It appears the Timberwolves wound up empty-handed in the C.J. Miles sweepstakes.
Saturday, the Timberwolves signed a much-needed piece in veteran Jamal Crawford. On Sunday, however, they missed out Miles – a reported target of Minnesota to fill a void in team depth.
Sources: Toronto-Indiana deal is agreed in principle. Miles will sign a 3-year, approximately $25M deal with Raptors, with player option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 9, 2017
The sign-and-trade deal between the Pacers and Raptors was first reported this afternoon by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It will send Cory Joseph to Indiana, and C.J. Miles will head north of the border to Toronto.
Per Wojnarowski, the deal is “pending” on completion of previously agreed-upon Raptors trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
For the better part of the 2017 free agency period, Wolves fans were hoping they’d see Miles add depth on Minnesota’s thin rotation.
Miles averages about 10 points per game, but makes his noise on defense. He’s been linked to the Wolves in sign-and-trade rumors surrounding Cole Aldrich and – what eventually became the dealbreaker – the first round pick they got back from Utah (via OKC) in the Ricky Rubio trade.
Wolves refused to give up 1st-rd pick for CJ Miles. He was pressing them to make the deal. Raps swooped in. CJ was done waiting
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) July 9, 2017
Tom Thibodeau reportedly told Sid Hartman the team isn’t done – despite having only $4 million in cap-space. He would still like to add 3 more players, ideally “two wings and one point guard, probably.”
…Who is left for the Wolves?
Some names that could Wolves could look into include veteran wings Arron Afflalo, Ian Clarke, or even former Minnesota draft pick Randy Foye.
Point guard Deron Williams had some moments for the Cavs in the 2017 NBA playoffs, but he has clearly lost a few steps over the years.
Wolves fans may remember unrestricted free-agent point guard Trey Burke – the team drafted the former Michigan Wolverines star before trading him to Utah for Shabazz Muhammed and Gorgui Dieng in 2013.
A full list of NBA free-agents can be tracked HERE
If you were among those pining for the services of C.J. Miles in Minnesota, think of it this way: at least he’s staying in the Eastern Conference.
