Minnesota T-Wolves Blog – Page 71 – NBA Blog

Timberwolves waive Greg Stiemsma

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived center Greg Stiemsma. The Timberwolves signed Stiemsma as a free agent on April 13, 2010; he did not appear in a game for the Wolves last season.

Stiemsma, 24, played with the NBA D-League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce this past season, averaging 8.8 points (.541 shooting), 7.1 rebounds and a league-leading 3.6 blocks in 45 games (44 starts). In three playoffs games for Sioux Falls, Stiemsma averaged 15.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks.

Full 2010 preseason schedule

The NBA today released its 2010 preseason schedule, which is highlighted by a comprehensive international slate of games that includes seven contests in China, Europe and Mexico. The preseason slate tips off on Oct. 3, when the New York Knicks visit Armani Jeans Milano – the former team of Knicks forward Danillo Gallinari and head coach Mike D’Antoni – in Milan, Italy, and the New Jersey Nets host Maccabi Haifa.

As is the case these days, the action starts overseas, with a few NBA squads heading to Europe.

I’ve always had mixed feelings about teams playing preseason ball overseas. Because generally it’s just a warmup. I think if NBA fans overseas are going to get a rare taste of live NBA action, it should be the best basketball possible, and we usually don’t see that before the regular season begins.

See the complete 2010-11 NBA preseason schedule.

Timberwolves sign Anthony Tolliver

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent forward Anthony Tolliver. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed.

“Anthony is a talented and versatile player who will fit nicely with the young team we’re assembling,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “He made significant strides during his time in Golden State last season and we’re excited to see the continued growth of his game here in Minnesota.”

Tolliver, 25, appeared in 44 games for the Golden State Warriors last year after a midseason call-up from the NBA D-League. The 6-8 forward averaged 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for the Warriors, including career bests of 34 points (April 7 at Minnesota) and 21 rebounds (March 27 vs. Dallas). Tolliver scored in double figures in 29 of his 44 games with the Warriors and grabbed 10+ rebounds 13 times, including 12 double-doubles.

Despite going undrafted out of Creighton University during the 2007 NBA Draft, Tolliver has appeared in 65 career NBA games during stints with San Antonio, Portland and Golden State, and owns career averages of 9.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Tolliver has also appeared in 56 games in the D-League over the last three seasons, averaging 14.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He averaged 21.4 points and 11.4 rebounds in 14 games for the Idaho Stampede last season before earning the call-up to the Warriors.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Timberwolves waive Delonte West

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has waived guard Delonte West.

As a result of this move, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune the Wolves now only have to pay $500,000 of his $4.6 million contract.

West was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Sebastian Telfair in exchange for Ryan Hollins and Ramon Sessions on July 26.

Last season for the Cavs, West averaged 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

For his career, he averages 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals.

Despite personal and legal issues, West is still expected to find a new NBA job in the near future.

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

Timberwolves sign Nikola Pekovic

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed center Nikola Pekovic. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed.

“We are excited to have Nikola join the Minnesota Timberwolves,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Nikola has been regarded as the best center in Europe for the past few seasons and will be a tremendous addition to our club. He is a tough, hard-nosed player who brings an added dimension of physicality to our team. We look forward to him bringing his talents to the United States and the NBA.”

Pekovic, 24, has played for Panathinaikos Athens for the past two seasons. This past year, the 6-11 center from Serbia averaged 14.8 points on 60.7% shooting from the field, 3.5 rebounds and 16.8 minutes in 13 games in the Euroleague. In 26 games for Panathinaikos in the Greek League in 2009-10, Pekovic averaged 12.9 points on 72.5% shooting, 3.8 rebounds and 21.9 minutes. He helped lead Panathinaikos to the Euroleague championship in 2009, the Greek League championship in 2009 and 2010 and the Greek Basketball Cup in 2009. Pekovic was named to the All-Euroleague First Team in 2009.

The 31st overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft by Minnesota, Pekovic has played professionally overseas for five seasons. Prior to playing for Panathinaikos, he was with Partizan Belgrade from 2005-08. Pekovic helped lead Partizan to three Serbian League championships (2006, 2007, 2008), two Adriatic League championships (2007, 2008) and the Serbian Cup in 2008. He was the Adriatic League Final Four MVP in 2008.

Jonny Flynn out 3-4 months

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Jonny Flynn underwent successful surgery this morning for a labral tear repair and removal of extra bone to his left hip. The procedure was performed by Dr. Marc Philippon of The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo. The typical recovery time for this type of injury is three to four months.

“We expect Jonny to make a full recovery from this procedure,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “In the meantime, Dr. Philippon and our medical staff will work together to provide Jonny all the resources necessary to make his recovery as speedy as possible.”

In his 81 appearances during the 2009-10 NBA season, Flynn averaged 13.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.

Cavs trade Delonte West, S.Telfair to Wolves for Ramon Sessions, R.Hollins, pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has traded guard Ramon Sessions, center Ryan Hollins and a future second-round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for the player contracts of guards Delonte West and Sebastian Telfair.

“I want to thank Ramon and Ryan for their time with us last season,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “With the arrivals of Luke Ridnour, Michael Beasley, Nikola Pekovic and the signing of Darko Milicic, it was clear that Ramon and Ryan would have lesser roles this season if they were to remain. This move provides them a better opportunity in Cleveland and adds to our flexibility both this season and beyond in relation to the salary cap.”

West, the 24th overall pick by the Boston Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft, has played six seasons in the league with Boston, Seattle and Cleveland. He owns career averages of 10.0 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.

Telfair, the 13th pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by Portland, also has six years of experience in the NBA. He owns career averages of 7.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in stints with Portland, Boston, Minnesota, the L.A. Clippers and Cleveland. In his two previous seasons with the Wolves, Telfair posted career highs in scoring (9.8 ppg in 2008-09) and assists (5.9 apg in 2007-08).

“In Ramon, we’re excited to add a young, multi-dimensional guard, and with Ryan, we’re adding a young, athletic center. We think both Ramon and Ryan are really good fits for this team. We’re also happy to add another asset for the future with the additional draft pick,” said Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant. “At the same time, we’d like to thank Sebastian and Delonte and wish them well in the future.”

Sessions, 24, played in all 82 games (one start) during the 2009-10 season, averaging 8.2 points on a career-high .456 shooting, 2.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 21.1 minutes per game. His 3.1 assists per game ranked 8th among all reserves last season. Prior to signing with the Timberwolves before the 2009-10 season, the 6-foot-3 guard played his first two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. He posted career highs in scoring, assists and steals during the 2008-09 season, averaging 12.4 points on .445 shooting, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.5 minutes per game in 79 games (39 starts). In the 39 starts, he upped his averages to 15.1 points on .444 shooting, 4.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.7 minutes per game. Sessions finished the 2008-09 season ranked among the league leaders in assists-to-turnovers ratio (8th at 2.97) and assists per game (18th at 5.7).

The South Carolina native set the Bucks franchise record in assists with 24 while scoring 20 points against Chicago on April 14, 2008, also becoming the first player in Milwaukee franchise history to have at least 20 points and 20 assists in a game in the process. Sessions scored a career-high 44 points on Feb. 7, 2009 versus Detroit and on 17 occasions in his career has recorded double figures in assists. In his three-year career, Ramon, pronounced “ra-MAHN”, has averages of 10.0 points on .449 shooting, 3.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 24.4 minutes in 178 games (47 starts).

Hollins, 25, set career bests in nearly every statistical category during the 2009-10 season. The 7-foot center averaged 6.1 points on .558 shooting, 2.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 16.8 minutes per game in 73 games (27 starts). The 7-foot center scored a career-best 19 points on two occasions during the season (Nov. 25, 2009 vs. Denver and Jan. 29, 2010 vs. the Los Angeles Clippers) and averaged 9.2 points on .610 shooting and 3.7 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game in his 27 starts. Over his four-year career, he has averages of 3.9 points on .541 shooting, 2.2 rebounds and 0.5 blocks in 11.6 minutes in 205 games (31 starts).

Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.

NBA fines David Kahn, Timberwolves for remarks about Beasley

Minnesota Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations David Kahn has been fined $50,000 for inappropriate comments about Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley. In addition, the Timberwolves organization has been fined $50,000 for Kahn’s remarks.

Earlier today, the St. Paul Pioneer Press had reported: “Timberwolves President David Kahn said newly acquired Michael Beasley had issues with maturity and with smoking “too much marijuana,” but appears to have grown since then. “He’s a very young and immature kid who smoked too much marijuana and has told me that he’s not smoking anymore,” Kahn said Thursday in an interview with KSTP-AM 1500, “and I told him that I would trust him as long as that was the case.”

Timberwolves sign Luke Ridnour

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has signed free-agent guard Luke Ridnour. Per team policy, terms of the contract offer were not disclosed.

“Luke’s talent and experience will be helpful to our team this season and beyond,” said David Kahn, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “He will compete for the starting point guard position this season. But no matter what role Luke is playing, we believe he’ll have a positive influence with our young backcourt, much as he demonstrated last season in Milwaukee.”

Ridnour, 29, played in all 82 games for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2009-10, averaging 10.4 points and 4.0 assists in 21.5 minutes per game. He shot a career-best 47.8 percent from the floor this past season, including career-bests of 38.1 percent from three-point range and 90.7 percent from the free-throw line. The 6-2 point guard has played seven seasons in the NBA with Seattle and Milwaukee, and owns career averages of 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Ridnour played five seasons with the Sonics before being traded to Milwaukee in a three-team trade on Aug. 13, 2008.

A native of Blaine, Wash., Ridnour had his best season in 2005-06 with the Sonics when he averaged career-bests of 11.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists in 79 games (77 starts). He has appeared in 18 playoffs games in his career, averaging 9.1 points and 3.3 assists.

Ridnour was the 14th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by Seattle as an early entry candidate out of the University of Oregon. While at Oregon, Ridnour averaged 19.7 points and 6.6 assists during his junior season and was named Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year and won the Pac-10 Tournament MVP Award.

Timberwolves to introduce Luke Ridnour Wednesday

The AP reports:

The Minnesota Timberwolves will introduce point guard Luke Ridnour at a press conference on Wednesday.

Ridnour and the Timberwolves agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $16 million last week. The 29-year-old is being brought in to add some veteran experience to a roster where no other player is older than 25.

InsideHoops.com editor says:

With Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions on board and Ridnour joining the party, the point guard position is pretty crowded. Rumors that Sessions is on the trading block have existed for a while now. Maybe he gets dealt in the near future, and perhaps Flynn or the rights to Ricky Rubio will be moved next summer.