Wolves mull options with Turiaf's season done

WASHINGTON – The Timberwolves will contemplate their options now that veteran center Ronny Turiaf won't play again this season after he underwent surgery to repair his hip in New York City on Tuesday.

Turiaf's contract with a $1.6 million salary expires after this season, which means the Wolves eventually will waive him to clear a roster spot.

The question is when and how will they use it, particularly if Ricky Rubio's return from a severely sprained ankle is on a faster track than once believed.

They could simply decide to keep hardship-exception signee Jeff Adrien on because of his bulk and muscle. They could let Adrien's exception expire Friday and choose to sign a guard — maybe D League sharpshooter Brady Heslip — after that, particularly if they believe Mo Williams' back problems will remain a consideration.

Or maybe they add a player — a versatile defender who can shoot — now that Dec. 15 has passed and teams can trade players they signed as free agents last summer.

"That doesn't mean we'll disassociate ourselves from him, but if there's the right person available….," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said before Tuesday's game at Washington about releasing Turiaf. "There's a lot happening right now, so we're going to wait and see and take our time. When decisions need to be made, we'll make those decisions."

A week ago, Saunders said Rubio's return was at least four to five weeks away. But Rubio (and veteran Kevin Martin) accompanied the team on this two-game trip out East, and Rubio is running on his own and putting some jump into his jump shots as he continues to work his way back from that Nov. 7 injury.

"He's telling me he thinks he can play on Christmas Day," Saunders said. "That's not going to happen. But he's coming. He has sped up [his recovery time] a little bit."

Williams returned after missing six games because of those back spasms and played 14 minutes off the bench.

"It helped a little bit," Saunders said about Williams' presence. "We have to keep him at that. I was surprised he played as well as he did."

Williams backed flared after he was asked to play 35 minutes or more. Asked if they'll have to be careful with his minutes now, he said, "I don't think it had nothing to do with that, but we'll see."

Tuesday's game reunited Saunders with Wizards coach Randy Wittman, one of his longtime assistants and the man who replaced him after Washington fired Saunders in January 2012.

• Saunders said he thought rookie Andrew Wiggins lacked "energy" in a 9-point, 3-rebound performance, but he limited Bradley Beal to a 3-for-12 shooting night. Beal scored 10 points after having 22 and 29 his previous two games.

• Wizards veteran forward Paul Pierce didn't play because of a sore toe. Before the game, Wolves vet Corey Brewer perused the game media notes and noted Pierce's career high is "only" 50 points.