Andrei Kirilenko is returning to the NBA, this time with Minnesota. The Timberwolves found the versatile, tough-defending small forward theyve been seeking to fill out their roster, and this one they didnt have to try to pry away from a division rival. Kirilenkos signing of a two-year, $20 million contract was completed Friday after a three-team trade with New Orleans and Phoenix cleared the necessary space under the salary cap. The 31-year-old Kirilenko spent last season with CKSA Moscow after a 10-year run with Utah, choosing to play in his native Russia during the lockout and staying there once it ended. "I think playing a more regular schedule in Europe helped his body. He told me he feels tremendous. He feels as good as hes ever felt," Timberwolves president of basketball operations and general manager David Kahn said. "I think that, if anything, it was probably a small advantage for him to not play in the NBA." Kirilenko, currently playing with the Russian national team at the Summer Olympics in London, won the Most Valuable Player and Best Defender awards in the Euroleague. In a statement provided by the team, he said hes excited to be coming back to the United States, where he has dual citizenship. "The Wolves have one of the best coaches in the league in Rick Adelman, and I feel my game fits in well with his style of play," Kirilenko said. "I also like the talent that Minnesota has on the team with star players like Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio." All 10 of Kirilenkos NBA seasons have been with the Jazz, who selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 1999 draft. He averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 30.8 minutes per game during that time, including an All-Star 2003-04 season when he averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.9 steals. He has 62 games of five or more blocks and 14 games of five or more steals. The Timberwolves signed restricted free agent Nicolas Batum to an offer sheet and also tried to swing a sign-and-trade deal with Portland, but the Blazers didnt budge and kept the 23-year-old from France. So the Wolves turned to Kirilenko, a 6-foot-9 budding superstar at one point whose productivity waned over the last few years under the weight of a variety of injuries. "We see somebody who can help us in a number of ways," Kahn said, "and frankly is the kind of player we didnt have on our team." With all of the dominant, score-from-anywhere-on-the-floor wing players in the league these days, the Wolves need to keep them in check. "By no means am I suggesting that Andrei can shut them down, but I at least think now we can send somebody out there with the wingspan and the capabilities of guarding them a little bit," Kahn said. That couldve been translated as a slight against Derrick Williams, who plays the same position as Kirilenko, had an up-and-down rookie year and has found himself the subject of trade talks. "Derrick should be challenged to seize what he wants, as opposed to it simply being handed to him," Kahn said. "There will be no limitations on Derricks ability to play here from a minutes standpoint, but itll be up to him to determine." The rebuilding project is clearly over for the Timberwolves, with the addition of another veteran. Theyve now sent away two first-round draft picks, one on paper (Kahn said its protected for the next few years if it falls in the top 13) and one in person (Wes Johnson was the fourth overall choice in 2010 but struggled mightily over two seasons here) to the Suns. They received three future second-round picks in the Suns-Hornets trade. They plan to sign guard Brandon Roy and centre Greg Stiemsma next week, leaving Kevin Love, Nikola Pekovic and Luke Ridnour as the only players whove been on this roster more than one season. Whatever becomes of these latest transactions by the wheel-and-deal Wolves, at least their best player is in a better mood. Love spoke at a meeting with the media in London on Friday, where Team USA was preparing to begin Olympic play. The All-Star power forward said hes feeling better about the shape of the roster after seeing the moves Kahn has made this month. Recently, Love publicly urged the organization to add veteran players to the young core, expressing impatience with becoming a playoff team. With Kirilenko, Roy, Stiemsma, Shved and Cunningham coming, Love sounded more confident in the plan. "Im happy with it," Love said. "I know a few weeks ago I didnt necessarily sound that way. But I just want to make the playoffs." Love noted that hes the only member of Team USA whose NBA career doesnt include post-season experience. "Im thirsty for that. Im hungry for that. I think post-season play is the next thing for me. Ill be headed into my fifth year, so its definitely due," he said. Kahn, on the conference call, was asked if Love approved of the moves. "I read the assistant general managers comments just a moment ago," Kahn said, poking a little at Loves previous lobbying. "Im very pleased that hes pleased." Russell Wilson Womens Jersey . Manager Ozzie Guillen says Bell has pitched well enough in a reduced role to warrant another shot at the ninth inning. Russell Wilson Black Jersey .Y. -- Vince Young was too inconsistent to win the Buffalo Bills backup job, so now the teams giving Tarvaris Jackson a shot to prove himself. http://www.shopnflseahawksgears.us/ . The two Englishmen, who played on the victorious European Ryder Cup team, will meet Saturday, with the winner getting $1.5 million and the runner-up $1 million in the eight-player exhibition. Autographed Russell Wilson Jersey . The former world champion won in 10.03 seconds in a headwind of 1.2 metres per second, ahead of compatriot Ryan Bailey and Nesta Carter of Jamaica. "Im in pretty good shape, I just need to work on some things on my groin area with my physio and I should be good to go," Gay said. Russell Wilson Jersey . In most cases though the price-tag didnt fit and as a result the Leafs stayed relatively quiet on July 1st, signing just one player during the annual kick-off to free agency.HOUSTON -- Brad Corbett, who owned the Texas Rangers from 1974 to 1980 and wasnt afraid to regularly switch out managers, died on Christmas Eve. He was 75. Corbetts daughter, Pamela Corbett Murrin, told The Associated Press that her father died peacefully in his sleep on Monday. She said he had not been sick recently. "The Texas Rangers are saddened to hear of the death of Brad Corbett," the team said in a statement. "His tenure as owner was marked by a passion and drive to bring a winning team to the fans of North Texas." At Corbetts helm, the team had six managers in six years -- four in the 1977 season alone. An article on the Rangers website also said the team had its first four winning seasons under Corbett and finished second in the AL West three times. The 94 victories in 1977 remained the most in teaam history until 1999, it said.dddddddddddd "The spirit in which Mr. Corbett served as owner of the Rangers will be remembered always," the team statement said. Corbett was directly involved in decision-making, including player transactions. Corbett traded away three future Hall of Fame pitchers -- Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry and Bert Blyleven -- during his tenure. Corbett made his money in the plastics business, turning a $300,000 loan from the Small Business Administration into a multimillion dollar company that sold plastic pipes for industrial use. Just three seasons after the Rangers had moved from Washington, D.C., Corbett bought the team from Bob Short. He sold the team to Fort Worth oil man Eddie Chiles in 1980, when both the Rangers and Corbetts other ventures were struggling financially. ' ' '