Report: Anthony Tolliver to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves

According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, Anthony Tolliver has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The exact terms of the deal are not yet known (it’ll be between five and six million, per Shams), but it is likely more than the Pistons could have afforded with their limited cap space. After the signing of Glenn Robinson III on Sunday, the return of Anthony Tolliver was even less likely than it was before.

Tolliver was a great veteran presence in the locker room, and a player who appeared to be loved by everybody on the team. He could also play a little bit on the court, as he was a key bench piece for the Pistons last season where he averaged 8.9 points on a career-high 44 percent shooting from three point range in 79 games.

This will be Anthony Tolliver’s second stint with the Minnesota Timberwolves; he played there from 2010-2012. Tolliver could start next to Karl Anthony-Towns in Minnesota because he can space the floor, which the Timberwolves badly need, while still not being a liability on defense. Although I doubt Tom Thibodeau would bench his favorite player Taj Gibson.

With the departure of Anthony Tolliver, it is time for Henry Ellenson to step up. New coach Dwane Casey had some nice things to say about Ellenson during his introductory press conference. If Ellenson can’t handle a bigger role it will put a lot of pressure on Jon Leuer, who is still returning from injury. Ellenson has the offensive skill to help replace Tolliver, but he has to improve a lot defensively so that he is not a liability.

The Pistons could look at a minimum contract for somebody like Derrick Williams, who was at their free agent mini camp a few weeks ago, but I suspect it is now Henry Ellenson’s time to shine.

Tolliver will be sorely missed both on and off the court, but we will always have this GIF to remember him by: