The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly agreed to a one-year veteran’s minimum deal with Prince, who was last seen balling with the Revolution against Charlie Murphy. Either that or they’ve agreed to the same deal with 13-year Tayshaun Prince, who was last seen back on the Detroit Pistons — his third team to finish out the 2014-15 season.
Timberwolves have agreed to terms on a one-year deal paying the veteran's minimum with veteran forward Tayshaun Prince, a source told Yahoo.
— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) August 13, 2015
This move complicates things a little bit because if Prince ends up making the team, the roster will be 17 guys and that’s officially against the rules. Lorenzo Brown has a non-guaranteed deal ($75,000 guaranteed until 1/10/2016) and the other odd man out would likely be Damjan Rudez. He’s signed through the 2016-17 season, but it’s a team option. That should make trading his $1.1 million salary much easier or they could just waive him/buy him out and eat that money.
If Prince makes the team, he provides another nice veteran presence to mentor the young guys. He doesn’t really have much left in the tank but he was a solid presence on the Grizzlies, Celtics, and Pistons in each of his three stops last season. Having him around someone like Andrew Wiggins would be a great teaching environment for defense, and I’d be shocked if Prince was really given a crack at the rotation unless some injuries start hitting the team again.
Flip Saunders and Prince (Tayshaun, not the symbol… actually Flip and musician Prince could absolutely have some background hanging out together) have some history. Prince was in Detroit from 2005-2008 when Saunders coached the team. Prince played in every game those three seasons and led the team in minutes over that span. However, that was seven years ago and Prince’s body just isn’t in the same shape. Having Prince, Kevin Garnett, and Andre Miller on the roster should provide plenty of extra teaching and mentoring.
