If you thought last week was wild with the Wolves trading for three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, just wait for the rumors that will inevitably explode between now and the start of free agency on Saturday.
The big rumor that popped over the weekend came from longtime NBA reporter Mitch Lawrence, saying the Timberwolves are targeting Raptors All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry. If they can’t get Lowry, they’ll look at Jrue Holiday, Jeff Teague and George Hill, according to Lawrence.
Lawrence’s report comes on the heels of a Chicago Sun-Times report that said Butler had “been in the ear” of Lowry about joining him in Chicago.
“This is rumor season and everyone is going to make a big deal out of everything,” said Raptors President Masai Ujiri in an interview with the Toronto Sun. “I know what Kyle has told me. Kyle has been here working out and he actually just left. I know what he has been telling me and I can only believe what he tells me, not the famous sources. We will see how that goes.”
Now with Jimmy Butler, T-wolves think they can upgrade PG in free agency. Targeting Kyle Lowry first, then Jrue Holiday, J Teague and G Hill
— Mitch Lawrence (@Mitch_Lawrence) June 23, 2017
Lowry has been in the league for 10 years and has been an All-Star each of the last three seasons. He turned 31 years old in March.
I dont do this ever but :
Don't believe what you hear !! Especially if it didn't come from me, and that bs FOR SURE didn't come from me..GN— Kyle Lowry (@Klow7) June 20, 2017
Another possibility is Derrick Rose, who will become a free agent on Saturday if he doesn’t re-up with the Knicks in the next five days.
According to the New York Post, Wolves Coach/President Tom Thibodeau still has interest in reuniting with his former Bulls star point guard.
Rose’s agent, ex-Bulls sharpshooter B.J. Armstrong, told Bleacher Report that Rose wants to stay in New York and he’s will to take a pay cut to do so.
Minnesota has $20 million in cap space, which probably isn’t enough to sign Lowry or Holiday, and maybe not enough to get Teague or Hill. The Wolves can clear cap space if they deal the $14 million that goes along with Ricky Rubio.
League sources say Minnesota, in the wake of the Jimmy Butler deal, remains intent on trading Ricky Rubio as it searches for more shooting.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 26, 2017
But Wolves general manager Scott Layden told KFAN last week that he’s not interested in trading Rubio.
“I think he’s just going to grow on that second half and just keep going and just have a great career here,” Layden said.
Stay tuned. This week could get pretty rumor heavy.
