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Wolves agree to terms with restricted free-agent Craig Smith

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: July 17, 2008 - 12:12 AM

The Wolves have agreed to terms with restricted free-agent Craig Smith on a two-year contract and the third-year forward is expected to join the franchise's summer-league team in Las Vegas today.

Smith averaged 9.4 points on 56.3 percent shooting and 4.6 rebounds in 77 games (including 11 starts) last season. He scored a career-high 36 points in a game at Washington last December.

The Wolves selected Smith, a 6-8 low-post player who grew up in Los Angeles and played at Boston College, in the second round of the 2006 draft.

Smith could play some in the summer-league team's three remaining games. The Wolves will send newly acquired Rodney Carney home today because his hamstring injury won't allow him to play any of the Wolves' five games in the Vegas league.

The Wolves have not yet signed restricted free agents Ryan Gomes and Chris Richard or unrestricted free agent Sebastian Telfair. Several teams have pursued Gomes and negotiations with a team such as Cleveland could intensify now that Boston free agent James Posey has signed with New Orleans.

Gomes' agent likely is eyeing the full mid-level exception of $5.6 million for next season. If Gomes signs with another team, the Wolves have seven days to match the offer or let Gomes go.

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