MINNEAPOLIS -- Eddie Griffin's time with the Minnesota Timberwolves appears to be nearing an end.

The reserve forward's five-game suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug program finished Friday when Minnesota hosted Detroit. Owner Glen Taylor said before the game that a decision on Griffin's status would be made next week, whether the Timberwolves issue their own suspension or release him from the roster.

"My guess is it would be the latter," Taylor said.

The power teams have to punish players is limited by the league's collective bargaining agreement with the players' union, further increasing the likelihood that Griffin will be let go. He already had a long history of off-the-court troubles before his most recent suspension.

"There have been a lot of incidents," Taylor said, noting that the team included protective language in the three-year, $8.1 million contract Griffin signed before last season.

Griffin, 24, will return to practice with the Wolves on Saturday, coach Dwane Casey said after the morning shootaround. Casey said Griffin would have to work his way back into the playing rotation, but he had barely been playing at all before the suspension -- last appearing in a game on Dec. 13.

The seventh overall pick in the 2001 draft, Griffin has been with Houston, New Jersey and Minnesota and been in the news far more for court dates, alcohol problems, suspensions and missed practices than he has for production on the court.
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The Associated Press News Service

Would you sign him???? He is cheap and productive. Only averaged 26 minutes a game in any one season and he is 24........... Isiah wanted to sign him before, he may be cut. I could see him as a knick.

[Edited by - anji on 01-20-2007 10:56 PM]

He is not recovering alcoholic yet.
When he will be - Knicks will signed him…

I'd sign him- but where does he get minutes? There are other teams out there that can give him minutes-

If we did sign him, and he proved to be over his earlier problems and could produce- I think it would give Isiah a chance to possibly trade Frye + someone else in an upgrade scenario (e.g., a corey magette)

We have a great group of young players that have good heads on their shoulders. NONE of them have been in the news with ANY off the court problems. Why not screw them up by introducing them to a druggie. Surely nothing can go wrong then.

Posted by franco12:

I'd sign him- but where does he get minutes? There are other teams out there that can give him minutes-

If we did sign him, and he proved to be over his earlier problems and could produce- I think it would give Isiah a chance to possibly trade Frye + someone else in an upgrade scenario (e.g., a corey magette)

Best season in his career he averaged 26 mins per game, I would give him back up minutes that usually fall to Rose/Cato/Jerome if he was on the team. And if Im trading Frye it's for the future.... give me picks!!!!!!!11