Just a few days ago the odds seemed favorable that the Timberwolves would be able to line up this fall with a long, lean frontcourt that included Kevin Garnett, Rasho Nesterovic and Juwan Howard.

Howard is apparently no longer in that mix. The Wolves could find out as soon as today whether Nesterovic will leave the team, perhaps for San Antonio.

Howard, the veteran free agent forward the Wolves courted so hard, has reportedly decided to sign a five-year deal worth between $28 and $38 million with Orlando when the free agency signing period begins Wednesday. Meanwhile, Bill Duffy, Nesterovic's agent, told the San Antonio Express that the Timberwolves free agent would decide where he would play by today or Wednesday. Nesterovic is mulling his options in his native Slovenia.

Duffy did not respond to several calls Monday.

"We made a very good offer [to Nesterovic]," said Kevin McHale, the Wolves vice president of basketball operations and general manager. "I talked to Rasho myself [the past three days]. It's not a negotiation, it's a matter of his making a decision. Hopefully he will choose to stay."

Howard, meanwhile, has apparently decided to sign in Orlando in part because of family considerations.

"We worked hard with Juwan," McHale said. "In talking to his camp, it was as much a family as a basketball decision. His wife is from Florida, she has family down there. . . . The money was basically the same, it wasn't a financial issue. We felt we had a great chance, but it didn't work out. Certain things are beyond your control, and that's one of them. You go onto plan B and C."

If Nesterovic were to sign elsewhere -- the Wolves and the Spurs are considered front-runners, with New York being a long shot -- the Wolves' tallest players would be Garnett (6-11), Marc Jackson (6-10) and Ervin Johnson (6-11). Johnson was part of the trade with Milwaukee last month that brought guard Sam Cassell to the Wolves, a move that appeared to create some offseason momentum.