Mar. 27, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns center Robin Lopez during game against the San Antonio Spurs at the US Airways Center. The Spurs defeated the Suns 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

Reports have surfaced that the Minnesota Timberwolves is currently involved in a 3-team trade that involves Phoenix Suns big man Robin Lopez, who the Suns have been marketing this off-season, Suns forward Hakim Warrick, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Wesley Johnson. The other team involved in this possible/rumored deal is the New Orleans Hornets who are to receive Robin Lopez and Hakim Warrick. Phoenix is to receive Wesley Johnson and a first overall pick from Minnesota.

With Marcin Gortat emerging as the Suns’ best center averaging a double-double last season, the Suns have shown little interest in keeping Robin Lopez, the brother of Brooklyn Nets big man Brook Lopez, who in the off-season signed a new contract with the Nets franchise. New Orleans have already had some key additions and keeps this off-season. In the 2012 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets were able to select forward/center Anthony Davis as the first overall pick and guard Austin Rivers, son of Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, as the 10th pick. Later in the off-season, the Suns have sent an offer sheet to Hornets “captain” and rising star guard Eric Gordon. The Hornets decided to match the offer and the Suns moved on.

This off-season for the Phoenix Suns has been both tough and somewhat productive. The Suns have lost two veterans in former 2-time league MVP Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Laker and forward Grant Hill Los Angeles Clippers. Fortunately, the Suns have added youth to their lineup by picking up free agent forward Michael Beasley, who the Timberwolves showed no interest to resign. The Suns have also welcomed back guard Goran Dragic who was once the back-up guard for Steve Nash. Among all additions, the biggest one for the Suns might be the addition of forward Luis Scola, who the Houston Rockets utilized their amnesty clause.

Now, with that being said, I know one thing is on your mind, especially if your a Minnesota Timberwolves fan. “Who will the Timberwolves get?” Well, according to reports, there is no information given thus far about who the Timberwolves will pick up from this 3-team deal. Hopefully they get someone is all I can say for now. Giving up Wes Johnson for no one in return is just bad … just bad. David Kahn, we’re counting on you to get something good out of this deal. 

Dunking With Wolves will gladly update you with that once it surfaces. 

For more NBA analysis and opinions, check out Theon’s general NBA blog, THEONBA! 

Feb 7, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Wes Johnson (4) smiles during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Last night, the Minnesota Timberwolves used a strong fourth quarter to get a win over a team they should have easily defeated, an NBA Development League Select team.

The D-League team may have not been as talented as the Timberwolves, but their grit and hustle pretty much covered up for that as the D-League select team was able to give the Wolves a hard time through the early parts of the game.

Throughout an entire half, the D-Leaguers looked poised for an upset over the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, the Timberwolves stayed composed and executed very well in the most important quarter/12 minutes of basketball. The fourth quarter.

The Wolves stopped the D-Leaguers from scoring with their strong defensive stops and in the end would comeback from a 14-point deficit to earn an 86-78 victory over a team they should have not underestimated.

As the Timberwolves were beginning to take control of the game in the fourth with 8:50 to play down 6 points, forward Luke Sikma had a put-back slam dunk, off a Wes Johnson three-point miss, which gave the Timberwolves an energy boost they desperately needed to get back into the driver’s seat. Sikma would hang on the rim for a moment and would give the Timberwolves bench players a stare which ignited a fire that led the Timberwolves to a comeback victory over the D-Leaguers.

However, it wasn’t only Sikma’s doing that made the Timberwolves win the game. Guard/forward Wes Johnson had his imprint on the win as well as he returned from an ankle injury on Thursday and would go on to score 28 points last night.

Johnson was hot from the get go as he made 4 out of 5 three pointers in the first half. In the end Johnson would finish 5 for 7 from beyond the 3 point line.

After missing Thursday’s game against the Cavaliers, to which the Timberwolves won, due to an injury he suffered in a loss against the Charlotte Bobcats, Johnson bounced back strong last night and continued his hot scoring. Against the Bobcats, Johnson had scored 14 points in the fourth quarter and despite losing that game, Johnson would still continue his great play last night against the NBA D-Leaguers.

Starting forward Derrick Williams helped Johnson with 15 points and guard Kammron Taylor came off the bench to score 11 points. Sikma was a great energy player for the Timberwolves last night and chipped in with 8 points and 5 rebounds coming off the bench. All in all, the Timberwolves bench scored 36 points last night.

The D-Leaguers last night were led by Mardy Collins who finished with 20 points and shot 7-of-10 from the field. Marcus Dove scored 13 points and Kenny Hayes and Leo Lyons each had 11 points.

The Timberwolves look to close out their 2012 Summer League with a win tonight over the Memphis Grizzlies at the COX Pavilion in Las Vegas. The game will be shown live on NBA TV at 7:00 PM CT.

For more NBA analysis and opinions, check out Theon’s general NBA blog, THEONBA!