On Friday Nikoloz Tskitishvili did a lot of listening, then declined to talk.

He had a long conference at center court of the Timberwolves' practice facility with coach Dwane Casey as practice was ending. Then, after being the last player off the court, he had a long sit-down with assistant coach Bob Thornton.

The subject, clearly, was Tskitishvili's unhappiness with his lack of playing time and his reported desire to be traded. Although Casey wouldn't divulge specifics of his conversation with the 22-year-old forward, he had some comments about Tskitishvili's expressed unhappiness.

"We're not going to trade a player because he asked to be traded," Casey said.

There's more. About Tskitishvili's lack of playing time? Earn it.

"Nothing will be given to anybody in this league...," Casey said. "No player, Skita or [Kevin Garnett] or Richie Frahm, will be given minutes. That's going to be our philosophy, that's going to be our stance. We're not going to trade a player just because he's unhappy. If a player earns his time, he will get it, pure and simple."