Portland Trail Blazers center and ex-University of Minnesota player Joel Przybilla said he plans to explore the free-agent market next summer, but he clearly has affection for his current team.

"That's my top priority, is to try to get back here to Portland," Przybilla said before the Trail Blazers' 91-83 victory over the Timberwolves on Friday night at Target Center. "But we'll wait till the season's over, and we'll worry about it then."

Przybilla was active during the game, blocking three shots and being whistled for a double-technical foul with Kevin Garnett over some cross words late in the second quarter. The incident didn't turn physical.

Przybilla, who attended Monticello High School, might have reason to return to Minnesota. He lives in Milwaukee during the offseason, but his parents still live in the house in which he was raised. Przybilla said he is sure he will make more trips to Minnesota next summer because he and his wife are expecting their first child, and his parents will want to see the baby.

But he feels ties to the Blazers.

"This is the first time, and last year, since I came into the league that I really felt as a family with guys on the team," he said. "That means a lot to me. In the past, when I was playing in Milwaukee, I really wasn't happy. Here, I'm happy because I'm playing and I have a relationship with the guys."

And what about the possibility of playing with Garnett?

"K.G. may be one of the best power forwards in the league, but we have Zach (Randolph), who's a 20 and 10 guy," Przybilla said.