doesnt necessarily mean the end of his career. The 30-y

MINNEAPOLIS -- Less than a week before the Minnesota Timberwolves open training camp, they still have not heard if franchise icon Kevin Garnett wants to follow Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant into retirement.No matter what Garnett chooses to do, it is becoming clear that the franchise that drafted him in 1995, the one that he hoped to take over one day, is preparing for life without him.As the Timberwolves have waited for Garnett to make his plans known, they have started discussing several scenarios of moving forward without the 40-year-old alpha wolf, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press late Wednesday. Those scenarios include a buyout of the final year of Garnetts contract and/or his retirement after 21 seasons in the NBA. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no agreements have been reached.This is not how it was supposed to go when Garnett returned to the Timberwolves in a trade with Brooklyn in 2015. Flip Saunders had helped mend the fences that were broken after Garnetts first exit from Minnesota in 2007, and the coach and the legend talked about Garnetts desires to one day get into ownership with the Wolves.Saunders died after a brief battle with Hodgkins lymphoma just before last season and the organization had to shift gears. Owner Glen Taylor brought in new leadership in Tom Thibodeau and Scott Layden, and a new vision was born out of sheer necessity.Saunders, who was both coach and president of the Wolves, signed Garnett to a two-year, $16.5 million contract last summer. His plan was to have Garnetts passion and work ethic serve as an example for one of the most promising young rosters in the league. KG could reach Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Gorgui Dieng on a different and more personal level that the coaches ever could.The plan worked, for the most part. Garnett bonded with the youngsters and was buoyed by their enthusiasm. And the pups soaked up his knowledge and gravitated to his charismatic personality, accentuated by a hilariously foul mouth and a penetrating stare that made them feel both respected and valued. The scene played over and over last season, practice coming to an end and Garnett pulling one or two of the youngsters aside to offer counsel on defending the pick-and-roll, communicating on the court or using their feet to play better ball.Towns was the rookie of the year and was seen wearing a throwback KG jersey in several public appearances this summer. Dieng benefited from a trick Garnett showed him that helped him cut down on the times he was called for traveling.But most of Garnetts best work with the team came in practices and on the team planes and buses, where he would hold court and impart wisdom. His balky knee held him to 38 games last season and only five after he made his emotional return to Minnesota in that trade deadline deal in 2015.When Saunders died, Garnett lost his biggest champion in the organization, and perhaps the salesman who could help him assemble a group to buy the Timberwolves from Taylor.League rules prevent Garnett and Taylor from discussing an ownership stake until KG retires. And with Saunders gone, Taylor was forced to look elsewhere for buyers. He negotiated with a group led by Memphis Grizzlies minority owner Steve Kaplan, but those talks stalled. So Taylor added two minority owners this summer to strengthen his financial position.It became clear that if Garnett wanted to buy in to the Timberwolves, he would have to take percentage so small that he would not have the influence and power that he initially envisioned. Garnetts competitive spirit and relative aversion to public appearances and interviews meant a role as a basketball ambassador similar to the one Grant Hill has taken on as a minority owner with Atlanta did not seem realistic.When Taylor decided to fire coach Sam Mitchell, a longtime Garnett confidante, and hire Thibodeau and Layden to set the franchise on a new course, it showed that KG did not have the power within the organization that he did as an MVP winner who led the Wolves to the Western Conference finals in 2004.Garnett is due $8 million this season. The Wolves also have Nikola Pekovic, a hulking center with chronic foot problems that have led the team to conclude he will be of little help on the court. Using two roster spots on big men who cant be counted on to play consistent minutes could be challenging for a team trying to end a 12-year playoff drought.The Timberwolves open training camp on Tuesday, and they still have not heard from Garnett despite repeated attempts to reach him.The silence may tell them all they need to know. Vans Shoes Australia Sale . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead. Vans Shoes Australia Online . LOUIS -- Attorneys for the St. http://www.vansoutletaustralia.com/ . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Wholesale Vans Shoes Australia . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Wholesale Vans Australia From China . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. What do you need to know about the weekends big stories? Joe McDonald gives us his take on the biggest and best. This is where we say, Morning, Joe.Cup matchup preview?: The Chicago Blackhawks have won three Stanley Cup titles since 2010. The Montreal Canadiens have won 24 Cups, but none since 1993. Imagine if these two Original Six teams were the last two standing come June? If they keep on track, its quite possible well see that matchup in the finals. On Sunday, the Blackhawks defeated the Canadiens 3-2 to snap Montreals four-game winning streak, showing Cup contenders they must still beat the Blackhawks to be considered legit. The Blackhawks are now 11-3-2 and have earned points in 11 straight with a 9-0-2 record. After suffering a first-round exit to the St. Louis Blues in the playoffs last spring, the Blackhawks appeared to be on their way out. But theyre now leading the Central Division with 24 points. The Canadiens (13-2-1 for 27 points) are for real, too. It would be incredible for hockey if the Blackhawks and Canadiens battled it out in the Stanley Cup finals.Flyers have net deficit: A team is at its best when it can rely on two solid goaltenders, especially this season with the compressed schedule. Up until this weekend, that was the case for the Philadelphia Flyers, who had Michal Neuvirth and Steve Mason, both instrumental in helping the Flyers reach the playoffs last season. But now its all Mason after Neuvirth suffered a lower-body injury that will sideline him for four to six weeks. Mason has the ability to make the most of this opportunity, but he has to take full advantage of it. Meanwhile, the Flyers will recall Anthony Stolarz, 22, from the AHHL to serve as Masons backup.dddddddddddd Stolarz is talented and athletic, has a great glove and is known for his good work ethic. He will keep getting better, and some in the hockey world believe he is better than the Pittsburgh Penguins Matt Murray. But make no mistake, the Flyers hopes for a playoff return clearly ride on Masons shoulders.Bickell determined to return:?Carolina Hurricanes forward Bryan Bickells diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, which was announced Friday, doesnt necessarily mean the end of his career. The 30-year-old left winger and three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks said he has been unwittingly dealing with the disease since the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. He was shocked to learn the news, but hes hopeful hell return to playing. The disease impacts motor skills but affects everyone differently. In November 2012, Minnesota Wild goaltender Josh Harding was diagnosed with MS and played only 34 more games; he is now a high school goalie coach in Edina, Minnesota. Calgary Flames goalie coach Jordan Sigalet was diagnosed with MS during his junior season in 2003 at Bowling Green State University. He finished his college career, turned pro and played four more seasons, including three in the AHL, before finishing his career in Europe. Former Major League Baseball standout Rocco Baldelli had his promising career cut short after being diagnosed with a mitochondrial disease, which has similar effects as MS. He was 28 when his playing career ended; he is now the first-base coach for the Tampa Bay Rays. ' ' '