--Star forward Al Jefferson, on his way back from a sprained knee ligament sustained in a preseason workout more than two weeks ago, participated in contact practice work for the first time on Day 3 of the team's training camp in Mankato, Minn. He did 2-on-2 work for more than 30 minutes after running and participating in "dummy" run-throughs of the team's defensive and offensive schemes the first two days.
Jefferson likely will return to practice fully sometime next week. He is expected to miss at leas the first two preseason games, Monday at Milwaukee and Wednesday against Oklahoma City in Billings, Mt. "Getting better, getting closer," he said Wednesday night. "But I also don't want to rush anything."
Jefferson collapsed in pain when free-agent guard Blake Ahearn fell into his leg during a preseason workout at Target Center on Sept. 16.
"The biggest injury in my life was an ankle injury," Jefferson said. "When I heard my knee pop, I said, 'Oh, Lord.' I thought it was over. Knock on wood, it was just a little, minor setback. I'm a fast healer."
--The Wolves sent their scouting staff, Al Jefferson, Mike Miller and Randy Foye to Chicago last month to work out free agent guard Shaun Livingston and continue to pursue the former lottery pick who hasn't played since February 2007 after suffering a severe knee injury. However, Miami looks like the favorite to sign him if the Heat can clear some cap room, unless the Wolves decide to sweeten their offer.
The Wolves are looking for a third guard to back up point guards Foye and Sebastian Telfair. Blake Ahearn, the NBA Developmental League player who played 12 games with Miami late last season, and 11-year pro Kevin Ollie are in camp competing while Livingston weighs his options.
Ahearn, 24, played for the Wolves' Las Vegas Summer League team. Ollie, 35, is with his 11th NBA team in those 11 seasons.
Wittman is looking for what he calls a "combination" of qualities for that third point guard.
"Obviously, a guy who can play, and the ability to lead a little bit," he said. "I'm harder on my point guards than anybody else. I demand more of them than anybody else. They've got to be able to handle that. That third guard is a guy who's an eyelash away from being out there every day in the action, so he has to be able to handle an offense and have an understanding of what we want to get done."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The course needs to have signs about a sharp, downhill, left-hand turns and my brother needs to proceed with more caution." -- New Wolves center Jason Collins, on the golf-cart accident that ruptured his triceps tendon in his elbow last month and has him sidelined until early November while he recovers from surgery. His twin brother, Jarron, who plays for Utah, was driving the cart.
