NBA Free Agent Rumors: Potential Additions for Minnesota Timberwolves

There's really nowhere to go but up after you finish 15-67.

At least that's what Minnesota Timberwolves fans have been telling themselves.

In addition to that, it doesn't look as if the T-Wolves will be in the running to offer any sort of enticing options to any big name free agents this offseason.

To be perfectly honest they don't have a whole lot to offer.

They went 15-67 last year.

They play in Minnesota.

Ricky Rubio is still a year away.

This team in general is still a few years away.

Minnesota's best bet is to continue re-building toward the future around a young core of players that features Al Jefferson, Kevin Love, Corey Brewer and Flynn/Rubio next year.

The jury is going to be out on recent draft pick Wes Johnson who could be a solid player in this league but his age (23) and lack of real productivity has some worried about his future as a star.

What the Wolves can hope for is the addition of one solid mid-level player this offseason and hopefully put together a young group of talent that can eventually grow into at least a competitive squad.

They won't be going after the Boshes, the LeBrons, or the Wades of this free agency but they could be eligible to seek out a mid-level veteran to help build around the young talent already in place.

Al Jefferson has already been an All-Star in this league and Kevin Love is one of the best passing big men in the game already.

Throw in Rubio possibly still coming over next year and the upside of Corey Brewer and there might be some hope for the future up in 'Sota.

On other other hand, this team still only won 15 games last year so let's not get ahead of ourselves in saying there is much hope at all.

Here are 5 players who could realistically wind up playing next year in Minnesota.

Re-Sign Darko Milicic

Never thought I would ever write those three words as something a team needs to do.

Apparently, the biggest draft bust ever still has a few fans up in Minnesota.

Darko played in nearly all of Minnesota's last 20 games last year and impressed David Kahn and new coach Kurt Rambis.

He impressed them so much that they are know opened to trading All-Star forward Al Jefferson.

Um...what?

For the sake of discussion and before I go on a 200 word rant on why I think Kahn is a joke, we will indulge their fascination with "the guy drafted in 2003 ahead of Carmelo Anthony."

Apparently, Al Jefferson and Kevin Love do not make a good enough frontline for the Timberwolves so now they are looking at trading Jefferson for another power forward with more of a defensive presence.

That's fair I guess but not sure making decisions based on the biggest flame-out in draft history is very wise.

Apparently Kahn and Rambis both believe Darko can still contribute in this league and be effective. So much so that they traveled to Serbia last week to talk to him.

We'll just have to wait and see how this one plays out.

Tyrus Thomas

If it's defense they are looking for, the 6'11 Power Forward can definitely bring you that.

Thomas is one the best shot blockers in the league and his freakish athleticism definitely plays into what Kahn is trying to do.

If they are going after Thomas, then one must assume they are willing to part ways with Jefferson.

I'm not sure how dealing Jefferson for Thomas is an upgrade but from what I'm hearing the Wolves want to be an athletic and defensive-minded squad and Thomas would fit the mold.

Tyrus brings energy, defense, and insane length to the table. Combine him with Darko at the frontline and you have.......well I guess a decent defensive 4 and 5.

Tyson Chandler

This is yet again assuming they are dealing Al Jefferson which yet again, escapes me as far as making logical sense goes.

Chandler is another solid defensive player although a past marred by foot injuries is enough to scare away most rationale GMs (one thing Kahn probably is not.)

Also, it appeared that Chandler's career has stalled a bit since he was separated from All-World PG Chris Paul.

Again, this is a player rumored to have Minnesota's interest and good for Chandler because they might be the only one's on that list willing to pick up his 12.3 million dollar option for next year.

Chris Bosh or Dwayne Wade

..............And then David Kahn wakes up.

Rudy Gay

In my opinion, this is the best option for the Timberwolves.

Rudy Gay has some serious potential left in this league and while he may be the most expensive, if the Wolves want to start looking at competing in this leaguee, they better start looking at Gay.

As far as athletes go, Gay is truly gifted. At 6'8 he runs like a gazelle and can jump out of the gym.

I don't think he has quite reached his potential as a go-to scorer but has certainly shown flashes of it so far in his career.

He averaged 20 ppg last year for Memphis and you have to figure that will only go up in what might be a promising career.

They would still probably have to part with Jefferson in order to get Gay because he will be asking for big time money this offseason.

Thrown Gay on a team with Flynn, Brewer, newly-acquired Martell Webster, Love, and (gulp) Darko and you might have a team with a .500 record.

Maybe......Possibly.....

Forget it......Best of Luck Timberwolves.