Latest NBA rumors suggest Wolves interest heating up over 2 NBA veterans
By Bret Stuter
The Minnesota Timberwolves are cutting it close to the wire. With under two weeks to go, the Timberwolves roster has multiple slots open, and that is beginning to be a bit concerning. After all, the 2023 Minnesota Timberwolves training camp starts a week early this year. That means that, unlike normal seasons with a start date in early October, the Timberwolves camp will start on September 27. Veterans can report to the Minnesota Timberwolves on September 26, 2023.
That is only 13 days away.
With training camp so near, the Timberwolves front office has to be acutely aware of their limited amount of time to fill their 15-man roster slot, fill their third Two-Way contract slot, and perhaps even add more developmental players on Exhibit-10 contracts, with the intent of assigning them to their G-League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, as some future point in time.
So who will it be?
NBA rumors heating up over this veteran swingman
Per NBA Insider Michael Scotto, the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of several teams that are showing interest in former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lamar Stevens. Stevens was part of a three-team trade package that sent him from the Cavaliers to the San Antonio Spurs and involved the Miami Heat as well.
Just eight days after the trade, Stevens was released by the Spurs, and he has been a free agent for the past two months. Now, NBA rumors surround Lamar Stevens with reported interest from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat. A dark horse in the Lamar Stevens sweepstakes could also include the Houston Rockets.
Stevens is a hot name right now because he is young, just 26 years old, and entering his fourth season in the NBA. At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, he has the ability to slide seamlessly between a small forward or power forward role. He also has experience in a rotational role, as well as a spot starter.
Minnesota Timberwolves rumors? There is another . . .
The Minnesota Timberwolves are also reported in the latest wave of NBA rumors to be one of two NBA teams to have worked out veteran NBA Elfrid Payton. Payton is a veteran point guard who peaked for the Orlando Magic during the 2017-2018 NBA season. The 6-foot-3 195-pound point guard, if added, could give the Timberwolves roster a vital additional option at point guard, a role that on paper is particularly thin.
Payton was a solid performer, at least until he signed with the Phoenix Suns for the 2021-22 NBA season. His minutes and role plummeted that year, leading to his sitting out the entire 2022-23 NBA season. He did fill that time by competing in the G-League for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Now he hopes to secure a role on the Timberwolves roster. As it now stands, he could be offered a standard NBA contract or a Two-Way contract.
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