Andrei Kirilenko likened the Timberwolves to Rick Adelman's Sacramento Kings teams, which featured Europeans like Peja Stojakovic and Vlade Divac playing prominent roles.

"For me, it looks like European flavor on the team," said Kirilenko, referring to Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, himself and Alexey Shved. "For me right now, it's pretty much the same type of team-building. A lot of European guys, a lot of guys who can run the floor. Alexey is another big, big plus."

Minnesota signed Shved, who scored 16 points and handed out 13 assists against Great Britain on Sunday, to a three-year, $10 million deal.

"It's a great team (they're) creating," Kirilenko said. "Kevin has really started to turn into a superstar this year. Last year, a lot of my friends were watching the games, especially Minnesota and how they play. It's very, very energetic and nice."

David Kahn acknowledged that Derrick Williams will have to improve his play in order to receive more playing time in his second season.

The Wolves signed Andrei Kirilenko, which will certainly impact the minutes he could have otherwise received.

"I think it challenges Derrick to seize the moment," Kahn said. "I think that, otherwise, Derrick probably would have been in a situation where he would have felt the minutes would just have been handed to him. I think in this environment, Derrick should feel challenged, and I hope he accepts the challenge to seize what he wants as opposed to it just being handed to him. There are no limitations on Derrick's ability to play here, from a minutes standpoint."

Ricky Rubio returns to Colorado next week for another examination of his knee.

"I hope by September I can start running again," Rubio says.

Rubio is unable to participate in the 2012 Olympics due to the torn ACL that ended his rookie season in March.

"Hard watching basketball and not being part of it, especially a game like that this week," Rubio says."I felt like somebody was going to have to come grab me, because I'm going to jump out there at any time and try to play.

"But in my mind, there's a goal, and the goal is recovering 100 percent and making sure I'm never going to get hurt again in that knee."

David Kahn has assembled a roster with position flexibility that seemingly fits right into coach Rick Adelman's scheme.

"I think our roster, if I were to use a word, is versatile," Kahn said. "We have a number of players who can play more than one position. and if Rick wants to go with a bigger look, he can go big. If he wants to go with a smaller look, he can go small. ... Our wing players needed to become more capable of making plays, being better ball handlers. the addition of all the wings we've added has aided us in that area. I think we're better defensively with what we've done."

Minnesota announced the signing of free agent forward Andrei Kirilenko.

“He hits all the boxes were were looking for in finding a player that we didn't have on our roster,” Kahn said. “He's capable of playing multiple positions, capable of being effective and scoring without plays being called for him. He's a very hard cutter, which we think, in our offense, will be a real welcome addition. And he has a lot of big-game experience."

The Wolves have officially signed Andrei Kirilenko.

Kirilenko played for CSKA in Russia during the 11-12 season.

Kirilenko will earn $20 millon over two seasons, according to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski.

“We’re very pleased that Andrei has decided to resume his NBA career with the Wolves,” said general manager David Kahn.

The Hornets have acquired Robin Lopez, Hakim Warrick, and cash considerations from the Suns in exchange for Jerome Dyson, Brad Miller and two 2nd round picks (Brooklyn’s 2013 second round selection and Minnesota’s 2016 second round draft choice) as part of a three-team trade along with the Timberwolves.

Phoenix receives Brad Miller and Jerome Dyson from the Hornets, as well as Wesley Johnson and a 1st round pick from Minnesota.

Minnesota receives Brooklyn’s 2013 2nd round pick and their own 2016 2nd round pick from New Orleans.

“We are very excited about this trade that brings us two quality people and basketball players to help strengthen our foundation as a team,” Hornets General Manager Dell Demps said. “This move gives us a true center in Robin Lopez who brings youth and is a tough, inside rebounder. In Hakim, we get an experienced, versatile forward who will bring a veteran presence to our team.”

While Robin Lopez is likely to be eventually moved to the Hornets in a sign-and-trade, a proposed three-way deal had hit a few bumps as of Wednesday evening.

Phoenix, New Orleans and Minnesota have agreed to the framework of a three-way deal that would send Lopez and Hakim Warrick from the Suns to the Hornets and Wesley Johnson, a first-round pick and Brad Miller's contract to the Suns.

The Suns would waive Miller, who has a buyout of about $800,000 and announced he would retire after last season.

Phoenix would get the first-round pick that Memphis owes Minnesota via Houston.

Lopez and the Hornets have already agreed upon a three-year, $15.3 million contract.

Andrei Kirilenko and the Wolves are finalizing a contract agreement, according to sources.

Kirilenko will receive a two-year, $20 million contract with the second season being a player option.

Ronnie Brewer turned down a “generous offer” from the Timberwolves in favor of a one-year deal with the Knicks.

"Minnesota was very interested in Ronnie and was very aggressive about it," Brewer's agent, Henry Thomas, said. "For the things that were important to him, he felt that the better move was to go to New York. Ronnie was more comfortable with the opportunity there."

Thomas declined to disclose the terms of the contract offered by Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn.

Andrei Kirilenko is no longer considering signing with the Nets, according to sources.

Multiple executives believe the Wolves are attempting to clear cap space to sign Kirilenko.