New Timberwolves logo revealed

The Timberwolves unveiled a new team logo tonight at halftime of their final home game of the season against Oklahoma City. The new logo will be implemented beginning with the 2017-18 season.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this new era of Timberwolves basketball than with the unveiling of our new logo, in front of our dedicated fans, on Fan Appreciation Night,” said Timberwolves CEO Ethan Casson. “This new logo embodies the emerging culture of our franchise, a solid mark that grounds us in our heritage while adding bold new hues that light an exciting path forward. This mark will bind our fans as a pack and together we will focus on growing and building something special at this turning point in Timberwolves history.”

The logo was created over the past 12 months as part of a collaborative effort between the Timberwolves ownership, team executives, the NBA and Mississippi-based design expert Rodney Richardson of RARE Design, whose resume includes recent identity designs for NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, New Orleans Pelicans, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings and various brands across the world of sports and entertainment.

“It was an honor to work with the Timberwolves on creating this new identity and I’m glad to finally share a piece of our work with the public,” said Richardson. “I learned so much about this great state through the process and my team worked hard to create a logo that Minnesotans could be proud of, one that reflects the hard working, progressive and innovative people of this state.”

The colors include midnight blue, aurora green, lake blue, moonlight grey and frost white.

“From the motion and vibrant hues of the Northern Lights, to the depths and reflections of a midnight forest, to the rich contrasts of this great frozen city of the north, the palette is the perfect representation of modern sport colors inspired by the story of Minnesota’s landscape,” said Richardson. “It’s color with a sense of place.”

Malik Rose name GM of Erie BayHawks

Malik Rose name GM of Erie BayHawks

The Atlanta Hawks have announced the promotion of Malik Rose to General Manager of the Erie BayHawks, Atlanta’s NBA Development League affiliate beginning next season. In addition to his general manager responsibilities, he will maintain his current role within the Hawks basketball operations team.

“We are pleased to announce Malik as the first general manager of our development league franchise. We have been consistent in expressing our belief in the importance of the NBA Development League as we have benefitted greatly from its player and staff development,” President of Basketball Operations/Head Coach Mike Budenholzer said. “Malik will do an excellent job setting the foundation of our basketball operations culture and system in Erie.”

The Hawks and the D-League had previously announced that Atlanta’s new team will play in Erie the next two seasons before permanently relocating to a newly-constructed arena in College Park, GA prior to the 2019-20 season.

“Malik continues to play an invaluable role in our front office and the added responsibility of managing the day-to-day operations of our D-League expansion is a natural progression for both Malik and the Hawks,” Hawks General Manager Wes Wilcox said. “We look forward to a successful 2017-18 season in the NBA Gatorade League and to our upcoming relocation to College Park in 2019.”

Eight current Hawks have NBA D-League experience, including starters Kent Bazemore and Dennis Schröder, while assistant coaches Darvin Ham and Taylor Jenkins both began their coaching careers on NBA D-League benches. Additionally, Hawks GM Wes Wilcox served as the inaugural general manager of the NBA D-League’s Canton Charge while Hawks’ Director of Player Personnel John Treloar served as the first head coach in franchise history for the Erie BayHawks.

“I’m thankful to Tony Ressler, our ownership team, Coach Bud and Wes for trusting me with this great opportunity. We have utilized the Development League extensively over the past two seasons, and in that time, we have seen the incredible value in the D-League,” Rose said. “I look forward to helping to establish our D-League operation and cannot wait to get started.”

A 13-year NBA veteran as a player, Rose appeared in 813 regular season games with the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, where he averaged 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds in 16.5 minutes. Rose was drafted by Charlotte in the second round (44th overall) of the 1996 NBA Draft. He also appeared in 82 playoff games. Rose won NBA championships with the Spurs in 1999 and 2003.

After retiring from playing in the NBA, Rose worked as a color commentator, including for his hometown Philadelphia 76ers. He also worked in broadcasting for the Thunder, Spurs, Knicks, Austin of the NBA D-League, NBA TV and NBA Radio from 2005-10.

A Philadelphia, PA native, Rose played collegiately at Drexel University from 1992-96, where he earned degrees in Computer Information Systems and Education with a Mathematics Certification. He also has a Master’s in Sports Management.

Mavericks add DeAndre Liggins

The Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday were awarded guard DeAndre Liggins via a waiver claim.

Liggins (6-6, 209) was originally drafted by the Orlando Magic with the 53rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He holds career averages of 2.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 9.8 minutes in 118 career games (20 starts) with Orlando, Oklahoma City, Miami and Cleveland.

Liggins most recently spent the majority of the year with the Cavaliers. This season in Cleveland, he saw action in 61 games (19 starts) and averaged 2.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 12.3 minutes per contest. The Cavaliers requested waivers on Liggins this past Sunday.

The Chicago native played three seasons at the University of Kentucky. As a junior, Liggins averaged 8.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 31.6 minutes as a starter while helping lead the Wildcats to the NCCA Final Four in Houston.

Liggins will wear number 14 for the Mavericks.