Brandon Roy meets with Timberwolves; Bulls, Pacers, Mavericks and Warriors up next
Former Portland Trail Blazers star Brandon Roy met with Minnesota Timberwolves officials Friday in Seattle, NBA sources told Yahoo! Sports.
T'wolves owner Glen Taylor, general manager David Kahn and coach Rick Adelman met with Roy and his agent, Greg Lawrence, to discuss Roy possibly signing with them, sources said. The Wolves are one of five finalists for Roy, including the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors.
Roy is likely to meet with the other four teams over the next several days, sources said. Each of the finalists have connections that intrigue Roy, sources said.
After leaving the NBA at the start of last season because of chronic knee problems, Roy has recovered after undergoing the platelet-rich plasma therapy procedure that Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant had in Germany last year. Some teams pursuing Roy privately say they’re willing to offer a contract for longer than one season, despite his knee issues, league sources said.
The opportunity to play with Dirk Nowitzki and possibly Deron Williams – as well as a respect for Mavericks owner Mark Cuban’s winning culture – is a lure for Roy with Dallas. The Pacers' young core and new GM Kevin Pritchard – who drafted Roy in Portland – is an appeal in Indiana. With the Timberwolves, Adelman has former Blazers assistant Bill Bayno on his staff, and point guard Ricky Rubio and forward Kevin Love intrigue Roy. The possibility of playing with Bulls guard Derrick Rose and for coach Tom Thibodeau also interests Roy.
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After team doctors pushed Roy to stop playing last year, the Blazers used the league’s new amnesty provision to pay him the remaining $63 million on his contract and make him a free agent. He’s been working out for several months and planning a comeback.
Roy played five often spectacular seasons for the Blazers where he became a three-time All-Star. He's averaged 19 points for his career.
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