Five Moves the Minnesota Timberwolves Must Make to be Successful

Tanner Thoms by Senior Analyst Written on June 19, 2009

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BOSTON - FEBRUARY 01:  Al Jefferson #25 of Minnesota Timberwolves takes a shot in the first half against the Boston Celtics on February 1, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are a very young team with multiple players that have a lot of potential. For some reason they can't seem to be at an elite status amongst the teams in the Western conference.

With the right moves, Minnesota can become a good team, and possibly a team that makes the playoffs. I will be listing five moves that they need to make in order to succeed next season.

1. Re-sign Rodney Carney

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The Timberwolves acquired Rondey Carney in a trade from the Philadelphia 76'ers before the 2008 season started. Carney was a former first-round-pick by the 76'ers in 2006.

In his rookie season, Rodney averaged 6.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. These numbers were very disappointing for a player who was expected to come out and be a scorer from the very get-go.

In his first season with the Timberwolves, Carney averaged 7.2 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. Carney also shot 35 percent from three-point-land.

Rodney is also a very good defensive player, and that's what the Timberwolves need. They should give Carney a relatively cheap deal for about 2-3 years.

As for the other free-agents (Kevin Ollie, Shelden Williams, Jason Collins, and Bobby Brown), Minnesota should let all of these players walk. None of them will provide anything great to the Wolves roster next season.

Sign Mark Jackson as the new Head Coach

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 21:  NBA Commentator Mark Jackson arrives at the Black Enterprises Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers Celebration at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on February 21, 2007 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images)

Mark Jackson, a broadcaster for TNT basketball is looking to become a head coach in the NBA. The former Indiana Pacer star would like to start as soon as he possibly can.

The Wolves declined to sign Kevin McHale, who has been with the team for over 13 years now. Therefore, Minnesota will be looking for a decent coach that can run the squad.

Mark Jackson might be unproven, but I do believe that he can bring plenty good to the Timberwolves team.

3. Sign a Veteran Point Guard

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Okay, so, it's not the biggest need in the world, but if Minnesota lets go of Kevin Ollie, they will need a veteran point guard that can continue to mentor Sebastian Telfair and a possible draftee.

There is a chance that we will re-up on Ollie's deal, but if we dont, here are a few veteran point guards to look at:

1. Tyronn Lue
2. Damon Jones
3. Bobby Jackson
4. Jacque Vaughn
5. Brevin Knight

4. Blockbuster trade: Mike Miller to the Nets

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Mike Miller disappointed the majority of the Timberwolves fans by only averaging 9.9 points per game during the 2008-2009 season.

The Wolves are discussing trading Miller and one of their three first-round-picks to somebody that would be willing to give back a player that can score right away.

The Nets were the worst three-point shooting team in the league last season, and they need to get a player that is able to knock down three-pointers at a consistent rate.

Nets receive:
SG/SF- Mike Miller

Timberwolves receive:
SG- Chris Douglas-Roberts
PF/C- Josh Boone

This move is mainly to free up cap space for the Wolves. It would also allow Douglas-Roberts to re-unite with his former teammate, Rodney Carney.

5. Draft Tyreke Evans with the 6th overall pick

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 26:  Guard Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Tigers goes to dunk the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Phoenix Stadium on March 26, 2009 in Glendale,

The Wolves had one of the worst records in the league last year (24-58) which is why they have such a high pick in the draft.

Minnesota will be looking to add a shooting guard that can score the ball. Tyreke Evans is a 6"5, 200 lb freshman from the university of Memphis. He can play at both guard spots if need be.

Most mock drafts have us taking Evans which is a very smart idea for the future of the Wolves team. He is a lot like Knicks shooting guard, Larry Hughes, and the way he plays.

GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 26:  Guard Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Tigers goes to dunk the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the University of Phoenix Stadium on March 26, 2009 in Glendale,

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written on June 19, 2009 Opinion

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