The Minnesota Timberwolves interviewed Terry Porter earlier this week (the full story on that can be found in the previous post(s)), but today David Kahn and owner Glen Taylor sat down with Mike Woodson as a potential Wolves head coach candidate.

As Kahn & Taylor sat down with Woodson, eleven of the Minnesota Timberwolves employees (on the business side of things) were laid off according to a report from the Associated Press.  Many of the 11 employees were a part of the sales department and AP also reports that teams such as Charlotte among others, have begun to do the same amidst the NBA lockout.

Back to Mike Woodson, though.  Mike Woodson is the former Atlanta Hawks head coach.  Before all that however, Mike Woodson was an NBA player spending 11 seasons in the Association.  He was selected 12th overall in the 1980 NBA Draft to the New York Knicks he played with the Knicks from 80-81, with the Nets from 81-82, with the Kings from 82-86, the Clippers 86-88, 88-91 with the Rockets and just 1991 with the Cavaliers.  

He’s only had the one head coaching job—with the Atlanta Hawks from 2004-2010.  His career coaching records stands at 206-286.

Woodson’s defensive mindset is certainly what the Timberwolves need in order to become the outstanding team they’re capable of being, but David Kahn has been adamant that he wants a coach with a real up-tempo style of playing to get Ricky Rubio and all these young athletic guys up and down the court in a hurry.—Most would disagree that this is what the TWolves should be doing—I agree they should play a little more uptempo, but if that’s the case, they need to have an incredibly strong D, ‘run n gun’ only gets you so far!

Woodson was fired (or rather not resigned) before last season (and replaced by then assistant coach Larry Drew) after the Atlanta Hawks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Orlando Magic in an 0-4 sweep.

Woodson is also one of the last two candidates for the Detroit Pistons job—taking over for John Kuester who was fired a month or so ago (Boston assistant and former Nets head coach—Lawrence Frank is the ‘other candidate’).

That’s all for now, stay tuned for all your TWolves news, information & updates even through the lockout!  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

Stay with us all night as we bring you the 2011 NBA Draft updates.  Updated every minute!!!

ROUND ONE

#1 Cleveland Cavaliers (via Los Angeles Clippers)

-Kyrie Irving, G, Duke

#2 Minnesota Timberwolves

-Derrick Williams, F, Arizona

#3 Utah Jazz (via New Jersey Nets)

-Enes Kanter, C, Turkey/Kentucky

#4 Cleveland Cavaliers

-Tristan Thompson, F, Texas

#5 Toronto Raptors

-Jonas Valanciunas, C, Lithuania

#6 Washington Wizards

-Jan Vesely, F, Czech Republic

#7 Sacramento Kings (traded to Charlotte Bobcats)

-Bismack Biyombo, F-C, Congo

#8 Detroit Pistons

-Brandon Knight, G, Kentucky

#9 Charlotte Bobcats

-Kemba Walker, G, Connecticut

#10 Milwaukee Bucks (traded to Sacramento)

-Jimmer Fredette, G, BYU

#11 Golden State Warriors

-Klay Thompson, G, Washington State

#12 Utah Jazz

-Alec Burks, G, Colorado

#13 Phoenix Suns

-Markieff Morris, F, Kansas

#14 Houston Rockets

-Marcus Morris, F, Kansas

#15 Indiana Pacers

-Kawhi Leonard, F, San Diego State

#16 Philadelphia 76ers

-Nikola Vucevic, F, USC

#17 New York Knicks

-Iman Shumpert, G, Georgia Tech

#18 Washington Wizards (via Atlanta Hawks)

-Chris Singleton, F, Florida State

#19 Charlotte Bobcats (via New Orleans Hornets) (traded to Milwaukee)

-Tobias Harris, F, Tennessee

#20 Minnesota Timberwolves (via Memphis Grizzlies) (traded to Houston Rockets)

-Donatas Motiejunas, F, Lithuania

#21 Portland Trailblazers

-Nolan Smith, G, Duke

#22 Denver Nuggets

-Kenneth Faried, F, Morehead  State

#23 Houston Rockets (via Orlando Magic) (traded to Minnesota, then moved to Chicago)

-Nikola Mirotic, F, Spain

#24 Oklahoma City Thunder

-Reggie Jackson, G, Boston College

#25 Boston Celtics (traded to New Jersey Nets)

-Marshon Brooks, G, Providence

#26 Dallas Mavericks

-Jordan Hamilton, F, Texas

#27 New Jersey Nets (via Los Angeles Lakers) (traded to Boston)

-JaJuan Johnson, F ,Purdue

#28 Chicago Bulls (via Miami Heat) (traded to Minnesota) (then to Miami)

-Norris Cole, G, Cleveland State

#29 San Antonio Spurs

-Cory Joseph, G, Texas

#30 Chicago Bulls

-Jimmy Butler, F, Marquette

ROUND TWO

#31 Miami Heat (via Minnesota Timberwolves) (traded back to Minnesota) (then traded to New Jersey for cash)

-Bojan Bogdanovic, G, Croatia

#32 Cleveland Cavaliers

-Justin Harper, F, Richmond

#33 Detroit Pistons (via Toronto Raptors)

-Kyle Singler, F, Duke

#34 Washington Wizards

-Shelvin Mack, G, Butler

#35 Sacramento Kings

-Tyler Honeycutt, F, UCLA

#36 New Jersey Nets

-Jordan Williams, F, Maryland

#37 Los Angeles Clippers (via Detroit Pistons)

-Trey Thompkins, F, Georgia

#38 Houston Rockets (via Los Angeles Clippers)

-Chandler Parsons, F, Florida

#39 Charlotte Bobcats

-Jeremy Tyler, C, San Diego/Japan

#40 Milwaukee Bucks

-Jon Leuer, F , Wisconsin

#41 Los Angeles Lakers (from Golden State via New Jersey Nets)

-Darius Morris, G , Michigan

#42 Indiana Pacers (traded to San Antonio Spurs)

-Davis Bertans, F , Latvia 

#43 Chicago Bulls (via Utah Jazz) (traded to Minnesota)

-Malcolm Lee, G , UCLA

#44 Golden State Warriors (from Phoenix via Chicago Bulls)

-Charles Jenkins, G, Hofstra

#45 New Orleans Hornets (sold to New York for $750K)

-Josh Harrelson, C, Kentucky

#46 Los Angeles Lakers (from New York Knicks)

-Andrew Goudelock, F, College of Charleston

#47 Los Angeles Clippers (from Houston Rockets)

-Travis Leslie, G, Georgia 

#48 Atlanta Hawks

-Keith Benson, C, Oakland

#49 Memphis Grizzlies

-Josh Selby, G, Kansas

#50 Philadelphia 76ers (from New Orleans Hornets)

-Lavoy Allen, F, Temple University

#51 Portland Trailblazers

-John Diebler, G, Ohio State

#52 Detroit Pistons

-Vernon Macklin, F, Florida

#53 Orlando Magic

-DeAndre Liggins, G, Kentucky

#54 Cleveland Cavaliers (from Oklahoma City via Miami Heat)

-Milan Macvan, F, Serbia

#55 Boston Celtics

-E’Twaun Moore, G, Purdue

#56  Los Angeles Lakers

-Chukwudiebere Maduabum, F, Bakersfield (NBDL)

#57 Dallas Mavericks (traded to Portland) (then traded to Minnesota)

-Tanguy Ngombo, F, Qatar

#58 Los Angeles Lakers (from Miami Heat)

-Ater Majok, F, Sudan

#59 San Antonio Spurs

-Adam Hanga, G, Hungary

#60 Sacramento Kings (from Chicago Bulls via Milwaukee Bucks)

-Isaiah Thomas, G, Washington

Another Timberwolves appearance at the Draft Lottery and yet another evening of disappointment for our franchise.  The TWolves had the best mathematical chance of snagging the top pick in this years draft (25%), however the top pick went to the Cleveland Cavaliers (via the Los Angeles Clippers) which had a 2.8% chance of snagging the #1 pick.

Was it rigged?  Who knows?  However, it seems David Kahn believes…maybe.  The President of Operations for the Wolves was the representative this year at the Lottery and afterwards he spoke briefly to the media. “This League has a habit, and I am just going to say habit, of producing some pretty incredible story lines.  Last year it was Abe Pollin’s widow and this year it was a 14-year-old boy and the only thing we have in common is we have both been bar mitzvahed.  We were done.  I told Kevin: ‘We’re toast’.  This is not happening for us and I was right.”

This ‘14-year-old boy’ Kahn is referring to is the son of Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert: Nick Gilbert.  A young boy living with and surviving through a disease called: Nuerofibromatosis-a nerve disorder that causes tumors to grow anywhere on the body at anytime.  Of course there’s more than just that.  A year after their superstar fled his hometown for the glory of Miami, the Cavaliers have a chance to rebuild quickly after just a season of turmoil, now that they have the #1 & #4 picks in next months draft.  Can they thank David Stern?  Who knows!

Who knows, hopefully we won’t be back at the lottery anytime soon, I guarantee you we won’t be next season.  Do I have that much confidence in the TWolves?  I think so, but more importantly, the Los Angeles Clippers currently own the 1st round draft pick of the Timberwolves for the 2012 Draft.

A day after the Draft Lottery, David Kahn stated: “I was joking!”  Stating that what he said previously was intended to be a joke.  In a statement to the Associated Press, he said he wasn’t suggesting a conspiracy of any kind.  Also stating that he doesn’t believe in jinxes or curses, but he does however believe in the ‘power of a story’ and last night for a 14-year kid to win the lotto against a bunch of middle-aged executives was a much better story.  To watch the post-Lottery comments Kahn made to the press, watch the video in the previous post on this site.

There hasn’t been any word from Commissioner David Stern yet, if David Kahn will be fined for his above comments.  According to Ken Berger of CBS Sports, the League is currently evaluating whether or not to fine Kahn.  I’m sure we’ll hear soon enough.

Stay tuned for all the up-to-date Timberwolves news and information all offseason long.  Until then, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

The Minnesota Timberwolves’ trip to the NBA Lottery had them slip down once again.  The TWolves had the best mathematical chance at the #1 pick (25%), but fell to #2 as the Cleveland Cavaliers grabbed the top spot thanks to the Los Angeles Clippers’ pick that went up 7 spots from #8 to #1.

As such, the Minnesota Timberwolves have already stated that they may trade the pick, either to trade down in the Draft or to grab a veteran player-maybe both!

The Cleveland Cavaliers have the #1 and #4 picks and it is almost certain that they will be selecting Kyrie Irving with that top pick.  The obvious next choice: talent-wise is Derrick Williams out of Arizona.  A versatile scoring forward, something they already possess in Beasley.  Other options include the Turkish center Enes Kanter & Bismack Biyombo, both have had their names linked to the Timberwolves.  With Biyombo however, the TWolves could certainly trade down in the draft and get him in the 7th or 8th pick.

Some of the names that Wolves reporters, fans and NBA analysts have been throwing out as far as possible veteran players for the Wolves include: Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies, Monta Ellis of the Golden State Warriors, Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Gordon of the Detroit Pistons…these are obviously just a few of the names that are being thrown around.

I’m sure we’ll have more information as we draw closer to that June 23rd Draft night.  For now, you can find all your up-to-date information and news on the Minnesota Timberwolves all offseason long right here.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

Wesley Johnson of the Minnesota Timberwolves was honored earlier this week, by making the 2nd All-Rookie Team in the NBA.  

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and John Wall of the Washington Wizards headlined the 1st team, along with them: New York’s Landry Fields, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins and San Antonio’s Gary Neal.

Wesley Johnson finished 7th overall in the final voting for rookies (conducted by NBA coaches).  He averaged 9ppg and 3rpg for the Wolves in his first season.

The following is a list of the power forward free agents.  Some, have early termination options (player & team), others are restricted free agents (any team that makes them an offer can be matched by their current team) and lastly unrestricted free agents.

This is a look at all the possible power forward free agents and isn’t necessarily a list of players that the Timberwolves need to target, but rather a list of the potential free agents and what they could bring to the table for Minnesota.

-Tim Duncan (ETO): Tim Duncan in any other color besides black, white & silver!?  I don’t believe it!  You shouldn’t either.  Duncan does have an early termination option and there’s a good chance he could opt out of his contract this summer.  The aging superstar was knocked out of playoffs early last week after his Spurs were defeated by the Memphis Grizzlies.  The big man could opt out, much like Richard Jefferson did last summer: to sign a long(er) contract for more money.  I wouldn’t expect to see the ‘Old Fundamental’ playing anywhere else next season.

-David West (ETO): West has an early termination option this offseason as well.  I don’t see that happening however.  West had that season-ending injury late last season, putting him out for the playoffs, where the Lakers beat the Hornets in 6 games.  Before the injury, the thought was that West would almost certainly opt-out, however, since that injury his value has decreased substantially.  The Hornets have said they want to bring him back and that’s what you’ve got to expect.

-Boris Diaw (PO): Diaw of the Charlotte Bobcats is a solid versatile forward.  He’s a solid three-point shooter who has the ability to bang on the block and shot from the outside.  A lot of his teammates say he has a very easy-going attitude, maybe to easy-going, saying, if he was a little more dedicated he could potentially be a star in this League.  There is no doubt however, that he’ll pick up his player option worth over $9M.  He will be a Bobcat for at least one more season.

-Louis Amundson (PO): Amundson a former-Phoenix Sun signed with the Golden State Warriors last offseason and this summer he’ll have the opportunity to re-up with the Warriors or opt-out.  Amundson is a solid role player, nothing really special.  He plays hard and makes plays.  I’d expect him to resign with the Warriors, if he doesn’t, I’m sure there’ll be a plethora of teams looking for a stretch 4-5 guy.

-Brian Cook (PO): Brian Cook also has a team option for next season for the Los Angeles Clippers.  Cook isn’t a great player by any means, he’s a bit of a shooter, but beyond that, there’s nothing.  If he does decide to opt-out, I don’t see to many interested teams waiting in the wings.

-Jeff Green (R): Jeff Green is a restricted free agent this summer and you can be certain that if the Boston Celtics don’t resign the swingman to a lengthy deal, the town of Boston may riot (after they gave up fan-favorite Kendrick Perkins to acquire him).  Green is supposed to be one of the integral parts of their rebuilding process.  Green is a young swingman with a lot of talents as a point forward.  However, being a restricted free agent, you better believe he will get more than his far share of offers from various clubs around the League.

-Carl Landry: Carl Landry has made two NBA Trade Deadline moves in the past two seasons.  He was traded from the Houston Rockets to the Sacramento Kings two seasons ago and this past season he was traded from the Sacramento Kings to the New Orleans Hornets.  He’s a talented, still youthful forward with a knack for getting it done in the paint and mid-range.  Landry will certainly get some other offers, but the Hornets have been vocal in saying they hope to retain him.  He’s a good player, but he just wouldn’t fit with the players the TWolves currently have.

-Kenyon Martin: Kenyon Martin, the former #1 pick is a free agent this offseason.  The Nuggets could certainly look to renew his contract with the team and continue starting him at the 4-spot.  However, there’s no doubt he won’t be making the near-$16M he did last season.  Martin is a physical power forward, he can handle the best in the paint.  Known mostly as a banger as well.  Martin is a veteran big that will garner some interest and I definitely see him moving elsewhere this summer.  The Nuggets are going younger and he’s not the answer at the four.  Expect him to jump somewhere like New Jersey [this is a possibility, but this is the team he was drafted by just under a decade ago (as the #1 pick)].  

-Troy Murphy: Troy Murphy was traded to the New Jersey Nets and then thrown to the inactive list for the majority of the season.  Before the Trade Deadline he was traded to the Warriors and then waived, later signing with the Celtics.  He’s got minimal minutes, but he’s a great shooter especially for a big man as well as a capable rebounder.  He could be a starter for a lot of teams, but he’s currently a third-string forward for the Celts, needless to say, I see him signing elsewhere this offseason.  The Wolves?  It’s a possibility, but not a very likely one, the Wolves already have Love, Randolph & Tolliver at the 4, Murphy wouldn’t see much more play time for Minnesota.  I could see him in Miami?  LA Lakers?  All possibilites.

-Kris Humphries: I wrote an article a few weeks back discussing Kris Humphries, the Minnesota-native, possibly coming to play for his hometown-TWolves.  Humprhies basically said that he likes playing for the Nets and they’ll be moving to Brooklyn and they’re getting a new arena and he wants to be a part of that, head coach Avery Johnson wants him to be a part of that, and the Nets organization wants him to be a part of that.  I think the indications are pretty obvious, I’d expect you to see Kris back with the Nets for long-term.

-Glen Davis: Glen Davis is a young forward for the Boston Celtics.  This is the third Celtics power forward free agent this summer!  Clearly they can’t keep them all, however, Glen Davis should be back in Bean Town for a lengthy contract.  The big young forward is a HUGE spark off the bench and could even be a starter for some of the teams around the League.  Glen Davis will likely be a Celtic long-term.

-Vladimir Radmonovic: Radmonovic, the power forward shooter.  A deep reserve for most teams, Vlad is currently a member of the Golden State Warriors.  He’s a below-average player in almost every facet of the game.  However, his shooting is valuable, that along with his size, will certainly get him an offer this summer, most likely, not fromt the Warriors, or the TWolves, but some team.

-Solomon Jones: Jones is currently and Indiana Pacer, I haven’t seen him play much and I do watch a lot of NBA games.  He’s a young player who actually got some significant minutes this season and last.  With Tyler Hansborough for most of two seasons ago and Troy Murphy gone this past season, Solomon has gotten some bigger more minutes, however, I remember reading something that Head Coach (at the time) Jim O’Brien said, that he wouldn’t be starting anymore because of his inability to rebound the basketball.  If, however, he was playing significant minutes for a playoff team, he could certainly get a contract offer [granted the Pacers were the worst team in the playoffs (record-wise)].

-Josh McRoberts: McRoberts, another Pacer power forward will also be a free agent this offseason.  If you remember, the Pacers nearly traded McRoberts and one of their draft picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for…O.J. Mayo!!  Mayo is quite obviously MUCH more talented than McRoberts.  I could see Josh resigning with the Pacers this summer.  He’s a big guy with a solid inside game, nothing great, but a valuable reserve for any squad.  I anticipate Indiana to keep him as a 2nd-stringer behind Hansborough.

-Reggie Evans: Evans, the biggest threat to Kevin Love for the rebounding title last season before he broke his foot.  He’s an great rebounder, beyond that, NOTHING.  Evans could certainly garner some interest because of that, but I don’t know how many teams are interested in a big man who can rebound and do nothing else.  

-Jared Jeffries: From New York to Houston and back to New York once again.  That’s the story for Jeffries who was a part of the Houston-New York deal that sent Tracy McGrady to New York and Jordan Hill & Jared Jeffries to Houston.  Jeffries was waived around this past season’s trade deadline after the Rockets had to free up roster spots for Smith, Thabeet, Carroll etc.  Jeffries then hopped back onto the Knicks and even started a few games at center, of course the Knicks were swept in the 1st round by the Celtics.  Jeffries could resign to a few places, but I’d expect him to stay in New York, however, wherever he goes, he won’t get a whole lot of playing time.

-Leon Powe: Leon Powe was waived by the Cavs and later signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.  He’s a great young player who has been part of a few championship-caliber teams: Boston & Cleveland.  Leon garnered some interest after he was waived and I would expect the same this summer.  Wherever he goes, I’d expect him to sign with a solid team that’ll give him some play time, but not likely a team of championship-caliber, the Grizzlies?  Perhaps, however, they’re looking more championship-caliber every game out in these playoffs (currently 1-1 against OKC).

-Steve Novak: Novak, like Radmonovic a tall three-point shooter and nothing else.  He’s had stints mostly with the Los Angeles Clippers, Dallas Mavericks and the San Antonio Spurs.  Beyond three-point shooting Novak wouldn’t be in the NBA.  I’d expect him to catch on as a bench warmer for some team, but I couldn’t tell you who.