Eddie

Griffin

“We’re hopeful we’re going to get him signed in the near future,” Wolves GM Jim Stack said.

“If we can keep on working to get him in shape, he’ll be productive for us,” coach Flip Saunders said.

The Lakers, Hawks, Heat and Timberwolves were among the teams that attended the workout. Griffin, the seventh overall pick in the 2001 draft, missed the entire 2003-04 season because of ongoing legal battles and substance abuse issues.

Griffin could miss six weeks if significant damage is found.

Griffin can’t bend the thumb right now, and it will require a splint for the next six weeks but will not keep him on the sidelines at all. He will miss the first three games on suspension, however.

He’s expected to make his T’Wolves debut this week.

He’s day-to-day. Griffin needs to play to make the Wolves, so he probably won’t sit out any games.

The 6-foot-10 forward is playing inside on defense, ranking 10th in blocks per 48 minutes (2.46), and outside on offense, shooting 48.3 percent (14-for-29) from behind the arc, tied for fifth best in the NBA. “I’m just feeling more comfortable playing out there,” Griffin said. “It’s just coming. Everything’s coming together.” Great to see him turn his life around.

Griffin, Steve Francis, Yao Ming, Cuttino Mobley and Jim Jackson all could return tonight after sitting out Wednesday’s game.

Van Gundy said Griffin has to show him some things to come off suspension, while adding that he likes Griffin, who is ''an important piece’’ in Houston. We can’t recommend making Griffin anything but a late-round flyer in your draft. Kelvin Cato is expected to open the season as the power forward.