Wolves waive Fesenko to get roster down to 17 players

No surprise here, but the Timberwolves today announced they have waived training-camp invitee center Kyrylo Fesenko to get their roster down to 17 players.

Former Baylor guard Brady Heslip remains, for now.

Barring something really unforeseen, he'll, too, be waived, even though Flip Saunders said after Sunday's victory over Oklahoma City in Tulsa that he believes Heslip will play in the NBA because he shoots the ball so well.

The real question is what the Wolves do over the weekend or early next week to get from 16 players down to the maximum 15?

Do they do the most cost-efficient thing and pay off Glenn Robinson III's very small guarantee?

Do they trade or buyout J.J. Barea, the team's third point guard despite what Saunders has called impressive play throughout the preseason.

Do they pay off Robbie Hummel's fully guaranteed but minimum contract instead?

I still think the Budinger move is most likely just because of the four options, he's the most expendable if the Wolves can find a willing team.

The Wolves probably keep Robinson because of his potential and cost efficiency.

They probably keep Hummel just because, as was shown Sunday in Tulsa, they'll need him as a third power forward if Thad Young or Anthony Bennett gets hurt. When Bennett's knee proved too sore, Hummel played 19 minutes Sunday and played well.

And Barea might have been the best point guard in training camp and gives the Wolves insurance if something happens to Ricky Rubio and Mo Williams. If one gets injured, do the Wolves at this point want to rely on Zach LaVine as their backup point guard. By keeping Barea, it also keep open the option that another NBA team will lose a point guard to injury, possibly increasing Barea's trade value.

Budinger is experienced and the Wolves sure could use his three-point shooting, but the Wolves already have Andrew Wiggins, Corey Brewer, Shabazz Muhammad, Robinson, Hummel and Young who all can play there as well.