You have absolutely no idea how badly I hate typing this. But I honestly have no idea what else can be done to save this franchise from four or five years of complete mediocrity. With the way the Wolves are currently playing, and the apparent lack of good attitudes, something drastic has to be done.
[ad2] To sit around and just hope things will work themselves out will do nothing but deepen the hole the Timberwolves have found themselves in. I have absolutely no idea why the Wolves didn’t push harder to get A.I. I’m not an insider by any means, but I have a feeling that if they weren’t so hesitant to part with Randy Foye, KG and the Answer would be tearing it up. Now it seems our only answer is watch Garnett slip through our fingers as well. If we do nothing, what miracle trade are we possibly going to pull off that will revitalize the team?
If we do nothing, what free agent is out there who will put us into contention?
If we do nothing, what will promising youth will we be able to draft and infuse us with hope?
There are no answers to those questions, because there is no knight and shining armor who is going to swoop in and save this team. Doing nothing will get us nowhere. That leaves us with three choices.
1. Improve from within. I know Foye, McCants, and Smith are all young, but I don’t see any of them being a legitimate answer that will single-handedly give us 10-15 extra wins in the coming years.
2. Tank like there’s no tomorrow. Thankfully, if you want to look at it that way, the Wolves are a one game ahead in the standings from being 10th to last in the NBA. If this team just quietly commits itself to intentionally playing as horribly as they have been, keeping our pick shouldn’t be a problem. However, if you’re planning on the 9th pick in the draft to save the franchise, you can probably guess again.
3. Light the match and send KG out in a blaze of glory. This team needs more than one or two more players to get it back on track. KG can net you the three or four players necessary to completely change the outlook of this franchise. His value wont’ get any higher. And good luck waiting until after the ping pong balls to make the move. The only way you’re wrestling away the #1 or 2 pick this draft is by trading for it before it’s a sure thing. When you’ve got so little to lose, there’s no harm in gambling a bit.
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Sell our souls. Save the franchise. [image2]
So here’s the trade breakdown… (It’s actually two completely separate trades, but for simplicity’s sake, I’ve made it one)
Minnesota Trades: Kevin Garnett, Ricky Davis, Rashad McCants
Minnesota Receives: Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, PJ Brown, Corey Maggette, Knicks 2007 first round pick
Chicago Trades: Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, PJ Brown, Knicks 2007 first round pick
Chicago Receives: Kevin Garnett
Los Angeles Trades: Corey Maggette
Los Angeles Receives: Ricky Davis, Rashad McCants
Why Chicago Trades: They get the franchise player they need to become an elite force in the league.
Why Chicago Doesn’t Trade: They’re giving up quite a bit. However, The Ticket is ultimately more valuable to them than a rookie who will need to develop and he’s unquestionably the best player in the deal.
Why Los Angeles Trades: They’re looking to get rid of Maggette. With his contract and health issues, they can’t expect too much in return.
Why Los Angeles Doesn’t Trade: They’re probably trading one problem for another. But at least Ricky’s always healthy. Plus, McCants could always develop into a solid contributor.
Why Minnesota Trades: Desperation, pure and simple.
Why Minnesota Doesn’t Trade: Kevin Garnett vehemently opposes the move, or they’re simply content to be a run of the mill team for years to come. Without KG, this team wouldn’t even have to tank in order to keep its pick. That leaves them with two shots at either Durant or Odom. Deng, Gordon, and Thomas would be nice complements to Foye and Smith, ultimately giving Minnesota 7 young studs to hang its hat on at the start of next year.
It’s a shame that it’s come to this, but it has…
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