Agent: Timberwolves buy out guard Hudson

MINNEAPOLIS -- The agent for Troy Hudson said Tuesday that the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to buy out Hudson's contract, making him a free agent.

Bill Neff said he has reached a verbal agreement with Wolves owner Glen Taylor to sever ties. The Wolves will pay Hudson just under $6 million this year and just over $6.3 million next season, which is about 80 percent of what Hudson was owed.

"It works out fine," Neff said. "Now we have to go find a team to take a chance on."

One team that could be in Hudson's sights is Boston. The Celtics completed a blockbuster deal with the Timberwolves on Tuesday that brought All-Star Kevin Garnett to Boston in exchange for Al Jefferson and six other players.

Garnett and Hudson are good friends who played together in Minnesota for the last five seasons. The point guard averaged 14.2 points and 5.7 assists in his first season here, parlaying that into a six-year, $37 million contract.

In fact, Garnett lobbied hard for the Timberwolves to re-sign Hudson to that deal, but Hudson has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play ever since. He's started just 39 games in the last four seasons and averaged 5.9 points and 2.1 assists in 34 games last year.

When the Wolves began shopping Garnett earlier this summer, Neff said Hudson had had enough.

"That's kind of when Troy decided to pull the plug," Neff said.

He first requested a trade from the team, and when that didn't work out, Neff began negotiating a buyout.

Now, Hudson could be headed to Boston with his good buddy. As the roster stands right now, the Celtics will start next season with second-year pro Rajon Rondo running the point, creating a need for a more experienced player either to start at the position or come off the bench for big minutes.