The way the six-year NBA offer sheet that Timberwolves restricted free-agent guard Trenton Hassell signed with the Portland Trail Blazers is structured probably will allow the Wolves to match it and thus retain the defensive star.

The contract is for a straight $4.35 million each of the six years. Because it doesn't escalate, the Wolves could justify paying Hassell, 25, the total $27 million if they decide he should be part of their long-term future.

Look for the Wolves to take nearly all of the league-allotted 15 days from Monday to ponder alternatives and whether they can justify re-signing Hassell, then to match Portland's offer. The signing, though, could have repercussions for other players on the Wolves' roster.

Minnesota executive Kevin McHale has gone on record stating that all indications show that Karl Malone will sign with the Miami Heat.  He was actively courting the heroic power forward and now appears to be moving on.  

The San Antonio Spurs however, do not think that the Mailman contest is over, as they are continuing their pursuit.  San Antonio is a proven NBA Champion and Malone has made no secret that he continues to play for one reason, other than breaking the scoring record, and that is to win a ring.

Karl Malone is reportedly leaning towards following Shaquille O'Neal to Miami.  He has also been considering furthering his ring hunt in Minnesota, but he likely feels that there is a more probable chance of returning to The Finals with the Heat.

Although there are still minor details to be worked out, sources say that guard, Trenton Hassell, will sign the Blazer?s offer sheet today.

Because Hassell is a restricted free agent, the Timberwolves have 15 days to match the Portland contract; however, it is unclear as to whether or not they are willing to pay the $27-million.

Minnesota starting guard Trenton Hassell agreed to sign an offer sheet with the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, told ESPN Insider Chad Ford on Saturday.

The offer sheet is for six years, $27 million and can pay him a salary of $4.5 million a year.

Because Hassell is a restricted free agent, the Timberwolves will have 15 days to match the offer from the time they receive it.

Will they match?

"I'm not sure what they're going to do," Bartelstein told ESPN Insider. "I know they wanted Trenton back, but I think that's a little bit more than they were hoping to pay."

Mark Bartelstein, the agent for Minnesota Timberwolves guard Trenton Hassell, said that the player agreed to sign an offer sheet with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The offer sheet is for six years, $27 million, and can pay him a salary of $4.5 million a year, Bartelstein told ESPN's Chad Ford Saturday.

Hassell is a restricted free agent so the Timberwolves will have 15 days to match the offer from the time they receive it.

"I'm not sure what they're going to do," Bartelstein said.  "I know they wanted Trenton back, but I think that's a little bit more than they were hoping to pay."

The Blazers' acquisition of Trenton Hassell is likely to kill a deal with the New Jersey Nets that would have sent Shareef Abdur-Rahim to New Jersey in exchange for Kerry Kittles and Aaron Williams.  With the recent trade for Nick Van Exel and the potential signing of Hassell, the Blazers probably don't need a fifth guard.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento Kings re-signed forward Darius Songaila Friday, according to Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

?I?m looking forward to having Darius back next season,? Petrie said in a news release. ?He proved himself to be a solid contributor for our team last season. I feel he has a great future in the league. I?m looking forward to him continuing to help us succeed. I think that his game and contribution will continue to grow with our team.?

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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves agreed to a multiyear contract with key backup Fred Hoiberg on Friday.

Hoiberg averaged 6.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 79 games, including a career-best 46.5 percent shooting. He was especially valuable when Wally Szczerbiak spent much of the season on the injured list.

Last season was his first with the T-Wolves after stints with Indiana and Chicago.

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SALT LAKE CITY - Free agent Jarron Collins re-signed with the Utah Jazz on Friday.

The 6-foot-11 center has spent all three of his NBA seasons in Utah, which picked him in the second round in 2001 out of Stanford.

Collins has started 103 of the 176 games he?s played for the Jazz. He missed much of his second season with a knee injury, but came back last season and took over the starting job when Greg Ostertag struggled with inconsistency down the stretch.

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Big government strikes again.  The NBA is refusing to approve a six-year $37-million contract between the Timberwolves and Troy Hudson.

At issue is a league objection to bonus money for Hudson if he were to play in a certain amount of games next season that would guarantee remaining parts of the contract. The NBA views the proposed deal as a violation of its salary cap. The Wolves and Hudson still need to determine the number of games Hudson would need to play in to achieve guarantees in the contract.

The Timberwolves are expected to rearrange the contract next week.

The Timberwolves have a $4.9 million midlevel exception and a $1.5 million exception to pay free agents this season.  When there extra cash in the pocket that means it is time to shop.

With most of the big names taken in this year?s free-agent melee, there still exists some good big men who might take a smaller 1-year contract in order to have a chance at a championship.

Karl Malone ? Tried with the Lakers and became more of a detriment than a help, will he do the same for Minnesota?

Tom Gugliotta ? Has spent a lot of time with Minnesota and thrived playing with Kevin Garnett, why not finish with the T-Wolves?

Vin Baker ? If he can get back into shape??

Rodney Rogers ? Already passed on a few offers, apparently looking for the ?big money.?

Greg Ostertag ? A possibility, however, the Dallas native wants to play for the Mavericks.  Imagine it, a front court with Bradley and Ostertag?Virtually unstoppable.

Free agent guard Trenton Hassell continues to get attention this offseason after his stock rose during the season with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Hassell is being courted by the Denver Nuggets, who according to the Denver Post have about $2.5 million left to offer a free agent.  The team would like to add a defensive oriented guard to go along with Voshon Lenard, who was terrific for the team last season.

Meanwhile Chris Andersen, the odd man out after the Nuggets signed Kenyon Martin, says he is sad to leave the organization which gave him his shot in the NBA.

"(They) will always have a place in my heart," Andersen said of the Nuggets. "They gave me the only opportunity I had. I'm grateful. It ain't the end of the world. I may be back one day. I'd love to. Denver is the place where it all started."

Andersen accepted a two year offer with the New Orleans Hornets for their million dollar exception, worth $1.6 million a season.  The second year is at Anderson's option.