It appears that the 13-year playoff drought for the Minnesota Timberwolves could end next season. The Timberwolves have been working hard this summer in order to improve and be relevant again in the Western Conference. As we all well know they've already acquired Jimmy Butler via trade from the Chicago Bulls, and also signed Jeff Teague and Taj Gibson earlier this offseason.
Last season, the Wolves finished with a disappointing 31-51 record as they ended up at the bottom of the Western Conference. With all the roster improvements they've made so far this offseason, they should see their fortunes turn around next season.
On Sunday, ESPN announced that Minnesota acquired another good, veteran player.
Jamal Crawford teaming up with Jimmy Butler
According to ESPN, the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to sign a two-year deal with free-agent Jamal Crawford. The deal is worth around $9 million and reportedly has a player option for the final year of the contract. Crawford was traded from the Clippers to the Hawks earlier this month, but he reached a buyout agreement with the Hawks and became a free-agent.
There were many teams interested in acquiring Crawford, but he chose to play alongside Jimmy Butler and rising star Karl-Anthony Towns. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers were also mentioned as the possible landing spots for Crawford, but that didn't happen.
Reporting w/ @WindhorstESPN: ESPN Sources say Jamal Crawford has agreed to sign with Minnesota upon clearing waivers https://t.co/R47ANmqyr3
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) 8. srpnja 2017.
Crawford is a 17-year NBA veteran, and he spent the last five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. He won the Sixth Man of the Year award three times in his career, and he will most likely continue to come off the bench for the Timberwolves also.
Last season with the Clippers, Crawford averaged 12.3 points and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 36% from the three-point line. Tom Thibodeau, the head coach for the Timberwolves, had this to say about Crawford: "I think we all know what he is. I love his passion for the game." It will be interesting to see how things work out in Minnesota next season.
Raymond Felton headed to Oklahoma
ESPN's Chris Haynes reported that Raymond Felton has agreed to sign a one-year deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Reportedly, Felton agreed to sign a one-year deal at the veteran's minimum as he gets the chance to play alongside league MVP - Russell Westbrook.
Free agent Raymond Felton agrees to one-year deal with Oklahoma City Thunder, league sources tell ESPN.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) 7. srpnja 2017.
Felton played 80 games last season as the member of the Los Angeles Clippers. During the 2016/2017 season, he averaged 6.7 points and 2.4 assists per game in 21 minutes of playing time. Felton is a 6-foot-1, 12-year NBA veteran and he will serve as a backup point guard for the Thunder next season.
