wayne Ellington, is scheduled to work out Tuesday morning."
DeRozan to get look from Wolves
Comment
June 22
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Timberwolves will kick off draft week today by working out another high-profile prospect. Southern California freshman DeMar DeRozan is projected to be a top-10 pick in Thursday's NBA draft and a possible candidate to go to the Wolves with the sixth overall selection. The 6-foot-7 DeRozan averaged 13.9 points and 5.7 rebounds at small forward during his one college season, but some teams see him as a shooting guard. He will be the fourth top-10 prospect to work out for the Wolves, who had point guards Tyreke Evans of Memphis, Jrue Holiday of UCLA and Jonny Flynn of Syracuse in as part of a group workout Friday. Davidson point guard Stephen Curry skipped that session and is not ..."
Wolves with repaired knees bond over rehab, recovery
Comment
June 22
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Timberwolves teammates Al Jefferson and Corey Brewer welcome the steaming, if belated, return of summer to Minnesota, not because of their shared Southern sensibilities but rather their healing right knees. Brewer tore the anterior cruciate ligament in that knee during a game against Denver last November. Jefferson did exactly the same at New Orleans in February. Together, they have become rehabilitation buddies and confidants daily this summer, with Brewer -- a year younger and three NBA seasons less experienced -- becoming Jefferson's mentor, if only because he is more than two months further along in the recovery process. When Jefferson awoke alarmed because his knee throbbed one ..."
New Wolves boss Kahn's credo: Anything goes
Comment
June 21
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"In his first month on the job, new Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn through his blunt words and first defining action has left the franchise's dwindling, downtrodden fan base intrigued and its players truly atwitter. Buckle up. You ain't seen nothing yet. Kahn pointed the team in a different direction by sending away Kevin McHale, presumably because he concluded the Hall of Fame player and the franchise's architect for the past 14 years cast just too long a shadow. He has pointedly told season-ticket holders and media members alike that Al Jefferson -- the prized centerpiece of McHale's rebuilding attempt -- is the second-best player on an NBA title contender and ..."
Guards sized up by Wolves, each other
Comment
June 20
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Jeff Teague brought up the discussion first. He asked the five other guards where they thought they would be taken in Thursday's NBA draft. The conversation lasted for a few minutes before the Minnesota Timberwolves held their 10th pre-draft workout at the Target Center on Friday. This session was different in that all six participants were guards who could find their way to Minnesota next fall. The Timberwolves, with three first-round picks, are in need of a point guard. David Kahn, the Wolves president of basketball operations, said he knows this year's draft is full of guards that could help the team. So here was Teague, the former Wake Forest point guard, showing guys such as Memphis' ..."
Timberwolves boss denies TV analyst Mark Jackson chosen to be coach
Comment
June 20
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Read David Kahn's lips. The Timberwolves haven't settled on a coach, and they aren't shopping center Al Jefferson. Kahn, the team's president of basketball operations, was in full denial mode Friday, shooting down a report that ESPN/ABC analyst Mark Jackson is his pick to be the Wolves' next coach. "There's no truth to it," Kahn said. "It's a little bit like the Al Jefferson thing. I guess this is, again I've fallen into my editorial comment of the day. I remember in the old days when you actually would get a call from somebody for a confirmation or denial. These days you don't even get that. It's just a different world." Pro Basketball News, citing multiple unidentified sources, reported ..."