The Wolves practiced early at Target Center this morning and now are headed off to New York City for Tuesday night's game against the Knicks.

We're fast approaching just three weeks to the trade deadline.

An Arizona Republic report that the Wolves are one of three teams -- Golden State and Cleveland are the others, acccording to the newspaper -- who are calling about Amare Stoudemire serves as a reminder.

Stoudemire, you might recall, was one of the first players David Kahn was believed to have sought in June 2009, shortly after he was hired.

There are things that don't make sense about the notion, just as there were about that Al Jefferson-for-Danny Granger rumor (like, the Pacers would never do it, for one).

Stoudemire can become a free agent this summer, although whether he would turn down $17.8 million guaranteed for the 2010-11season is a big "if."

Would the Wolves have any chance of signing a guy who has played in warm, sunny Phoenix all his career and wants to play for a title contender to a long-term deal?

The one advantage the Wolves would have if they acquired him is the ability to pay him more than anybody can because they have the money and we all know it does talk.

Whether it would on this occasion, that's anybody's guess. He'd give the Wolves yet another natural power forward type, which, of course, likely would mean Al Jefferson would be headed to Phoenix or elsewhere if such a deal ever materialized.

The Suns are one of a number of teams who could trade one of their big stars by the deadline to cut costs and, in this case, receive something in return for a player who just might walk away anyway.

Expect Kahn to inquire about all the possibilities -- don't believe him when he says he's going to take all of this season to evaluate his team -- before Feb. 18 in an effort to leverage that approaching salary-cap space with a fire-sale player now.

Stoudemire, Kevin Martin, Andre Iguodala, Monta Ellis, all those guys and more likely will be dangled in the coming 24 days.

Oh, yes, add Jefferson to that list as well.

After practice today, Jefferson said Kahn has been honest with him.

He said Kahn assured him he wasn't going to be traded to Indiana.

He emphasized Kahn never told him he wouldn't be traded ever.

"I know better than that," Jefferson said.