The Timberwolves will be patient at the start of the NBA’s free agency period, which will begins at 11 p.m. Monday night.
The Wolves won’t be involved in the pursuit of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, but the two could have a major impact on what happens in Minnesota.
After shelling out $120 million last season for Nikola Pekovic, Kevin Martin, Chase Budinger, Corey Brewer and Ronny Turiaf in free agency the Wolves don’t have a lot of extra money to spend in free agency.
Depending on where James and Anthony end up, teams that miss out on those two, could turn their attention to acquiring Wolves forward Kevin Love.
While Love wasn’t traded before the draft, he has reportedly told the Wolves that he intends to opt out of his contract after this season, unless they can work out a trade for him.
FOX Sports Net reports that Chicago, Houston and Golden State could all continue their pursuit of Love, once the top players of free agency are sorted out.
The Wolves won’t be too active early in free agency.
According to the Pioneer Press, the Wolves have a mid-level exception (about $6 million) available to sign someone, but they won’t rush to use it.
“We’ll wait,” said Wolves President of Basketball Operations, Flip Saunders. “Right now, there are not a lot of guys out there that I think are better than players we have on the team. We aren’t just going to spend it just because we have it. If someone pops down and we think it’s worth it, we’ll do it.”
FOX Sports Net reports the Timberwolves could be in the market for:
- PG Shaun Livingston (Brooklyn)
- PG Ramon Sessions (Milwaukee)
- SG Lance Stephenson (Pacers)
- PF Josh McRoberts (Hornets)
Especially, if they are able to move J.J. Barea as part of the Love trade or another trade where they can dump his salary.
According to the Star Tribune, the Wolves announced Monday that they would not extend qualifying offers to Robbie Hummel or Othyus Jeffers, making them free agents.
