The Minnesota Timberwolves have re-assigned Malcolm Lee to the Sioux Falls Skyforce, the Timberwolves’ NBA Development League affiliate.

It is the second assignment for Lee this season.

Lee was first assigned to the Skyforce on Feb. 6, appearing in three games and averaging 9.7 points, 6.0 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 25.3 minutes.

The Timerwolves offered Michael Beasley to the Lakers, according to a source.

The asking price was the better first round pick owned by the Lakers in 2012.

But the Lakers reportedly don't want to pay the increase in lottery tax that acquiring Beasley would mean.

Sources say the Lakers are intrigued about he possibility of acquiring Michael Beasley.

The Lakers held talks with the Wolves when they were also looking to trade for Chris Paul.

The Lakers could absorb Beasley due to their $8.9 million trade exception.

Sources say Minnesota is interested in trading Beasley, who has not matured as hoped while with the club.

Iman Shumpert, Paul George, Chase Budinger and Derrick Williams will participate in the 2012 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Shumpert and Williams are rookies, while George is in his second season and Budinger is in his third season.

The NBA announced the field for the 2012 Three-Point Contest on Wednesday.

Ryan Anderson (Orlando), Mario Chalmers and James Jones (Miami), Joe Johnson (Atlanta), Anthony Morrow (New Jersey) and Kevin Love (Minnesota) comprise this season's field.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have recalled Malcolm Lee from the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League.

Lee appeared in three games for the Skyforce, averaging 9.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 25.3 minutes. He tallied 16 points and dished out six assists on Feb. 7 vs. Dakota, had nine points and seven assists in a win over Idaho on Feb. 10, and recorded four points, four rebounds and five assists vs. Canton on Feb. 11.

Lee underwent successful surgery on Dec. 30, 2011 to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He has not appeared in any games for the Wolves this season.

Ricky Rubio’s flair for the dramatic has drawn comparison to some of the all-time great point guards.

"There are similarities to a lot of the all-time great players with Rubio. I see [Pete] Maravich, I see [Jason] Kidd, I see some [Steve] Nash.

"He plays a solid competitive game and yet he's still entertaining, and that's great for our league and it's great for the Minnesota franchise. But it's tough to play against this guy."

Rubio averages 10.9 points and 8.8 assists per game.

"The more I watch him the more I have an appreciation not only of his skills, but of his toughness," Carlisle said after the Mavs' practice at the Target Center. "He's a very tough player.

"He takes a lot of hits, but he keeps his motor running, he keeps attacking. He shoots the ball much better than people had predicted he was going to shoot it in this league, and that makes his passing that much more dangerous."

Kevin Love plans to accept an invitation to compete in the three-point shootout during All-Star weekend.

"I think I've got a good shot at anything I do," Love said. "I'm a pretty competitive, and I'm going to go out and try to win."

Love is shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc.

The NBA announced the reserves for the 2012 All-Star Game on Thursday.

Joining LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony on the Eastern Conference team are Chris Bosh, Luol Deng, Roy Hibbert, Andre Iguodala, Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams.

Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Andrew Bynum and Kevin Durant will have LaMarcus Aldridge, Marc Gasol, Kevin Love, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker and Russell Westbrook on their Western Conference team.

The NBA has announced the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge participants on Wednesday.

Sophomores selected include DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers) Paul George (Indiana Pacers), and John Wall (Washington Wizards).

Freshmen selected include Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Marshon Brooks (New Jersey Nets), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats) and Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves).