MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL, July 30, 2001 -- The Minnesota Timberwolves signed free agent forward Joe Smith to a multiyear contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The 6-10, 225-pound Smith averaged 12.3 points (.403 FG%, .805 FT%), 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 28.1 minutes per contest in 69 games played (started 59) last season for the Detroit Pistons. He signed with Detroit as a free agent on Nov. 20, 2000. The six-year veteran tallied 10 point-rebound double-doubles last season, in addition to scoring 20-plus points 10 times and grabbing at least 10 rebounds on 13 occasions. Smith registered season-highs of 28 points (12-23 FG, 4-6 FT), 15 rebounds, and 44 minutes at Dallas on Jan. 3.

"We are very happy to have Joe back with our organization," said Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale. "He is not only a talented basketball player, but a tremendous teammate. Everyone is looking forward to working with him again."

Smith, who turned 26 on Thursday, is in his second stint with the Wolves after playing with the team during the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 campaigns. He has averaged 14.2 points (.442 FG%, .783 FT%), 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.10 blocks, and 31.5 minutes in 431 regular-season games (started 327) through six NBA seasons with Golden State (1995-96 through first half of 1997-98), Philadelphia (second half of 1997-98), Minnesota, and Detroit.

The Golden State Warriors made Smith the first overall selection of the 1995 NBA Draft, after averaging 20.8 points and 10.6 rebounds as a sophomore at the University of Maryland. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie first team after posting 15.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for the Warriors in 1995-96. Smith posted a career-high 18.7 points per game and 8.5 rebounds per contest for Golden State in 1996-97.

The forward split the 1997-98 campaign between Golden State and Philadelphia after being traded by the Warriors with Brian Shaw to the 76ers for Clarence Weatherspoon and Jim Jackson on Feb. 17, 1998. Smith posted his best numbers with the Wolves in 1998-99, when he tallied 13.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while starting in 42 of the 43 games in which he played. He has averaged 6.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.13 blocks in eight career playoff games with the Wolves.