Owner Taylor on the draft and rebuilding plan

In an interview with Chad Hartman/KFAN yesterday afternoon, Wolves owner Glen Taylor talked about being in the second year of a three year program to "build within." You can listen to the interview here.

 
 

On the draft, Taylor said the player (or players) that the team gets next month doesn’t have to immediately impact the team but "certainly has to act in the next couple years". With the #3, Taylor wants someone who is in the position to be a starter in a year or so. Otherwise, if they trade for a different draft choice or for a player on another roster, those players have to have an impact and "improve our team, where we want to go, even quicker than what we anticipate today."

The owner thinks there are a number of players that could fit the roster, not just one person, and that opens up the possibility of trading the pick. He commented that he’s been proactive in telling "the guys" to look at all avenues.

Taylor told both Kevin McHale and Randy Wittman that he was pleased with the job they did last year but that it’s only one step in the process and that this year they "must continue to improve." He said he didn’t have a lot of complaints last season because they were dealing with a young team.

On Flip Saunders and KG, Taylor said he likes and respects them both and enjoys watching them play the current playoff series.

Next year is one in which the team has to make a big step. This year, he says, they’re probably a little more set (have to deal with young guys and get them resigned). After that, some of the big contracts come off the books and the team should have more flexibility. It’s in that year, Taylor said, that "we had better make a step."