The Timberwolves continued their free-agency pursuits on Tuesday, still wooing Portland swingman Nicolas Batum in Minneapolis with the prospect of a four-year offer sheet worth $45 million or more and agreeing by phone with restricted free-agent center Greg Stiemsma's agent that the two parties are a "good fit" for each other.
Comcast SportsNet in Portland reported Batum told the Trail Blazers on Tuesday that he does not want to return to the team.
Shortly thereafter, Batum tweeted, "Trust me I didn't."
If true, it's probably a negotiating move intended to dissuade Portland from matching an offer sheet or provoke a sign-and-trade agreement in which the Wolves would send players and/or draft pick(s) away for the 6-8 swingman who would address needs at both small forward and shooting guard.
Batum arrived in Minnesota on Sunday and remained in town Tuesday with his agent. No contracts can be signed or players traded until July 11, and Portland then would have three days to match the Wolves' offer if no sign-and-trade agreement is reached.
The Wolves called Chicago-based agent Mike Naiditch at 11:01 p.m. on Saturday, one minute into NBA's free agency period, and inquired about Stiemsma, a 6-11 center who spent the 2010 offseason with them. He came to town for a visit Sunday morning.
The Wolves also are believed to have continued a dialogue with Los Angeles Lakers forward Jordan Hill's agent on Tuesday. He visited on Monday.
Boston has the right to match any offer for Stiemsma, who they signed as a free agent before last season started. But the Celtics might not have the money to do so after re-signing Kevin Garnett, and if they sign Dallas guard Jason Terry to an offer sheet and/or re-sign Ray Allen.
