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Timberwolves Add Justin Hamilton, Waive GR3

It's been reported that the Minnesota Timberwolves have claimed center Justin Hamilton off waivers from the New Orleans Pelicans. What does this mean?

By David Naylor
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Marc Stein of ESPN has just reported that the Timberwolves have acquired third-year center Justin Hamilton via waivers from the New Orleans Pelicans, who recently acquired him from the Miami Heat as a part of the Goran Dragic trade.

On first blush, this looks a lot like a move to lower Nikola Pekovic's minutes and have an alternative to Gorgui Dieng at the center position. Hamilton, via the Pelican's press release announcing the roster move on Tuesday, appeared in 24 games for Miami, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds on 12 minutes per game as Hassan Whiteside's backup after excelling in the D-League last season for Sioux Falls. Hamilton was the 45th overall pick in the 2012 draft. If any new information comes out, we'll have your updates here.

Update (4:24pm): Stein is reporting that the Wolves have, at long last, waived Glenn Robinson III to make the roster move. (I'm assuming he means GR3 and not that the Wolves mysteriously signed his dad and didn't tell anyone).

Update (4:37pm): Text of Wolves press release:

Minneapolis/St. Paul - The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has claimed center Justin Hamilton off waivers. In a subsequent move, the team has waived forward Glenn Robinson III. The Wolves roster stands at 15 players.

Hamilton, 24, has played in 24 games (five starts) this season with the Miami Heat, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game. In his second year out of Louisiana State University, the 7-0 center played in eight games last season for Miami and the Charlotte Bobcats, averaging 3.3 points and 0.9 rebounds per game. Hamilton was originally drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 45th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Hamilton was traded from the Heat to the New Orleans Pelicans on February 19, 2015. He did not appear in a game with the Pelicans before being waived on March 3, 2015.

Robinson III appeared in 25 games this season with Minnesota, averaging 1.2 points in 4.3 minutes per contest. The Wolves drafted the 6-7 forward with the 40th overall selection in the 2014 NBA Draft.

Update (4:43pm): The AP's Jon Krawczynski threw in his insight on the deal, which may not have just been instantaneous, and also had some thoughts on Pek: