Minnesota Timberwolves looking to bring in Russian guard Alexey Shved – NBA Update
According to recent speculation, Minnesota Timberwolves are looking to add another foreign player to their ranks, which are already flooding with foreigners.
The Wolves are interested in bringing Russian point guard Alexey Shved back to NBA. The details of the agreement were reportedly finalized on Tuesday but have not been made public as the official announcement is yet to be made.
By agreeing to bring in Shved for the coming season, Minnesota have added the Russian to play alongside the Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio, Montenegrin player Nikola Pekovic and Puerto Rican point guard, J. J. Barea.
Shved represented CSKA Moscow in 21 games during last season, averaging 10.6 points and 3.0 assists. The one guard scored 22 points for Russia in the game against Nigeria which ensured them an Olympic berth in the recently concluded
2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifiers.
With the move, the Wolves are hoping to add depth to their roster at the guard position and see Shved as a player who can play both as a shooting and point guard. Alexey has the ability to create his own shots and can be explosive
from the perimeter when on song.
Another reason for Minnesota to bring in Shved is to provide Rubio with the much needed time to return back for his ACL injury. The Russian can provide stability to the back court, which already has good point guards in Luke Ridnour
and Barea.
The official announcement of trade is still waiting for NBA’s moratorium period to come to an end. It may have to wait a little longer as the Wolves have been in pursuit of French national Nicolas Batum, in a sign and trade deal
with the Portland Trail Blazers.
There is still no assurance about the trade possibilities which are being assessed by the Wolves to create the cap space required to afford Batum’s salary.
However one thing that is absolutely certain is that the Wolves are going to come into next season as a much stronger team. They have had a good off season, in which they acquired Brandon Roy’s services and also added Chase Budinger
and they manage to get their hands on Batum, they will be a team to watch out for next season.
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