Walker stays back: a 'passport problem'

Last update: February 27, 2008 - 8:06 PM

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Antoine Walker did not accompany the Timberwolves to Toronto for Wednesday's game, an absence Wolves coach Randy Wittman attributed to a "passport problem" and not to Walker's desire to leave the team for a playoff contender by a Saturday league deadline.

"It has absolutely nothing to do with that," Wittman said. "I'm being straight-up honest with you."

Wittman said it's unlikely Walker will join the team today in Cleveland -- where, at last report, you don't need a passport to enter -- unless Craig Smith's sore hamstring isn't better and the Wolves need another healthy forward.

Walker, a 12-year NBA veteran who has played in Canada many times before, was on the inactive list for the three previous games before Wednesday night. Walker said he and Wittman mutually agreed he'd be inactive if he wasn't going to get more than spot duty.

Walker's agent, Mark Bartelstein, called Walker's passport issues a "miscommunication" and said there was "nothing new to report" about a contract settlement for Walker, who has one year at $9.3 million remaining after this season.

Asked to handicap the chances of an agreement with the Wolves by Saturday, Bartelstein said, "I don't do those things because you never know."

JERRY ZGODA