March 2002 Minnesota Timberwolves Wiretap

Wolves: Brandon might miss season

Sep 28, 2002 8:25 AM

Steve Aschburner of the Star Tribune reports that Timberwolves guard Terrell Brandon may miss the entire season due to setbacks following surgery on his left knee last February. Kevin McHale, the Wolves' vice president of basketball operations, said Friday: "It was 50-50 after the surgery, whether he'd be able to play again, and it's probably still 50-50."

The Wolves are not rushing the 32-year old Brandon and are prepared to play free agent acquisition Troy Hudson as the starting point guard when the regular season begins. "I'm more interested in having him (Brandon) in January than in October or November," McHale said.

Brandon experienced more pain after workouts last week, McHale said, and might not be able to test his leg in scrimmages for 10 days or more. McHale said Brandon would have to have at least a month of practice, with minimal pain, before participating in games.

Brandon underwent surgery on Feb. 21 to repair a cartilage fracture on the surface of his left femur and missed the Wolves' final 34 games. The 11-year veteran also had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage in that knee on Dec. 20, missing 16 games.

As for possible replacements, McHale said the Wolves have interest in veteran guard Rod Strickland. But Strickland apparently is seeking the $1.4 million exception, rather than the veteran's minimum salary of $1.03 million. He also might prefer to sign later rather than sooner, to miss training camp. Longer shots, as free agents or via trade, include veteran Mark Jackson, who was waived by Denver on Friday; Damon Stoudamire; Darrick Martin, and Mookie Blaylock.

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

Discuss
Timberwolves Sign Free Agent Kendall Gill

Sep 25, 2002 9:33 PM

NBA.com reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves have added some veteran experience to their roster. Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale announced the team has signed veteran free agent Kendall Gill to a contract. Per team policy, no financial terms of the agreement were disclosed.

"Kendall gives us depth at a couple of positions," said McHale. "He is an athletic, veteran player who will help us on both ends of the court."

Gill averaged 5.7 points (.384 FG%, .677 FT%), 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 21.7 minutes per game in 65 contests (started 49) for the Miami Heat last season. He missed 16 gmaes with a broken pinky finger in November and December.  

In 12 NBA seasons, Gill has career averages of 14.2 points (.437 FG%, .301 3pt%, .753 FT%), 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.67 steals and 31.6 minutes per game.

Tags: Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

Discuss
Gary Trent says he'll return to Minnesota

Sep 25, 2002 8:11 AM

Steve Aschburner of the Star Tribune reports that Gary Trent will return to the Timberwolves this season. It is believed that he agreed to a one-year minimum salary contract.

With Trent, the Wolves will have 12 players under contract. Center Loren Woods, a restricted free agent, still has not yet accepted the team's qualifying offer. The Wolves still have some interest in free agent point guard Rod Strickland, swingman Kendall Gill and journeyman forward John Wallace. Strickland, a 14-year veteran, also has talked with Boston and Cleveland. Wallace is said to have a guaranteed offer from a team in Israel.

Tags: Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

Discuss
Nesterovic signs Minnesota's one year tender

Sep 7, 2002 2:08 PM

Instead of signing a long -term deal, Center Radoslav Nesterovic has accepted a one-year, $2.4 million qualifying offer from the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN's Ric Bucher reported Friday night.

Nesterovic, 26, played in all 82 games for the T-Wolves last season, averaging 8.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. In his four years in the NBA -- all with the T-Wolves -- the 7-foot Nesterovic has averaged 6.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Nesterovic will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

ESPN

Tags: Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

Discuss