Minnesota Timberwolves will not bring back Brandon Roy next season
By Nam Huynh
Nov 2, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy (3) looks on during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Kings 92-80. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
What had long been expected has now been confirmed.
Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn confirmed in a Pioneer Press report that guard Brandon Roy will not be back with the team next season.
"“You should assume he will not be playing with us next season,” Kahn said."
This is not all that surprising considering the second year of Roy’s two-year, $10.4 million deal is not guaranteed based on unmet benchmark requirements. Roy appeared in just five games this season, considerably short of the terms outlined in his contract—65 games or play at least 1,400 minutes.
Kahn did acknowledge that the Timberwolves may utilize Roy’s non-guaranteed year as trade bait in the offseason.
"“I’m not saying we will or won’t do that, but his contract does have some value,” Kahn said."
Roy’s deal is appealing to many teams because they could essentially clear at least $5.4 million in cap in cap space. Depending on Minnesota’s plans for pending free agents Nikola Pekovic and Chase Budinger, using Roy’s contract to acquire a player as a way to upgrade the club is not out of the question.