The Timberwolves got busy during the first 24 hours of NBA free agency, wooing Portland swingman Nicolas Batum to town on Sunday evening and scheduling visits for two other players, league sources said.
The Wolves are expected to offer a four-year deal that could approach $50 million for Batum, a 6-8 restricted free-agent swingman who would address two of their biggest needs -- small forward and shooting guard -- with one big signing.
No contract can be signed until the NBA's moratorium on trades and signings ends July 11. The Trail Blazers and their kajillionaire owner Paul Allen then would have three days to match the Wolves' offer.
The Wolves also called Boston restricted free-agent center Greg Stiemsma one minute after free agency commenced late Saturday night and brought him to Minneapolis for a visit on Sunday morning.
Los Angeles Lakers unrestricted free-agent power forward Jordan Hill -- who played for Wolves coach Rick Adelman in Houston -- is expected to visit on Monday while the Wolves still are believed to be pursuing a trade for Lakers star Pau Gasol.
The Wolves pursued Batum before the 2010 draft, reportedly offering the No. 4 pick they eventually used to select Wes Johnson for a player who was taken 25th overall in 2008. But the Blazers refused the offer.
Batum, 23, was scheduled to fly from his home in France to Minneapolis to meet with team owner Glen Taylor, president of basketball operations David Kahn and Adelman, all of whom flew to Seattle to meet with retired two-time All-Star and unrestricted free agent Brandon Roy on Friday.
Batum presumably would give the Wolves what they still lack after drafting Johnson fourth overall in 2010 and trading that same summer for Michael Beasley, whose two seasons with the team ended Saturday when he became an unrestricted free agent after he did not receive an $8.1 million qualifying offer. Batum is a versatile perimeter player who can handle the ball, defend and shoot the three-pointer while playing both forward and guard positions.
