Minnesota Timberwolves News Blog

Bulls GM says Bryant deal unlikely

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:56 +0000

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Don't expect trade to happen

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:56 +0000

AUBURN HILLS -- Once again, the fate of a blockbuster trade appears to rest in the lap of Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge.

Ainge helped facilitate the Pistons' acquisition of Rasheed Wallace in 2004 and took considerable heat for doing so. He's probably not going to be as accommodating this time.

Here are the particulars of the trade that was proposed Monday, at least as it has been reported by ESPN and other outlets.

Frank Burlison: Trade overshadows draft

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:56 +0000

The NBA Draft is set for Thursday night, with a couple of players who will have an immense impact on the league for at least the next 12 years or so - Greg Oden and Kevin Durant - set to be selected No. 1 and 2 by Portland and Seattle, respectively.

But, naturally, what was the biggest radio talk show topic in Southern California Monday afternoon?

The speculation over a reported possible four-team trade that, among about a dozen other things, would result in Kevin Garnett leaving the Minnesota Timberwolves and ending up in - you guessed it - a Lakers' uniform.

Lakers trying to snap up KG

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:56 +0000

Lakers, T'wolves talking about Garnett deal

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:56 +0000

LOS ANGELES The owners of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves have begun talks for a trade that would involve sending Kevin Garnett to the Lakers, NBA sources told the Los Angeles Times on Monday.

The talks turned into discussions about a four-way deal among the Lakers, Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics, in which the Lakers would have gotten Garnett. However, the deal broke down, reportedly because the Celtics did not like what they would have gotten, ending the four-way negotiations.

LocalLinks

Sports in Brief | 'Embarrassed' Bears release Tank Johnson

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:56 +0000

Tank Johnson was released yesterday by the Chicago Bears, who said they are "embarrassed" by the defensive tackle's legal troubles.

Johnson was waived three days after he was pulled over for speeding by police in Gilbert, Ariz., a suburb of Phoenix. He already had been suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 season for violating probation on a gun charge. He spent two months in jail and was released in May.

"We are upset and embarrassed by Tank's actions last week," general manager Jerry Angelo said in a statement. "He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error."

Twins GM flopped on free agents for 2007

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:56 +0000

Mike McFeely has been The Forum?s lead sports columnist since 1997. Prior to that he was a beat writer who covered high school sports, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Concordia College and the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. He started his newspaper career as a copy editor, working in Alexandria, Minn., and Owatonna, Minn., before joining The Forum?s sports staff in 1990. A graduate of Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Minn., McFeely has a mass communications degree with a political science min...

When It Comes to Knicks, Draft May Not Be Much Help

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 09:32:56 +0000

In an alternate universe, this might have been a momentous week, even a historic week, for New York and its beleaguered N.B.A. franchise. Had the Knicks stripped their payroll a few years back and suffered through some rough seasons, they might be stitching a uniform for Greg Oden or Kevin Durant, the two franchise-changing talents who headline Thursdays draft.

In another alternate universe, in which the Knicks never traded for Eddy Curry, they might be pondering another dozen intriguing prospects who will fill out the upper half of the first round.

In this universe, however, the Knicks are coming off their sixth consecutive losing season and selecting 23rd making the draft a rather unremarkable finale to another unremarkable season.

Draft insider: Small forwards

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:44:14 +0000

If not for the presence of center Greg Oden of Ohio State, Kevin Durant of Texas would be hailed as the sure-fire No. 1 pick and perhaps the best prospect to come along since LeBron James.

Durant was that good in his lone collegiate season. He (not Oden) was the player of the year as he led an inexperienced Texas team to a high seed in the NCAA tournament.

» Click to enlarge image

Let's make a deal?

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:44:14 +0000

NBA draft preview: Shooting guards

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:44:14 +0000

Because this draft is deep in big men, there's only one player at this position -- Nick Young of USC -- projected to be selected by a team that was in the lottery.

But that doesn't mean there's a lack of quality shooting guards in this draft.

In fact, one of the reasons the draft is so deep is the number of quality guards who will be available well into the second round.

Perry grad the hottest of commodities

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 18:44:14 +0000

Al Thornton has faced several turning points, several decisions, and several transitions, all of which has led him to an enviable position among the fraternity of basketball players. After achieving star status in the college game, the former Perry High School Panther can now sit back in that famous green room and let someone else make the big decision.

All of those choices led Thornton from Perry to Florida State University. His next stop: Madison Square Garden in New York City for the 2007 National Basketball Association Draft on June 28. He has his invitation in hand, which isn’t surprising since he is not only a projected first-round selection, but also a potential top 10 pick.

The 6-8, 220-pound forward is already finding out a little bit about life in major professional basketball. Since finishing his four-year career with the Seminoles, Thornton has gone through the long process of working out for various NBA franchises. The journey has taken him to Sacramento (Kings), Chicago (Bulls), Boston (Celtics), Charlotte (Bobcats), Minnesota (Timberwolves) and Milwaukee (Bucks).

25 drafts, dozens of stars, one Michael

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:22:46 +0000

USA TODAY's David DuPree recalls highlights of the NBA draft during the newspaper's 25 years:

Toss up — 1983

USA TODAY covered the last two years of the coin toss — when the top overall pick was decided by a coin toss between the teams that had the worst record in each conference. The Houston Rockets won the toss in 1983 and took 7-4 center Ralph Sampson, who went on to become rookie of the year. But the Rockets finished last in the West, won the coin toss again in 1984 and drafted 7-0 Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon. The die was cast, as practically every team sought to copy the Twin Towers strategy.

Trade rumors run rampant

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 05:22:46 +0000

HIBBING If you have been listening to all the trade rumors surrounding Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves this week, your head is probably spinning.

First hes going here, then hes going there. Now, hes not going here but maybe hes going there.

Personally, I think the Wolves would be crazy to trade him. Hes been a model professional athlete in this state for a long time. Other than an interview he gave just prior to a playoff game with the Sacramento Kings a few years ago, hes never been called on the carpet.

Bordow: Talks of dealing Amar just talk

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:14:22 +0000

Heres how a rumor gets started: The Suns want Kevin Garnett. They call the Minnesota Timberwolves and say, Well give you Shawn Marion, Kurt Thomas and other considerations for Garnett.

Not interested, the Timberwolves respond, but perhaps we can get the Boston Celtics to take Marion and well get some of their younger players and draft picks.

That doesnt work out when Marion makes it clear hell opt out of his contract after next season if hes dealt to Boston.

Hawking for a Camby trade

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:14:22 +0000

"You think?" said an NBA executive, when asked if the league has buzzed with so much talk of blockbuster trades.

And the Nuggets are open for business.

Teams are actively trying to pry big men Nene and Marcus Camby away from Denver, according to NBA sources.

Sports week in review

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:14:22 +0000

Chris Riley won his first pro tournament in five years -- and second in his career -- when he two-putter for par from 25 feet on the second playoff hole Sunday to win the Showdown at Somerby, a Nationwide Tour event. Riley had two-putted from 99 feet on the tournament's 72nd hole to force the playoff. Riley, a member of the 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup team, picked up a check for $90,000 for the victory.

The event was considered a success by organizers, who had to move it to June -- on the same weekend as the men's U.S. Open and coinciding with Father's Day -- from its mid-July dates in its inaugural season in 2006. Attendance was reported to be 27,500, compared with 32,000 last year. Whether the tournament returns will depend largely on whether lead sponsor Think signs on again or, if not, another lead sponsor is found.

Lumberjacking

Timberwolves' Hudson wants to be traded

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 17:14:22 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS -- If the Minnesota Timberwolves do decide to trade Kevin Garnett, point guard Troy Hudson would like to be on the plane with KG out of the Twin Cities.

Hudson's agent said Friday that he called owner Glen Taylor to say that the point guard would like to play elsewhere next season.

"It's not like I demanded a trade or anything," Bill Neff said. "It's just time to move on."

North by Northwest

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:23:08 +0000

S ome fans and media in the NBA Nation are horrified at how the draft lottery turned out this year. It's one thing for Greg Oden and Kevin Durant to be earmarked for the already dominant Western Conference. But they are also headed to Granola Land ? Portland and Seattle, not exactly glitzy L.A.

There is joy in the Pacific Northwest, though. When the NBA draft begins Thursday night with coach Nate McMillan's Trail Blazers holding the first pick and the SuperSonics the second, one team will get a franchise center, the other a dynamic forward. They both should have stars to build around for years to come.

Greg Oden, center, Ohio State

Agent: Hudson Wants Out Of Minnesota

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:42 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- If the Minnesota Timberwolves do decide to trade Kevin Garnett, point guard Troy Hudson would like to be on the plane with KG out of the Twin Cities. Hudson's agent said Friday that he called owner Glen Taylor to say that the point guard would like to play elsewhere next season. "It's not like I demanded a trade or anything," Bill Neff said. "It's just time to move on." Hudson has spent five seasons in Minnesota, with his first one being the best. He averaged 14.2 points ...

Are Garnett's days in Minnesota numbered?

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:42 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - As far as Minnesota Timberwolves basketball boss Kevin McHale is concerned, any trade talk involving Kevin Garnett so far has been just that - talk.

"Who knows what's going to happen?" McHale said Wednesday after the Wolves worked out college stars Jeff Green and Al Horford in preparation for next week's draft. "But we're not out there actively shopping Kevin Garnett around the NBA. I can tell you that much."

McHale was pressed on the topic a day after Danny Ainge told The Boston Herald that he has talked to McHale about Garnett.

Durant works out for Trail Blazers

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:42 +0000

PORTLAND — Kevin Durant worked out with the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, two days after Greg Oden, as both players show their talents to the team with the top pick in Thursday's draft.

Most observers expect Portland to take Ohio State center Oden, with the Sonics making Durant the second player drafted.

Durant, a 6-foot-9 forward from Texas, was The Associated Press Player of the Year as a freshman.

Garnett nixes Boston as possibility

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:42 +0000

Kevin Garnett in green? No. But speculation persists that Garnett might not play in Timberwolves blue next season either.

On a day when the Wolves wrapped up their pre-draft workouts by looking at five players, vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale continued to say he's listening to any offers but hasn't heard a winner yet.

But you can strike Boston off the list of Garnett destinations.

Noah auditions for Hawks

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 16:11:42 +0000

ATLANTA - Joakim Noah mocks those who publish NBA mock drafts.

"I heard one of them is like a kid who is 16 years old in his basement," Noah said.

Green, Law work out for Timberwolves

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 14:18:20 +0000