Timberwolves Deny That Deal With Smith Has Been Reached

Joe Smith remained undecided Friday about his future, although it was clear he hasn’t ruled out a return to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Team officials denied a report in the Dallas Morning News that they had reached an agreement with Smith.

“I would know of this,” owner Glen Taylor said. “I would know if he’s coming.”

Taylor and Coach Flip Saunders said they had not heard from Greg Jackson, the attorney who would be negotiating with Smith’s agent, Dan Fegan.

“Joe Smith has not signed with us and has not given any indication he will sign with us,” Saunders said.

Fegan and Jackson did not return phone calls.

The Morning News, citing league sources, reported that Smith had agreed to sign with the Timberwolves. Under league rules, the most Minnesota could pay Smith is $611,000.

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The Phoenix Suns activated forward Tom Gugliotta and put Chris Dudley on the injured list.

Gugliotta’s return comes eight months to the day after he underwent major reconstructive surgery on his left knee.

“It’s exciting to finally get on the court,” he said. “It will probably be limited action, and I hopefully can do some positive things and try to get some momentum for our team.”

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Seattle SuperSonic Coach Paul Westphal, frustrated by his team’s bickering and insubordination, offered to resign four games into the season but his players wouldn’t let him.

Westphal offered to quit Nov. 6 after the SuperSonics lost at Orlando. General Manager Wally Walker confirmed the report.

“I don’t even want to talk about it anymore because that’s ancient history now,” Westphal said Friday before a 99-95 loss to Dallas.

Some players questioned Westphal’s ability. Westphal, who was in an office within earshot, came into the locker room and said he would step down if that was what they wanted.

But Gary Payton immediately stood and refused.

“I just said we don’t need to be talking about this,” Payton said. “We need to be focused on the team, not whether he should be out or whether he should be here. I wasn’t going to have this come out in the media like we voted out a coach.”

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Golden State Warrior forward Chris Mullin said he’ll probably retire after the season, ending his 16-year career.

“This is probably it,” the 37-year-old Mullin said.

The Warriors selected Mullin with the seventh overall pick in the 1985 draft after a standout career at St. John’s. He spent 12 seasons with Golden State before he was traded to Indiana in 1997.