Minnesota T-Wolves Blog – Page 23 – NBA Blog

Timberwolves sign Taj Gibson

The Minnesota Timberwolves signed veteran forward Taj Gibson today. News of the agreement was reported earlier in free agency. The signing is now official.

Per multiple reports, the contract is for two years, $28 million.

Gibson, 32, reunites with Wolves President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau after spending five seasons with him in Chicago from 2010-15. Under Thibodeau’s tutelage, the 6-9 forward averaged 9.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 24.2 minutes per game over 352 contests (49 starts). He enjoyed a career year in 2013-14 when he posted averages of 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 82 contests, finishing second in the Kia Sixth Man Award voting.

Gibson adds seven years of playoff experience to the Wolves roster, including reaching the Eastern Conference Finals with Thibodeau and the Bulls in 2010-11. Over 61 career playoff games, including 12 starts, he has averaged 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 21.6 minutes per contest. Gibson’s best postseason came in 2013-14 when he averaged 18.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in five games.

Over his career, Gibson owns averages of 9.4 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game in eight seasons between Chicago and Oklahoma City. He was named to the 2009-10 NBA All-Rookie First Team after being selected by the Bulls with the 26th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.

Timberwolves sign Jeff Teague

Point guard Ricky Rubio is gone, but new leadership is on board in Minnesota.

The Timberwolves signed guard Jeff Teague today. Per multiple reports, the deal is for three years, $57 million.

Teague, 29, played in all 82 regular season games for Indiana this past season, averaging 15.3 points and a career-best 7.8 assists per contest while shooting 44.2% from the floor, including a 35.7% mark from beyond the arc. Teague enjoyed perhaps his best season in 2014-15 with Atlanta when he averaged 15.9 points on 46.0% shooting, 7.0 assists and 1.7 steals in 30.5 minutes per game en route to being named an Eastern Conference All-Star for the first time in his career.

The 6-2 guard owns career averages of 12.6 points and 5.5 assists in 600 games (465 starts) over eight seasons with the Hawks and Pacers. Teague is a career 35.5% shooter from beyond the arc, including connecting on a career-high 40.0% mark in 2015-16. He has appeared in 393 of a possible 410 contests over the last five years and played in at least 79 contests in four of the last five seasons. Last season Teague became the first Pacers player to play in all 82 regular season games since 2007-08.

Originally selected with the 19th overall pick by the Hawks in the 2009 NBA Draft, Teague has lead his teams to the NBA Playoffs in each of his eight NBA seasons, averaging 13.5 points and 4.8 assists in 66 postseason contests. The Indianapolis, Indiana, native averaged 17.0 points and 6.3 assists in four postseason games with the Pacers just a season ago.

Ricky Rubio trade to Jazz became official today

The Utah Jazz announced today that following the successful outcome of his physical, the team’s acquisition of point guard Ricky Rubio from Minnesota is complete and Rubio is now officially a member of the Utah Jazz.

“We are thrilled to add a player of Ricky’s character and ability to the Jazz program,” said Jazz General Manager Dennis Lindsey. “He is an elite passing point guard with great defensive skills who we are confident will be a valuable addition to the team.

Rubio (6-4, 190, Spain) was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves on June 30, pending the physical, in exchange for a protected future first-round pick from Oklahoma City.

“Ricky possesses a great feel for the game,” said Jazz head coach Quin Snyder. “His defense and ability to share the ball coupled with his floor leadership should make him an instant fit into what we are building.”

He appeared in 75 games (all starts) for the Timberwolves this past season, averaging career highs of 11.1 points and 9.1 assists while adding 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 32.9 minutes of action. The point guard finished the season ranked fourth in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.5), fifth in assists per game, ninth in steals and 11th in free throw percentage (.891), and also graded second in pure point rating (PPR) at 10.7 (trailing only Chris Paul). Rubio also registered 25 point/assist double-doubles, including 14 of them in 24 games post All-Star Break, when he increased his averages to 16.0 points, 10.5 assists with 1.5 steals while shooting .353 from three-point range.

Originally selected in the first round (fifth overall selection) of the 2009 NBA Draft by Minnesota, the 26-year-old Spaniard appeared in 353 career games (333 starts) over six seasons with the Timberwolves, and owns career averages of 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists in 31.8 minutes. He leaves the Wolves as the franchise’s all-time leader in both assists (8.5) and steals per game (2.1) as well as point/assist double-doubles (83), while ranking behind only Kevin Garnett in total assists (2991) and steals (747).

Over his first six NBA seasons, Rubio has ranked in the top five in the league in assists per game three times (five times in top 10), and in the top 10 in steals four times. He earned 2011-12 All-Rookie First Team honors while finishing second to Kyrie Irving in Rookie of the Year balloting.

Prior to joining the NBA, Rubio played six seasons (2005-11) professionally in the Spanish ACB League for Joventus (2005-09) and FC Barcelona (2009-11) after making his debut at the age of 14, the youngest player ever to compete in the ACB to that point.

A native of El Masnou, Spain, Rubio has represented his home country at both the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where at age 17 he became the youngest player ever to participate in a men’s gold medal game. He began his international career in 2005 on Spain’s U16 team, and in 2006 was named MVP the 2006 FIBA Europe U16 championships after leading Spain to the gold medal.

Rubio joins what was the most international team in the NBA in 2016-17, featuring seven players born outside of the United States representing five other countries. In addition to the U.S., players on the current Jazz roster now hail from Australia (two), France (two), Brazil, Spain and the Ukraine.

Timberwolves sign rookie center Justin Patton

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed rookie center Justin Patton.

Earlier in the day, the team announced that Patton is out indefinitely after undergoing foot surgery.

The Wolves acquired the draft rights to Patton (selected 16th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft), along with Jimmy Butler, on June 22, 2017 from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen, the 7th overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Patton, 6-11, played in 35 contests over one season at Creighton, averaging 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game en route to earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors. Patton, 20, led the Big East and ranked second nationally with a field goal percentage of 67.6%, which stands as the highest field goal percentage of any freshman from a major conference in NCAA history. The Omaha native also shot 53.3% from the three-point during his line season as a Bluejay. Patton sat out the 2015-16 season as a redshirt.

Timberwolves rookie Justin Patton undergoes foot surgery

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie center Justin Patton underwent successful surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal in his left foot. The surgery was performed in New York by Dr. Martin O’Malley of the Hospital for Special Surgery in collaboration with Timberwolves Team Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Diane Dahm of Mayo Clinic.

Patton suffered the injury during a recent workout. He will not play in the upcoming NBA Summer League 2017 in Las Vegas and will be sidelined indefinitely. The Wolves acquired the draft rights to Patton (selected 16th overall in the 2017 NBA Draft), along with Jimmy Butler, on June 22, 2017 from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen, the 7th overall selection in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Patton, 6-11, played in 35 contests over one season at Creighton, averaging 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game en route to earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors. Patton, 20, led the Big East and ranked second nationally with a field goal percentage of 67.6%, which stands as the highest field goal percentage of any freshman from a major conference in NCAA history. The Riverdale, Georgia, native also shot 53.3% from the three-point during his line season as a Bluejay. Patton sat out the 2015-16 season as a redshirt.

Timberwolves to add Taj Gibson

The Minnesota Timberwolves are making big moves this offseason. The latest adds nice depth to their frontcourt. Here’s the St Paul Pioneer Press:

Slowly, but surely, Tom Thibodeau is getting his old band back together.

Minnesota has agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with free-agent forward Taj Gibson, a source confirmed. The deal can’t be signed until Thursday, per NBA rules.

Gibson, 32, played under Thibodeau for five years in Chicago. He provides needed depth to a front court that features Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng.

Report: Jeff Teague to Timberwolves

Minnesota and Jeff Teague agreed to a 3-year, $57-million deal, with a player-option for the third year, on Friday night, a source confirmed. The deal was reported by the Associated Press just minutes after free agency’s official 11 p.m. central start time.

ASM Sports, Teague’s agency, tweeted just after 11 p.m. that Teague committed to signing with the Wolves. Teague can’t sign a deal with Minnesota until Thursday because of NBA rules.

The Timberwolves had to find a starting floor general after sending Ricky Rubio to Utah in exchange for a first-round pick Friday afternoon. Teague will make roughly $19 million a year over the three years. Rubio was set to make $14.2 million next season.

— St Paul Pioneer Press

Timberwolves trade Ricky Rubio to Jazz

The Utah Jazz announced today that the team has acquired point guard Ricky Rubio from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a protected future first-round pick from Oklahoma City, pending the outcome of a successful physical.

“We’d like to thank Ricky for his time in Minnesota over the course of the last six-plus years,” said Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Tom Thibodeau. “Ricky has been a consummate professional over my time in Minnesota and has done tremendous things in the community. We appreciate all he’s done for the organization and wish him the best of luck in Utah.”

Rubio (6-4, 190, Spain) appeared in 75 games (all starts) for the Timberwolves this season, averaging career highs of 11.1 points and 9.1 assists while adding 4.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 32.9 minutes of action. The point guard finished the season ranked fourth in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.5), fifth in assists per game, ninth in steals and 11th in free throw percentage (.891), and also graded second in pure point rating (PPR) at 10.7 (trailing only Chris Paul). Rubio also registered 25 point/assist double-doubles, including 14 of them in 24 games post All-Star Break, when he increased his averages to 16.0 points, 10.5 assists with 1.5 steals while shooting .353 from three-point range.

Timberwolves waive Jordan Hill

The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived forward/center Jordan Hill.

Hill appeared in seven games for the Wolves, averaging 1.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 6.7 minutes per game. He was signed by Minnesota as a free agent on July 20, 2016.

According to the St Paul Pioneer Press, “Hill’s contract was non-guaranteed, so the move saves the Wolves just more than $4 million as they attempt to free up as much salary cap space as possible heading into free agency, which starts Saturday.”

Hill recently turned 29 years old. He should still have some years left as an NBA backup.

The Wolves attracted big headlines lately due to their trade for Jimmy Butler from the Bulls. They were expected to be a team to watch last season but didn’t reach expectations. But the addition of Butler is serious business. They’ll be a squad to watch.

Bulls trade Jimmy Butler to Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves tonight acquired forward Jimmy Butler and the draft rights to center Justin Patton, the No. 16 selection in this year’s draft from the Chicago Bulls, in exchange for guards Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn and the draft rights to forward Lauri Markkanen, the No. 7 selection in this year’s draft.

Butler, a 6-7 forward, has played six seasons in the NBA, all with the Bulls. The three-time NBA All-Star (2015, 2016 and 2017) averaged career highs with 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game this past season en route to earning 2016-17 All-NBA Third Team honors. Butler scored 30+ points 14 times in 2016-17, including a season-high 52 points vs. Charlotte on Jan. 2.

Butler, 27, owns career averages of 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals in 399 games. The Houston, Texas, native has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team three times (2014–2016) and was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player after the 2014-15 season after increasing his scoring average from 13.1 ppg to 20.0 ppg and his rebounds from 4.9 rpg to 5.8 rpg while averaging the same minutes in each season. Chicago originally drafted Butler with the 30th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft out of Marquette University.

Patton, 6-11, played in 35 contests over one season at Creighton, averaging 12.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 0.9 steals per game en route to earning Big East Freshman of the Year honors. Patton, 20, led the Big East and ranked second nationally with a field goal percentage of 67.6%, which stands as the highest field goal percentage of any freshman from a major conference in NCAA history. The Riverdale, Georgia, native also shot 53.3% from the three-point during his line season as a Bluejay. Patton sat out the 2015-16 season as a redshirt.

Dunn (6-4, 205), selected fifth overall by the Timberwolves in the 2016 NBA Draft, appeared in 78 games and averaged 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 17.1 minutes per game last season. Dunn won back-to-back Big East Player of the Year awards while at Providence (2014-15 and 2015-16). He averaged 15.6 points and 7.5 assists in his junior season, and finished with 16.4 points and 6.2 assists in his senior season.

LaVine (6-5, 185), picked 13th overall by Minnesota in the 2014 NBA Draft, averaged 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 47 games last season. LaVine shot .459 from the field, .387 from long range and .836 from the foul line. For his career, LaVine is averaging 13.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 206 games and shooting .445 overall, .378 from 3-point range and .821 from the stripe. After his first year in the league, LaVine was named to the 2014-15 All-Rookie Second Team.

Markkanen (7-0, 230), the seventh overall selection in this year’s Draft, averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in his one season at Arizona. Markkanen posted shooting marks of .492 from the field, .423 from distance and .835 from the foul line. The Finland native was named Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press, Sporting News and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and First-Team All-Pac-12 last season. Over the last 25 years, Markkanen and Kevin Durant are the players to record at least 69 3-pointers and 266 rebounds in their freshman year.