Are the Timberwolves going to be playoff bound after their off-season roster changes?

Michael Beasley vs. Chase Budinger

The Timberwolves roster received quite a bit of changes during the off-season - and we still have quite a ways to go until the regular season starts back up again! With all of these changes, do you think that the Wolves will have a better shot at making it to the playoffs in the 2012-13 season? Personally, I think they do. And here's where the trades/changes stack up.

1. Andrei Kirilenko replacing Wesley Johnson: Johnson was, simply put, not a good fit for this team. He just doesn't have the skill set to be competitive at a professional level. Based on the numbers and level of play that Kirilenko has put up over the past year, he definitely will be an improvement over this - even if he doesn't play up to the level he played in Utah last season. Basically, he doesn't have very big shoes to fill so he shouldn't have a problem improving Johnson's place on the Wolves roster.

2.  Brandon Roy is coming out of retirement to replace Martell Webster. Even in a good season, Webster struggled to put double digit numbers in scoring. In his last year in the NBA - a season that was plagued with injuries - Roy still averaged 12 points per game. Even if he simply plays at his "hurt player" level, he'll be an improvement.

3. Chase Budinger is coming into the team to replace Michael Beasley. I have to say that while their numbers are somewhat the same, their reputations are what set them apart. Beasley was a consistent controversial figure for the Wolves: between impregnating multiple women at the same time and posting photos with weed in the background - combined with his lackluster performance last season - this guy didn't draw a crowd or a positive image for the Wolves at all. It was time for him to go.

What do you think of the prospects of the Wolves making it to the playoffs this season?

Summer in Minnesota with no Timberwolves rumors.

It's an odd week when there's literally nothing to report in the world of the Minnesota Timberwolves these days. No trades, no prospective roster changes, no offers on the table, not even something coming out of the rumor mill! With such a quiet week, you would think that I wouldn't be blogging. Well, you're halfway right - since there's nothing new to report I've definitely been keeping busy. So today I'm blogging about the best ways to take advantage of the summertime weather when there's nothing going on in the land of the Wolves!

1. Head out on a boat: it's summertime in Minnesota. So BE a Minnesotan and get out on a boat! But you do have to pronounce that ooot on a booooat.

2. Go for a walk around Lake Calhoun: there aren't a ton of months that you can actually enjoy the lakes in Uptown. So do it while you can!

3. Head up north for a few days: take some time out of the office to get away for a few days. Since you're within driving distance, it can be just for a couple of days!

Tell me: how are YOU enjoying these summertime days?

Andrei Kirilenko: the new addition to the Timberwolves Roster?

And in more exciting news from the Timberwolves roster rumor mill (are you getting sick of hearing me say that every week yet?), the Wolves are in contract negotiations with 31 year old player Andrei Kirilenko that would apparently be part of a three way deal.

Currently Kirilenko is in Russia - he went back to play in the Russian league with the lockout last year - but he's ready to come back to the states. He was originally signed by the Utah Jazz where he's spent the last ten years of his career. And now the question is posed: Is Kirilenko the kind of talent that the Wolves need to expand their playoff prospects this year?

Yes, he is a solid player. Yes, he is a veteran of the league and could possibly be a really great addition. The problem is that he's no spring chicken anymore - and that you never know when he will (or if he has) peaked as a player. Basically: he might help for the season, but there's no long term guarantee.

Timberwolves Roster Rumors - yes, again

There's always something new and exciting coming out of the rumor mill when it comes to the Timberwolves roster these days, isn't there? The latest news has been the battle for Nicolas Batum from the Portland Trailblazers roster. The Wolves were willing to offer up $46 MILLION over three years for Batum to come to the team. The only problem was that since he is a RFA, the Trailblazers simply had to match the offer to keep him. And they did - which means 1. this kid is getting PAID and 2. the Wolves won't be going over their salary cap for now - something that was a guarantee if they DID end up signing Batum.

So what do you think is next? Who's the next power player this team is going to go after?

I have to say that even though we didn't get this kid, it sure has made for some exciting fodder during the NBA Offseason!

Kyle Korver to the Timberwolves Roster

Man oh man, do the Wolves seem to be making up for lost time in terms of trades this off-season. They're now reportedly looking at perimeter shooter Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls roster to continue bolstering their lack of strong players at this position. The big thing is that while they made a great move signing Brandon Roy for this key position last week, they still need to add another strong player to fill this role. Korver would be a great option. He's been ranked one of the best 3-point shooters in the league - something that not only do the Wolves desperately need, but would really fill out the roster with the strong play skills of team leader Kevin Love.

Anyway: no matter what happens, I have to say that I am pretty damn impressed with the Wolves trading talent this off-season. It makes me wonder a little bit where all of this is coming from, but hey - they're setting us up to have one of the best teams we've had in a really long time. It's going to take some time for these new guys to mesh together, but I'm getting really excited to see what the future holds AND really excited for the Timberwolves schedule this season!

Brandon Roy OFFICIALLY Part of the Timberwolves roster

Well, it's official: Brandon Roy is now officially part of the Timberwolves roster! And in celebration of this great nab by the Wolves, here are some important things you need to know about Mr. Roy:

 1. Roy was the Rookie of the year in the NBA in 2007.
2. He was originally intended for the Minnesota Timberwolves but got traded to the Trailblazers before the start of his first season.
3. He's been named to the All-Star team 3 times.
4. In college he played ball for the University of Washington.
5. Because of knee injuries and the lockout, Roy retired last fall - but will be making a comeback with the Wolves!

As a fan, I have to say I'm excited to see what this potentially game changing player will bring to the team. Happy weekend!

Timberwolves roster: Brandon Roy

Rumor has it that the Wolves are interested in adding Brandon Roy to their roster. Plagued by knee problems at the start of last season, Roy "retired" but is now looking to make a comeback in the 2012-13 season. On the plus side, Roy is the perfect guy to fill out the shoes that are open at the shooting guard position. But that's only if he can stay HEALTHY: something that he doesn't exactly have the track record for. I don't know what kind of hoops this kid is going to jump through to prove that he's not a liability, but there better be something that he proves before he's officially added to the Timberwolves roster, that's for sure!