Olowokandi to replace Nesterovic in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS -- Free agent center Michael Olowokandi agreed Tuesday night to join the Minnesota Timberwolves and replace Rasho Nesterovic, who hours earlier reached a deal with San Antonio.

Olowokandi's move was expected to be announced Wednesday, said agent Bill Duffy, who represents Olowokandi and Nesterovic.

The 7-foot, 270-pound Olowokandi, the first overall pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 1998 draft, reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $16.2 million. Wednesday is the first day NBA teams can sign free agents to contracts.

News of Olowokandi's addition capped what had been a disappointing 48 hours for Minnesota, which lost out to Orlando for power forward Juwan Howard and had made re-signing Nesterovic a top priority.

Nesterovic instead agreed to a six-year, $42-million deal with the Spurs.

He had reportedly been considering a seven-year, $50-million offer to stay with the Timberwolves, his team for his first five NBA seasons.

"Though we were hopeful that Rasho would re-sign with our team, we have been preparing for this scenario," general manager Kevin McHale said in a statement.

But adding Olowokandi, who will join All-Star forward Kevin Garnett in the frontcourt, helps ease the pain.

"They landed on their feet," Duffy said of the Timberwolves.

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