Wolves Set 2007-08 Opening Night Roster

The Minnesota Timberwolves Monday announced the team's 15-player 2007-08 opening night roster. To reduce their roster to the 15-man limit, the Timberwolves today has requested waivers on forward Juwan Howard after reaching a contractual buyout agreement. The team has also released forward Wayne Simien.

Additionally, Minnesota acquired Beno Udrih and cash considerations from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for a protected 2008 second-round draft pick. The team then placed Udrih on waivers.

The 2007-08 roster includes two NBA rookies: guard/forward Corey Brewer (first round, 7th pick) and forward Chris Richard (second round, 41st overall pick). Including the two rookies, the Wolves have 10 new faces on the roster this season - all through trades. In addition to Brewer and Richard, the new players are Greg Buckner, Michael Doleac, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair and Antoine Walker. Returning to the Minnesota lineup this season are: Randy Foye, Marko Jaric, Mark Madsen, Rashad McCants and Craig Smith.

Howard came to Minnesota on June 14, 2007 in a trade with the Houston Rockets. The 13-year veteran has appeared in 951 games, averaging 16.1 ppg (.469 FG%, .764 FT%), 7.1 rpg and 35.1 mpg. Originally drafted by Washington in the first round (fifth overall) in the 1994 NBA Draft out of the University of Michigan, Howard has seen regular season action with Washington, Dallas, Denver, Orlando and Houston.

Simien, a two-year veteran, was selected by the Miami Heat in the first round (29th overall) of the 2005 NBA Draft. He was part of the trade that also brought Michael Doleac and Antoine Walker to Minnesota while sending Mark Blount and Ricky Davis to Miami.

Udrih, a 6-3 guard from Yugoslavia, has spent the past three seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.

Minnesota will open the regular season on Friday, Nov. 2 against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT. The game will be telecast on FSN North with Tom Hanneman and Jim Petersen calling the action and can be heard on BOB 106 FM with Alan Horton and Billy McKinney.

Tickets for all Timberwolves homes games can be purchased in person at the Target Center Box Office and at all Ticketmaster Ticket outlets. Tickets can also be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-4NBA-TIX (462-2849).

In addition to single-game tickets, the Timberwolves are offering three different ticket packages: a half-season package, a 10-game package and a six-game package. The half-season package includes one home preseason game. The Timberwolves game against the Boston Celtics on Friday, Feb. 8 is included in the six-game pack and will not be part of the single-game sale.

For more information on Timberwolves ticket packages or to purchase full season tickets, fans can call 612-337-DUNK (3865) or visit www.timberwolves.com.