MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have traded center Brad Miller and two second-round picks to New Orleans and waived swingman Martell Webster as they continue to make moves to make a run at Portland restricted free agent Nicolas Batum.
The Wolves made the moves on Friday, one day after using the amnesty clause on center Darko Milicic. The Wolves received a conditional second-round pick from the Hornets for Miller, who has said he will retire.
Webster was due to make about $5.7 million this season, but the Timberwolves executed a buyout that required them to pay just $600,000.
The moves were expected to help Minnesota’s pursuit of Batum, who has signed a four-year offer sheet worth more than $45 million. The Blazers would have three days to match the offer or let Batum go.
