A pattern is starting to emerge in the Timberwolves' free-agent signings.
For the second day in a row, they nabbed a young frontcourt player to a one-year deal for cheap. This time, it was Noah Vonleh, who a source said agreed to terms for one year and $2 million.
Vonleh's signing comes after the Wolves signed former Golden State center Jordan Bell to a one-year deal worth $1.6 million.
Bell's deal was a minimum contract while Vonleh's is not, meaning it could eat into one of the two salary-cap exceptions the Wolves have (their midlevel and biannual exceptions).
Vonleh is 23 and Bell is 24, but Vonleh has more NBA experience. He was drafted ninth overall by Charlotte in 2014 after spending one college season at Indiana.
He has played on four teams in five NBA seasons, most recently with New York, where he averaged 8.4 points and 25.3 minutes per game. He started 57 of 68 games.
New Wolves President Gersson Rosas had a need to fill the frontcourt after he traded Dario Saric to the Suns on draft night to acquire Jarrett Culver while Taj Gibson left in free agency. Another veteran frontcourt player from a season ago also is headed elsewhere — and he is saying goodbye to Minnesota for a second time.
Anthony Tolliver is set to sign a one-year, minimum deal worth $2.6 million with Portland, a source confirmed. Tolliver played in 65 games last season, averaging five points per game.
It was a trying year, as Tolliver found himself in and out of the rotation at various times. Between Nov. 14 and Dec. 31, he did not play in 15 of 23 games under former coach Tom Thibodeau, even though he was healthy.
Tolliver still shot 38 percent from three-point range, which makes him a valuable piece on any team that can help create shots for him. He also played for the Wolves from 2010 to '12.
