A free agent invitee to training camp, this is Curley's third stint with the Wolves. He was with them from July 1996 (acquired from Portland in the Isaiah Rider trade) until March 1999 (sent to New Jersey in the Stephon Marbury deal). After the Nets waived him two days later, Curley was brought back for the rest of that season.

His best NBA moments came in 1997-98, when he averaged 18.9 minutes in the Wolves' final seven games, and in the lockout 1999 season when he started seven games and played 35.

Still, Curley doesn't keep getting chance after chance by virtue of his potential. And anyone wondering about that NBA platitude -- that teams like having white players to fill out their rosters -- needs to go through Garnett or Sam Mitchell.

"When I hurt my knee, the reason I came back was, I watched Bill for a year and a half," Mitchell said. "If I ever become a coach and Curley's not already coaching, he's one of the first guys I'm calling. I respect Bill. He works."

Actually, Curley does all sorts of small and unseen things, fine points lost on the typical Raptors fan.

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Minnesota Timberwolves

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