Wolves waive Milicic, advance pursuit of Batum

But no deal had been reached as of Thursday night, so both sides agreed to resume discussions on Friday. That means the Wolves have yet to file a signed offer sheet for four years and $46 million that Batum signed earlier in the day.

The restricted free agent would be unable to be traded if he signs the deal.

Portland would have three days to match the offer once the contract is filed with the league office.

The Timberwolves are still hoping to pull off a sign and trade that would help them alleviate their salary cap situation, add what they feel is the missing piece on the perimeter, and still hold on to second-year forward Derrick Williams.

Portland general manager Neil Olshey has said that the Blazers intended to match any offer and did not see enough attractive pieces on the Wolves roster to entice them to trade Batum.

But Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said earlier Thursday that if they couldn't work out a trade, the Wolves would file the paperwork with the league and force the Blazers to match.

"We're going to call their bluff," Taylor said.

The Timberwolves used the amnesty clause on center Darko Milicic earlier in the day to start creating the necessary cap room to sign Batum.

The Wolves likely would have to buy out the contracts of Martell Webster and Brad Miller to create more room to add Batum, Brandon Roy and Alexey Shved. The Wolves have already agreed to terms on deals with Roy and Shved.

But the Wolves are holding off on buying out Webster and Miller for the moment in case those contracts can be used in a trade to land Batum.