Mike Trudell/Timberwolves site breaks down the team’s future draft picks.
Trudell also started a blog on the team’s site for the summer league:
E) McHale called Carney a: "Freakish athlete (who) can really get up
and down the floor. High-wire act guy. Like all young guys, has stuff
to work on. He’s been working hard this summer. He went down and spent
time with Mark Price at Mark Price Shooting Camp in Atlanta. He spent
money out of his own pocket to go down there and spend time with him. I
think he played more as a rookie and not quite as much last year and
he’s hungry." McHale also said that another bonus for the Wolves is
that Elton Brand won’t be in the Western Conference.
and down the floor. High-wire act guy. Like all young guys, has stuff
to work on. He’s been working hard this summer. He went down and spent
time with Mark Price at Mark Price Shooting Camp in Atlanta. He spent
money out of his own pocket to go down there and spend time with him. I
think he played more as a rookie and not quite as much last year and
he’s hungry." McHale also said that another bonus for the Wolves is
that Elton Brand won’t be in the Western Conference.
F) The Wolves are by no means done wheeling and dealing. McHale and Co.
are targeting both a backup point guard and a backup combo guard. He
said the team still really likes Sebastian Telfair and is trying to
bring him back.
are targeting both a backup point guard and a backup combo guard. He
said the team still really likes Sebastian Telfair and is trying to
bring him back.
Third-year swingman Rodney Carney will play for the Wolves summer
league team that begins play in Las Vegas on Monday. Randy Foye will be
practice with the team this weekend to get acquainted to his new
teammates Carney and Kevin Love, but won’t play in games.
league team that begins play in Las Vegas on Monday. Randy Foye will be
practice with the team this weekend to get acquainted to his new
teammates Carney and Kevin Love, but won’t play in games.
Craig Smith was going to go practice, but with negotiations to re-sign
the restricted free agent at a standstill, he won’t be there.
the restricted free agent at a standstill, he won’t be there.
Jon Krawczynski/AP Sports on Kevin McHale:
It’s been a dizzying, and shrewd, 14 months for a basketball executive
who has been the target of venom from disgruntled fans and fed-up
sports columnists for the past four years.
who has been the target of venom from disgruntled fans and fed-up
sports columnists for the past four years.
It was all part of a philosophical change the Wolves made – from fringe
contenders so desperate to improve that they threw ludicrous money at
James to patient rebuilders trying to develop players and stockpile
assets and cap room.
contenders so desperate to improve that they threw ludicrous money at
James to patient rebuilders trying to develop players and stockpile
assets and cap room.
Now, for the first time in a loooooong time, the Timberwolves appear
headed in the right direction. Al Jefferson is the only current player
under contract longer than 2009-10. He signed a five-year, $65 million
deal just before last season that looks more like a steal every time he
backs his big posterior into the post and scores over an overmatched
defender.
headed in the right direction. Al Jefferson is the only current player
under contract longer than 2009-10. He signed a five-year, $65 million
deal just before last season that looks more like a steal every time he
backs his big posterior into the post and scores over an overmatched
defender.
Now, the Wolves are still over the salary cap, but under the luxury tax
with a young base that includes Al Jefferson, Randy Foye, Rashad
McCants and Love. And they are getting ready to have large cap room
after the upcoming season and even more the following year.
with a young base that includes Al Jefferson, Randy Foye, Rashad
McCants and Love. And they are getting ready to have large cap room
after the upcoming season and even more the following year.
"That’s the mode we’re in right now — get flexibility, get young guys and get them better," McHale said.
There is still plenty of work to be done. McHale is talking to
restricted free agents Ryan Gomes and Craig Smith about returning and
also said he would like to bring unrestricted free agent point guard
Sebastian Telfair back next season. He would also like to add a
versatile player who could play point guard, shooting guard and small
forward, like Jaric did last season.
restricted free agents Ryan Gomes and Craig Smith about returning and
also said he would like to bring unrestricted free agent point guard
Sebastian Telfair back next season. He would also like to add a
versatile player who could play point guard, shooting guard and small
forward, like Jaric did last season.
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