Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor and the NBA Development League announced a letter of intent from Taylor to purchase majority ownership in the NBA D-League’s Iowa Energy.

Subject to finalization and NBA D-League approval of the transaction, Minnesota would become the 18th NBA team to own and operate an NBA D-League affiliate.

“It’s an exciting time in the NBA D-League as we welcome Glen Taylor and the Minnesota Timberwolves to our ownership ranks,” said NBA D-League President Malcolm Turner. “The Timberwolves are the latest in an ever-growing list of NBA teams that recognize the value an NBA D-League team brings to a franchise – a trend I’m confident will continue as the league grows to 30 teams.”

“We’re thrilled to bring the Iowa Energy into the Timberwolves family,” said Taylor. “It’s great knowing that we can develop our young players so close to home and enjoy all the other benefits that come with owning a D-League team. We look forward to growing our relationship with the greater Des Moines area, the state of Iowa and basketball fans across the Upper Midwest.”

The Energy’s current hybrid partnership with the Memphis Grizzlies will come to an end at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season.

Reggie Jackson was asked to respond to a report that the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves were discussing a trade where he would be dealt for Ricky Rubio.

"Thanks for giving me the news," Jackson said. "I don't listen to ya'll. Most of the time, I just go home, chill, kick it and watch TV. Play games. Kick it with my brother. So, I just don't really follow all of that. I'm just happy to be able to wake up and play basketball."

Jackson is in the second of a five-year, $80 million contract.

Stan Van Gundy quickly shot down the idea of trading Jackson for Ricky Rubio early Saturday, choosing not to deny the report but pointing out general manager Jeff Bower has multiple discussions a day with potential trade partners. Van Gundy texted Jackson about it.

"Yeah, I had no idea," Jackson said. "So I told him, if they traded me it was news to me. I appreciate the text, just letting me know that I was his guy. But like I said, I didn't really pay attention much to it. I see ya'll enough here, I see ya'll enough in the city.

"I'm going to go ahead and tune out. So after this, I'm going to go home and relax."

Stan Van Gundy insisted to reporters he will not trade Reggie Jackson to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Van Gundy confirmed a report that the Pistons and Timberwolves had discussed a multiplayer deal headlined by Jackson and Ricky Rubio this week, but he revealed Saturday morning that he has assured Jackson the deal would not happen.

"I texted Reggie and just said, 'This is crazy season, and we're not trading you for Ricky Rubio,'" Van Gundy told reporters after the Pistons' morning shootaround in advance of their Saturday night home game against Washington.

"That was it. I don't normally address it, but the fact that it was out there and it concerned his agent [Aaron Mintz] enough to call, I addressed it. ‎

"I'm not denying that the discussion took place -- they take place all the time. But that's a lot different than consideration. And clearly we didn't make that move."

Ricky Rubio has left the Minnesota Timberwolves for personal reasons and will miss Sunday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

Tom Thibodeau said he expects Rubio to get back into town late Sunday and rejoin the team for practice Monday.

Rubio didn't play in the second half of Thursday's game due to tightness in his left hip.

Rubio has been the subject of trade rumors for much of the season.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons have held trade talks centered around Ricky Rubio for Reggie Jackson.

No deal appears imminent but the two sides have engaged in talks this week.

The Wolves have openly been trying to trade Rubio for some time with Kris Dunn representing the future at point guard. Rubio has two seasons left on his deal valued at $29.2 million.

Minnesota is also willing to include Shabazz Muhammad in scenarios involving Rubio. Muhammad will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

Jackson is in the second season of a five-year, $80 million deal.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are actively shopping Ricky Rubio.

The Timberwolves have attached Rubio to multiple offers with Shabazz Muhammad to several teams around the NBA.

The Sacramento Kings have had a strong interest in acquiring Rubio, but there’s no traction on a deal between those two teams. 

Minnesota has been searching for a "bridge" guard in return to start in the short-term but ultimately back up Kris Dunn.

Rubio, 26, is the highest paid player on the young Timberwolves roster this season. He is making $13.5 million for 2016-17 and will be owed $29 million through the end of his contract in 2019.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have hired Dwight Lutz and Nick Restifo as Basketball Operations Analysts.

Lutz comes to the Wolves after spending the past four years with the National Basketball Association (NBA) as Senior Manager, Game Analytics and Strategy. Prior to his time with the NBA, Lutz served as a Statistical Analyst for Harris Connect, LLC. Lutz also spent time as a Teaching Assistant and Instructor, as well as a Statistical Consultant, at the University of Florida, where he received his Master’s Degree in Statistics. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Trinity University in San Antonio. Lutz also played four years on the men’s basketball team at Trinity.  

Restifo joins the Wolves after serving one and a half years as an Associate Data Scientist, Advanced Analytics at Darden Restaurants. Restifo also spent time as a contributing writer for NylonCalculus.com and as a Basketball Analytics Coordinator at the University of New Haven where he developed, managed, and analyzed statistics for the men’s basketball team. Restifo’s basketball experience also includes time as an advance scout for the Springfield Armor of the NBA Development League and remote consulting for other college programs. Restifo received his Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Connecticut before moving onto Central Connecticut State University where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Data Mining.

Wolves color analyst and Minnesota Lynx Assistant Jim Petersen is one of the best local color men on the air. He joins to discuss his impressions of the Wolves season. Why have they disappointed, what are some silver linings of this season, how are the young players developing, what are the differences between Tom Thibodeau and Sam Mitchell, and much more.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived John Lucas III.

Lucas was signed to a camp deal by the Wolves in August and he made their regular season roster.

Lucas appeared in just five games for Minnesota.

The New Orleans Pelicans have agreed upon a one-year deal with Donatas Motiejunas.

Motiejunas will sign for the veteran's minimum after his four-year deal with the Houston Rockets dissolved. Motiejunas had agreed to a four-year, $35 million deal with the Rockets after months of negotiations Motiejunas also visited with the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Pelicans have stated a desire to add more spacing on the floor and Motiejunas will help in that regard.

Motiejunas was examined by Nets doctors earlier this season and Brooklyn was comfortable signing him to an offer sheet.