Happy New Year!: Nets at Wolves tonight

Ringing in the New Year at Target Center

January 1, 2011 at 9:15PM

Kris Humphries, Kim Kardashian and the New Jersey Nets come to Target Center tonight for a holiday matchup.

Oh, and yeah, I suspect Brook Lopez and Devin Harris will be there, too.

So will Anthony Tolliver, but he doesn't look like he's quite ready to play just yet.

Tolliver practiced Thursday and Friday, but didn't participate in any contact portions.

"I think I'm ready now," he said. "I can't show 'em any more. I've done my part."

Now it's up to the team's athletic training staff and Kurt Rambis to decide when he's ready.

Rambis usually likes players to participate if at least one, if not more, full-contact practices before they're allowed to play.

"I trust their judgment," Tolliver said. "This is their profession. This is what they do. I play basketball. That's what I do."

When Tolliver does return, he will wear a brace to protect that strained knee ligament.

"They told me I have to play with a brace for a little while and I want to, just for peace of mind until I know my leg is strong enough," he said. "Even after the brace goes, I still probably will wear a sleeve for that peace of mind factor. It allows me not to think about. It allows me not to worry about this or that.

"I just play. Just that peace of mind allows me to go full speed."

Tolliver's return will give them a versatile big off the bench that they've been missing his absence.

That doesn't mean, though, they're not looking for others.

Regarding the trade rumors thrown about this week...

The one most likely to happen is Anthony Randolph, although even that's far from a sure thing.

The Wolves are interested -- have been since early last summer, even before the Mike Beasley trade -- but the Knicks have been hesitant. The Wolves probably want to send Sebastian Telfair and that Utah first-round pick obtained in the Al Jefferson trade. Sounds like the Knicks want Luke Ridnour, although his contract is another $4 million a year for three more years at a time when they're weighing salary-cap ramifications for a run at Carmelo Anthony in the near future and/or Chris Paul down the road.

I'd rate the O.J. Mayo stuff a longshot at best.

The other name to keep watch on is Portland forward Nicolas Batum, who is being mentioned in those nebulous "rumors" as perhaps being available.

The Wolves made a run at Batum before the draft last summer, offering that No. 4 pick and Kevin Pritchard turned them down.

They'd probably have to give up Wes Johnson or something similar to get him, so I'd rate this one a longshot too, but he would give them the kind of individual defender they lack right now. He looks to me, though, more of a pure small forward than a guy who can swing between 2-3, although Rambis contends their system doesn't have 2s or 3s, just wings.

And that he is, a wing.

Kent Youngblood's got tonight's game so look for a posting from him post-game. I pick 'em up Monday in Boston, where Kevin Garnett's out with that leg injury but Rajon Rondo should be back from a sprained ankle that has kept him out the last couple weeks.

about the writer

about the writer

Jerry Zgoda

Reporter

Jerry Zgoda covers Minnesota United FC and Major League Soccer for the Star Tribune.

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