sports
Jerry Zgoda missed the entire Kevin Garnett era, but he's back covering the Timberwolves after working the beat for their first four seasons two decades ago. In between, he covered a bit of everything: Gopher men's and women's basketball and NCAA athletics, golf, outdoor recreation, sports media and a little Vikings and Twins.
Countdown to 11:01 p.m.: Wolves, Shved agree on contract
Posted by: Jerry Zgoda under Wolves players, Wolves news Updated: July 10, 2012 - 8:46 PM
With the clock ticking toward the start of free-agency signings tonight, the Wolves today reached agreement with Russian 6-6 guard Alexey Shved on a multi-year contract, NBA sources said.
Shved visited Target Center today, three days after he helped lead Russia to the London Olympics at a qualifying tournament in Venezuela.
Shved, 23, plays both guard spots, although the Wolves like his versatility and believe he can play as many as three positions, including some time at small forward.
He's perhaps more point guard in nature because of his passing abilities.
A bit more of a scouting report on him: Uses ballscreens exceptionally well, high basketball IQ, should fit Rick Adelman's system well.
The Wolves are counting him to be a rotation player, which very well might mean they've got plans to move Luke Ridnour or J.J. Barea in a trade.
Especially if they're adding longtime D League Will Conroy. Brandon Roy told a Seattle radio station Monday that his former college teammate and good pal will be joining the Wolves, and apparently not just for summer league.
In many ways, Shved seems like a Russian Ricky Rubio: Good size, lots of flowing hair, instinctive playmaking abilities, good shooter and like Rubio, he was something of a basketball sensation in his mid teens.
Draft Express compared him to Goran Dragic in 2010 pre-draft report.
"His style of play is very similar to the way Goran Dragic played for Phoenix this season. Shved is an even better passer, though. He instinctively makes smart, simple passes within the flow of the offense, but he can also wow you at times with his imagination and his ability to thread the needle and find the open man diving to the rim for an easy basket.."
Shved is not expected to participate in a Las Vegas Summer League mini-camp at Target Center Friday through Sunday and won't play in Las Vegas because of Russian Olympic commitments.
The Wolves are expected to bring 15 to 20 players -- Derrick Williams, Wes Johnson, Malcolm Lee, international prospects Paulao Prestes and Lior Eliyahu, Ohio State guard William Buford among the many -- to the mini-camp. They'll take 11 or 12 probably to Las Vegas for games next week.
Shved played most recently for CSKA Moscow.
Shved's agent was believed to be seeking a three-year contract worth as much as $9 million. Memphis and Cleveland were among the NBA teams interested.
The Associated Press first reported the contract agreement.
explore star tribune sports
ADVERTISEMENT
| Tampa Bay - LP: C. Archer | 1 | FINAL |
| Boston - WP: A. Aceves | 5 |
| NY Mets - WP: M. Harvey | 4 | FINAL |
| Atlanta - LP: A. Wood | 3 |
| Los Angeles | 0 | Postponed |
| NY Yankees | 0 |
| Washington | 0 | Bottom 3rd Inning |
| Philadelphia | 0 |
| Kansas City | 2 | Bottom 6th Inning |
| Cleveland | 1 |
| Colorado | 2 | Top 7th Inning |
| Toronto | 8 |
| Baltimore | 5 | Top 6th Inning |
| Detroit | 1 |
| NY Mets | 0 | Bottom 6th Inning |
| Atlanta | 0 |
| Pittsburgh | 3 | Bottom 6th Inning |
| Cincinnati | 0 |
| Oakland | 2 | Top 3rd Inning |
| Texas | 0 |
| Tampa Bay | 0 | Top 4th Inning |
| Boston | 1 |
| Chicago WSox | 2 | Bottom 2nd Inning |
| Minnesota | 4 |
| Milwaukee | 0 | Top 3rd Inning |
| Houston | 1 |
| Chicago Cubs | 4 | Top 3rd Inning |
| St. Louis | 0 |
| Miami - N. Eovaldi | 8:40 PM |
| Arizona - R. Delgado |
| Seattle - J. Bonderman | 9:05 PM |
| LA Angels - J. Blanton |
| San Diego - A. Cashner | 9:15 PM |
| San Francisco - M. Cain |
| San Antonio | 8:00 PM |
| Miami |
| Montreal | 6/20/13 6:00 PM |
| Toronto |
| Winnipeg | 6/20/13 6:00 PM |
| Hamilton |
| Calgary | 6/20/13 9:00 PM |
| Saskatchewan |
| Edmonton | 6/21/13 9:00 PM |
| Brt Columbia |
| Washington | 9:00 PM |
| Seattle |
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
question of the day
Poll: Who will end up starting more games for the Vikings this season?
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
inside the StarTribune
-
425 Portland Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55488
(612) 673-4000
- Company
- Subscriber Services
- Website
- Buy Ads
- Store
- Connect with Us
© 2013 StarTribune. All rights reserved.
StarTribune.com is powered by Limelight Networks
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters