Timberwolves Head Coach Sam Mitchell Says Kobe Bryant Offered to Work With Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine in Offseason

Are D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson invited, too?

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Earlier this week, Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell spoke with Justin Termine over at Sirius XM NBA Radio to clear the air regarding a comment he made about Kobe Bryant after his team's 119-115 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers

Sam Mitchell said Kobe Bryant a "top 5, 6, 7 player" & added: "I hate him. If I don't ever see him again, it will be too soon. I hate him."

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 3, 2016

Of course, no one took notice of this photo showing Mitchell and Bryant, talking and laughing with one another. 

Kobe sharing a laugh with Minnesota Coach Sam Mitchell. You know, the guy who just said he hated Kobe. pic.twitter.com/MDPsQI10qj

— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 3, 2016

It may have been during that conversation where Bryant extended an invite to Mitchell for two of the Timberwolves' best and most promising talents. "Would a guy that I'm supposed to hate offer, after the game, for me to send Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine out to L.A. to work with him," Mitchell said on Sirius XM NBA Radio. "Does that sound like two guys that don't like each other?" 

During the aforementioned Timberwolves/Lakers game, Wiggins hit Kobe with a very Mamba-esque fadeaway shot. 

Andrew Wiggins backs down Kobe Bryant, nails fadeaway pic.twitter.com/gjlzN4YXlf

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) February 3, 2016

Afterwards, Bryant and Wiggins shared a laugh about the shot, and in his postgame interview, the Black Mamba elaborated on what was said. 

Bryant's praise towards Wiggins' game didn't end there. 

"I was really impressed with his turnaround in the post.first year, he was off-balance. Now, he's textbook."-Kobe on Wiggins

— Rodger Bohn (@rodgerbohn) February 3, 2016

Kobe said it was a joy for him to watch & match up w/ Andrew Wiggins tonight, said he was testing him out, definitely impressed

— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) February 3, 2016

Clearly, Kobe sees something special in Wiggins, and it should come as no surprise that he wants to help the 20-year-old fine-tune his game. 

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[via @SiriusXMNBA]

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