Point guard suddenly area of need

David Brewster, Star Tribune file

The Timberwolves are likely to try and re-sign Sebastian Telfair, who was acquired last summer from Boston in the Kevin Garnett trade, after a draft-day trade left the team thin at point guard.

The Wolves are thin at the position as the NBA's eight-day free agency negotiation period begins.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: June 30, 2008 - 11:42 PM

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TIMBERWOLVES FREE AGENCY

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The Timberwolves' free-agency pursuits begin today, the start of an eight-day negotiation period that prohibits them from officially signing anybody until July 9.

The Wolves extended qualifying offers to restricted free agents Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith and Chris Richard and declined to do so to Sebastian Telfair and Kirk Snyder. But Telfair's agent said Monday "all indications" suggest the Wolves will try seriously to re-sign his client.

"And Sebastian is interested in listening, but I'm fully confident he will have other offers," agent Andy Miller said. "We're going to take the offer that is best in the short- and long-term interest of Sebastian."

Wolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale said he would still like to work out a new deal with Telfair, one of five players acquired last summer from Boston in the Kevin Garnett trade.

The team needs to solve its sudden point guard dilemma. On draft night Thursday, the Wolves roster included four players -- Randy Foye, O.J. Mayo, Marko Jaric, even Greg Buckner -- who could play a little or a lot of point guard. But the midnight eight-player trade that swapped Mayo's draft rights for Kevin Love's now leaves the Wolves with only one point guard under contract, Foye.

The Wolves did not offer Telfair the one-year qualifier because they would have guaranteed Telfair, a former first-round pick, $3.5 million, more than three times the $1 million qualifiers made to Gomes and Smith, both former second-round picks.

Telfair and Snyder are free to sign with any team they choose without the Wolves having the right to match.

"I don't know if it was a good decision or a poor decision from their standpoint, but it gives us more flexibility and maneuverability," Miller said.

The Wolves can match any offer Gomes, Smith or Richard receive from other teams. The three players also each can accept the one-year qualifying offer, play next season under the contract's terms and then become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

McHale said the point guard problem could be solved by signing Telfair or another free agent. Coach Randy Wittman said he would like three options -- perhaps a rookie guard who can play both guard positions as the third option -- for that position. The list of unrestricted free-agent point guards includes Shaun Livingston (Los Angeles Clippers), Chris Duhon (Chicago), Jannero Pargo (New Orleans) and veterans such as Jason Williams, Sam Cassell, Damon Stoudamire, Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue. Golden State's Baron Davis opted to become a free agent Monday night but will command big money.

Etc.

• Mike Miller, the veteran swingman acquired from Memphis last week in the same trade that brought Love to the Wolves for Mayo, will be introduced at a news conference today at Target Center.

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