Trenton Hassell, the newest Timberwolf, spent two seasons with the Chicago Bulls, "helping" them to a 51-113 record. He got cut last week when his roster spot was awarded to someone named Linton Johnson, an unknown who played his way past Hassell in the preseason.

After being waived by the Chicago Bulls Thursday, Trenton Hassell agreed to a one-year guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves Tuesday, worth in the neighborhood of $600,000 to $650,000.

"It feels good," Hassell said. "I have a little security right now. I know I will be playing somewhere."

Hassell was waived by the Bulls when he and his agent, Mark Bartlestein, did not agree with the club that it was in Trenton's best interest to be placed on the Bulls' injured reserve list.

The New Jersey Nets, Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors also showed interest, with the Heat going so far as to call Hassell "the best defending-No. 2 guard in the NBA" according to Hassell's financial advisor Jeff Cates.

Hudson, who sprained his right ankle in the preseason finale Thursday, must miss a minimum of five games. The earliest he could return, in what was expected to be the sixth-man role and top scorer off the bench, would be Nov. 7, when the Wolves play at Orlando.

Swingman Wally Szczerbiak suffered another setback in his case of plantar fasciitis when he felt a "tear" in his foot while trying to make a hard cut during the team's scrimmage at the Target Center. He left the court immediately and headed to the locker room, making it seem less likely he'll be ready for the season opener Wednesday against Milwaukee.

"After point guard Troy Hudson sprained his ankle in the fourth quarter of Thursday's preseason victory over the Pacers, Wolves coach Flip Saunders called his remaining healthy players the Nasty Nine. But, with Hudson expected to miss at least a couple of weeks while recovering, the Wolves put in a call to Keith McLeod, who was expected to be back in uniform for today's scrimmage, which is open to the public."

"The Wolves waived guard Keith McLeod and forward/center Brandon Kurtz on Tuesday, their first cuts of the preseason."

Szczerbiak's limited progress leaves his availability for the remaining two exhibition games, and perhaps the regular-season opener Oct. 29, in doubt. Saunders said Szczerbiak would practice today and undergo further evaluation. Szczerbiak worked out briefly before Monday's game and then sat on the bench in street clothes.

This from an elite athlete at the peak of his abilities and, at age 27, his earning potential -- in a league paying the fattest salaries in pro sports ($4.5 million average paycheck). With both the clout and sway to force the issue, Garnett could have uglied-up this season with rumors about his free agency and demanded as much as $183 million over the five years.

"(Kevin) Garnett said he planned to talk with NBA vice president Stu Jackson in the coming weeks about being added, or not, to the 2004 Olympic squad. The Wolves forward hasn't made a decision either way."

"The lawyer representing Wolves guard Sam Cassell and former Milwaukee teammates Gary Payton and Jason Caffey in their assault case in Toronto will meet with the judge and prosecutors on or before Nov. 7. Julianna Greenspan, an attorney whose father Edward is handling the defense, said Friday that a trial date or preliminary inquiry will be scheduled at that time."

The players were involved in a fight outside a Toronto strip club this past April 11.