Scott, I knew you would be a happy camper about the T-Wolves signing the Kandi Man. Here's the official story from the Associated Press...
Olowokandi agrees to step in for Nesterovic in Minnesota
July 16, 2003
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Free agent center Michael Olowokandi agreed Tuesday night to join the Minnesota Timberwolves and replace Rasho Nesterovic, who hours earlier reached a deal with San Antonio.
Olowokandi's move was expected to be announced Wednesday, said agent Bill Duffy, who represents both Olowokandi and Nesterovic.
The 7-foot, 270-pound Olowokandi, the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1998 draft, reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $16.2 million. Wednesday is the first day NBA teams can sign free agents to contracts.
News of Olowokandi's addition capped what had been a disappointing 48 hours for Minnesota, which lost out to Orlando for power forward Juwan Howard and had made re-signing Nesterovic a top priority.
Nesterovic instead agreed to a six-year, $42-million deal with the Spurs.
He had reportedly been considering a seven-year, $50-million offer to stay with the Timberwolves, his team for his first five NBA seasons.
``Though we were hopeful that Rasho would re-sign with our team, we have been preparing for this scenario,'' general manager Kevin McHale said in a statement.
But adding Olowokandi, who will join All-Star forward Kevin Garnett in the frontcourt, helps ease the pain.
``They landed on their feet,'' Duffy said of the Timberwolves.