HoopsHype.com Rumors

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 

Derrick Williams says his weight is down to about 233. Played at about 247 last year. #twolves Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams 

Don't put any stock in the recent Internet rumor suggesting the Timberwolves and Cavaliers are talking about a deal involving Wolves forward Derrick Williams and guard Luke Ridnour, and Cavs big man Anderson Varejao. A Wolves team executive said no such conversations have taken place. FOXSportsOhio

Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Luke Ridnour, Anderson Varejao, Derrick Williams 

CSNNW.com asked (Derrick) Williams how close was he to being dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers in a sign-and-trade for Batum. “It was real,” Williams explained to CSNNW.com. “My agent told me to be aware and know whats going on at all times. It definitely looked like I was headed to Portland at one point, but I couldn't really focus on that because I play for the Timberwolves. But, it's hard. CSNNW.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Derrick Williams 

“I pretty much have been hearing that I was going to Portland everyday,” Williams said. “When they (Timberwolves) tell me I'm staying, I'll let it go. You can't just ignore it, but you have to just play through it and stay professional.” CSNNW.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Chris Haynes: CSNNW confirms Minnesota did offer Derrick Williams along with two first-round picks to the #Blazers for Nicolas Batum. Portland say no. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Trade, Nicolas Batum, Derrick Williams 

Darren Wolfson: I'm sure @Chris Haynes trusts his sources just like I do... I 100% don't believe the #Twolves offered D-Will + 2 1st rounders for Batum. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Trade, Nicolas Batum, Derrick Williams 

The Timberwolves, league sources say, are prepared to sign Batum to a four-year, $46.4 million offer sheet Sunday after repeatedly trying to trade for him. They have offered as many as three future first-round draft picks and even have dangled small forward Derrick Williams, the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft. ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Nicolas Batum, Derrick Williams, Portland Trade Blazers 

Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams had a simple response to all the rumors and reports about the team looking at trading him before and after last month's draft. "If I had played a little better, maybe we wouldn't be having this talk," Williams said Friday, July 13, on the first day of the Timberwolves' minicamp at Target Center to prepare for next week's NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. "I had an up-and-down rookie season. I know I can play better than what I did. Hopefully, I can play better next season." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Williams, 21, said he initially was concerned with the possibility of being traded and said he spoke to a "few people on the staff" about his situation. He was mentioned in multiple reports as potential trade bait for the Timberwolves to move up in the draft. The Timberwolves had the No. 18 overall pick but traded it to the Houston Rockets for forward Chase Budinger. "I don't pay much attention to that," Williams said of the trade talk. "With all that stuff going on, it happens. Everybody goes through it. I'm trying to push through it. Hopefully, I'll stay here." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Williams said he's aware of the Timberwolves' interest in Batum but seemed unfazed. If Batum joins the Wolves, Williams will have to battle again for quality minutes. "It's not about him or anything like that," Williams said. "It's about me getting better. He's a great player. I saw him play before I got to the NBA." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Trade, Derrick Williams 

Joan Nielsen: Most impressive at Timberwolves' minicamp: Derrick Williams. He gets it. Knows what he needs to do to improve, become more consistent. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams 

Jerry Zgoda: Wes on DWill: "He’s not the chubby one anymore. He’s leaned up. I think that weight suits him better." Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Wesley Johnson, Derrick Williams 

Jerry Zgoda: Wolves are offering draft picks but won't give up Derrick Williams or Pek Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Trade, Nikola Pekovic, Nicolas Batum, Derrick Williams 

Timberwolves Derrick Williams, Wes Johnson and Malcolm Lee are expected to play in Las Vegas. The Wolves will bring 15 to 20 players -- including international prospects Paulao Prestes and Lior Eliyahu and Ohio State guard William Buford -- to minicamp and 11 or 12 will make the Vegas team. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Summer League, Derrick Williams, Malcolm Lee, William Buford, Paulao Prestes, Lior Eliyahu 

At the end of the 2011-12 season, Timberwolves trainer Gregg Farnam recommended that Williams have his septum fixed. Williams went in for the surgery, and in doing so learned that he actually had several fractures in his nose he didn't even know about. The fractures were corrected, and the surgery should benefit his breathing, conditioning and endurance on the court. Obviously, that surgery changed Williams' training outlook. Still, he was able to begin working out again the day after Memorial Day, and he's been making rapid progress since then despite coming down with pink eye in the days before this year's NBA draft. "I was pleased with what I saw (when) I watched a workout he had last week," Timberwolves president of basketball operations David Kahn said in late June. "It was a very intense, near-two hour workout." Fox Sports North

Minnesota Timberwolves, Derrick Williams 

Another unseen development in Williams' offseason was the addition of Chase Budinger, whom the Timberwolves acquired from Houston on June 26. Budinger played at the University of Arizona from 2006-09, and though he never overlapped on a team with Williams, he does know him well. Williams began his tenure at Arizona during the 2009-10 season, Budinger's first in the NBA, but he was recruited when Budinger was on the team. "I remember playing pick-up with him when he was a freshman there," Budinger said. "I was just amazed at his athletic ability and his rawness to the game, but he's made strides every year and he's gotten better and better. He's an extremely good athlete and his shot is getting better. He's a big guy. He's going to be fun to play with." In Budinger, Williams will likely have an advocate along with a friend, and the familiarity between the two can't hurt. It's not a game-changing acquisition, but a familiar face never hurts. Fox Sports North

Minnesota Timberwolves, Chase Budinger, Derrick Williams 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Minnesota's considered pitching a Derrick Williams-Martell Webster sign-and-trade for Nic Batum, sources say. Portland would reject it. Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Trade, Martell Webster, Nicolas Batum, Derrick Williams 

Derrick Williams: Welcome Brandon Roy . #7 is all yours Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Brandon Roy, Derrick Williams