The Wolves extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Ryan
Gomes, Craig Smith and Chris Richard and declined to do so to Sebastian
Telfair and Kirk Snyder. But Telfair’s agent said Monday "all
indications" suggest the Wolves will try seriously to re-sign his
client.
 
"And Sebastian is interested in listening, but I’m fully confident he
will have other offers," agent Andy Miller said. "We’re going to take
the offer that is best in the short- and long-term interest of
Sebastian."
 
Wolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale said he
would still like to work out a new deal with Telfair…
 
 
 
This trade did wonders for the outlook in Minnesota. Miller and Love will join Al Jefferson and Randy Foye in the starting five. Who is the fifth member remains to be seen, but they will be a much better offense this season. I really like Foye to break out in 2008-09. He’s been dogged by the success Brandon Roy has had thus far in Portland, but he’s going to answer critics with a full bill of health and an upgrade in surrounding talent. Miller’s multi-faceted game will help take the pressure off of Foye – he’s a much better complement than Mayo would have been – and he’ll be asked to do the same types of things he did in Memphis. Jefferson and Love will give opposing bigs fits on defense (the opposite is also likely to be true) and should thrive playing off each other’s games. I’m feeling good about all the principle players in Minnesota as it stands right now. Corey Brewer was uninspiring as a rookie, but if he shows some improvement in camp his defensive abilities could land him a starting role. Look for the team to attempt to re-sign Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair and Craig Smith, with Rashad McCants also figuring in the rotation. 
 
 
 
The details have emerged from the Heat’s draft-night trade for Timberwolves second-round pick Mario Chalmers, the point guard out of Kansas. The Heat will forward the lesser two of the three 2009 second-round picks it holds (its own, Philadelphia’s and Indiana’s) to Minnesota in addition to $2 million.
 
 
 
Tyson Chandler might be going to Asia with Team USA after all — but only as an alternate…
 
The other five alternates will be Shawn Marion, Kevin Durant, Chauncey Billups, Joe Johnson and Mike Miller, ESPN.com has learned. 
 
 
 
 
Thanks to basketball analyst Jay Bilas, we’re going to imagine a sea lion moving down the court when our new Timberpup Kevin Love plays.
 
That’s not exactly what the draft expert told my guys on ESPN’s "Pardon the Interruption," who were left laughing:
 
"Kevin Love is a terrific choice as a top five pick. Offensively and
from a productivity standpoint he’s off the charts. He gets ragged on
for his athleticism. He’s a good athlete; he’s just not a pretty
runner," Bilas said. "One of the things, though, is defensively, if he
has to guard a really quick forward, he can get exposed a little bit. I
think he does have to watch his weight. His body fat was 13 percent,
which if you’re a sea lion that’s fine, but if you’re an NBA player"
that number should be better.
 
 
 
From Ben Fawkes/ESPN The Magazine – (Another) Open Letter to Kevin McHale
 
 
 
Besides, in the days leading up to the draft, most
Timberwolves faithful — I was shocked to learn there were so many left
— seemed to hate the No. 3 pick, believing that this year’s draft was
just a two-player show with Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley as the
only sure things.
 
To them, no matter whom the Timberwolves took — be it
Mayo or Love — he would be just another so-so selection in a tough-luck
draft spot…