T’wolves send PG Rubio to Jazz
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves reached an agreement with Utah on Friday to send point guard Ricky Rubio to the Jazz to clear salary-cap space for a big run in free agency.
The Jazz sent a protected future first-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Timberwolves in exchange for Rubio, the Spaniard who has struggled with injuries at times over his six years in Minnesota. Utah received the pick when it traded Enes Kanter in a threeteam deal in 2015.
The two sides agreed to the move hours before free agency opened. The Jazz needed to make the deal before today or would have lost the salary-cap room necessary to pull it off.
The Jazz are looking to bolster the roster with hopes of convincing All-Star free-agent Gordon Hayward to return and build off last season’s playoff run. Utah reached the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
The deal means Minnesota can clear as much as $32 million in cap space to make a run at several free agents to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and the recently acquired Jimmy Butler. Timberwolves targets could include Jeff Teague and J.J. Redick.
Bulls waive Rondo
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls have waived veteran point guard Rajon Rondo.
The Bulls bought out Rondo for $3 million Friday rather than exercise a $13.4 million option for next season. He signed a two-year deal to come to Chicago last summer.
The 31-year-old Rondo was in and out of the rotation, chided Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade for criticizing the team’s effort and finished the season on a strong note before missing the final four playoff games against Boston because of a
broken right thumb.
The four-time All-Star averaged 7.8 points and 6.7 assists. The Bulls had said Rondo would probably be back, but he became expendable when they acquired Kris Dunn from Minnesota in the Butler trade on draft night.
Chicago also waived guard Isaiah Canaan.
Cavs to keep Korver
CLEVELAND — A person familiar with the decision says the Cleveland Cavaliers will extend a contract offer to free agent forward Kyle Korver.
The person spoke Friday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team is not discussing its plans in free agency. Korver is a priority for the Cavs as one of the best outside shooters in league history.
Free agents can begin negotiating with teams after midnight on Saturday but can’t sign new contracts until July 6.
Korver came to Cleveland in a trade from Atlanta and made it to his first NBA Finals. The 36-year-old averaged 10.1 points and shot a league-best 45.1 percent on three-pointers during the regular season. He averaged 5.8 points during the playoffs.
As they map out free agency, the Cavs are still looking for a front-office executive after parting ways with general manager David Griffin.