Canis Hoopus, a Minnesota Timberwolves community

"According to two league sources, the Wolves plan on making the three-time All-Star a two-year contract offer. The money is unknown." From Darren Wolfson

As most of us probably expected, Jamal Crawford is opting out of the second year of his contract with the Blazers. Now, most of us would probably agree that Jamal Crawford isn't the answer at SG for the Wolves, but how interested should they be in him as a backup SG/sixth man? The question for me is defense and offensive efficiency. I'm sure most of you have similar concerns. Perhaps at $5 million or so a year, he just isn't worth it.

Ricky Rubio made the 2011-12 NBA All-Rookie First Team and placed second in the voting. Kyrie Irving (Cleveland), Kenneth Faried (Denver), Klay Thompson (Golden State), Iman Shumpert (New York), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio) and Brandon Knight (Detroit) round out the First Team. Chandler Parsons (Houston), Isaiah Thomas (Sacramento), MarShon Brooks (New Jersey), Derrick Williams (Minnesota) and Tristan Thompson (Cleveland) were voted onto the Second Team.

Pek is going to have surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle after the season ends. He said he plans on finishing the season on the court with the Wolves.

Ricky Rubio is at Target Center and will be giving his first press conference since his ACL surgery.

"For anyone that is listening, I’m going to retire after this season," Miller said prior to the T’wolves game at Golden State on Monday night. "It’s time to concentrate on ‘Country Boys.’ I’m done." Country Boys Outdoors is on the Sportsman Channel and was selected best new series at the 2009 Sportsman Choice Awards.

Poor Michael Beasley. Sure, the man has his faults and herbal demons, but he’s also had his share of bad luck. And no, being pulled over last year with 16 grams of marijuana isn’t bad luck- it’s bad planning. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/06/michael-beasley-cited-marijuana-speeding_n_891627.html But still, having had the chance to watch Beasley under a microscope while he played in Miami with those pre-LeBron Heat teams (yes, there was a team in Miami before "The Decision," believe it or not), one thing was clear- the man was as naturally talented as they come. He has magnanimous, ambidextrous hands, a silky median-range jump shot, a surprisingly quick first step - basically all the physical tools a forward needs. The problem was, on a Heat team that takes pride on defense and professionalism, Beasley was as out of place as Will Smith in his first few years with the Banks family. "Goofy" and "laid-back" are two words that fairly described Beasley. They’d also never be used in the same sentence as "Heat culture." Beasley’s lack of defensive awareness and maturity combined with the fact that he played the same position as team captain Udonis Haslem, meant he never hit his stride in Miami. After being dealt in 2010 in what amounted to a salary dump, he found himself in the basketball wilderness known as Minnesota, forced to change position without a competent point guard in sight. Still, last year he was their second leading scorer (19 ppg) and played well. Unfortunately for Beasley, there’s a new coach in town and Adelman doesn’t appear to be sold on him. Combine that with Minnesota drafting Derrick Williams, another guy who shares his position, and it appears as though Beasley’s time in Minnesota may be coming to an end. With that in mind, let’s look at few trades that make sense for Minnesota, while also not being entirely unkind to Mr. Beasley....