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Williams has had a disappointing career in Minnesota after being selected second overall in the 2011 draft. The highest draft choice in franchise history has been earning DNP-CDs or short-minute stints under coach Rick Adelman. Both sides would be happy with a move. "They will move him in a heartbeat if they could," one rival team executive said. "I don't think the coaches are that high on him. You have to get something for him now because the longer he sits, the more people think he can't play." Yahoo! Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Other names that dribbled out this week as likely candidates to be dealt this trade season include Milwaukee's expiring-contract backcourt duo of Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings, based on the premise that the Bucks, if they start drifting out of playoff contention, won't want to risk losing their smallish scorers for nothing in free agency. Also mentioned frequently is the Minnesota trio of Derrick Williams, Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea, given that Wolves coach Rick Adelman appears to have no use for Williams and with the Wolves now boasting a surplus of point guards with Ricky Rubio poised to return from his knee tear. ESPN.com

Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Monta Ellis, Brandon Jennings, Luke Ridnour, Jose Juan Barea, Derrick Williams 

Second-year forward Derrick Williams said he hasn't talked with president of basketball operations David Kahn about trade rumors that last week had him headed with center Nikola Pekovic away in a deal that supposedly would bring Pau Gasol to Minnesota. "I don't think we necessarily need to talk like that," Williams said. "Myself and Pek are a big part of the team. We need Pek on this team. We need myself, too. As long as we keep winning, all the trade talk will stop." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

So far, he has remained patient and said Monday that he and his agent talk daily but haven't discussed requesting a trade. Asked if he has unlimited patience, he said, "I wouldn't say that. I'm a patient player, so I've just got to do with what I have. If I get 10 minutes, I get 10 minutes. [Love and Kirilenko] are both good players. It doesn't mean I'm not a good player or anything like that. "It's Coach's decision whether he plays me or not, whether he plays anybody. I think with Kevin and A.K. back, it makes our team a little bit better. I'm not going to complain about who is playing or who's not going to play." Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Kahn said that he has not spoken to Pekovic or Williams about the rumors, his explanation being that it would be unfair to them and that "part of life in the NBA is someday you may be traded." Fox Sports North

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Nikola Pekovic, Derrick Williams 

If agent Rob Pelinka had a personal Twitter account, he might echo his client's claims from last February. It was then that Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams tweeted, "Anybody ever felt like a caged lion?" According to a team source, Pelinka has voiced his displeasure with Williams' lack of playing time. He hasn't gone as far as to request a trade, but he has inquired about the possibility that one will come. 1500ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

The Wolves' stance from the source: "We told him to wait for our team to come together. Wait for Derrick to play with Ricky (Rubio). When they played together last year, Williams benefited greatly." 1500ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Any demotion is tough, but it’s even more difficult when you carry the expectations of being a former second overall pick. As I press record and ask Williams for a minute of his time, the wall he put up when I came into his line of sight remains. “I don’t even know,” Williams replies when asked if he is able to gauge how many minutes he’ll play before a given game. “I don’t know how to answer that question.” RealGM

Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams 

Point taken. It’s not going to do him any good to air out any issues with Minnesota’s front office or coaching staff through the media. But if the Timberwolves are giving him any sort of chance to carve out a role on what is expected to be a rising star in the Western Conference, he’s got to know what they want from him, right? “I’m just trying to get in there and play my game,” says Williams when asked if Adleman is looking for anything in particular from him. “I know I can shoot, if I’m open I’m going to shoot it. I’m just doing the things that I know I can do. Shooting, rebounding and things like that.” RealGM

Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams 

Jerry Zgoda: For those asking about DWilliams: Adelman said before game he knew someone would get left out w/ Love returned, said DC has outplayed him... Adelman said pregame he intended to get DWill in game "somewhere," obviously didn't. Lou played 8 mins cuz he plays C when RA goes small Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Jerry Zgoda: DWilliams when asked this am if he thought last summer he was headed to Portland: "A little bit, I think everybody did." Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Jerry Zgoda: DWilliams' on coming close to being a Blazer...did he listen to speculation or have inside info? "I guess you could say inside information." Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Derrick Williams 

To say Derrick Williams has not lived up to his hype as the second overall pick is something of an understatement, and sources say if he could return a serious veteran player then the Wolves would move him. With so many injuries, it’s unlikely the Wolves try to force something in the next 30 days. But once Kevin Love returns to the lineup, Williams could be the next chip cashed in Minnesota. HoopsWorld

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Or, at least, he tries to. It helps a little that Williams says he doesn’t feel any pressure having been the second overall pick last year. “I’ve never felt that pressure,” Williams said. “Not even last year. Coach just wants me to come in, work hard and continue to improve. I don’t think about where I was drafted.” HoopsWorld

Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams 

However, one Wolves source said they would've sacrificed forward Derrick Williams, future first-round picks and more if it came down to it. 1500ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, James Harden, Derrick Williams 

After three regular season games, the breakout has yet to happen for Williams and fourth-year forward Dante Cunningham has been outplaying him coming off of the bench. It isn’t all negative for the former number two overall draft pick, but he just hasn’t been taking advantage of his opportunities. “Defensively, he has been better this year,” Adelman said. “He is more aware of what he has to do. I think sometimes with young guys it just takes time. They have to figure it out for themselves. I think players learn how to be effective in the offense you are running and he [still] has to learn how to do that.” HoopsWorld

Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams 

Timberwolves PR: #TWolves have picked up the third-year options on guard Ricky Rubio @rickyrubio9 and forward Derrick Williams @realdwill7. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Derrick Williams 

The Wolves must submit their final roster by Saturday. They will cut training-camp invitees Chris Johnson and Mike Harris to get to the 15-man maximum. They also will extend the rookie contracts of Rubio and Williams by picking up options for the 2013-14 season on Wednesday, the deadline to do so. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Chris Johnson, Mike Harris, Derrick Williams 

Derrick Williams was disappointed with his rookie campaign. Now, entering his second season, he’s hoping to be more effective and take on a bigger role with the Minnesota Timberwolves. “I’m not happy with myself,” Williams told HOOPSWORLD. “I’m not happy with the way that I played last season. I’m just trying to get better each year. I worked really hard last season, but it wasn’t hard enough, I guess. Now, I’m trying to use last season as a stepping stone for this season.” Sulia

Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams 

His options, however, are many. Starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko can move to the power forward against some teams, with Dante Cunningham, Lou Amundson and Derrick Williams also available to fill in. If anyone thought it was Williams' spot by default, Adelman shot that down Thursday. "Why would people assume that?" Adelman asked. "He's certainly one of the guys that has to play there, but it's going to be him, Dante, Lou, Andrei may play some there. That's what we're going to have to find out the next three games and the practices, what's the best way to go." ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Andrei Kirilenko, Derrick Williams, Dante Cunningham