Mark Blount is earning close to $8 million this season to stay away from the Timberwolves.

If Blount wanted to play, he could initiate buyout talks with Minnesota. However, sources close to the team told ESPN's Marc Stein that Timberwolves general manager David Kahn is holding onto Blount's contract for possible inclusion in a deal prior to February's trading deadline.

Kahn granted Blount's agent, Mark Bartelstein, permission to seek a trade during training camp.

If nothing materializes by February, talks between the two sides regarding a buyout are expected to begin.