http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/teams/minnesota_timberwolves/83 Recent articles about Minnesota Timberwolves en-us MINNEAPOLIS -- And then there were eight. Eight teams that will pick in the 2013 NBA Draft before the Minnesota Timberwolves in a year where the incoming college talent is either spread out or sparse, depending on who you ask. Following a Draft Lottery bereft of any surprises, president of basketball operations Flip Saunders and the rest of the front office can tailor their evaluations to a now locked-in first-round spot, the No. 9 overall pick, and subsequent selections. This year's class isn't perceived to contain the depth of those past, where names like Joakim Noah, Amare Stoudemire, Dirk Nowitizki and Tracy McGrady were available eight picks in. Immediate help via the draft will likely come to the Twin Cities in niche form. But that's just fine, Saunders said, because the Timberwolves' needs are many. "I think it's the opposite of thin," Saunders said of the talent pool he and his staff are about to delve into. "I think it's balanced. No, you don't have an Alonz Wed, 22 May 2013 14:10:21 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/timberwolves_focusing_on_3_point_shooters_in_draft/13672312 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/timberwolves_focusing_on_3_point_shooters_in_draft/13672312 Timberwolves focusing on 3-point shooters in draft http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/timberwolves_focusing_on_3_point_shooters_in_draft/13672312 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tweet The Minnesota Timberwolves had a rough 2012-2013 NBA season, largely because of two broken hands that kept All-Star forward Kevin Love out of action for most of the year. Love’s future with the team was also shrouded in doubt as his relationship with former GM David Kahn was strained, to say the least. With [...] Wed, 22 May 2013 12:04:55 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/kevin_loves_relationship_with_new_gm_flip_saunders_off_to_good_start/13671124 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/kevin_loves_relationship_with_new_gm_flip_saunders_off_to_good_start/13671124 Kevin Love’s relationship with new GM Flip Saunders off to good start http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/kevin_loves_relationship_with_new_gm_flip_saunders_off_to_good_start/13671124 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/e/eeb6e123ec710636452cbc760d3458227c57dc2c/mini/6825262.jpg (Photo from Duluth News Tribune)   The Minnesota Timberwolves need a lot of luck. They ended the season with their best player, Kevin Love, getting injured. Now they asked him to represent in the Draft Lottery, and Love brought a Rubio action figure for good luck (reasons unknown). Rubio’s jersey number is 9, and they get–the 9th overall pick. Wed, 22 May 2013 03:44:35 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/love_brings_rubio_for_luck_wish_granted_photo/13668826 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/love_brings_rubio_for_luck_wish_granted_photo/13668826 Love brings Rubio for luck; Wish granted (PHOTO) http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/love_brings_rubio_for_luck_wish_granted_photo/13668826 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MINNEAPOLIS -- It's one of the darkest yet brightest junctures in the largely painful Minnesota Timberwolves' existence. Repeated failures have wrought changes at the top of the organization. A success-starved city's cynicism is spiking. Poor luck piles on top of a growing heap of shortcomings. Yet hope endures, primarily in the form of a big-time talent at the forward position and a man named Flip taking command. It's not May 17, 2013. It's December 18, 1995. Flip Saunders just assumed the coaching reins from Bill Blair, who directed a job-costing 6-14 start. Kevin Garnett's a rookie on the verge of becoming a perennial all-star. What comes next is the golden age, so far, of professional basketball in the Twin Cities. Eight straight playoff appearances -- the only ones in franchise history -- culminate in a Western Conference finals berth in 2004. Garnett, who's yet to be matched as the organization's all-time defining athlete, wins league MVP honors that year. With owner Glen Fri, 17 May 2013 10:50:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/adelman_love_tandem_could_be_the_next_saunders_garnett/13638194 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/adelman_love_tandem_could_be_the_next_saunders_garnett/13638194 Adelman, Love tandem could be the next Saunders, Garnett http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/adelman_love_tandem_could_be_the_next_saunders_garnett/13638194 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MINNEAPOLIS -- It's one of the darkest yet brightest junctures in the largely painful Minnesota Timberwolves' existence. Repeated failures have wrought changes at the top of the organization. A success-starved city's cynicism is spiking. Poor luck piles on top of a growing heap of shortcomings. Yet hope endures, primarily in the form of a big-time talent at the forward position and a man named Flip taking command. It's not May 17, 2013. It's December 18, 1995. Flip Saunders just assumed the coaching reins from Bill Blair, who directed a job-costing 6-14 start. Kevin Garnett's a rookie on the verge of becoming a perennial all-star. What comes next is the golden age, so far, of professional basketball in the Twin Cities. Eight straight playoff appearances -- the only ones in franchise history -- culminate in a Western Conference finals berth in 2004. Garnett, who's yet to be matched as the organization's all-time defining athlete, wins league MVP honors that year. With owner Glen Fri, 17 May 2013 10:50:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/adelman_love_tandem_could_be_the_next_saunders_garnett/13638197 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/adelman_love_tandem_could_be_the_next_saunders_garnett/13638197 Adelman, Love tandem could be the next Saunders, Garnett http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/adelman_love_tandem_could_be_the_next_saunders_garnett/13638197 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png MINNEAPOLIS Even after his season-ending surgery, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to rely on Kevin Love to flip their fortune. The ultra-talented but recently sidelined forward will represent the Timberwolves at next week's NBA Draft Lottery, the team announced Thursday. It'll be Love, who played in only 18 games last season due to a maligned knee, who receives an in-person view of Minnesota's 2013 draft fate on Tuesday in New York City. "We are in a good position to add to our current roster," Love said in a release. "Hopefully I can bring us some luck." They sure could use some. Never in franchise history have the Timberwolves improved their draft position via the ping-pong ball derby. This year, they've got a measly 1.7 percent chance at the top pick, a 2 percent chance at second and 2.41 percent chance of drafting third. Minnesota has an additional first-round pick the 26th overall selection and a pair of second-round selections, too. The draft lottery begin Thu, 16 May 2013 17:03:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/love_to_represent_wolves_at_nba_draft_lottery/13633421 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/love_to_represent_wolves_at_nba_draft_lottery/13633421 Love to represent Wolves at NBA Draft Lottery http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/love_to_represent_wolves_at_nba_draft_lottery/13633421 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/b/bb07ea9872cc01155a3e149b256be2b9afb94599/mini/6867072.jpg Flip Saunders would like to add more shooters to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ roster. "We need more shooters,'' Saunders said. "You can't play with one (Budinger) or two (Luke Ridnour). A healthy Kevin Love will help there, but if we put shooters on the floor, you're going to see a much better (Ricky) Rubio.''The Timberwolves were the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA, finishing at 30.5 percent. J.J. Barea led the Timberwolves in three-point shooting percentage at 34.6 percent, while Alexey Shved paced the team in total attempts with 288. Thu, 16 May 2013 12:21:04 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/saunders_timberwolves_need_to_add_shooters/13631357 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/saunders_timberwolves_need_to_add_shooters/13631357 Saunders: Timberwolves Need To Add Shooters http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/saunders_timberwolves_need_to_add_shooters/13631357 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png EL SEGUNDO, Calif. The Los Angeles D-Fenders have named Mark Madsen, a member of the 2001 and 2002 Lakers championship teams, as their new coach. Madsen, a 6-foot-9 power forward, spent nine years in the NBA, three with the Lakers and six with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He retired in 2009 and has since served as an assistant with the D-Leagues Utah Flash (now relocated to Delaware) and at his alma mater, Stanford. Averaging 2.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per year over the course of his career, Madsen may be best remembered not for his on-court resume, but for his post-championship dancing, captured in this video: Madsen replaces Reggie Theus, who left the D-Fenders to coach Cal State Northridge. Theus coached the D-Fenders to a 21-29 record last season. Madsen will be introduced during a news conference on Tuesday. Mon, 13 May 2013 13:47:47 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/mark_madsen_named_head_coach_of_d_fenders/13607477 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/mark_madsen_named_head_coach_of_d_fenders/13607477 Mark Madsen named head coach of D-Fenders http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/mark_madsen_named_head_coach_of_d_fenders/13607477 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/1/81ecfd4383a1b3f7805215da769e4bb7e368451e/mini/marksits_16.jpg The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived guard Brandon Roy, likely bringing an end to an All-Star career that was shortened by knee problems. The Timberwolves announced the move Friday. Roy retired before last season due to knee issues, then attempted a comeback with the Timberwolves this season after going through a procedure that gave him hope that the chronic pain in his knees would be reduced. But after a promising training camp, Roy's knee issues returned early in the regular season. He played just five games. The second season of the two-year contract Roy signed with the Wolves was not guaranteed, making his release inevitable. The 28-year-old Roy was a three-time All-Star with the Portland Trail Blazers. Fri, 10 May 2013 16:59:01 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/timberwolves_waive_brandon_roy/13592468 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/timberwolves_waive_brandon_roy/13592468 Timberwolves waive Brandon Roy http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/timberwolves_waive_brandon_roy/13592468 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/1/b126bfc0aa495175be4dc9be2b0831fc4b6d576a/mini/6658012.jpg MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The Minnesota Timberwolves have waived guard Brandon Roy, likely bringing an end to an All-Star career that was shortened by knee problems. The Timberwolves announced the move Friday. Roy retired before last season due to knee issues, then attempted a comeback with the Timberwolves this season after going through a procedure that gave him hope that the chronic pain in his knees would be reduced. But after a promising training camp, Roy's knee issues returned early in the regular season. He played just five games. The second season of the two-year contract Roy signed with the Wolves was not guaranteed, making his release inevitable. The 28-year-old Roy was a three-time All-Star with the Portland Trail Blazers. Fri, 10 May 2013 16:31:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/timberwolves_waive_roy_save_53_million/13592300 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/timberwolves_waive_roy_save_53_million/13592300 Timberwolves waive Roy, save 5.3 million http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/timberwolves_waive_roy_save_53_million/13592300 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/3/431569ceaccc54fd46ec419ae528207e82b464c1/mini/6711198.jpg The Timberwolves are reportedly finalizing the release of Brandon Roy after a failed comeback for the sixth-year shooting guard, playing just five games this season for Minnesota after signing a two-year/$10 million contract with the team over the summer. This could be the end of his career after saying he was at a crossroads in his career earlier this season, however the former 6th overall pick did reportedly express interest in continuing his career beyond this season in early April. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports: The Minnesota Timberwolves are formalizing the release of Brandon Roy, ridding themselves of the $5.3 million owed him in the 2013-14 season, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. An announcement is expected in the near future. Fri, 10 May 2013 15:50:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/report_timberwolves_release_brandon_roy/13592111 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/report_timberwolves_release_brandon_roy/13592111 Report: Timberwolves Release Brandon Roy http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/report_timberwolves_release_brandon_roy/13592111 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/b/1/b126bfc0aa495175be4dc9be2b0831fc4b6d576a/mini/6658012.jpg The Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in O.J. Mayo Newly appointed President of Basketball Operations, Flip Saunders is looking to pair Ricky Rubio up with true shooting guard to form a dynamic backcourt. Unlike former general manager, David Kahn, Saunders apparently doesn’t believe in stacking the roster with point guards. With Mayo at the 2-spot, he can open up the court with his three-point shooting and scoring ability, creating more opportunities for the Rubio/Love combo to thrive offensively. Mayo would also be one of the few ‘Wolves players that can play defense. Seems like a fit to me Via CBSSports.com/Eye on Basketball: ESPN 1500 in Minnesota reports that the Minnesota Timberwolves might target free-agent G O.J. Mayo this summer. New President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders, who took over last week as GM David Kahn was fired, is reportedly the one interested in Mayo. The Timberwolves were the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA last season, averaging just 31 percent as chronicl Fri, 10 May 2013 12:12:41 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/timberwolves_may_go_after_oj_mayo/13590425 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/timberwolves_may_go_after_oj_mayo/13590425 Timberwolves may go after O.J. Mayo http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/timberwolves_may_go_after_oj_mayo/13590425 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png As the NBA Playoffs continue to roar along, the off-season at some point will come, and just like in the NFL, we will have months of free agent rumors and speculation. Let the first rumor, or potential landing spot for a player begin. Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 is reporting via his sources that the Minnesota Timberwolves are interested in adding O.J. Mayo to the fold. @lonzo218 I’ve heard from multiple angles that Flip will target Mayo. How he’d fit into their equation, not sure. Need necessary cap space. — Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) May 9, 2013 Not sure if Wolfson is reaching here, or just trolling.  I’m not sure where a guard to needs the rock like Mayo, would fit with Kevin Love or an equally efficient point guard in Ricky Rubio. Factor that in with looming cap issues for the T-Wolves, and it sounds like more rumor than anything else. Fri, 10 May 2013 11:27:10 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/report_minnesota_timberwolves_interested_in_oj_mayo/13590098 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/report_minnesota_timberwolves_interested_in_oj_mayo/13590098 Report: Minnesota Timberwolves Interested In O.J. Mayo http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/report_minnesota_timberwolves_interested_in_oj_mayo/13590098 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Flip Saunders fired five members of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ scouting department. Saunders fired international scouting director Pete Philo, regional scouts J.T. Prada, Curtis Crawford and Steve Gordon and special-assignment scout Will Conroy. Philo was instrumental in the Timberwolves’ efforts to land Ricky Rubio. Thu, 09 May 2013 11:05:28 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/saunders_fires_five_members_of_timberwolves_scouting_department/13582844 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/saunders_fires_five_members_of_timberwolves_scouting_department/13582844 Saunders Fires Five Members Of Timberwolves Scouting Department http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/saunders_fires_five_members_of_timberwolves_scouting_department/13582844 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Flip Saunders has started the restructuring expected when he took over as Minnesota Timberwolves president last week. Saunders fired international scouting coordinator Pete Philo, regional scout Curtis Crawford and Will Conroy on Tuesday. The moves were made as Saunders clears room to get a staff together for next month's draft. Philo was instrumental in ushering in a new focus on foreign players. He helped land point guard Ricky Rubio, guard Alexey Shved and put the Timberwolves at the forefront of that growing trend. He also played a key role on draft night. Crawford is a close friend of Brandon Roy's and was moved into a scouting position after he did not make the team last training camp. Wed, 08 May 2013 15:00:50 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/saunders_starts_retooling_wolves_scouting_staff/13576994 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/saunders_starts_retooling_wolves_scouting_staff/13576994 Saunders starts retooling Wolves scouting staff http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/saunders_starts_retooling_wolves_scouting_staff/13576994 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Minnesota Timberwolves replaced David Kahn as chief decision-maker with Flip Saunders. The belief is that Kevin Love's relationship with the organization will improve with a regime change, but sources say Ricky Rubio's camp is disappointed with Kahn's dismissal. Kahn drafted Rubio fifth overall knowing that he likely would not come to the NBA immediately. Wed, 08 May 2013 12:28:42 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/sources_rubios_camp_disappointed_in_wolves_dismissal_of_kahn/13576043 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/sources_rubios_camp_disappointed_in_wolves_dismissal_of_kahn/13576043 Sources: Rubio's Camp Disappointed In Wolves' Dismissal Of Kahn http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/sources_rubios_camp_disappointed_in_wolves_dismissal_of_kahn/13576043 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png In four seasons, David Kahn was the butt of jokes around the league. There were questionable acquisitions, puzzling draft picks and really seemingly no direction. It was a time of some deep, deep embarrassment for the Timberwolves organization if not within then certainly to the outside. His Timberwolves never made the Playoffs. Never got close, in fact. His team's overall win percentage with Kahn as the general manager was a paltry .285, amassing 89 wins in four years. It should be no surprise that last week, the Timberwolves announced they would not pick up the option for the final year of his contract. The team is likely to name former coach Flip Saunders the team's new general manager. Good was done though under Kahn despite some of the comic hilarity. Under Kahn's watch, the Wolves did improve. Kevin Love became an All Star player and perhaps the best power forward in the league -- when healthy. Nikola Pekovic developed into a rugged defensive center... Mon, 06 May 2013 14:46:32 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/david_kahn_not_retained_enter_flip_saunders/13560986 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/david_kahn_not_retained_enter_flip_saunders/13560986 David Kahn not retained, enter Flip Saunders http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/david_kahn_not_retained_enter_flip_saunders/13560986 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png David Kahn said Kevin Love doesn’t have the respect of his teammates during one of his exiting interviews Recently axed general manager, David Kahn, had some words for the Minnesota Timberwolves prized power forward, Kevin Love during his exiting interviews. Kahn noted that his relationship with Kevin Love is over analyzed and he really likes Love, however he thinks he needs to improve his locker room presence with his teammates. Kahn also stated that he thinks Love and point guard, Ricky Rubio could be Hall of Fame players some day. Via Star Tribune Kahn called Rubio and Love two “foundational players” and potential Hall of Famers whom the franchise can build around for the next “seven to 10 years.” Kahn in another interview talked about how he felt Kevin Love may have let his team down by not playing the last few weeks of the NBA season, instead opting for knee surgery. And my feelings toward Kevin, frankly, I really like him. And we’ve had some really productive conversation about the steps he Fri, 03 May 2013 13:29:27 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/david_kahn_says_love_and_rubio_could_be_hall_of_famers_also_says_love_lost_respect_of_teammates/13544414 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/david_kahn_says_love_and_rubio_could_be_hall_of_famers_also_says_love_lost_respect_of_teammates/13544414 David Kahn says Love and Rubio could be Hall of Famers, also says Love lost respect of teammates http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/david_kahn_says_love_and_rubio_could_be_hall_of_famers_also_says_love_lost_respect_of_teammates/13544414 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/7/27b42647f4b09bd6a9575ed41671292db5d900ae/mini/6924508.jpg On Thursday night, Flip Saunders confirmed that he has signed a long-term contract to become the president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Saunders will also hold a minority ownership stake in the team. Saunders spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Timberwolves from 1995-2004. He led Minnesota to eight-straight playoff appearances and a trip to the Western Conference finals in 2003. He later coached the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards for three seasons each. The Wizards fired Saunders 17 games into the 2011-12 season. Since then he has been an NBA analyst for ESPN. The 58-year-old Saunders claims he turned down the chance to be the head coach at his alma mater, the University of Minnesota, this spring. Clearly he has had enough of coaching, at least for the time being. With Saunders coming in, that spells the end of the David Kahn era for the Timberwolves. Kahn’s contract had a team option for the 2013-14 season, but Minnesota has confirmed that... Thu, 02 May 2013 22:50:39 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/minnesota_timberwolves_flip_saunders_in_david_kahn_out_as_team_president/13540148 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/minnesota_timberwolves_flip_saunders_in_david_kahn_out_as_team_president/13540148 T'Wolves fire Kahn, hire Saunders http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/minnesota_timberwolves_flip_saunders_in_david_kahn_out_as_team_president/13540148 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/f/1fadb43529f9c5d6e01c65caec6b1a80193182f0/mini/5914320.jpg After four seasons at the helm, David Kahn is no longer the General Manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves.  The last four seasons have seen some strange statements, stranger moves, and overall confusion out of the Minnesota front office. T-Wolves fans are rejoicing that the guy who compared Darko Milicic to Chris Webber and whiffed on pretty much every first round pick he had is gone while executives around the league are disappointed that they might actually have to make fair trades with Minnesota now. Here's a look at some of the highlights from Kahn's mysterious tenure as Timberwolves GM: He was hired following the 2008-09 season and immediately made his mark on the team during the '09 draft.  He picked two point guards in a row at number 5 and 6 in Ricky Rubio and Johnny Flynn. I'll give Kahn a little credit here; he was able to trade Mike Miller and Randy Foye, two solid role players, to Washington for the pick that became Rubio the day before the draft.   ... Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:31:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/the_david_kahn_era_is_over_in_minnesota/13491961 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/the_david_kahn_era_is_over_in_minnesota/13491961 David Kahn's terrible tenure: A retrospective http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/the_david_kahn_era_is_over_in_minnesota/13491961 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/1/c1af10b570e83f3ed593abbd886126a2d5fd8158/mini/kahn.jpg