At this pace, youthful may not be the best adjective to describe the Timberwolves, despite the presence of youngsters like Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Karl-Anthony Towns.
Flip Saunders, the team's coach and director of basketball operations, has steadily been building a veteran presence as well. On Thursday, he added a familiar face from his past when the Wolves agreed to terms on a one-year deal with 35-year-old forward Tayshaun Prince.
Saunders had earlier added 39-year-old point guard Andre Miller to the roster and re-signed 39-year-old forward Kevin Garnett.
Prince played three seasons for Saunders, from 2005-06 through 2007-08, when both were with the Detroit Pistons. In each of those seasons, Prince started all 82 games and was selected to the NBA's all-defensive second team.
The 6-9 Prince played in a reserve role last season for the first time in his career, and he figures to be in a similar role with the Wolves.
Although Prince started only 16 of 58 games last season for three teams — Memphis, Boston and Detroit — he still averaged 24.1 minutes and converted 46.3 percent of his three-point attempts. He averaged 7.5 and 3.6 rebounds.
He averaged double figures in scoring in 10 straight seasons from 2003-04 through 2012-13.
While Prince was in Detroit from 2002 to 2013, the Pistons appeared in two NBA Finals — winning the championship in 2004 — and six consecutive Eastern Conference finals from 2003 through 2008.
Saunders was at the helm of the Pistons for three straight conference final berths from 2006 through 2008.
The Wolves now have 16 players with guaranteed contracts, one more than the maximum. The most perilous players on the roster appear to be 2013 No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett and Damjan Rudez, obtained in a trade for Chase Budinger.
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