Timberwolves can't pass on Duke's Kyrie Irving
There were wide-eyed looks around the NBA when Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn conducted his first draft for the team in 2009 and chose three point guards in the first round.

 Timberwolves: No way Rubio lands with Knicks
In a perfect world, Knicks brass long have envisioned flamboyant Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio winding up in the city he wants to be in: New York.

But multiple sources within the Timberwolves organization guaranteed Rubio will start his career with the club, not as a Knick.

Minnesota brass is convinced that Rubio will play for the club next season, when his Barcelona buyout falls to $1 million. NBA teams are able to pay $500,000 for European buyouts, so Rubio would have to foot only $500,000 of the bill.

 Kobe: Wolves' draft choice Rubio ready for NBA


BARCELONA, Spain - Ricky Rubio has accomplished a lot in his young career, he just hasn't shown he's ready to make the jump to the NBA.

The 19-year-old point guard has already played in an Olympic gold-medal game, won a European Championship with Spain and led his club team to the Euroleague title.

But the Spaniard went scoreless in an exhibition game between his FC Barcelona team and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, falling flat in his first big opportunity to silence critics after his disappointing performance in the world championships.

 David Kahn: No big deadline trades coming

Ray Richardson

If the Timberwolves make a trade before the NBA's Feb. 18 trade deadline, Wolves president of basketball operations David Kahn said the deal would be "modest" and would not involve any of the team's "core players."

Based on playing time and productivity, the Wolves' core players are forwards Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Ryan Gomes and Damien Wilkins, and guards Jonny Flynn, Corey Brewer, Ramon Sessions and Wayne Ellington.

 Wolves offered Pacers Jefferson for Granger


Minnesota Timberwolves general manager David Kahn recently offered forward Al Jefferson(notes) to the Indiana Pacers for forward Danny Granger(notes), but was immediately rebuffed, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

While Pacers president Larry Bird remains determined to build around Granger, sources say Kahn has become increasingly dubious on making Jefferson a cornerstone for the Timberwolves.

 Sessions now eligible for trade

The Wolves can now officially trade any free agents they signed this summer.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

SALT LAKE CITY - This is Dec. 15, the first day this season that NBA teams are allowed to trade players they signed as free agents last summer.

 Kahn on Antonio Daniels and other matters
Jerry Zgoda

Sat down with David Kahn for about an hour this afternoon for a camp-opening Q-and-A session that will run in Monday’s paper to preview that day’s media day and Tuesday’s opening of training camp in Mankato.

 Suggetions for how Kahn should rebuild the Wolves
The Startribune.com is reporting that it is will a dirty job rebuilding the credibility of the Timberwolves and author Jim Southan suggests that Kahn should have no second thoughts about cleaning house if need be.