Howlin' T-Wolf

This is from Chad Ford on the Truehoop:

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been burning up the phone lines the last few days looking for a trade.

They’ve discussed deals to move up to No. 2 for Evan Turner, a 4 for 7 swap with the Pistons, and have looked at moving their other draft picks (16 and 23) to either get up in the draft or to add another veteran.

However, the most consistent thing I’m hearing is that the team appears to be determined to move Al Jefferson. According to sources they’ve offered him to Detroit for Tayshaun Prince this week and have also contacted the Pacers about their interest in Jefferson for Troy Murphy’s expiring contract.

However, the latest thing I’m hearing out of Minnesota may have the most legs. Sources have told me that the Wolves and Grizzlies have been discussing a swap that would send Jefferson to the Grizzlies for Zach Randolph. The deal would allow the Wolves to save a lot of money over time. Randolph has one year, $17.6 million left on his contract. Jefferson has three years, $42 million left.

According to sources, Randolph’s ongoing legal problems aren’t an impediment to Minnesota who is doing the trade in an effort to get out of Jefferson’s deal and free up more playing time for Kevin Love and potentially Derrick Favors if he falls to them with the No. 4 pick. It’s possible the Wolves could either waive Randolph or use his expiring contract to make another trade.

Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace is a Jefferson fan going back to his days with the Celtics. While Jefferson is a bit overpaid and is just a year removed from knee surgery, he still is a dominant presence in the post.

While sources stressed that the two sides were still just discussing the deal, one source sounded optimistic that it could actually happen.

Gotta say, I’m awfully confused at this deal. Unless there is money, picks or anything else coming in from the Grizzlies’ side of the deal, this trade doesn’t make much sense at all. I understand that the Wolves are after clearing up cap space, but why? Next year’s free agent class doesn’t compare to this year’s, so Randolph’s expiring contract in 2010 doesn’t help much in that regard. And if rumor has it and Wes Johnson is a Net after tomorrow night, Favors may be on his way to the Twin Cities and judging where he fits in at this logjam at power forward — I’m still not convinced that he can play center in this league — will be an absolute headache. So, essentially, this deal just complicates the situation even more than if we kept Jefferson.

Opinions? I want to hear ‘em.