Wolves shore up lean point-guard status

David Brewster, Dml - Star Tribune

Sebastian Telfair

By signing Sebastian Telfair to a multi-year deal, the Wolves retained the point guard Kevin McHale wanted.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: July 24, 2008 - 9:17 AM

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After his well-publicized travels between three teams in his first four NBA seasons, Sebastian Telfair finalized a new contract with the Timberwolves on Wednesday and presumably received more than a two-year deal that gives him the option to return for a third season.

"I felt like I got a home," he said.

Drafted by Portland directly following a famous New York City schoolboy career, dealt to Boston for one eventful season and then to the Wolves, Telfair transformed himself from an afterthought in last summer's Kevin Garnett trade into a 51-game starter, and more notably, a pass-first point guard.

On Wednesday, the Wolves fortified that lonely position -- until then Randy Foye was the only point guard under contract -- by re-signing Telfair in a transaction that lightened Kevin McHale's lumbering gait.

McHale said he received telephone calls from a handful of agents looking for a home for their point guards and also entertained trade talks for players who could give Foye support at that position.

On Wednesday, McHale said his preference always was to bring back Telfair, who turned 23 last month and would be an NBA rookie had he gone to college for four years.

"We had a lot of options, I just had a comfort level with Sebastian," said McHale, the team's vice president of basketball operations. "You've got to remember, Sebastian is a young man who has so much growth in front of him. He says he's going into his fifth [NBA] year. I was 30 going into my fifth year. He's so young, he's just developing. ... We wanted him back so badly."

Telfair became the starting point guard when Foye missed the season's first three months because of a knee injury. Telfair, in turn, missed the season's final six weeks because of a badly sprained ankle that he said is back to 100 percent.

Telfair was free to sign with any NBA team without restriction after the Wolves failed to make him a qualifying offer last month that would have guaranteed him a $3.5 million salary next season.

Telfair's lone season in Boston ended when the Celtics removed the nameplate from his locker after he had been arrested on a gun-possession charge. His first season in Minnesota featured what McHale considered a January turning point, when he said Telfair grew into his position and his new team with play that included 40 assists and four turnovers in a five-game stretch.

"Coming into this summer, being a free agent was a big thing for me," Telfair said. "But the most important part was coming back to Minnesota. I got a great opportunity to play last year. I built a relationship with the organization and the coaches and I really wanted to play here. Mac and those guys believed in me and I appreciate it."

Note

• McHale said the Wolves will hold training camp, beginning in late September, in Mankato, owner Glen Taylor's hometown. He also said he'd like to add a combo guard who could serve as a third point guard, but said that issue is on the "back burner."

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