Thu, Jan 26, 2006 at 12:00am

TSKITISHVILI HEADS TO MINNY

The Phoenix Suns acquired forward Nikoloz Tskitishvili from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 2006 second-round draft pick.

What does it give the Phoenix Suns
A very cagey investment who may still develop into a very good player. Tskitishvili is a rare seven-footer with small forward skills, and Phoenix is the ideal situation for him. He's still only 22 years old but has actually been in the NBA for three full seasons before this one. This guy was Darko Milicic before Darko entered the league, a rangy teenager with star potential but not ready for prime time when he was drafted. Tskitishvili wowed scouts playing in Italy before being drafted fifth overall by Denver in 2002, and his coach in Italy was none other than current Suns' bench boss Mike D'Antoni. Almost no one scouts talent better than the Suns, so this could eventually be another Boris Diaw-caliber steal for them.

What does it give the Minnesota Timberwolves
A second-round draft pick in return for first-round talent. Not a great move by the T-wolves, but this was done as part of a house-cleaning meant to shake the team up. Tskitishvili was complaining about more playing time earlier this season and Minny just wanted to change the mood and look of the team for a playoff run in the second half. Tskitishvili was part of that change, but the numbers show they never really gave the fast-improving big forward a chance to win a regular rotation role. He may eventually make them regret that decision, and this one.

Fantasy impact