Return of Hummel, Lynx Back in Action

As we discussed last night, Robbie Hummel is returning to the Timberwolves, agreeing to terms on a one year, $900,000 contract. I like this, as Hummel is a useful guy to have around at under a million.  Hummel was the Wolves 2nd round pick in 2012, and after spending a season in Spain, made the club last fall and spent the whole year on the roster.

His playing time was spotty, but he made five starts and appeared in 53 games in total. He made 36% of his three pointers and was pretty aggressive on the defensive glass. I like this signing; Hummel can help in specific situations, and can play either forward position.

The signing means the Wolves have 14 players on the roster with guaranteed contracts for this season:

Ricky Rubio
J.J. Barea
Alexey Shved
Kevin Martin
Zach LaVine
Corey Brewer
Chase Budinger
Shabazz Muhammad
Robbie Hummel
Luc Mbah a Moute
Kevin Love
Ronny Turiaf
Gorgui Dieng
Nikola Pekovic

Obviously, the Kevin Love situation means the roster is up in the air, but right now, the Wolves lack anyone I'm thrilled about at backup point guard (presumably Barea by default right now) and backup power forward. Depending on how things play out, this signing is probably not helpful to Glenn Robinson III's hopes to make the roster, not only because it removes one available spot, but also because the Hummel role is the one he was likely best suited for.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Lots of GRIII questions. Nothing decided yet on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Twolves?src=hash">#Twolves</a> end. He has zero Europe plans. Tough fit here if they ultimately get Wiggins.</p>&mdash; Darren Wolfson (@DarrenWolfson) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarrenWolfson/statuses/491578309609029632">July 22, 2014</a></blockquote>

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There are three WNBA teams over .500 as the post-All Star schedule gets underway. The Phoenix Mercury (18-3), Atlanta Dream (15-6) and Minnesota Lynx (17-6). Everyone else is below .500.  The Lynx host the Dream tonight in a big game at Target Center, as they look to stay within shouting distance of the West leading Mercury. Seimone Augustus has been out for weeks with bursitis in her knee, and it is unknown when she will be available. Rebekkah Brunson has not appeared in a game yet this season after pre-season knee surgery. This season was always going to be more difficult than the smooth sailing of last year, but the Lynx need to kick into high gear as we approach the final stretch.

Today in History

1099: First Crusade: Geoffrey of Buillon elected Defender of the Holy Sepulchure in Jerusalem
1306: King Phillip the Fair orders expulsion of Jews from France
1587: English colony founded on Roanoke Island
1775: George Washington takes over Colonial troops
1796: Cleveland, OH is founded by General Moses Cleveland; they win draft lottery following year.
1934: John Dillinger fatally wounded by FBI agents outside Biograph Theatre in Chicago
1942: 300,000 Jews from Warsaw Ghetto are shipped to Treblinka Concentration Camp

Today's musical birthday is George Clinton, born in 1941

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