D-League center gets 1-year deal with Wolves

John Edwards is a big man (7-0, 275 pounds) with only a little NBA experience.

By Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune

Last update: September 20, 2007 - 12:39 AM

The Timberwolves have added center John Edwards to their big-man mix, with training camp less than two weeks away.

Andy Bountogianis, director of worldwide basketball for Mark Termini Associates, said Edwards has agreed to a one-year deal with the Wolves and should arrive in the Twin Cities next week.

The 7-0, 275-pound Edwards played at Kent State, then made the Indiana Pacers roster as an undrafted rookie in 2004. Signed by Atlanta before the 2005-06 season, he was part of the sign-and-trade deal in August of last year that sent Al Harrington to Indiana.

Edwards played in the NBA Development League last season after being cut by the Pacers. In 65 NBA games, Edwards has averaged 1.5 points and 1 rebound.

"He's an active big guy," Bountogianis said. "He'll come in and compete."

The Wolves have been looking for depth at center since losing Mark Madsen to an injury in mid-August. Madsen was hurt in a personal watercraft accident and had surgery on his right shoulder pectoral muscle. He could be out until mid-November.

Jefferson update

Owner Glen Taylor said the Wolves will likely wait until the team returns from training camp in Europe to get serious in talks to sign forward Al Jefferson to a contract extension.

The Wolves have until Oct. 31 to get that done. If Jefferson is not signed by then, he can't sign until after the season, when he would be a restricted free agent.

Kent Youngblood • kyoungblood@startribune.com