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Andrei Kirilenko is returning to the NBA, this time with Minnesota. The Timberwolves found the versatile, tough-defending small forward theyve been seeking to fill out their roster, and this one they didnt have to try to pry away from a division rival. Kirilenkos signing of a two-year, $20 million contract was completed Friday after a three-team trade with New Orleans and Phoenix cleared the necessary space under the salary cap. The 31-year-old Kirilenko spent last season with CKSA Moscow after a 10-year run with Utah, choosing to play in his native Russia during the lockout and staying there once it ended. "I think playing a more regular schedule in Europe helped his body. He told me he feels tremendous. He feels as good as hes ever felt," Timberwolves president of basketball operations and general manager David Kahn said. "I think that, if anything, it was probably a small advantage for him to not play in the NBA." Kirilenko, currently playing with the Russian national team at the Summer Olympics in London, won the Most Valuable Player and Best Defender awards in the Euroleague. In a statement provided by the team, he said hes excited to be coming back to the United States, where he has dual citizenship. "The Wolves have one of the best coaches in the league in Rick Adelman, and I feel my game fits in well with his style of play," Kirilenko said. "I also like the talent that Minnesota has on the team with star players like Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio." All 10 of Kirilenkos NBA seasons have been with the Jazz, who selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 1999 draft. He averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 30.8 minutes per game during that time, including an All-Star 2003-04 season when he averaged 16.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.9 steals. He has 62 games of five or more blocks and 14 games of five or more steals. The Timberwolves signed restricted free agent Nicolas Batum to an offer sheet and also tried to swing a sign-and-trade deal with Portland, but the Blazers didnt budge and kept the 23-year-old from France. So the Wolves turned to Kirilenko, a 6-foot-9 budding superstar at one point whose productivity waned over the last few years under the weight of a variety of injuries. "We see somebody who can help us in a number of ways," Kahn said, "and frankly is the kind of player we didnt have on our team." With all of the dominant, score-from-anywhere-on-the-floor wing players in the league these days, the Wolves need to keep them in check. "By no means am I suggesting that Andrei can shut them down, but I at least think now we can send somebody out there with the wingspan and the capabilities of guarding them a little bit," Kahn said. That couldve been translated as a slight against Derrick Williams, who plays the same position as Kirilenko, had an up-and-down rookie year and has found himself the subject of trade talks. "Derrick should be challenged to seize what he wants, as opposed to it simply being handed to him," Kahn said. "There will be no limitations on Derricks ability to play here from a minutes standpoint, but itll be up to him to determine." The rebuilding project is clearly over for the Timberwolves, with the addition of another veteran. Theyve now sent away two first-round draft picks, one on paper (Kahn said its protected for the next few years if it falls in the top 13) and one in person (Wes Johnson was the fourth overall choice in 2010 but struggled mightily over two seasons here) to the Suns. They received three future second-round picks in the Suns-Hornets trade. They plan to sign guard Brandon Roy and centre Greg Stiemsma next week, leaving Kevin Love, Nikola Pekovic and Luke Ridnour as the only players whove been on this roster more than one season. Whatever becomes of these latest transactions by the wheel-and-deal Wolves, at least their best player is in a better mood. Love spoke at a meeting with the media in London on Friday, where Team USA was preparing to begin Olympic play. The All-Star power forward said hes feeling better about the shape of the roster after seeing the moves Kahn has made this month. Recently, Love publicly urged the organization to add veteran players to the young core, expressing impatience with becoming a playoff team. With Kirilenko, Roy, Stiemsma, Shved and Cunningham coming, Love sounded more confident in the plan. "Im happy with it," Love said. "I know a few weeks ago I didnt necessarily sound that way. But I just want to make the playoffs." Love noted that hes the only member of Team USA whose NBA career doesnt include post-season experience. "Im thirsty for that. Im hungry for that. I think post-season play is the next thing for me. Ill be headed into my fifth year, so its definitely due," he said. Kahn, on the conference call, was asked if Love approved of the moves. "I read the assistant general managers comments just a moment ago," Kahn said, poking a little at Loves previous lobbying. "Im very pleased that hes pleased." Wholesale Jerseys From China . -- With two words, Jay Cutler dismissed the notion that the Green Bay Packers would be able to disrupt the Chicago Bears new-look wide receiver corps with physical play: Good luck. Wholesale Jerseys . Once they put him on the 40-man roster, the As must pay Inge only a prorated portion of the $480,000 minimum -- or about $412,000 -- of the $5,308,743 he was owed when released by Detroit on Thursday. http://pavansukhdev.org/wholesalejerseys.html . PETERSBURG, Fla.ROME -- Roma needed two late goals to beat visiting Torino 2-0 Monday and bounce back from its derby loss to Lazio. Pablo Osvaldo converted a penalty in the 71st minute after the goal-line referee intervened to overturn the initial decision by the main match official. Miralem Pjanic doubled the lead in the 86th with a shot from the edge of the area that deflected in off a defender. Torino coach Giampiero Ventura was sent off shortly after the penalty for excessive protesting.dddddddddddd Roma moved into sixth place, 12 points behind Serie A leader Juventus. Torino remained three points clear of the relegation zone. The match was held Monday because the Stadio Olimpico was used for Italys rugby test with New Zealand on Saturday. Roma lost the derby 3-2 eight days ago. ' ' '