Wolves dismiss rumors McHale says nothing brewing as trade deadline nears http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/13921805.htm WASHINGTON, D.C. — Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor was here, as was vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale. The NBA trade deadline is Thursday, making their presence noteworthy enough to spark questions about whether a deal might be imminent. McHale and Taylor are regulars at home games but rarely attend road games, though Taylor, an ex-Minnesota state senator, often makes the trip when the Wolves play the Washington Wizards. McHale dismissed the notion of anything specific brewing but allowed, "We're always talking to people." For a team that just made a multiplayer trade Jan. 26 with Boston and has been fixated on the-players-need-more-time-to-come-together theme in explaining a 4-8 record since the deal, it would make sense that the Wolves would sit tight at the deadline. Then again, Casey offered a rebuttal to that idea. "You'd always look to improve your roster," Casey said. "You never say never. If that calls for additional changes, you do that. But you don't just make a move just to make a move." Casey said there weren't any signs of his players suffering anxiety over trade rumors that run rampant before the deadline. He added of any possible trade activity, "Nobody said anything to me." Point guard Marko Jaric, whose name has surfaced in trade rumors since his demotion from the starting lineup earlier this month, admitted that he's curious as to whether any moves will happen before the deadline. He didn't say he wants to be traded, but his comments continue to reflect his frustration. Casey reiterated that Jaric and forward/center Eddie Griffin remain important to the team's success, even though both have seen their playing time drop sharply. Jaric said he appreciates Wolves management's public statements of support, but that doesn't change the fact he isn't playing much. "It's not what we said, it's what we do," Jaric said. "I respect and appreciate how they talk to the media. I just want to see if they really want me to be a part of this team. Nobody needs to baby me and tell the media Marko's good or Marko's bad. I know my value. If you really respect me, then show me. If not, then make a move. That's the bottom line." Asked to explain what he meant when he said "make a move," Jaric again stopped short of saying he wants to be traded. He reaffirmed his frustration with his personal struggles. Briefly: Casey said after practice he hadn't talked to point guard Troy Hudson about Hudson's plans in dealing with a sore right ankle. But Casey said he was encouraged by reports that Hudson is exploring alternatives to surgery. "Anytime you can stay away from getting cut on is huge," Casey said. "That means we could possibly get him back, his outside shooting, his experience." Hudson's agent, Bill Neff, said last week that Hudson is leaning against having season-ending surgery to relieve pain caused by bone spurs. ‧ Former Wolves guard Fred Hoiberg said he still hasn't decided whether to resume his playing career. Hoiberg, who had aortic root surgery in June and has a pacemaker, said he has participated in a couple of recreational league basketball games in Chaska. He wore a special protective pad over his chest at Monday's practice while he worked on his jump shot. --

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