Quick Job assessments
A look at the 2012-13 Timberwolves and their prospects for 2013-14:
Ricky Rubio
Came back from surgery and became better player than he was before. Plays so hard, he just might have enough will to win to lift a cursed franchise. Along with Love, he's the franchise's cornerstone.
Kevin Love
My, how quickly fortunes change with one lost season. Don't go all doom-and-gloom about his future ending here by 2015. It all could switch around again if he plays next season like he did in 2011-12.
Nikola Pekovic
Says he wants "100 percent" to return next season, but will the restricted free agent strike a deal quickly come July 1 or will another team make an offer too rich for the Wolves? If so, a sign-and-trade deal is possible.
Andrei Kirilenko
Can opt out of $10 million guaranteed next season and become free to negotiate a multiyear deal. That's a BIG guarantee. Will he or won't he?
Derrick Williams
Found his confidence and an improved game starting for the injured Love during the season's last three months. But he's still a likely trade candidate, particularly if he'd bring back a legit shooting guard.
Luke Ridnour
At 32, oldest guy of the bunch but is the only Wolf to play all 82 games. Has one year left on his four-year deal. If the Wolves can trade him for an authentically sized shooting guard, they will.
J.J. Barea
Rick Adelman wants more guards who can break defenders down. He and Rubio are the only proven ones who fit that description now.
Chase Budinger
You can bet the unrestricted free agent will be back, IF Adelman returns.
Dante Cunningham
Gave the Wolves more rebounding, defense and shooting than they could have expected. Picking up his $2.1 million team option should be a no-brainer.
Alexey Shved
No matter his early-season promise, he's not the answer at shooting guard. Not yet anyway. Must get stronger and learn to play without the ball in these next two years of his three-year contract.
Greg Stiemsma
Wolves insisted his $2.7 million salary for next season be non-guaranteed because of his feet, which survived the season just fine. Expect him back.
Brandon Roy
A $5 million gamble that didn't pay off. Next year's $5.3 million salary isn't guaranteed, so he won't be back but his contract could be included in a draft-week deal.
Malcolm Lee
An intriguing combo guard who hasn't been healthy either of his first two NBA seasons. Can he stay on the court next season after hip and knee surgeries ended this one?
Mickael Gelabale
A 10-day contract signee out of Europe, he started 13 games out of necessity but his return depends on what Wolves do at small-forward spot.
Chris Johnson
Adelman considers him an NBA player, but his return depends on team's summertime moves.
