DRAFT PICK: Kevin Love, F, 6-9, UCLA. Uniquely-skilled big man was the best center at the NBA Summer League and his play there earned him an invitation to practice against the U.S. Olympic team the next week there. A sore Achilles' tendon injured near the end of summer league play kept him from participating.
BIGGEST NEEDS: The Wolves have added Kevin Love and shooter Mike Miller, but Kevin McHale still wants to land a combo guard who provides insurance at point guard behind Randy Foye and Sebastian Telfair and in his perfect world also be able to play some shooting guard and small forward. FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Wolves might make a modest move if the right veteran comes along, but the Wolves' braintrust has structured its salary cap so the team will have money to spend in 2009 and 2010.
PLAYER NOTES:
--F Craig Smith underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on Aug. 1 to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee in Los Angeles and will be re-evaluated in five to seven weeks.
That will take him right up to near the start of training camp. The team opens camp in Mankato, Minn., on Sept. 30. Smith injured his knee during the one game he played for the Wolves' NBA Summer League team. That also was the same day he signed a new two-year, $4.8 million contract last month.
--Wolves Summer League combo guard Blake Ahearn told his hometown newspaper he's waiting in Springfield, Mo., for the Timberwolves or another team to offer him a second NBA chance.
Ahearn, a NBA Development League guard, played 12 NBA games at the end of last season and could become that third Wolves point guard, if the team decides to sign him. Ahearn said he is headed to San Antonio next week for a tryout with the Spurs.
--Rookie Kevin Love won't have to wait long to go home to Portland, Ore., where he was raised in the suburb of Lake Oswego. The Wolves visit the Trail Blazers on Nov. 8.
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