The Pioneer Press reports that there is some talk around the league of a Minnesota movement to acquire Gary Payton. Emphasis on "talk" at the moment.

Reportedly, The Wolves, Chicago, Seattle and New York have tossed around some possible scenarios, but they are extremely complicated and therefore unlikely to be completed.

A myriad of names have been thrown around. Supposedly Minnesota would deal Terrell Brandon to the Knicks and Wally Szczerbiak to Chicago. The Bulls would likely send some package of Ron Mercer, Marcus Fizer and Ron Artest to Seattle. The Knicks would send one of their point guards somewhere, unless they feel they really need to carry 4 quarterbacks.

The Szczerbiak for Fizer rumors have been the talk of the league these days, which is an indication of how slow the news is right now. But news of Szczerbiak leaving the Wolves is news to Flip Saunders.

The Pioneer Planet reports that no offer has been made by Minnesota according to Saunders. "The Bulls, there has been contact, but there have really not been any offers put on the table as far as to say, 'If you take this, we'll trade him,' that I've heard of," Saunders said from Los Angeles, where he is preparing to depart with the U.S. team for the Goodwill Games in Australia. Szczerbiak and Fizer will be on his team.

People who know say meaningful trade talks with the Chicago Bulls about the Timberwolves' Wally Szczerbiak cooled six weeks ago when the Bulls traded Elton Brand to the Los Angeles Clippers, writes Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press.

Had Brand been offered to the Wolves in a package for Szczerbiak, the Wolves could have made a deal, and they would be without Joe Smith, whom they signed as a free agent.

Hear that, Chicago fans? Maybe the Tyson Chandler trade doesn't look so bad now?

It's a toss up between Gary Payton and Wally Szczerbiak for the record of "Most Consecutive Days in the Rumor Mill".

Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune reports that the Wolves and Bulls are still talking about a trade that would send Szcaerbiak to the Bulls. Before you chalk this up as mere news re-hashing, the news comes from Wolves VP Kevin McHale himself.

Reportedly, the Bulls are willing to part with Marcus Fizer and Ron Artest. But McHale has said the Bulls would have to "sweeten it up some" if a trade is to be made.

In other news, the Wolves have elected to not pick up the 4th year on William Avery's contract. McHale is also hoping to bring back fan favorite Reggie Slater while Sam Jacobson will not return to Minnesota. The Wolves had interest in former Gopher John Thomas, late of the Raptors, but apparently he is not exactly in NBA shape these days.

Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News reports that Knicks GM Scott Layden has tried to trade for Seattle's Gary Payton and Minnesota's Terrell Brandon over recent weeks, without offering a core player, according to executives of both Western Conference teams. Layden's offers, featuring Charlie Ward and Othella Harrington, were laughed off.

The Pioneer Planet reports that Sam Mitchell had a big decision to make in the offseason: Did he want to play, or did he want to coach?

In the end, the 37-year-old small forward chose to re-sign with the Timberwolves, he said Tuesday, because "I still love playing, and given the minutes, I know can contribute."

Mitchell said his contract will last one year, and that he took a pay cut (he made $2.1 million last season) to return to Minnesota. Mitchell would not disclose his salary, but he most likely will make $1 million, the minimum for players with 10-plus years experience.

When it came time to sign on the dotted line, Felipe Lopez thought more about playing time than dollars and dimes. That's why the free-agent guard re-signed with the Timberwolves on Thursday.

The Star Tribune reports that Lopez took a substantial pay cut and could have been paid more elsewhere. He made about $800,000 last season, the final year of his three-year rookie contract, and signed with the Wolves for the fourth-year veterans' minimum of $565,850 for the 2001-02 season. He holds an option for the 2002-03 season.

The money mattered little, he said.

"You can either go for the money itself or you can just go for the pride of being able to see yourself playing," he said. "I think I take more pride, more enjoyment out of being on the basketball court playing than being on the bench watching. You can make all the money you want, but obviously that would not satisfy you."

Felipe Lopez capitalized on his opportunity with the Minnesota Timberwolves and has been rewarded with a multiyear contract. After being released by the Washington Wizards in February, Lopez hooked up with the Timberwolves and ended up starting 10 of their last 13 games at shooting guard. Terms of Lopez's multiyear deal were not disclosed.