The focus on how the Timberwolves will function without Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio has been aimed at forwards Andrei Kirilenko, Derrick Williams and Dante Cunningham, and point guards Luke Ridnour and J.J. Barea.

And yet, a week before the start of the NBA season, Chase Budinger is quietly emerging as someone the Wolves can rely on for the next month and a half while Love and Rubio, the team’s franchise players, work their way back from injuries.

“Chase could be our leading scorer off the bench,” assistant coach Terry Porter said. “The way he can knock down threes is huge for us.”

via Ray Richardson of the Pioneer Press