Watch Out NBA, the Minnesota Timberwolves Are the Next Big Thing

After the Minnesota Timberwolves missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season in 2006-07, Kevin McHale, then the team's general manager, decided it was finally time to rebuild.

That meant trading away their franchise player, Kevin Garnett, and starting from scratch.

So on July 31, 2007, McHale dealt the future Hall of Famer to the Boston Celtics for youngsters Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, and Gerald Green, veteran Theo Ratliff, and two future first-round draft picks.

And Wolves fans watched painfully as Garnett led the Celtics to the 2008 title, while the Wolves became one of the league's worst teams.

But, in the not-so-distant future, Wolves fans should forget all about Garnett, as their team will likely emerge as a title contender.

The Wolves have a bright future with talented players like Jefferson, Kevin Love, Corey Brewer, and the rookie trio of Jonny Flynn, Ricky Rubio (hopefully), and Wayne Ellington.

And Kurt Rambis, the new head coach, will do a great job whipping the young T-Pups  into shape with his hard-nosed defensive approach.

In addition, they should have a significant amount of cap space in the summer of 2010, when free agents such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh may be available.

Most likely, the Wolves will not be able to to attract any big-name free agents. However, they should be able to sign a second-tier free agent to complement their young core.  

With Jefferson and Love dominating the low post, Brewer developing into a defensive stopper, and Flynn and Rubio gelling together as backcourt mates, the Wolves will be scary in a few years.

Watch out.