Timberwolves officially sign Tayshaun Prince

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced the signing of small forward Tayshaun Prince on Thursday.

Terms of the deal were not released by the team, but it was reported a week ago that Prince had agreed to sign for one year at the veteran's minimum, which was reiterated Thursday by Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.

Prince, a 13-year NBA vet, is the third player 35 or older - along with Kevin Garnett and Andre Miller (both 39) - the Wolves have signed this offseason, spelling a clear mandate to pair their extremely promising (and equally green) core with a crop of seasoned vets.

"We're excited to add a veteran like Tayshaun," said Wolves president and head coach Flip Saunders, who coached Prince on the Detroit Pistons from 2005-08. "I know that his experience and defensive mindset will benefit our younger players. He also has shown that he can shoot from long distance, which will help our ability to stretch the floor."

That last point is not without merit. Last season between the Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, and Boston Celtics, Prince shot a career-best 46.3 percent from 3-point range, while averaging 7.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

A four-time All-Defensive second-teamer, Prince should also be able to offer some crucial guidance on that end of the floor to a Wolves squad that finished dead last in the NBA in defensive efficiency last season.