The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Saturday night that they won't be extending qualifying offers to forwards Michael Beasley and Anthony Randolph, making them unrestricted free agents. The two will be able to sign with any team starting at midnight Saturday, when the NBA free agency period begins.
The Wolves had a glut of 'tweener forwards last year with Beasley, Randolph and rookie Derrick Williams. Each were too slow to be trusted to regularly play small forward, and with Kevin Love turning into an MVP candidate, couldn't find regular minutes at the four spot either. When Nikola Pekovic turned into a productive center and Darko Milicic turned into a decent backup, the Wolves no longer needed so many big bodies.
Beasley would have been due a little more than $8.1 million and Randolph $4 million, according to ShamSports.com. The Wolves also could have wanted to clear cap room to try to acquire Pau Gasol, a deal they've been reportedly trying to pull since last trade deadline. The Wolves are rumored to still have interest in the deal, so clearing $12 million in salary off the books is a good place to start.
For more on the Wolves, check out Canis Hoopus and SB Nation Minnesota.