McHale, Saunders Discuss Deal for Dee

McHale, Saunders Discuss Deal for Dee

January 10, 1996

The Timberwolves apparently aren't waiting until the NBA's Feb. 22 trading deadline to make a move.

Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale and coach/general manager Flip Saunders confirmed Tuesday that the club is involved in trade talks that could reshape the roster before the deadline.

Before joining the Wolves in Los Angeles for Tuesday night's game against the Lakers, McHale told KFAN-AM he's discussing possible deals with four teams, including a three-team trade.

McHale declined to be specific, but league sources indicated one of the deals might involve Isaiah Rider going to Boston in exchange for Celtics guard Dee Brown. Brown asked the Celtics to trade him after his role was diminished this season under coach/general manager M.L. Carr.

"We're not going to string things along," Saunders said before Tuesday's game. "If we work out something we like, it could happen pretty quickly. People around the league know that when Kevin took over the club, changes would be made."

During his radio interview, McHale said he was optimistic of completing a trade "within a week."

The Wolves' No. 1 need is to find a point guard to relieve Terry Porter from playing 30 to 35 minutes per game. Brown, a five-year veteran, has played point and off-guard for the Celtics.

Despite the trade conversations, Saunders said the Wolves haven't been "shopping our players around."

"People have been calling us about certain guys," Saunders said. "Even though our record isn't that good, we had been playing fairly well until Sunday night (113-97 loss at Portland)."

Any key trade likely will disturb the nucleus McHale and Saunders had been promoting before the season. To get a quality point guard or true center, the Wolves could be forced to part with Rider, Christian Laettner, Tom Gugliotta or Doug West.