Alando Tucker has been spared the final three weeks of a lost season.

The Timberwolves waived the third-year forward on Monday, essentially excusing him from the final dozen games after three months on Minnesota's bench. Tucker, Wisconsin's all-time leading scorer, appeared in only four games after being acquired in a salary-cap-maneuver trade with Phoenix on Dec. 29. The Wolves also received a second-round pick in the swap for Jason Hart, a trade intended only to reduce the Suns' luxury-tax bill.

Tucker scored four baskets in 25 total minutes during his three months with the Wolves, spending most games on the inactive list. His lone Target Center appearance amounted to a scoreless three-minute, 22-second stint on March 6.

Releasing Tucker leaves the Wolves with 13 players, the NBA minimum, on their roster. Minnesota faces Toronto tonight in Target Center.