MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves were in the market for a capable perimeter shooter, ideally a veteran with experience in Coach Rick Adelman’s system to help balance a front court heavy roster. The Houston Rockets could be looking for something much, much bigger.
The teams made a move to address both needs Tuesday, just two days before the NBA Draft: The Timberwolves acquired swing man Chase Budinger from the Rockets in exchange for the 18th overall pick in the draft.
Houston went 34-32 last season and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The Rockets now have the 14th, 16th and 18th selections in a draft that many scouts think is one of the deeper classes in years, a load of ammunition that could help them make a play for one of the stars who could be available, including Orlando center Dwight Howard or Atlanta forward Josh Smith.
It’s the second consecutive off season the Rockets figure to be very active in trying to add some size and skill to their front court. Last year they had a deal in place that would have landed them Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol, but NBA Commissioner David Stern, acting on behalf of the league-owned New Orleans Hornets, nixed the trade, which would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers.
Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey is once again making a serious push in search of a blockbuster deal to push them back into contender status in the Western Conference.
The Timberwolves see themselves as a team on the rise behind Adelman, point guard Ricky Rubio and power forward Kevin Love. The Wolves faded late last season after Rubio went down with a knee injury, exposing the roster as one with too many point guards, power forwards and centers, and not enough playmakers and shooters on the wings.
Michael Beasley struggled with injuries and inconsistency, Wes Johnson couldn’t find his shooting stroke and Martell Webster never got fully into the groove after preseason back surgery.
Budinger should help. He averaged 9.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and shot 40.2 percent from three-point range in his third season with the Rockets. The former second-round pick out of Arizona played his first two seasons under Adelman in Houston, so he has familiarity in the coach’s corner offense and has demonstrated the ability to knock down open jump shots.
“Chase knows Rick Adelman’s system well after playing for him in Houston, and he will be a good fit on our team,” Timberwolves President David Kahn said in a statement issued by the team.
Sports, Pages 24 on 06/27/2012