After Kevin Garnett: Brighter Days Ahead for Minnesota

With the Boston side of the Kevin Garnett trade garnering the most attention, it's easy to overlook what the deal has given Minnesota.

After dealing away Garnett, the Timberwolves can finally stop teetering between mediocre and bad—and can now take steps towards a potentially brighter tomorrow.

Garnett was never good enough to win playoff series by himself. And GM Kevin McHale was never shrewd enough (except for the Latrell Sprewell/Sam Cassell accident) to surround Garnett with players who could accentuate his talents and mask his weakness as a go-to scorer.

Had they kept KG, the Wolves would been in for another fruitless year—just bad enough to make the playoffs, just good enough to miss out on the top-tier draft picks.

Now, though, Minnesota has Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, a contract chip in Theo Ratliff, and a pair of draft picks.

And things are finally looking up.

Jefferson is a potential All-Star and a reliable scorer in the pivot. In time, he could develop into the sort of powerful post scorer that anchors a playoff team.

Jefferson still needs to improve his passing, his midrange shooting, and his defense, but that should all come with experience. If Jefferson is determined enough to work hard—and is wise enough to learn during his minutes on the court—he'll be an important part of the future in Minnesota.

Green also has the tools to be an All-Star: tremendous athleticism and deadly shooting range. He still needs to take better shots and play better defense, but those flaws are common to most young players. 

If Green matures and gains the trust of his coaches, he can become the starring wing on a very successful ball club.

Gomes is an undersized power forward with good range, good defensive skills, and excellent energy. He might never be a starter in the league, but his versatility and competitiveness will always make him a key part of a coach’s rotation.

He’s a definite keeper.

Telfair has the skills to excel on the break, but has no clue how to run an offense. At least he should get plenty of chances to learn this year.

Ratliff isn’t a player anymore—he’s simply a contract. If the Wolves keep him until the end of the year, his deal will come off the books and free up precious cap space. If they trade him, he may yield another young player or draft pick.

Green and Jefferson are sure starters. Beyond that, coach Randy Wittman will throw a mix of youngsters and veterans against the wall and see what sticks.

Rashad McCants' immaturity will send him to the doghouse—and out of Minnesota at year’s end.

Juwan Howard, Marko Jaric, Trent Hassell, and Mark Madsen don’t seem to factor in the Wolves' future plans.

Mark Blount is the only true center on the roster with any game left, so he’ll get considerable playing time by default.

Ricky Davis’ one-dimensional scoring will be important when the youngsters aren’t clicking, so expect him to be the first man off Minnesota’s bench.

As Wittman struggles to field a rotation, the Wolves will suffer through a few very lean years in the Twin Cities. But if Green and Jefferson evolve and mature, the Minnesota will finally have something that they lacked with KG:

A future.