Jerry Zgoda's NBA short takes

February 17, 2013 at 12:46AM

Countdown to trade deadline Thursday is the NBA's trade deadline and the Wolves could trade veteran Luke Ridnour for a bigger guard by then. Here's some options they'll consider:

FILE - In this March 9, 2012, file photo, Utah Jazz's Raja Bell looks on during an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Philadelphia. Bell says his career with the Utah Jazz is over, calling the damage "irreparable" and saying coach Tyrone Corbin was "unprofessional" because of a lack of communication.
(Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Raja Bell/Alec Burks, Utah: The Jazz, intent on making the playoffs again, seek a long-term answer at point guard but might opt for Ridnour's stabilizing veteran leadership while injured starter Mo Williams remains out at least another month. Burks is a young, gifted shooting guard with talent, but the Jazz isn't likely to deal him. Bell is a veteran defender with size who has been exiled from Utah all season.

Philadelphia 76ers' Evan Turner drives between Boston Celtics' Ray Allen,left, and Paul Pierce during Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Semifinals on Monday, May 21, 2012 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
(Mct - Mct/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Evan Turner, Philadelphia: The Sixers have gauged trade interest in the 2010 draft's second overall pick who just never has quite fit their system. At 6-7, he'd add needed backcourt size, but does he possess the shooting and playmaking abilities needed at shooting guard, or is he really a small forward? And would the Sixers be willing to swap one underachieving No. 2 overall pick for another?

New York Knicks forward Ronnie Brewer (11) and New Orleans Hornets guard Austin Rivers (25) scuffle for a loose ball on the floor in the first half of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013. The dispute over control was settled with a jump ball at center-court.
(Associated Press - Ap/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Ronnie Brewer/Iman Shumpert, New York: The Knicks don't need another point guard, but they do need another bench scorer if they intend to challenge Miami and Ridnour is more the latter than the former anyway. The Wolves pursued Brewer in free agency last summer before he signed with New York and then was relegated to the end of the Knicks bench. Shumpert is a promising defender just back from ACL surgery, but he probably isn't going anywhere.

Timberwolves guard Alexey Shved passes the ball against Celtics guard Courtney Lee.
(Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Courtney Lee, Boston: Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo is out for the season because of a torn ACL and Lee, Jason Terry and Avery Bradley aren't really point guards. Lee played for Rick Adelman in Houston, and the Wolves had some interest in the 6-5 swingman during last summer's free agency.

Longer shots Eric Gordon, New Orleans: Huge contract and questionable knee.

DeMar DeRozan, Toronto: Wolves could have drafted him No. 6 overall in 2009 rather than Jonny Flynn.

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