MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Timberwolves waived Eddie Griffin on Tuesday, ending the forward’s tumultuous three seasons in Minnesota.

The 6-foot-10 Griffin appeared in just 13 games for the Wolves this season and had not played since Dec. 13, a span of 42 games.

The fifth-year veteran, and former seventh overall draft pick, has battled alcohol problems since coming out of Seton Hall. He was suspended by the league for five games in January for violating the anti-drug program.

“It was time for both parties – Eddie and the Timberwolves – to move on,” Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said in a statement. “It just didn’t work out for Eddie here in Minnesota.”

Griffin signed a three-year, $8.1 million contract extension before last season, when he appeared to be turning around his career.

His first two years in the NBA with Houston and New Jersey included a series of suspensions, court dates and missed practices – including time spent in the Betty Ford Center for alcohol treatment in 2003-04.

Griffin signed with the Wolves as a free agent before the 2004 season, and showed enough promise as a shot-blocker and rebounder for McHale to sign him to an extension.

He put up some big numbers on occasion with the Wolves, but he continued to get into trouble off the court.

Griffin pleaded guilty earlier this season to inattentive driving after hitting a parked car while out late one night in Minneapolis. Then came his suspension, and that was enough for the Timberwolves.

McHale declined further comment to the media on Tuesday night, but alluded in his statement that the team reached a financial settlement with Griffin to nullify the contract, which had one more season remaining.

“He will be a free agent next year and we do not have any further financial obligations regarding Eddie’s contract,” McHale said.