Timberwolves forward Sam Mitchell, a veteran of all five of his team's first-round playoff defeats, pretty much knows what to expect this season from each of his team's stars. Forward Kevin Garnett will dunk and grab and lead. And score. Point guard Terrell Brandon will assist and steal and pace. And score. Guard-forward Wally Szczerbiak will shoot plenty of jump shots. And score.
There were moments this summer when Kevin Garnett didn't quite know what to do with himself, days when he felt lazy, inactive, unproductive.
There was no gold medal to chase, no international tournament beckoning him to suit up in red, white and blue. The Timberwolves forward, in fact, had few demands on his time.
Mike Wise of the New York Times takes a look at different "Best and Worst" catagories from the off-season.
Wise does mention (again) the rumored Gary Payton-to-Minnesota rumor that would send Terrell Brandon, Wally Szczerbiak and Rasho Nesterovic to Seattle. Is he merely musing or does he know something the rest of us don't?
Wise's pick for "Player Most Likely to be Traded by February"? Rasheed Wallace.
Wally Szczerbiak never has been more ready, more achingly primed, pumped and straining at the leash to start a basketball season than he is right now.
The question, though, remains: Are the Timberwolves ready for him?
The Star Tribune reports that forward Tom Hammonds announced Friday he has retired from the NBA and will pursue a career in drag racing fulltime.
According to reports from the AP earlier Friday, the Wolves and Hammonds were discussing a buyout.
"These last two weeks have been pretty crazy. I just realized I wasn't going to be able to help the team out physically and didn't want to take up a roster spot."
The club talked to free-agent power forward Gary Trent, but the Wolves decided not to make Trent an offer.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are discussing a buyout with 13-year veteran Tom Hammonds, according to the AP.
Hammonds is due to make $1.8 million this season, the final year of his contract. The Wolves are looking to shave precious dollars off of their Team Salary in order to avoid paying the luxury tax. Hammonds made only 7 appearances last season due to deteriorated cartilage in both ankles.
The Pioneer Press reports that fan favorite Reggie Slater won't return to Minnesota next season. The 6'6" power forward who went from training camp fodder to Playoff hero will attend training camp with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Wolves officials had said it might be difficult to fit Slater, or any other player, onto the team because the Wolves' payroll is so close to the luxury tax threshold, which is expected to be about $54 million. However, Wolves coach Flip Saunders told KFAN radio last week that the team still might sign a veteran free agent before the season begins.
One possibility: Gary Trent, a forward who is recovering from offseason knee surgery and also has drawn interest from Denver and Cleveland. Saunders and Trent's agent did not return phone calls.
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