The Minnesota Timberwolves are shopping forward Chase Budinger in the trade market, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.
The Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons have shown interest in the five-year veteran out of Arizona, but both teams are hesitant to take on his $5 million player option for the 2015-2016 season. However, the Pistons are still considering adding Budinger since Jodie Meeks will be out for two months, and they would like extra depth at the wing positions.
In Minnesota, there is a log jam at the small forward position with Corey Brewer, Anthony Bennett, Shabazz Muhammad, Robbie Hummel, Glen Robinson III, and Chase Budinger.
Budinger has barely been healthy since joining the Timberwolves in 2012. He tore his lateral meniscus in his left knee in November of 2012 and missed 59 games that season. Last season, he missed another 43 games due to continuous knee issues.
Initially, the Timberwolves wanted to use Budinger as a stretch four, but they are now more obstinate on trading him, especially since they have gotten some calls on him.
In two seasons with Minnesota, Budinger has logged a total of 64 games while averaging 7.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.