Minnesota Timberwolves Trade Rumors

Wolves, Love reach deal
January 25
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Kevin Love and the Timberwolves have reached a compromise contract this morning. The All-Star forward will get a four-year contract extension that will enable him to become a free agent after three seasons if he chooses. That would be the summer of 2015. Or the Wolves could extend this new contract two more years at that point, if both sides agree. So, in essence, this contract would be a six-year deal if that happens. The four-year contract will be worth almost $61 million."
Timberwolves' Kevin Love to sign four-year contract extension today
January 25
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Love to stay put. Timberwolves all-star Kevin Love, facing the prospect of becoming a restricted free agent after the season, is expected to sign a four-year, $62 million contract extension today, according to a person with close knowledge of the situation. Love, 23, is in Dallas with the Wolves (7-10) for tonight's game against the Mavericks. NBA teams have until 11 p.m. CST tonight to sign contract extensions with players selected in the 2008 draft."
Clocks ticks on Love extension
January 24
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"We're now not much more than a day away and counting on the NBA deadline for the Wolves to sign Kevin Love and the Wolves have yet to reach a deal on a contract extension with him. One team source told me tonight that the Wolves are closing in on a five-year maximum contract deal that would pay him more than $78 million and despite such a forthcoming deal, David Kahn hasn't won any brownie points with Love in this negotiation. Another said that as of Monday afternoon, the team still hadn't moved off its four-year, $61 million offer. I still believe the Wolves will reach a deal with Love by 11 p.m. Wednesday and it will be that five-year "designated player" deal with Love. An agreement"
Michael Beasley, J.J. Barea out at least another week
January 24
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Minnesota Timberwolves guard J.J. Barea (left hamstring) and forward Michael Beasley (right midfoot sprain) will be out at least another week, coach Rick Adelman said today. Martell Webster (back) and Brad Miller (knee) also will not play tonight, according to Adelman, and both will be re-evaluated Thursday. Beasley was injured late in the fourth quarter of the Jan. 6 game against Cleveland."
Adelman for getting Love deal done
January 21
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"With the clock ticking down until Wednesday's deadline, Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman weighed in before Friday's game against the Clippers at Staples Center on All-Star forward Kevin Love's quest for a rich contract extension. Believe it or not, he's all for getting it done. "From a coaching standpoint, it's really important," he said. "He's crucial to us. I'm hoping that something is going to happen for his sake. He came out with a great start this season and, hopefully, they're going to come to some resolution. I don't know what would happen if it didn't come to fruition. That's something that we'd have to deal with at that time." If Wednesday's deadline passes and Love isn't signed to"
Westbrook's deal could affect Love contract talks
January 20
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Another day closer to the deadline and a domino has fallen. Oklahoma City signed guard Russell Westbrook to a contract extension, the maximum five-year "designated player" deal worth between $78 and $80 million. That should make the Kevin Love situation a little clearer. The Timberwolves are prepared to give their star forward a maximum salary, hoping to make it a four-year deal worth nearly $61 million so they could keep that "designated player" -- basically, only one per team is allowed -- category available. The team was waiting to see what happened with Westbrook and with New Orleans star Eric Gordon. Love remained noncommittal about the process. "You have to talk to Glen [Taylor,"
Source: Wolves ready to offer Love maximum salary
January 19
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Six days before the league deadline, the Timberwolves are prepared to pay All-Star forward Kevin Love a maximum-salary contract, a league source said Wednesday. Unresolved is whether it will be a four-year contract approaching $61 million or a maximum five-year "designated player" deal surpassing $78 million. The NBA's new labor agreement allows every team one designated player -- a player ending his rookie contract who receives a five-year maximum-salary contract extension -- on their roster. The Wolves prefer to save that designated-player slot for the future -- to re-sign Ricky Rubio in three years, perhaps -- but their negotiations with agent Jeff Schwartz might depend on what deals"
Timberwolves likely to offer Kevin Love $60M, four-year deal
January 18
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Look for the Timberwolves to offer Kevin Love a $60 million, four-year contract extension within the next eight days. Love, 23, who is playing for $4.6 million this season, can become a restricted free agent after the season unless he signs an extension before Jan. 25. If he opts for free agency, the Wolves would have the right to match any outside offer. Love also can return to Minnesota in 2012-13 for $6.1 million and become an unrestricted free agent after the season. Wolves President David Kahn isn't commenting on contract talks, and Love says he's unaware of the status of negotiations. The Wolves, though, want to get Love signed by next week. Love, one of five players in NBA history"
Timberwolves' Michael Beasley expected to miss two more games with foot injury
January 11
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley, trying to recover from a right midfoot sprain, said he's still experiencing soreness and is expected to miss the team's next two games. Beasley, injured late in the fourth quarter Friday night against Cleveland, was projected to be out for three games. He said he was told "a couple of days ago" by Wolves trainer Gregg Farnam that he would be re-evaluated in a week. "The swelling has gone down, but I can't put too much pressure on my toes and I can't put any weight on the ball of my foot," Beasley said before the Wolves' 111-100 loss to Chicago on Tuesday night at Target Center. "I'll probably have to give it four or five more days. I'm going to be"
T'wolves yet to offer star an extension
January 3
New York Post
 
"Just when the must-see Ricky Rubio Timberwolves, the preeminent 2-3 team in NBA history, are becoming post-Kevin Garnett relevant, I got the call yesterday I didn't want to hear. According to the messenger, All-Star Kevin Love has not been offered an extension. Think the double-double emperor's feelings are bruised? Think agent Jeff Schwartz might be putting the pressure on GM David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor to make a proposal pronto? You got that right; according to my source, if one isn't submitted by Jan. 15, 10 days before the league deadline to enrich players in Love's position (Russell Westbrook is another), then don't bother."
J.J. Barea tweets he's in Minnesota, ready to play for Timberwolves
December 14
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Though the Timberwolves have yet to confirm an agreement has been reached with free-agent point guard J.J. Barea, Wolves players are talking about the Puerto Rico native as if he's already on the team. Barea, for one, is convinced he has a spot on the Wolves' roster, posting messages on his Twitter page that he arrived in the Twin Cities on Tuesday evening. "Just landed in Minnesota," Barea wrote. The Wolves appear to be addressing depth concerns at point guard and providing a Spanish connection for rookie Ricky Rubio, who said he knows Barea "a little bit" and welcomes the chance to interact more with a teammate in his native language."
Wolves close to signing Mavs playoff standout
December 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"NBA Finals star J.J. Barea isn't officially a signed Timberwolves player yet, but his former coach already is talking as if he is. The Wolves and Barea on Monday were negotiating the details of a four-year contract that ESPN.com reported will pay him $19 million. "I'm happy that he's able to experience that kind of a payday, because what he did here for the last three years has earned him that," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told Dallas-area reporters Monday. "He'll be a terrific player for the Timberwolves." Even though the Wolves hadn't confirmed the signing Monday night, their website listed Barea on its roster."
Wolves, J.J. Barea reach contract agreement
December 12
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Wolves are working this morning to finalize a contract agreement with unrestricted free agent J.J. Barea, a source confirms. NBA.com's David Aldridge first reported this morning that the two sides were nearing an agreement. ESPN.com reported that it's a four-year, $19 million deal. I don't have any indication that it's a precursor to another imminent move, such as trading for Kevin Martin or signing Jamal Crawford. They don't have any more cap room to sign anybody unless they'd make other moves to clear cap space or get slightly over the cap so they get that full $5 million mid-level exception."
Source: Wolves, Barea Nearing Deal
December 12
NBA.com
 
"A source close to free agent J.J. Barea tells TNT's David Aldridge that the 27-year-old is finalizing details on a four-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which would further add to that team's seemingly inexhaustable supply of guards. Barea, who starred in the postseason last spring during the Dallas Mavericks' run to the NBA title, took more in Minnesota than in New York, which had been talking about a two-year deal, according to the source. But after using the amnesty provision on Saturday to waive guard Chauncey Billups and dealing forward Ronny Turiaf to Washington as part of the three-team deal that sent Tyson Chandler to New York, the Knicks technically fell under the cap,"
Timberwolves planning to take a pass on NBA's new amnesty clause
December 11
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn said he has no plans to take advantage of the NBA's amnesty clause, a new provision in the collective bargaining agreement that allows a team to cut a player without the player's salary remaining on a team's salary cap. "In terms of how our team is situated now and where we think we can be headed, there is no advantage to use it now," Kahn said Saturday night. NBA teams have until Dec. 16 to take advantage of the move, which can be used on just one player. New York used the provision Saturday to release veteran point guard Chauncey Billups. Teams can use the clause on high-salaried players to create cap space. Forward Michael"
Wolves show interest in adding Mavs' Barea
December 11
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Quiet so far in free agency, the Wolves pursued former Dallas point guard J.J. Barea on Saturday, according to a league source. Another point guard, you say? Yes, the Wolves already have Ricky Rubio and Luke Ridnour on the roster, but they are after one who helped the Mavericks win the NBA title last summer. New Wolves coach Rick Adelman has identified the team's need for another ball-handling, playmaking guard. But it's a third point guard rather than a shooting guard the Wolves targeted. NBA.com reported New York and the Wolves are after Barea. The only deal the over-the-cap Knicks can offer is a "mini mid-level" 2-year, $5 million deal. The Wolves could offer more. Barea, 27, fits those"
Free-agent buzz: Heat lead chase for Battier
December 4
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Once NBA teams can speak with free agents beginning Monday, Miami Heat president Pat Riley has his franchise in strong position to sell Shane Battier on signing to play with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Battier has been a primary target in free agency for the Heat, and sources say the pitch of Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and key Heat players could ultimately confirm Battier's strong feelings about chasing a championship in Miami. Riley and Spoelstra see Battier as a strong defender with an ability to hit the open shots that'll come his way playing with James, Wade and Chris Bosh. Battier has been a proven playoff performer, and possesses the"
Arron is one popular Afflalo
December 2
ESPN.com
 
"It's been a familiar refrain from a handful of front-office types during the first few days of the NBA's gradual return to offseason normalcy: Denver's Arron Afflalo is a popular choice when you ask execs to pinpoint the most attractive free agent outside of the big men. Afflalo's Denver teammate Nene, Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler, New Orleans Hornets forward David West and Memphis Grizzlies restricted free agent Marc Gasol are universally seen as the most coveted players on the open market. But Afflalo, with a blossoming offensive game to go with his more polished D, has his own growing group of admirers if you listen to the GM grapevine. Sources told ESPN.com that the Chicago"
Timberwolves expect to re-sign Kevin Love
December 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"There will be no "wholesale movement" with the Timberwolves' roster, said David Kahn, who expressed confidence Thursday that all-star forward Kevin Love will be re-signed before the three-year veteran becomes a free agent after the abbreviated 2011-12 season. "I expect Kevin to be a big part of our franchise for a number of years," Kahn, the Wolves' president of basketball operations, said at Target Center. He was speaking publicly for the first time since NBA owners and players reached a tentative agreement last weekend on a new labor deal. Though the 149-day lockout has ended, terms of the agreement have yet to be ratified by owners and players, which forced Kahn to be guarded in some"
Kahn: No big roster changes are likely
December 2
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Timberwolves President David Kahn emerged from his bunker on Thursday, rubbed his eyes in the day's light and spoke about his team in specifics -- well, sort of -- for the first time since June. Citing NBA rules that prevent him from discussing specifics of the league's new labor deal, Kahn nonetheless covered many topics now that the Dec. 9 start of training camp is only a week away. Some of the most interesting stuff: • He reiterated he likes these young players who won 17 games last season and foresees only some roster "pruning" and "tweaking" in the free-agent and trade markets. He said new coach Rick Adelman needs "a long period of time" to learn about and develop this collection of"
New amnesty clause opens possibilities for Wolves
November 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Might Minnesota fans finally see Brandon Roy in a Timberwolves uniform, five years after their team traded him away on draft night in 2006? It could happen, despite Roy's two deteriorating knees, if ... • Portland pays him $49 million for his contract's remaining three years and releases him through an "amnesty" provision in the new labor agreement, which allows teams to wipe one current player's contract from its salary-cap books once during the 10-year agreement's term. • The Wolves then make a winning bid to assume a portion of Roy's contract in a "modified waiver process." That process will allow teams under the salary cap a chance to acquire amnesty players -- a group that could"
Kevin Love turns down Besiktas offer
November 20
ESPN.com
 
"Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love informed Besiktas of Turkey on Sunday that he's declining their offer to sign with the Istanbul-based club and team up with New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams. "I didn't feel it was the right decision for me at this time," Love told ESPN.com. Love, though, said playing abroad if the lockout drags on "is still very much an option" he's considering. NTV Spor of Turkey reported Friday that Love and Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng were Besiktas' top two targets in its search for an elite forward to play alongside Williams."
Son of Adelman to join Wolves' front office
November 1
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"New Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman's son R.J. is expected to assume a front-office role in player personnel matters when the NBA lockout ends, league sources said Friday. R.J. Adelman served as an assistant coach on his father's staff for four seasons in Houston but now is expected to bring with him some of the same scouting statistical analysis the Rockets have used under General Manager Daryl Morey."
On Adelman introduction, Beasley, Rubio...
September 20
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Jerry Zgoda
"Catching up on a little of this and that Timberwolves-related after the weekend: * Rick Adelman officially will be introduced as the new coach next Wednesday -- Sept. 28 -- at a 1 p.m. Target Center news conference. I'm guessing it will be carried live on timberwolves.com, FSN and possibly the team's new radio partner (WCCO 830 AM) but stay tuned for details. * Thanks to a heads-up from my colleague Michael Lee of the Washington Post, Michael Beasley looked fit and good and injury free in a D.C. charity game on Saturday that also featured John Wall and Kevin Durant, among others. So that means something must have got lost in the translation with those reports out of China a few"
Kahn given credit for waiting for coach
September 15
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"While Yahoo! Sports was reporting that Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn and new coach Rick Adelman didn't get along in the 1980s, when Adelman was coaching the Trail Blazers and Kahn was covering the team as a sportswriter for the Oregonian newspaper in Portland, Wolves CEO Rob Moor was giving Kahn all the credit for Adelman's decision to take the Wolves head coaching job. "I would give the credit to David [Kahn], who has a relationship with Rick that goes back 16 years or more," Moor said. "Kahn just sort of took his time with Rick. Rick sort of had to make his mind up that he wanted to coach." Adelman had been offered a contract to continue as the Houston coach"
New Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman reportedly is no fan of President David Kahn
September 14
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Rick Adelman is about to step into perhaps the most daunting challenge of his 20-year coaching career in the NBA. If the league's labor dispute is settled and the season saved, Adelman will have to restore confidence in a young Timberwolves team that finished with the league's worst record last season. He also faces the task of battling the organization's losing tradition - no playoff appearances since 2004. Even more unusual for Adelman, who ranks eighth among NBA coaches in all-time wins, is the possibility he will do most of his communicating with Wolves owner Glen Taylor instead of team president of basketball operations David Kahn. A report on Yahoo Sports claimed Adelman was wary of"
Brilliant hire, if Wolves don't mess it up
September 13
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Jim Souhan
"The Timberwolves, faced with one of the most important decisions in franchise history at one of the most crucial junctures in franchise history, hired the best head coaching candidate on the market. Think about that. If you're a frustrated Wolves fan, please savor it as well. We don't get to enjoy moments like this very often. Given a cast of candidates that, on its lower rungs, resembled the geekiest misfits on "Glee," your Wolves -- the gang that often can't shoot or think straight -- wound up drawing all the right conclusions. They correctly identified the estimable Rick Adelman as the best coach available. They wisely paid him a ridiculous sum of money, having realized that cutting"
Timberwolves hire Rick Adelman as coach
September 13
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a deal in principle with Rick Adelman to become coach, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. Details of the deal were still being worked out today. The agreement was expected to be finalized Tuesday. The Wolves were willing to wait for Adelman, 65, to make up his mind, which is why the search for Kurt Rambis' replacement took as long as it did. Rambis was fired July 12 after posting a 32-132 record in two seasons. Adelman becomes the 11th head coach in the Timberwolves' 22-year history and the fifth since former coach Flip Saunders was fired in 2005."
Wolves, Adelman begin negotiating
September 12
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Timberwolves have started negotiations to sign Rick Adelman as their next coach, league sources with knowledge of the search said Sunday. David Kahn, Timberwolves president of basketball operations, might know as soon as Monday whether he can land the man who has a .605 winning percentage in 20 seasons as a NBA head coach. Adelman, 65, is believed to be seeking a five-year contract worth at least $25 million."
NBA wants 3rd round in draft
September 7
SheridanHoops.com
 
"After an overnight flight connecting through Helsinki, Finland, I bumped into a scout for the Denver Nuggets near the tourist information booth at the quaint little airport here where the second round of EuroBasket is taking place. Whether he knows it or not, he may be here scouting future third-round draft picks. That's right: Third round. SheridanHoops.com has learned that NBA owners have proposed adding a third round to the annual draft, a proposal that the players' union has countered by offering an array of changes to the draft that would help address the owners' desire for more competitive balance."
NBA Lockout Update: Sides are closer than they're saying
September 6
SheridanHoops.com
 
"Here's the dirty little secret about the NBA lockout, despite what both sides — the owners and the players — would have you believe: They are a lot closer to a settlement than most people realize. I know this because I talk regularly with a bunch of important people who tell me important things, and I am going to explain why I believe a settlement will be reached that will not only save the season, but also enable the NBA to have an "all is forgiven" honeymoon period (similar to what the NFL just experienced following its labor settlement) in which the frenzy of free agents signings, trades, training camps and exhibition games will make everyone forget all of the doomsday talk they've been"
Timberwolves Assistant GM Tony Ronzone out
September 2
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Tony Ronzone, the Timberwolves' assistant general manager/player personnel director, has left the organization after one season, club media relations director Mike Cristaldi confirmed today. Ronzone, hired in May of 2010 by Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn, helped lead the team's NBA draft preparation this year and in 2010 was instrumental in negotiations to sign Spanish guard Ricky Rubio, one of the team's first-round draft picks in 2009. No explanation was given for Ronzone's departure. "The parties have mutually agreed to part ways and we wish Tony good luck," the Wolves organization said in a released statement. Ronzone, Kahn and Wolves owner Glen Taylor were"
Report: No deal between Timberwolves, Adelman
August 31
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Veteran NBA coach Rick Adelman, considered a frontrunner to become the Minnesota Timberwolves' next coach, left the Twin Cities today without a contract agreement, according to an ESPN.com report citing a league source familiar with the talks. Adelman, 65, flew back to his home in Portland, Ore., after meeting with Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor at his Mankato home. The report said Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn also attended the meeting. The meeting represented Adelman's second visit to Minnesota to discuss the Timberwolves' coaching job, which became available in July with the firing of Kurt Rambis after two seasons. Adelman met with Timberwolves officials"
Source: No offer for Rick Adelman
August 30
ESPN.com
 
"Rick Adelman met with Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor on Tuesday as planned but returned to his offseason home in Portland, Ore., without an offer to be the Timberwolves' next head coach or a promise that one would be forthcoming, a source familiar with the talks said. This was Adelman's second trip to Minneapolis in as many weeks to explore the possibility of him succeeding Kurt Rambis, who was fired in July. Adelman visited last week but did not meet with Taylor because the 70-year-old owner was not feeling well, a league source said. Adelman returned to Minneapolis late Monday night, had dinner with general manager David Kahn and met with Taylor at his home on Tuesday before"
Report: Adelman will return for second interview
August 30
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"The Timberwolves' search for their next head coach continues to further focus on Rick Adelman. ESPN.com, citing an unnamed league source, on Monday reported Adelman -- the former coach at Portland, Golden State, Sacramento and most recently Houston -- will return to Minneapolis on Tuesday to meet with Wolves owner Glen Taylor. That would be Adelman's second trip to Minnesota in a week. He interviewed with the team last Tuesday. The ESPN report said that interview didn't allow him to meet with Taylor in person then because of the owner's "health issues." Tuesday's trip would make Adelman the first of seven known candidates to be brought back for a second visit. The others: Don Nelson, Sam"
Wolves owner to meet Rick Adelman?
August 29
ESPN.com
 
"Rick Adelman is returning to Minneapolis on Tuesday to meet with Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor about the team's coaching vacancy, according to a league source. Two people with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Aug. 24 that Adelman had met with Taylor during his first interview in Minneapolis, but the league source said Monday that Taylor's health issues kept the two from talking face to face. Adelman parted ways with the Houston Rockets in April, and Houston hired former Timberwolves coach and general manager Kevin McHale to take over the team."
All signs point to Adelman
August 29
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"A new week dawns and still no sign that the Timberwolves are ready to name their new coach yet, but... I'd be very surprised at this point if that new guy isn't Rick Adelman. Anxious fans continue to ask what's the delay, but the Wolves obviously in no rush with the start of this locked-out season nowhere in sight. As I tweeted last night, I heard yesterday the same thing I did five weeks ago: Adelman's presence in Minneapolis last week for an interview with Glen Taylor, David Kahn, etc., means the team already has agreed to meet him his ballpark price, which is anywhere from $4 million to $6 million plus per year."
Adelman might be warming to the job
August 24
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"Long believed to be the frontrunner if he wants the job, Rick Adelman finally came to the Twin Cities on Tuesday and interviewed with the Timberwolves about their coaching opening. Three weeks after he told an Oregon newspaper that he has no plans "right now" to coach next season, Adelman met with Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn, owner Glen Taylor and CEO Rob Moor before catching a flight home, a league source with knowledge of the team's search said. He is the seventh and final candidate -- Don Nelson, Sam Mitchell, Mike Woodson, Larry Brown, Bernie Bickerstaff and Terry Porter are the others -- to interview for a job that became vacant when Kurt Rambis was fired last"
Source: Wolves, Rick Adelman to meet
August 23
ESPN.com
 
"The Minnesota Timberwolves will meet with former Houston Rockets coach Rick Adelman in Minneapolis on Tuesday to discuss their head-coaching opening, a league source said. Adelman, who parted with the Rockets when his contract expired June 30, is the seventh candidate to interview for the job since the Timberwolves fired Kurt Rambis on July 12 with a year left on his contract. Rambis was given the chance to remain with the team in a front-office capacity, but he declined, several sources said. This is not the first contact between Adelman and the Timberwolves about the job, but his decision to meet with general manager David Kahn is an indication of his strong interest."
Timberwolves not naming new coach till next week -- "at least"
August 19
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Things seem to take a lot of extra time when Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn is involved. It's taken an eternity (and countless visits to Spain) for him to convince Ricky Rubio(notes) to come to the NBA. It took forever for him to finally dismiss head coach Kurt Rambis this offseason. And now the naming of a new coach is taking some time. It had been reported earlier this week by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that a new coach could be named this week since some candidates were expecting to get the news before week's end, but now the paper is reporting that whoever Kahn is planning on hiring won't be announced till next week "at least.""
Pekovic signs with Partizan Belgrade until lockout ends
August 17
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 columnist Jerry Zgoda
"Backup center Nikola Pekovic is the first Timberwolves player to sign overseas during the lockout and don't be surprised a bit if Ricky Rubio does likewise. According to European media reports, Pekovic did so with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, agreeing to play there after he plays for his home country of Montenegro in the upcoming EuroBasket championship in Lithuania. He has an opt-out clause that allows him to leave when a NBA labor agreement is reached. Pekovic signed a three-year contract with the Wolves last summer."
Next bargaining session coming early September?
August 17
CBSSports.com
 
"It took 46 days for the NBA and its players' union after the lockout began July 1. It didn't go all that well. Rhetoric from both sides ramped up, lawsuits started flying around and most importantly, there wasn't any movement towards the middle. Then David Stern accused the union of cancelling a meeting last week with the union responding that Billy Hunter had been told Stern wasn't going to be available for two weeks. So as you can tell, this is all going just super. But they're finally going to try again sometime in early September, according to Newsday. At this point, the union will host an executive meeting in New York at the end of August. The anticipation is the union and league"
Wilson Chandler has offers from China and Italy?
August 17
CBSSports.com
 
"Wilson Chandler -- while a fine player -- getting an offer from a Chinese team isn't exactly the biggest news ever. (Then again, in this lockout where pretty much any news feels earth-shattering, maybe it is.) What caught my eye is how much Chandler was offered, reportedly, by a Chinese team. Via HoopsHype, Chandler's agent Chris Luchey said his client has a $1.7 million offer on the table from a Chinese club. Comparitively, Kobe Bryant was reportedly offered $1.5 million... a month from a Chinese team. Obviously Kobe's services would be at a premium, but that's quite difference. Still, $1.7 million for Chandler is more than a lot of the rumored offers circling around players in Europe."
Mitchell? Nellie? Bernie B? Who's the next Wolves coach going to be?
August 16
Minneapolis Star Tribune
 
"This very well could be the week the Timberwolves choose their next coach. So far, I haven't gotten any indication there will be a second round of interviews, as David Kahn did the last time around with Kurt Rambis, Mark Jackson and Elston Turner. And I'm hearing at least some of the 6 ½ candidates are expecting an answer this week. That last time around looking for a coach, Kahn traveled around the country interviewing close to a dozen candidates before narrowing it down to those final three. This time, candidates came to Minnesota, where the process involved a full day spent with Kahn, owner Glen Taylor and CEO Rob Moor as well as minority partners and other franchise personnel at times."
David Stern: NBA to look at contraction
August 15
CBSSports.com
 
"The NBA currently has thirty teams, but the league's commissioner, David Stern, seems open to the possibility that that number of franchises could shrink in the future. Speaking on an ESPN.com podcast, Stern stated that there is some interest in contraction from both the league and players sides and that the subject will be picked up after the current Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations are completed. "[Contraction] is not a subect that we're against," Stern said. "In fact, when you talk about revenue sharing, a number of teams have said that if you have a team that is perpetually going to be a recipient, aren't you better off with the ability to buy them in? Because between the"
Brown set to interview today with Minnesota
August 10
San Antonio Express-News
 
"Larry Brown's interview on Wednesday with Minnesota owner Glen Taylor will complete one of the longest coaching searches within recent memory. Of course, there's really no hurry for the Timberwolves' braintrust — and I use that term loosely — to speed to a hasty decision. Because of the lockout, they are still likely several months away from the start of the season. Still, it would show that Taylor and general manager David Kahn are determined to set the course for their franchise if they had a coach in place. And it will be a tough decision. Brown is a Hall of Famer and candidates with his credentials don't materialize every day."
Big names galore on Timberwolves' coaching list
August 10
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 columnist Charley Walters
"The new Timberwolves coach probably will come from among a group consisting of Don Nelson, Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Bernie Bickerstaff, Sam Mitchell, Rick Adelman and Larry Brown. Brown, who turns 71 next month and who coached the Detroit Pistons to the 2004 NBA championship and Kansas to the 1988 NCAA title, interviews with Wolves owner Glen Taylor today. Mitchell had a lengthy interview with Taylor on Monday. Wolves basketball president David Kahn has interviewed Adelman, but Taylor has not. Adelman, 65, who has coached Portland, Golden State, Sacramento and Houston, is still undecided, for family reasons, on whether to return to the NBA. Adelman might not get another opportunity for"
Sam Mitchell to interview for Timberwolves' coaching position
August 5
St. Paul Pioneer Press
 
"Former Timberwolves player Sam Mitchell will meet Monday with club owner Glen Taylor and president of basketball operations David Kahn to discuss the team's vacant head coaching position, according to a person with knowledge of the team's search to replace Kurt Rambis. Mitchell, 47, is an assistant with the New Jersey Nets. He was NBA coach of the year in 2006-07 when he led Toronto to a 47-35 record and the team's first playoff berth in five years. Mitchell, who played 10 of his 13 NBA seasons with the Wolves, coached Toronto for four years before he was fired 17 games into the 2007-08 season after the team's 8-9 start."
Don Nelson wants to coach again with Minnesota Timberwolves
August 4
Oakland Tribune
 
"From his oceanfront home on Maui, Don Nelson acknowledges that his pursuit of the Minnesota Timberwolves coaching job might look odd. He can explain. "I love coaching, and I'm good at what I do," Nelson said this week. "It's kind of a gift that I have. I feel like I owe it to myself to do it as long as I can. I'm not ready to give it up." But exchanging island breezes for upper-Midwest winters? "I'm a lifer," he said, laughing. Nelson, 71, the NBA leader in all-time coaching victories, recently interviewed for the Timberwolves job. That doesn't exactly put him in exclusive company. "I think they've interviewed everybody who is out of work right now," Nelson said. Since the dismissal of"