Although the wheels are still in motion for the Minnesota Timberwolves in their quest to acquire restricted free agent Nicolas Batum, the team is also surveying the market for another athletic guard if things don't pan out. CBSSports.com's Ken Berger is reporting that the T-Wolves appear to be looking hard at onetime Kansas Jayhawks standout shooting guard Brandon Rush as a possible back-up plan:
Brandon Rush could be an option for Portland or Minnesota, whichever team loses out on Nicolas Batum, source said.
— Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) July 8, 2012
A good fit at either destination, the 6-foot-6 Rush is a career 41.3% three-point shooter who is coming off a season with Golden State where he worked hard to carve out a role as a sixth man. Even as he attempted a career-low in shot attempts per game (7.2), Rush posted career-highs in field-goal percentage (50.1%), three-point percentage (45.2%), and points per game (9.8). To most scouts, the athletic wing is in line for an expanded role heading into his fifth NBA season, making him an extremely viable contingency plan for Minnesota if Portland refuses to let Batum leave town.
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