Timberwolves Rumors: Wolves in Paul Millsap sweepstakes?

Despite shrinking their available cap space by agreeing to sign Jeff Teague early in free agency on Friday night, the Timberwolves are reportedly chasing All-Star power forward Paul Millsap.

The Timberwolves struck early on Friday when free agency began. After trading Ricky Rubio earlier in the day, Tom Thibodeau agreed to sign 29-year-old, one-time All-Star point guard Jeff Teague.

Then, the rumors continued, mainly surrounding sharpshooter J.J. Redick and some second-tier names, although Paul Millsap, Teague’s former teammate in Atlanta, was also mentioned as a possible match in Minnesota. The main stumbling block to adding the three-time All-Star is cap space, of course, as the Wolves saw themselves lose around $5 million in room in what was ultimately a Rubio-for-Teague (plus a first-round draft pick) swap.

Saturday started with Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders reporting that Paul Millsap would be meeting with Minnesota on Saturday.

James Harrison of…apparently a few different blogging establishments, claims that his sources say that Millsap “wants to play in Minnesota”.

Local scribe and friend of the Dunking With Wolves Podcast, Darren Wolfson, reports that he has not been able to confirm any Millsap meetings beyond Denver and Phoenix.

Of course, the Wolves would need to do some cap gymnastics to add Millsap, likely trading Cole Aldrich (and potentially needing to attach a draft pick to entice another team to accept the trade) and possibly renouncing the cap hold for restricted free agent Shabazz Muhammad. But if Millsap genuinely wants to form what would essentially amount to a “super team” in the West, well, they can make it happen.

A lineup of Jeff Teague, Andrew Wiggins, Jimmy Butler, Millsap, and Karl-Anthony Towns would immediately be a top-three team in the West — still a full rung below Golden State, of course, but in the conversation with Houston and San Antonio for the third-best team in the Western Conference.

Adding to the intrigue, Adrian Wojanarowski of ESPN reported on Saturday afternoon that J.J. Redick will be signing a one-year, $23 million contract to play for the up-and-coming (and painfully young) Philadelphia 76ers. According to Wolfson, the Wolves could have landed him with a longer-term contract at a lower annual salary, but the official offer never came. It makes sense, especially if they think they can land Millsap and add cheaper shooting options elsewhere during free agency.

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At any rate, we’ll keep an eye on the situation. Stay tuned for any breaking Wolves news as we continue to assist in navigating the free agency waters.