Rumors

Other known WNBA independent expansion candidates -- besides Austin, Nashville and St. Louis -- are Jacksonville and Kansas City. SBJ has learned that Des Moines, the hometown of Fever star Caitlin Clark, has had very informal discussions about pursuing a team at some point -- not in this expansion round -- but has no serious investors and may be priced out by the climbing $200M sales figure. The 15th WNBA franchise in Portland just paid $125M, which now appears to be a bargain.

Sports Business Journal

A preseason NBA game is coming to Des Moines for the second time. The Minnesota Timberwolves announced the team will play a preseason game in October 2024 at Wells Fargo Arena, home of the Iowa Wolves, Minnesota's G League affiliate. The Timberwolves will play against the Philadelphia 76ers.

KCCI Channel 8

Dane Moore: The Wolves preseason schedule… 10/4: against the Lakers in Palm Springs. 10/11: against the Sixers in Des Moines, where the Iowa Wolves play. 10/13: against the Knicks at MSG. 10/16: against the Bulls at United Center. 10/18: against the Nuggets at Target Center

Twitter

Tom Orsborn: Spurs have assigned Josh Primo to the Austin Spurs. He'll be available for their games on Sunday and Tuesday against the Iowa Wolves in Des Moines Primo averaged 7.2 points in 21.6 minutes over 5 appearances during this latest stint with the Spurs.

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Blake Murphy: Flynn is NOT the first player to travel in his double header, but Orlando to Milwaukee tops Troy Daniels (Des Moines to Houston) in 2014 as the longest distance travelled in a doubleheader that I can find.

Twitter

Jerry Zgoda: Timberwolves reassign Justin Patton to @iawolves in time for home game tomorrow night in Des Moines

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Jerry Zgoda: From my D League story: Wolves considered Rochester, Fargo, Sioux Falls & Twin Cities area too before choosing Des Moines & Iowa team

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The NBA is coming to Wells Fargo Arena for the first time, and it's bringing one of the state's biggest superstars. The Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors will play an NBA preseason game at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 in downtown Des Moines. The announcement will be made during a Thursday morning press conference at the Iowa Hall of Pride. Among those expected to be in attendance is Ames native and Golden State forward Harrison Barnes.

Des Moines Register

In 2007, Chris Makris hopped on a plane and left his home in California to chase an opportunity in Des Moines. Seven years later, he's never returned. The Iowa Energy general manager has been promoted to the director of minor-league operations for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. The news of Makris' promotion was part of a Tuesday press conference announcing that the Energy had entered into a single-affiliation partnership with the Grizzlies.

Des Moines Register

The Iowa Energy have reached an affiliation agreement with the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, finalizing a deal that ensures the NBA Development League team will remain in Des Moines.

USA Today Sports

Jerry Zgoda: Flip on the Funkadelic: Shabazz either is going to learn to obey the rules or he'll get quick geography lesson and learn where Des Moines is

Twitter

A former loan officer has been sentenced to 2 years in prison in a bank fraud conspiracy involving former NBA player Rumeal Robinson. The U.S. attorney's office said Brian Williams was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Des Moines for scheming with Robinson in 2004 and 2005 to borrow more than $700,000 from Community State Bank in Ankeny, where Williams was a loan officer.

KCCI Channel 8

“Coming here from the league (Oklahoma City the last two seasons), I wanted to be a leader and win,” Weaver said by phone from Des Moines just before Iowa beat the Dakota Wizards. “I wanted to make a statement to myself and the other guys that I came from the league, but I’m here to play and win and help guys, be a leader, watch tape, work with the coaches, be a complete player.”

Bulls.com