Timberwolves Stand Pat At The Trade Deadline Despite Numerous Rumors

The Minnesota Timberwolves discussed a three-team deal that would have brought Jamal Crawford to Minnesota up to the deadline before ultimately passing on the trade.

The proposed deal included sending Michael Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers, with Derek Fisher moving to the Portland Trailblazers while the Timberwolves obtain Jamal Crawford. Via Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press:

"Our guys looked at all the alternatives, and in the end, we think we've got a good group of guys on our team who will make a good run for the playoffs," Wolves owner Glen Taylor said. "We know that Ricky's down, but there's nothing we can do about that."

Minnesota is 22-21 and pushing for the eighth-seed in the Western Conference, despite losing Ricky Rubio to a season-ending ACL tear.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The NBA trade rumors long mentioned Michael Beasley and the Minnesota Timberwolves, but the NBA's trade deadline hit at 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon without any reports surfacing regarding a trade in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. It might not be a bad thing, either, considering the rumored deals the Wolves were involved got a bit worse on Thursday.

The most recent rumor that came out involved Beasley being shipped to the Los Angeles Lakers and Luke Ridnourgoing to the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-way deal that would have brought Jamal Crawford from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Wolves. The other moving parts were (reportedly) either Derek Fisher or Steve Blake, but Fisher was sent to the Houston Rockets instead.

Going without a trade likely won't bug head coach Rick Adelman, who said standing pat would help chemistry.

"These guys have built a base, and we've got to somehow find a way with these guys," Adelman said. "If somebody is added, then we have to look at that. That's why I'm not sure what will happen in this league. If teams make moves, you might bring in one guy who can slip in and help. But with only 27 games left and no practices, it's going to be hard to incorporate two, three guys in, like some of these teams are talking about if they make a big trade."

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The NBA trade rumors are changing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, apparently. The deal that is supposedly going to send Michael Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Jamal Crawford from the Portland Trail Blazers might cause the Wolves to give up more than originally expected.

The original version of the three-team trade, or at least the one being most-widely reported, would have only seen the Wolves with the above two moving parts. ESPN's Dave McMenamin has added a new wrinkle, however, reporting that Luke Ridnour might also be involved.

Several variations of the trade have been discussed. One would land Beasley on the Lakers in a three-team deal that would send Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford to the Wolves and Luke Ridnour from Minnesota to Portland. Los Angeles would give up one of its two 2012 first-round draft picks in the deal and use its $8.9 million trade exception, acquired when it traded Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks in December, to absorb Beasley's approximate $6.3 million salary. Portland would also receive the Lakers' first-round pick.

If the Wolves are forced to give up both Ridnour and Beasley in exchange for Crawford, the deal will have gone from good to bad in a hurry, it seems.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors are going to swirl right up until Thursday afternoon's trade deadline and its likely a few will involve Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley. The deal that seems closest seems to be the three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers, but anything could happen as the deadline nears and team needs change.

Beasley knows that, but he's taking it in stride according the quotes he gave the Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda.

"I'm just a pawn in this game," Beasley said after practice. "L.A., Boston, New Jersey, Orlando, anywhere ... I mean, if they decide to move me, then I've got to go. I'm not saying I want to, but it's something I have no control over."

Beasley's obviously been keeping up with the rumors considering he named the majority of the teams involved in what we're calling the Michael Beasley sweepstakes.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The NBA trade rumors were moving quite steadily on Wednesday afternoon, indicating that a deal involving three teams was very close to being done. That apparently isn't the case, however, as Minnesota Timberwolves target Jamal Crawford will be playing for the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.

The three-team trade discussed involves the Wolves sending Michael Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers, Crawford being sent to the Timberwolves and Portland receiving Steve Blake from the Lakers. Trail Blazers beat writer Joe Freeman has put a wet blanket on that deal for the rest of Wednesday night, however.

Coach Mac said Crawford will be in uniform and will play tonight vs Knicks. Said management has not told him to hold Crawford out.

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) March 14, 2012

Typically players are held out of games if they're close to being traded so the deal isn't blocked by an injury that evening. The Blazers are either not worried about that possibility or they're not as close to the rumored deal as it seemed earlier in the day.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors are flowing pretty freely around Michael Beasley of the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he's been able to take it all in stride. That's what players should do since they typically don't have a say either way, but Beasley seems more relaxed than most.

The Wolves forward talked to the Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda on Wednesday afternoon about the looming trade deadline, saying he's not too worried about what happens in the next 24 hours.

"Twenty-four hours from now? Whooooo," Beasley said, his voice rising when asked if he still expected to wear a Wolves uniform Thursday night at Utah. "I mean, of course. But if I'm not, I'm not.

"I'm just a pawn in this game. L.A. Boston, New Jersey, Orlando, anywhere they decide to move me, then I've got to go. I'm not saying I want to, but that's something I have no control over. I'd love to stay here. It don't make it no easier if I've got to up and move. I got a nice-sized house with a lot of things inside of it, but I'd rather stay. If I've got to go, it's just business."

Leaving a house with "a lot of things inside of it" can't be easy, but could soon become a reality for the Wolves enigmatic forward.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

There are quite a few NBA trade rumors circulating around Michael Beasley and the Minnesota Timberwolves, which makes sense considering there have been reports out there for quite awhile saying that Beasley is on the trading block. Not everyone believes the anonymous sources, however.

Beasley's status as a player everyone is trying to trade for has been inflated, according to ESPN's Chad Ford. The analyst expounded during his weekly chat on Wednesday afternoon.

I love that story ... "Beasley is a VERY hot topic ..." and "many" teams are interested ... and it's from a Minnesota source. What do you think they're going to say? No one wants the guy. Clearly they want to move him and clearly they're trying to create a market for him. Whether any of this is actually real? I haven't found a team dying to get their hands on Beasley. I think some would take him for the right price ... but teams aren't lined up to give away assets for him.

It sounds like Ford might not be a big Beasley fan, huh?

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The latest NBA trade rumors indicate that the Minnesota Timberwolves are once again involved in discussions regarding a deal that would net them Jamal Crawford from the Portland Trail Blazers. Nothing is done yet, but the reports pertaining to Crawford have gotten back to him ... and he seems a bit perturbed.

There's apparently been a mutiny on the Blazers roster and local sports columnist and radio host John Canzano is working to get to the bottom of it. He was able to get a hold of Crawford and the shooting guard was a bit defensive regarding his status with the Blazers.

Reached Jamal Crawford who said he doesn't have "enough power to try and get a guy fired."

"Check my quotes since I've been here. Never thrown anyone under the bus-- coach or teammate! I pride myself on being a pro and doing whatever is asked," Crawford said. "I don't even have enough juice to say that I want to play the position I signed up for (shooting guard)."

Canzano notes that Crawford has been "a good soldier" this season, but that final sentence indicates he might not be completely happy with his role in Portland.

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The three-team deal that would bring Jamal Crawford to Minnesota and send Michael Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers will likely include Lakers guard Derek Fisher as well, according to Charley Walters of The St. Paul Pioneer Press:

Don't be surprised if the Minnesota Timberwolves trade forward Michael Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers and acquire guard Jamal Crawford from Portland in a three-team deal that would send Lakers guard Derek Fisher to the Trail Blazers.

Crawford, 31, could help bolster the Timberwolves backcourt after the devastating loss of Ricky Rubio to a season-ending ACL tear. He is averaging 14.2 points and 3.7 assists per game in a reserve role for the Blazers. Beasley, meanwhile, is averaging 11.8 points per game in a reduced role this season.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

Michael Beasley has been pretty solid this season for the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it seems he'll be dealt rather soon as the latest NBA trade rumors indicate that he's on his way to the Los Angeles Lakers. It's unclear exactly what the Lakers would be sending to the midwest in the trade, if anything, as of yet.

The Lakers are an interesting destination for Beasley considering it wasn't that long ago (February 29 to be exact) that it was reported Los Angeles rejected a deal that would have sent the enigmatic forward to Los Angeles. At the time the rumored deal was supposedly involving the Wolves receiving a first round pick in return for Beasley, but the Lakers weren't interested.

It's unclear what the Lakers would have to give up in the new deal that Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday afternoon. Whatever it is likely won't involve the Wolves as they're set to receive Jamal Crawford from the Portland Trail Blazers and send away Beasley, meaning their involvement likely won't involve any other major parts unless it's a larger trade than currently reported.

The Blazers would then be slated to get whatever is involved in return from the Lakers, but might it be better for the Wolves to just deal directly with Los Angeles? If the Lakers are not interested in trading away a first round pick, it's going to be interesting to see what Portland is asking for from the Lakers in return for giving up Beasley -- and if the player or pick might suit the Wolves better than Crawford

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The latest NBA trade rumors indicate that the Minnesota Timberwolves are once again involved in a three-way trade. Unlike the rumored deal on Tuesday night that was mostly involving minor players, Wednesday afternoon's deal involves sending Michael Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that would send Jamal Crawford from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Wolves.

Pieces of this deal have been talked about quite a bit for the past month and, while they have been rumored to be on and off several times, the trades have been made into a three-team trade that will apparently satisfy everyone involved. Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski broke the renewed talks on Twitter, saying "they're gathering momentum."

It's unclear what the Blazers would receive as part of the trade or what the Lakers would need to give up, but the Wolves have been involved in numerous deals in hopes of finding a starting shooting guard.

Whether unloading Beasley straight up for Crawford is worth it is a whole other column, but it appears that Crawford will join the likes of Jason Richardson and whoever else is out there as Minnesota trade possibilities in the final 24 hours before the NBA trade deadline.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

With the NBA trade deadline on Thursday, the Minnesota Timberwolves could go either way. There are rumors swirling that they're in discussions with several teams, but they could also stand pat.

Considering all of the rumors though, it seems like the Timberwolves are trying to do something. The latest rumor, according to Alex Kennedy at Hoops World, has them swinging a three-team deal with the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs:

In the rumored deal, the Spurs would acquire Josh Howard, the Timberwolves would acquire C.J. Miles and Jamaal Tinsley and the Jazz would acquire Danny Green and Wayne Ellington. Other players and draft picks will likely be included in the finalized trade.

Utah holds a $10.9 million traded-player exception and San Antonio holds a $854,400 traded-player exception as well.

Nothing is "imminent," but the talks are supposedly ongoing. Miles is averaging 9.4 points on a measly 33 percent shooting from beyond the arc while Jamal Tinsley has only played in eight games this year.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors are flowing a bit more freely with the trade deadline less than 48 hours away. The newest rumor might need to be taken with a grain of salt, but it's an interesting one that involves the Minnesota Timberwolves dealing for Orlando Magic shooting guard Jason Richardson.

Jarrod Rudolph, a RealGM contributor known as MisterRudolph on Twitter, posted early Tuesday evening that the Magic are in discussions with the Wolves regarding Richardson according to "league sources."

League sources have told me the Magic are having discussions with Minnesota regarding a trade for Jason Richardson.

— Jarrod N Rudolph (@MisterRudolph) March 13, 2012

Rudolph is based in Orlando, something worth noting considering the Magic have something to gain by leaking as many trade rumors as possible in order to improve the market surrounding Dwight Howard. Speaking of Howard, however, the player the Magic could be targeting in return might be Michael Beasley considering the Ken Berger reports from earlier this month.

It hasn't been reported earlier that Beasley and Howard are good friends or anything, but considering Berger is reporting that both the Nets and Magic are interested in his services in hopes of wooing Howard, there must be something there. It'd be interesting to see what the Magic are offering in return.

Trading Beasley for Richardson probably doesn't make complete sense straight up considering the latter is owed $24 million over the next four years whereas Beasley could become a free agent this season.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors have swirled around the Minnesota Timberwolves over the past month or so, but the Ricky Rubio injury limited the availability of the back court players available. The front court might not be available, either, if the Wolves decide their chemistry is too important.

Minnesota picked up a solid win against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night, their second game without Rubio, and head coach Rick Adelman was of course asked possible trade with the deadline just a few days away. He answered as a coach would, too, making it sound like the Wolves might be better off by not making a trade.

"These guys have built a base, and we've got to somehow find a way with these guys," Adelman said. "If somebody is added, then we have to look at that. That's why I'm not sure what will happen in this league. If teams make moves, you might bring in one guy who can slip in and help. But with only 27 games left and no practices, it's going to be hard to incorporate two, three guys in, like some of these teams are talking about if they make a big trade."

If the Wolves are able to get better and perhaps find a starting shooting guard, it definitely makes sense to make a trade. If Adelman isn't sure he can incorporate the new guys, however, maybe it'd be better if they just stand pat and wait for the offseason -- especially if they continue to compete.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

There really aren't many NBA trade rumors left to be discussed for the Minnesota Timberwolves, in part because they've been involved in almost everything already and partially because Luke Ridnour is no longer expendable following the Ricky Rubio injury. Another name was brought up on Monday, though it isn't exactly a new name.

The Timberwolves were mentioned as a potential destination for Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions in an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The name will be familiar to Wolves fans, of course, because Minnesota actually traded Sessions to the Cavs in 2010 as part of the trade that brought Sebastian Telfair and Delonte West to the Wolves.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks are two teams rumored to have interest in Sessions. The Minnesota Timberwolves, fighting for a Western Conference playoff spot, might also be calling the Cavaliers after the season-ending knee injury to point guard Ricky Rubio.

Sessions is averaging 10.6 points and 5.1 assists as rookie Kyrie Irving's backup in Cleveland while shooting better from beyond the arc than he has in his entire career. It wouldn't be a bad thing to add him to the backcourt considering his versatility, but his asking price would likely be more than what the Wolves should give up for a backup guard at this point in the season.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The NBA trade rumors surrounding the Minnesota Timberwolves to this point in the season have primarily focused on trading away either Michael Beasley or Luke Ridnour, the team's other point guard. With the Ricky Rubio injury, however, David Kahn and the rest of the front office might need to make a move to shore up the lead guard role.

Ridnour has played better than expected this season and J.J. Barea can be outstanding when healthy, but that has been extremely hit-and-miss this season. Kahn isn't ready to say the Wolves need to trade for a point guard, however, according to comments he made to the Pioneer Press.

"We're not the first team to have a star player incur an injury," Kahn said. "We have a lot of season to play. I'm very optimistic of the competitiveness of this team that has been shown on a nightly basis. This team has a great upside in the years to come."

Kahn indicated, however, that he will continue talking with teams about possible moves leading up to Thursday's trade deadline.

"If we see something out there that makes us better without jeopardizing the long-term future of the franchise, we'll do it," Kahn said. "We don't want to make this seem like it's an all-or-nothing opportunity for Malcolm. We haven't seen enough of him. I'm confident we'll do what's appropriate for the team."

Malcolm Lee probably isn't the answer as a backup point guard, at least based on what this author saw during his stints in the NBA D-League, but Ridnour and Barea would be just fine if the latter stays healthy.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors have primarily included the same few players from the Minnesota Timberwolves as Michael Beasley, Luke Ridnour or Derrick Williams have all been included in the rumored deals as of late. Friday night's Ricky Rubio injury may complicate things for the time being, at least until the scheduled MRI is complete, but there apparently other Wolves being offered to opposing teams.

Obviously everything is up in the air as of Saturday morning, but Ken Berger of CBS Sports posted on Friday night that Minnesota has added a few players to the trading block.

In addition to Michael Beasley, who is on the radar for the Lakers, Celtics, Magic and Nets, the Timberwolves are gaging interest in Anthony Tolliver and Wayne Ellington, sources said.

Considering neither player has been a consistent contributor in the rotation this season, that probably isn't a big deal. Both have shown in the past that they can be good in spurts, though, so it'll be interesting to see what the Wolves would be able to fetch in return.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The Los Angeles Lakers are playing the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center on Thursday night, but the story surrounding the visiting team doesn't have anything to do with things happening on the court. Instead, trade rumors are the hot topic as Pau Gasol has reportedly been traded.

NBA trade rumors have surrounded the Lakers and Wolves for the past few weeks, but there's no indication with which team the Lakers are making a deal. There are strong indications from Lakers insider Roland Lazenby that Los Angeles does have a deal done, however, to move their All-Star big man.

It seems we'll soon be getting news that Gasol has been traded. No details confirmed, but he's apparently gone.

— Roland Lazenby (@lazenby) March 9, 2012

Considering the Chris Paul fiasco, it's good to remind that nothing is official. Only whispers, but it's a whispering NBA world these days

— Roland Lazenby (@lazenby) March 9, 2012

There were NBA trade rumors, of course, that the Wolves were interested in trading for Pau Gasol while possibly sending rookie Derrick Williams to the Lakers. It didn't sound like a good idea at the time and things haven't really changed, but that's likely what Los Angeles would be looking for in exchange for the 7-foot Spaniard.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors have been flowing all around the Minnesota Timberwolves for the past few weeks, but they'll all come to a halt with Thursday's NBA trade deadline. Prior to that happening, however, it seems the Wolves will be without forward Michael Beasley.

Beasley is coveted by quite a few teams, as we've reported in this StoryStream, and that puts him in rare air. According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Wolves forward is likely going to be the biggest name dealt by March 15.

Given the leaguewide skepticism about Howard, Rondo or Gasol getting dealt -- ditto for Nash and Josh Smith, too -- Minnesota's Michael Beasley might well rank as the player of prominence most likely to be moved at this stage.

And that's only if Beasley's status as the No. 2 overall pick from the 2008 draft can still enable us to get away with calling him prominent.

Whether it's to the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, New Jersey Nets or anyone else, it seems like there are just six days remaining until Beasley jerseys are put on the clearance rack in the Timberwolves team store.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The majority of the NBA trade rumors swirling around the Minnesota Timberwolves have involved Michael Beasley as apparently nearly ever team in the league wants a piece of SuperCoolBeas. The Wolves themselves are looking at a shooting guard however -- and may need to pay a high price if they covet Jamal Crawford of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Crawford is only signed with the Blazers for the rest of the season, but the Blazers want quite a bit in return for him. Quite a bit in this case is a starting-caliber player and a first round pick, according to CBS Sports' Ken Berger.

The Trail Blazers have been among the most active teams, seeking to move Jamal Crawford and acquire a big man -- either in the same or separate deals. The asking price for Crawford, however, includes a first-round pick in addition to Luke Ridnour (Timberwolves) or Eric Bledsoe (Clippers). Depending on what point guard the Blazers can bring back in a deal, they'd also be in a position to put Raymond Felton out of his misery. Felton's up-tempo style and Nate McMillan's deliberate offense clearly are not fitting together. "They've got to make major changes," one executive said.

The Wolves definitely need a shooting guard, but if the asking price is Ridnour and a first round pick, it's doubtful they make the deal. Rather it's doubtful they should make the deal, but, well ... Kahn.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

It seems every time someone posts a new NBA trade rumor, Michael Beasley and the Minnesota Timberwolves are involved. That's partially because everyone knows that David Kahn is shopping the Wolves forward, of course, but it's astounding how many teams have shown interest with a week still left before the NBA trade deadline.

The latest rumors swirling around Beasley, according to Ken Berger from CBS Sports, now involve the Orlando Magic. It seems contingent on them convincing Dwight Howard to stay, though, according to Berger.

It's no secret that Minnesota is likely to trade Michael Beasley, with the most interested potential suitors being the Boston, the Lakers and Orlando. The Magic are pursuing multiple avenues in an attempt to improve the team in the hopes that a long playoff run could persuade Howard to stay. If Orlando holds off on trading Howard at the deadline, sources say Beasley could be a viable piece for the Nets to add as they try to upgrade their talent to make the team more attractive to Howard and Deron Williams.

It hasn't been reported earlier that Beasley and Howard are good friends or anything, but considering Berger is reporting that both the Nets and Magic are interested in his services in hopes of wooing Howard, there must be something there. It'd be interesting to see what the Magic are offering in return.

For those keeping track, by the way, the Magic now join the Nets, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers as teams that are interested in Beasley's services.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The most recent NBA trade rumors have indicated that there's a deal forming between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Portland Trail Blazers that would ship Luke Ridnour to the coast for Jamal Crawford. Though there doesn't seem to be anything more than rumblings as of now, the fans have obviously caught wind of the rumored transaction.

The Wolves were able to defeat the Blazers on Wednesday night at the Target Center and, complicating the fact that his team lost, Crawford was also being heckled. The fact that he was heckled on the road wasn't a big deal, of course, but the Oregonian's Joe Freeman notes the hecklers used some original material.

As Crawford headed to the bench late in the fourth quarter, with a Blazers loss in sight, a fan from the front row shouted, "It's OK, Jamal. You're going to be a Timberwolf soon."

The player Crawford was at the Target Center likely isn't what the Timberwolves have in mind when looking for a shooting guard, but it sounds as though he's been a bit distracted by the swirling rumors.

"I think at the end of the day, we're only human," said Crawford, who made 3 of 13 shots and scored six points. "So no matter what somebody says, I'm sure it's in the back of their heads. They hear about the rumors and stuff. But we have to be professional and go out and do the best job we can."

If Wes Johnson plays as well as he did Wednesday night, the rumors may be put on hold. The likeliness of that happening isn't very high, however.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors are going to be batted around quite a bit until next week's NBA trade deadline and Michael Beasley is seemingly going to be involved in all of them. The Los Angeles Lakers have been the main suitors in most of the reports, but there are plenty of other teams apparently interested in the services of the Minnesota Timberwolves forward.

The Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics and Lakers are all interested in acquiring Beasley before the March 15 deadline, according to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press. All of those teams have been mentioned in the past, though Wolters says all "have recently inquired" about trading for Beasley.

Who knows where the recent inquiries have gone, but the last time a rumor came up involving Beasley and the Warriors was this past summer when Monta Ellis was apparently discussed. The reported Celtics player is Jermaine O'Neal, the Wolves are said to be interested in Anthony Morrow from the Nets and there are quite a few different trading scenarios involving Minnesota and the Lakers.

It all depends on the ancillary parts, but if Beasley has to be traded, it seems the best value available from the deals mentioned above would be Ellis. Morrow's ability to shoot wouldn't hurt, but the Wolves would likely need more for Beasley.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The latest NBA trade rumors haven't included the previously discussed deals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers as of late, but the Wolves are still being included in rumors regarding deadline deals with other teams.

The latest report, courtesy of CSN's Dwight Jaynes, adds Luke Ridnour to the discussion while furthering the rumor that suggested Minnesota might be interested in Jamal Crawford.

There is something to all the talk of Portland sending Jamal Crawford to Minnesota for Luke Ridnour. There's no getting around the fact that Nate McMillan seems to prefer using Wesley Matthews as the backup shooting guard over Crawford. If that's the case, with Nic Batum now firmly ensconced in his rightful position as the starting shooting guard, Crawford isn't going to get the minutes he deserves. If that's the case, move him and move him as soon as possible. I'm not sure what they were thinking of by bringing him here in the first place.

Crawford might not be the answer the Wolves are looking for at the shooting guard position, but if J.J. Barea can ever stay healthy, Ridnour would certainly be expendable and Crawford's proven to be a solid player in the past.

At this point, it seems the Wolves are going to be involved in a trade before the March 15 deadline. The only question that remains is for which shooting guard from what team.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The NBA trade rumors will likely continue to heat up until the March 15 deadline and, if the last month is any indication, the Minnesota Timberwolves will continue to be heavily involved. The latest rumbling isn't quite to rumor status just yet, but it does make sense.

The Wolves have an obvious opening for a two-guard and, according to the Star Tribune's Jerry Zgoda, Portland Trail Blazers guard Jamal Crawford might be a player to keep an eye on as the deadline approaches.

And the Wolves tried to sign shooting guard Jamal Crawford in December, but he opted to go with the Blazers instead and now is starting at point guard for them. Keep an eye on Crawford in the coming 11 days before the trade deadline: He said before tonight's game that he came "really close" to signing with the Wolves in December.

"Toward the end of it, I wasn't sure how interested or serious they were. I think they wanted me to be more patient and at that time, I was kind of running out of time. I wanted to be in camp before the season started."

With the Blazers in danger of imploding here -- they've lost five of their last seven at home and are a long way from that team that started the season 7-2 -- and with the Blazers able to terminate Crawford's deal after this season, they just might be willing to deal him away for something if the Wolves coming calling.

Crawford noted in Zgoda's article that he's a big fan of Rick Adelman's offense, too, meaning he probably wouldn't be a player that was disappointed in being traded to Minnesota.

Crawford is more of a scorer than a player Ricky Rubio can kick it out to, however, making him a less than perfect fit in the Minnesota offense. The Wolves do need an upgrade, however, and Crawford's shown he can be a pretty good player in the right situation.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles look like they're destined to be trade partners before the trade deadline. If it's not a deal involving Michael Beasley, it might be one for Pau Gasol. Sports Illustrated's sources are saying that the Timberwolves want Gasol, which ties into the already rumored Derrick Williams for Pau Gasol discussions:

Sources say Minnesota general manager David Kahn is still attempting to land Gasol, and that push is likely to continue all the way until the deadline.

Whether or not the Lakers pull a trigger on that type of deal might hinge on another deal they're working on being made. If Minnesota were to land Gasol, it would certainly show that GM David Kahn is clearly in win-now mode, as Gasol is 31-years-old and not getting any younger.

For more on Minnesota Timberwolves trade talk, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

Last week it was reported that the Los Angeles Lakers, who are expected to be very active before the NBA's trade deadline, turned down a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves that would have landed LA some scoring punch in Michael Beasley in exchange for a draft pick. Despite rebuffing, the Lakers continue to be interested in the forward, according to Sports Illustrated:

The Lakers are well aware that they need scoring and point guard help, thus their continued interest in Minnesota's Michael Beasley and Cleveland's Ramon Sessions.

Beasley, whose scoring and playing time are down significantly under first-year T-wolves coach Rick Adelman, is making $6.2 million this season (prorated for the 66-game season) and is a restricted free agent this offseason.

Of course, the same reasons they rejected the first reported offer is why they may wind up not acquiring the fourth year player -- they supposedly do not want to dip too far into the luxury tax in order to pay him.

For more on Minnesota Timberwolves trade talk, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors continue to circulate around Michael Beasley and the Minnesota Timberwolves. After the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly rejected a deal for Beasley on Wednesday, the Boston Celtics have popped up in the conversation revolving around the enigmatic forward.

Beasley tied for a team-high as he scored 14 points in Wednesday night's loss to the Lakers, but he's obviously still on the trading block as he continues to pop up in these types of conversations. The latest deal would net the Wolves a veteran center, according to Fox Sports' Sam Amico.

And the scuttlebutt before Tuesday's game was that the Celtics might be looking to make a deal that involves sending veteran center Jermaine O'Neal to Minnesota and landing young forward Michael Beasley in return.

Either general manager David Kahn has asked for a veteran center or teams think that's what the Wolves are interested in as the Wolves have also been linked quite a bit to Lakers center Pau Gasol. O'Neal is a step down from Gasol, however, as he's become severely injury-prone (which is understandable considering he's in his 15th NBA season at a rather young age of 33, but still).

There aren't many NBA trade rumors that have come out that really make sense for the Wolves, but if the losses start to pile up, it's obvious there are plenty of trade partners ready to make a deal.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA trade rumors seemed like they would go on without any resolution until closer to the March 15 deadline, but that apparently won't be the case as the Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly turned down the Minnesota Timberwolves offer of Michael Beasley for a first round pick.

The Lakers and Timberwolves had been reportedly working on the deal for some time, but ESPN's Chris Broussard reported Wednesday afternoon that Los Angeles has decided to turn down the deal. Not because they don't like Beasley, they just don't want to dip too far into the luxury tax to pay him.

While Beasley, a talented and athletic small forward, would fill one of the Lakers' greatest needs, the Lakers rejected the offer because they do not want to add to their luxury tax bill, according to the source.

Broussard says the Lakers could change their mind before the trade deadline, but drops a more interesting nugget later in the story: if Los Angeles had been allowed to trade for Chris Paul earlier in the season, they would have made a subsequent trade for Beasley.

There was no mention of the other rumored deal between the Lakers and Wolves that would send Derrick Williams to Los Angeles in return for Pau Gasol.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

There isn't a lot of new information in the NBA trade rumor that has the Los Angeles Lakers dealing Pau Gasol for Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Derrick Williams. There is new analysis from the experts, however, as SB Nation's Tom Ziller took a look at the possible trade on Wednesday morning.

Ziller analyzed the rumored deal following Williams' breakout game on Tuesday night -- the Wolves reserve forward scored 27 points off the bench -- and came up with a conclusion quite a few around the Land of 10,000 Lakes had already made as soon as they noticed how Gasol was being paid. Ziller's analysis is impeccable, though, as the following excerpt breaks the negative side down very well.

That's why I'm skeptical that dealing Williams for a player like Gasol -- a non-MVP candidate who plays at All-Star level over the age of 28 or 29 -- is the right move. It's all about the goal and the projection of potential. If you deal the 20-year-old Williams for the 31-year-old Gasol, you're seeing an immediate upgrade ... but the Wolves wouldn't be an instant title contender. Gasol's not going to get younger and more effective over time (unless the Wolves poach the Phoenix Suns' training staff). Rubio-Love-Gasol doesn't look like a title team, even if you count on Ricky's jumper improving and Gasol hanging on.

It really doesn't make sense to go into win-now mode for the Timberwolves considering the nucleus of the team is young and still improving. If they quit improving, it certainly makes sense to maybe shake things up, but that hasn't happened yet -- and hopefully won't for awhile.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves have inquired with the New Jersey Nets about the availability of guard Anthony Morrow, according to Darren Wolfson of KSTP-TV in Minnesota. The Nets, however, have told Minnesota that they do not intend to move Morrow.

Originally undrafted out of Georgia Tech in 2008, Morrow latched on with the Golden State Warriors and spent his first two pro seasons there. As a rookie in 2008 - 2009, Morrow led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage at 47.8%, and he recently participated in the 2012 NBA Three Point Contest, which was won by Kevin Love.

Morrow, who has the second highest three point shooting percentage in NBA history, was traded before the 2010 - 2011 season by the Warriors to New Jersey for a future second round pick. He is averaging 13.0 points per game this season, and shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc.

The Timberwolves are shooting just 32.2% from three-point range this season, 23rd in the NBA.

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NBA trade rumors will likely get hotter and heavier as the March 15 trade deadline comes closer and, apparently, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley will be involved in basically all of them. The latest reports indicate that the Boston Celtics and New Jersey Nets are interested.

Trade rumors not coming out of Minnesota involving the Timberwolves are always to be taken with a grain of salt, but the New York Post's Peter Vecsey dropped some knowledge regarding Beasley on Tuesday morning.

The Lakers, also in dire need of a legitimate scoring threat at small forward, have genuine interest in Michael Beasley, but it's doubtful they'll use the $8.9 million trade exception (from Lamar Odom being shipped to Dallas) to acquire him because of the increased luxury tax consequences stemming from the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman recently committed to boosting Derrick Williams' minutes, making Beasley extraneous. Minnesota is pushing hard to relocate his $6.2 million expiring contract and have the Nets and Celtics leaning.

"Leaning" is an interesting word to use there, of course, but it's about all Vecsey leaves us to go on in his report. What the teams would be willing to give up in return is the wildcard, but if David Kahn and Rick Adelman would like Beasley gone sooner rather than later, they may as well get whatever assets are available before he's a free agent and no longer property of the Wolves.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

NBA All-Star weekend is complete, meaning meaningful basketball can once again take place as the second half of the season begins. With actual basketball back on the slate, however, comes the addition of more NBA trade rumors as the deadline creeps closer.

The latest rumor isn't anything fans of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves haven't heard before considering Michael Beasley to the Lakers reports have been circulating for the past week. Charley Waters of the Pioneer Press reported over the weekend, however, that the asking price is apparently a first round pick.

The Timberwolves are serious about a potential trade of Michael Beasley to the Los Angeles Lakers for a first-round draft pick.

The Lakers have a pair of first round picks in 2012 as they obviously have their own as well as the Dallas Mavericks, though the Mavs pick is top-20 protected through 2017. Los Angeles also has its own first round pick in 2013 as well as a pair of second rounders from the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Wolves, on the other hand, are owed a pick from the Utah Jazz this season -- though they won't get it until next year if the Jazz are unable to make the playoffs this year. Minnesota's actual first round pick for the 2012 draft is owned by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Waters also dropped an additional bit of reporting in his Sunday column, saying "a little birdie says the Philadelphia 76ers aren't interested in trading shooting guard Andre Iguodala to the Wolves, who need a shooting guard who can make shots."

The Wolves obviously need a shooting guard and, if Iguodala is off the table, it might make sense to re-visit either the Monta Ellis trade that was reportedly explored last summer or see if the Houston Rockets will deal Kevin Martin.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been popping up in the majority of the NBA trade rumors involving the Minnesota Timberwolves as they apparently covet forward Michael Beasley. There are now reports out of Minneapolis that the Lakers have indeed inquired about Beasley, but it doesn't seem anything's going to happen anytime soon.

That's fine by Beasley, though, according to comments he recently made to the Star Tribune's Charley Waters.

"I just play basketball, and if that happens, it happens, and I still play basketball," Beasley said. "For now, I'm a Timberwolf. I love my team and my coaches. If it's time for me to go, I have no control over that. I'm just playing the game and keeping my mouth shut."

Beasley's been well-behaved heading into the NBA All-Star break, making him less of a problem than he's typically been perceived to me during his time in the league. That shouldn't stop the Wolves from dealing him if they can get value back, however, as it makes sense to start giving rookie Derrick Williams more playing time sooner rather than later.

According to Waters, though, the current sentiment in the Timberwolves front office isn't to acquire more players. They'd rather make a deal for picks, apparently -- keeping a young team young in the process.

There's still plenty of time until the NBA trade deadline, meaning more offers are sure to come up for Beasley. Hopefully he can keep his cool until the Wolves decide what they want to do with him.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been involved in more than their fair share of NBA trade rumors as the trade deadline creeps closer. David Kahn has apparently been shopping for quite awhile, however, as the team apparently was looking at acquiring Monta Ellis from the Golden State Warriors last June.

Ellis would have reportedly been dealt to the Timberwolves in exchange for Michael Beasley, Nikola Pekovic and the draft pick that became Derrick Williams, according to Warriors beat writer Tim Kawakami. Golden State was unwilling to sweeten their offer any further, however, and the deal never went any further.

The most interesting part of that deal is twofold, it seems, for very different reasons.

Minnesota has obviously been aware of their need for a shooting guard for quite awhile. Ellis probably wouldn't have worked out the best next to Ricky Rubio, so its basically a moot point, but it's clear Beasley has been on the trading block for a starting-caliber two-guard for at least the past eight months.

As far as the second portion is concerned, as Kawakami notes, Pekovic would have likely been a simple throw-in at the time. In June, as most will recall, Pekovic wasn't quite Pektacular ... In fact, if my memory serves me right, he was behind Darko on the depth chart.

It's unclear what, if anything, should be gleaned from this rumor. It's regarding a trade that was nixed eight months ago so it probably shouldn't have any effect on whether or not the Timberwolves make a trade in the next couple of weeks -- but with Kahn and Co. running the show, anything could happen.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

It seemed there was a possibility that the Los Angeles Lakers would quell the NBA trade rumors swirling around Pau Gasol following Kobe Bryant's comments to the media on Sunday. The opposite happened, however, meaning there's still a chance the Spanish center could end up with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak issued a statement Monday evening to address Bryant's comments essentially asking management to either trade Gasol immediately or tell him he's not being traded at all.

"As a former player, I understand how the days leading up to the trade deadline can be nerve-wracking for an NBA player. Nonetheless, as General Manager of the Lakers, I have a responsibility to ownership, our fans and the players on this team to actively pursue opportunities to improve the team for this season and seasons to come. To say publicly that we would not do this would serve no purpose and put us at a competitive disadvantage. Taking such a course of action at this time would be a disservice to ownership, the team and our many fans."

In summation, there's still a chance David Kahn can acquire Gasol for Derrick Williams and extra pieces. As noted on Monday, however, it will remain unclear whether the trade would be worth it for either side until those pieces are determined.

This saga will likely continue right up until the trade deadline as Kupchak attempts to get as much value for Gasol as possible. And until the Timberwolves are officially ruled out, the rumors are going to continue to be rounded up here at SB Nation Minnesota ... so strap in.

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NBA trade rumors continue to connect the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, but the latest scenario surrounding the two teams doesn't include the iffy Pau Gasol for Derrick Williams trade that doesn't entirely make sense. The newest scuttlebutt revolves around the Lakers' potential interest in Michael Beasley.

Beasley is coming off the bench for the Wolves, but he's arguably their top wing option. If he can be used to help Rick Adelman's team get better, though, moving him probably wouldn't break too many hearts in the Twin Cities.

The Beasley rumors were first reported by ESPN's Chris Broussard, who says the Lakers had discussions regarding the enigmatic small forward during the offseason.

The Lakers' front office knows Kobe Bryant is looking for it to improve the roster, and GM Mitch Kupchak has been working the phones. He's spoken to Minnesota about Michael Beasley, and sources say the Lakers are intrigued by the Timberwolves' small forward. The Lakers were actually in discussions with Minnesota about a potential trade for Beasley before the season started. If they would have been able to pull off the deal for Chris Paul, there is a good chance that a trade for Beasley would have followed.

It's not clear what the Lakers would give Minnesota for Beasley (if indeed the talks get that far), but the Lakers could absorb Beasley into their $8.9 million trade exception while giving up a draft pick or cash. I'm told the teams have not spoken about Pau Gasol since the preseason. Minnesota is looking to move Beasley, who they feel has matured very little (if at all) since he's been there, according to sources. The Lakers believe they can handle a player like Beasley because of their winning culture and the leadership of Bryant.

If it ended up being a straight salary dump this season, that probably isn't the route to go. If the Wolves could get better doing it, though ... well, why not?

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.