With an overflow at point guard, the Minnesota Timberwolves reassigned Bracey Wright to the Florida Flame of the NBA Development League on Tuesday.
Wright began the season with the Flame and was recalled on Jan. 10. He made his debut on Jan. 24 and averaged 3.0 points and 4.0 minutes in two appearances.
Last week's seven-player trade with the Boston Celtics brought the Timberwolves yet another point guard in Marcus Banks, who had an impressive debut on Monday night against his former team with 20 points and six assists.
Though Wright played shooting guard in college at Indiana, the Wolves see him as a point guard in the NBA. But with Banks, Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson and Anthony Carter already on the roster, there was no room for Wright.
Coach Dwane Casey elected to send their second-round draft pick to the NBDL to get more playing time. He has averaged 21.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 16 games for the Flame this season.
Via ESPN
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The fans began Monday night by giving Wally Szczerbiak a standing ovation.
By halftime at Target Center, they were on their feet applauding the new-look Timberwolves.
Szczerbiak scored a game-high 22 points in his return after being traded Thursday to the Boston Celtics. But the Wolves dominated as their new acquisitions pushed them to a 19-point halftime lead en route to a 110-85 victory, the team's most lopsided win this season.
Marcus Banks showed in his Wolves debut that he is the quickest point guard the franchise has had in years. Banks, generously listed at 6 feet 2, darted and squirted his way to 20 points and six assists, season bests in both categories.
At least on this night, it was hard to tell why he lost his backup point-guard role with the Celtics before he was traded to Minnesota.
"I think the fans, when I got traded, they were like, 'Who is this guy?' " Banks said. "But I'm pretty sure the coaching staff knew what they were getting."
Via St. Paul Pioneer Press
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The last thing Minnesota coach Dwayne Casey wants is for Marcus Banks to wind up on the fast track out of town. Banks, a point guard, was a less-heralded component of the trade. His name was in a ton of trade rumors before he wound up in Minnesota.
The speculation hasn't subsided since he arrived a couple of days ago.
"A lot of friends around the league are calling," Casey said after the lopsided win over Boston. "They want him."
So does Casey.
"I'm sure his name will come up," Casey said. "He has great value around the league. But I like him. He was the key to the trade, I think."
Even though he hasn't been here long, it's clear that he is by far the quickest point guard on the squad. In just more than 21 minutes Monday night, he scored 20 points and passed for six assists. He makes the Wolves' other point guards appear flat-footed.
"He is one of the quickest guys with the ball in the league," Casey said.
"I'm a basketball player," said Banks, who understands he might not have found a permanent home here. "I understand this is a business."
Via St. Paul Pioneer Press
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Timberwolves Jan 2006 Archive
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St. Paul Pioneer Press | Jan 30, 2006
The Timberwolves' first half of the season fell well short of their goals.
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N.Y. Daily News | Jan 29, 2006
Minnesota failed to get Ron Artest, turned down a chance to get Steve Francis and instead, took on Ricky Davis and Mark Blount, each of whom were regarded as a cancer in Boston.
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The News Tribune | Jan 28, 2006
The Seattle SuperSonics are involved in numerous discussions around the NBA to trade power forward Reggie Evans, according to three sources.
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St. Paul Pioneer Press | Jan 28, 2006
Ricky Davis certainly wasn't shy in his Timberwolves debut.
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St. Paul Pioneer Press | Jan 28, 2006
Timberwolves all-star Kevin Garnett clarified a few things about his relationship with Wally Szczerbiak in the wake of Thursday night's blockbuster deal that sent Szczerbiak to the Boston Celtics.
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Boston Herald | Jan 26, 2006
Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi and Dwayne Jones have been dealt to Boston for Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Justin Reed and Marcus Banks.
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Press Release | Jan 26, 2006
The Phoenix Suns today acquired Minnesota forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili in exchange for a second-round pick.
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NY Post | Jan 22, 2006
While on the subject of the Clippers, Peter Vecsey hears they're discussing a Chris Wilcox - Francisco Elson trade with Denver.
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ESPN | Jan 21, 2006
Fred Hoiberg met with doctors on Friday to discuss his recovery from open-heart surgery, but still is uncertain about trying to become the first man to play in the NBA with a pacemaker.
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Providence Journal | Jan 20, 2006
Despite both Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers' recent assertions that there's nothing on the table as far as a Mark Blount trade goes, a source with the team said yesterday that the Celtics are "trying desperately" to get rid of the 7-foot veteran.
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Star-Ledger | Jan 20, 2006
"Yeah, I'd welcome Steph. I don't think Steph will come back to Minnesota, though. But I mean, New York's cold, New Jersey's cold. Who knows, man? We all mature and get older."
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Star Tribune | Jan 19, 2006
Wolves coach Dwane Casey is nterested in dealing with his former team, the Seattle SuperSonics, for Reggie Evans and Ronald (Flip) Murray, two players he knows and likes.
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St Paul Pioneer Press | Jan 18, 2006
One report said that a deal between the Celtics and Wolves is 80% likely to happen. Michael Olowokandi would be dealt for Marcus Blount.
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Boston Globe | Jan 17, 2006
According to two league sources, a deal that would send Mark Blount to Minnesota or Memphis could be completed soon. The most likely deal would have Blount sent to Minnesota for center Michael Olowokandi.
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Star-Tribune | Jan 15, 2006
Wolves owner Glen Taylor hinted that Michael Olowokandi could be dealt by the beginning of the coming week.
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Orlando Sentinel | Jan 15, 2006
Steve Francis wants to stay in Orlando, but will he soon be joining Kevin Garnett in Minnesota?
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NY Daily News | Jan 9, 2006
Rick Brunson doubts whether Latrell Sprewell will play again. Brunson spoke to his former Knicks teammate last week and said that Sprewell is enjoying retirement.
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Star Tribune | Jan 4, 2006
Some time soon, perhaps within the next month, Fred Hoiberg will have to make a decision.
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St. Paul Pioneer Press | Jan 3, 2006
Word in Indianapolis is that Pacers executives Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird would prefer to trade enigmatic forward Ron Artest soon but will be remain cautious and could keep the 6-foot-7, 252-pounder on the inactive list all season if they can't get the right deal.
