April 18, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Greg Stiemsma (54) blocks a shot by Orlando Magic forward Earl Clark (3) during the third quarter at TD Banknorth Garden. The Celtics won 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Greg Stiemsma was hours away from not becoming a Minnesota Timberwolf. Earlier today Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported, “Stiemsma’s agent suggests that preferred status & hometown discount will disappear if no offer made today.” Luckily Wolves Nation was not forced to witness another rumored player with ties to the team slip away. After seeing Courtney Lee and Jordan Hill both sign new deals in the past two days, Wolves fans can breathe easier knowing at least a backup center to replace Darko Milicic is all but assured.

Stiemsma is a restricted free agent so there will be some time before his contract is finalized and made public. However, it is widely known that the Celtics will not be able to match the Wolves offer, only able to offer him the bi-annual exception of $2 million. The Wolves’ reported deal is thought to be for $2.5-3 million annually according to Zgoda. Furthermore, it was recently announced that the Celtics have signed Jason Collins of the Atlanta Hawks to fill Stiemsma’s role, as reported by Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.

Yesterday an undeclared team was announced to be in competition with the Wolves for Stiemsma according to Zgoda. Many speculated this team may be the Portland Trailblazers due to the recent feuding between the two teams during Batum contract negotiations. We will never know which other team (if any) favored Stiemsma, but one thing is for sure–Stiemsma wanted to be a Wolf.  Stiemsma’s agent, Mike Naiditch did not shy away from exclaiming, “Minnesota is always where Greg wanted to be.”

Stiemsma actually signed his first NBA contract with the Timberwolves in April 2010, though he never actually played a game for the team.  His departure has been short lived and Stiemsma will now return to his original team and neighbor state (he is originally from Randolph, Wisconsin).  The official contract will reveal just how much of a hometown discount was offered to the Wolves by the Midwest native.

With Stiemsma’s fateful story now told, let us take a look at what he can offer the Wolves. Besides filling the large void as a backup for Center Nikola Pekovic, Stiemsma actually brings some key skills to the Wolves’ bench. According to basketball-reference.com, Stiemsma averaged 8.3 rebounds, 55 FG% and 4 blocks per 36 minutes. His reputation now revolves largely around his shot blocking skills as shown by his 6 blocks off the bench in his NBA debut with the Celtics.

One thing to look out for will be Stiemsma’s case of plantar fasciitis in his left foot; the condition kept him off of the USA Olympics select team. However, he is expected to be available for training camp and the injury will be closely watched by Wolves’ training staff. For now let us rejoice that Stiemsma did not fall into the hands of another team leaving the Wolves with Ronny Turiaf as the next best option. Stiemsma has room to grow and improve, an opportunity the Wolves will grant, and perhaps more importantly, one he seems excited to embrace.

February 17, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Jon Leuer (30) during the first half against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The Wolves missed out on another coveted free agent yesterday as the Boston Celtics acquired shooting guard Courtney Lee in a sign and trade deal with the Houston Rockets. The reported deal is valued at $21.5 million over four years, per Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports. Many speculated that Lee would be the Wolves’ plan B after the Portland Trailblazers decided to match their offer for restricted free agent Nicolas Batum. Interestingly enough, the Lee deal was at one point threatened due to financial restrictions of the Celtics until the Blazers agreed to accept a second round pick and Sasha Palvovic’s contract.

The Wolves have now placed themselves in a difficult position forced to make up for the losses of Batum and Lee. The free agents still available simply do not rival the talent of either player. David Kahn, General Manager of the Timberwolves, may now turn his attention to shooting guard, Ronnie Brewer or use their remaining cap space ($14-16 million) to sign backup centers such as Jordan Hill or Greg Stiemsma. Other possible solutions as wing replacements include sophomore forward Jon Leuer, forward Carl Landry and restricted free agent Brandon Rush. The Wolves may look to sign Leuer as soon as he clears waivers tomorrow as other teams under the cap including the Phoneix Suns and New Orleans Hornets have been rumored to pursue him, according to the Pioneer Press. Leuer grew up in Long Lake which may prove to be an advantage as the Wolves compete to secure his talents.

Those hoping the Wolves may still target Andre Igoudala or Rudy Gay should temper their expectations. Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis Star Tribune states the Wolves have been reluctant to take on Igoudala’s $15 million/per year salary. With the need to still sign a backup big after the amnesty of Darko Milicic this makes an Igoudala trade even less likely.

I wrote in an article last week that the Wolves long drawn out pursuit of Batum may risk the movement of players like Lee, Hill and Stiemsma. While still undetermined if they will land either center, the Wolve’s current predicament should highlight Kahn’s poor and untimely waiving of Martell Webster contract and the amnestying of Milicic. Significant time and possibly loyalty of players like Lee could have been salvaged had the offer to Batum been submitted to the league office before last Sunday.

While Brewer, Landry, Rush, Stiemsma and Hill may prove to be valuable acquisitions none of their signings are guaranteed, potentially placing the Wolves in an ever more dangerous scenario. The need for Roy and Shved to become versatile/star guards has become more important than ever. We should all wish that the current gaping holes in the Wolves’ roster continue to be filled rather than grow.

Update:  Jon Leuer has been claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Cavaliers according to Zach Lowe of Sports Illustrated