Interesting article on the Wolves off-season moves

[Speedy]

Dan Barreiro: One move by Timberwolves simply isn't enough
Dan Barreiro, Star Tribune

Published July 16, 2003 DANB16

Sam Cassell arrives, Juwan Howard never lands, and Rasho Nesterovic takes off.

The mood shift for the Timberwolves franchise over the past three weeks was akin to building a 17-point first-half lead, and losing by 22.

This was further proof that the summer could be just as cruel, and far more critical, than the ups and downs of a single basketball game. The Wolves, off to such a promising start when they made the Cassell trade and aggressively pursued Howard, were back to Defcon I. In basketball terms, Defcon I means: "Time to Panic."

At least this was the tone Tuesday afternoon.

Then came word that the Wolves were about to come to terms with Clippers free-agent center Michael Olowokandi.

After the 2001-02 season, he was considered one of the more promising young centers in the league, certainly superior to Nesterovic. After the 2002-03 season, he was considered yet another underachieving Clipper who had lost his way. The question that will tell the tale on Olowokandi is simple: Is his regression merely part of being Clipperized, or did he simply need to be liberated from the NBA's Hotel Siberia, where you can check out any time you like but you can never leave?

Given the board-up-Target-Center alternative -- Defcon I -- the Wolves rallied from what would have been utter devastation by replacing Nesterovic. Yet even in replacing him with the more talented Olowokandi, there is still a domino effect working against the Wolves.

If they had been able to hold on to Nesterovic, the Wolves could have used their midlevel exception and the trading of Terrell Brandon to add at least two more fresh elements to the team in addition to Cassell. That could have included a quality front-court player (Howard?) and, even more essential, an athletic small forward or big guard (perhaps Ron Artest if the Pacers ever run out of money).

Now, unless acquiring Olowokandi is part of a larger, blockbuster sign-and-trade deal, the Wolves have used up one of their bullets, presumably the mid level exception, to replace Nesterovic.

That could mean the Wolves will have a chance to add only one other new element, and it most assuredly will not be Howard, the free-agent bargain they failed to secure.

Think of it this way: Would you rather have Nesterovic, Howard and, say, Artest; or Olowokandi and Artest?

The Wolves had appeared to enjoy one big plus in bringing back Nesterovic. They could persuade him that in Minnesota, he could play with a great front-court player. Then the salary cap-rich Spurs, spurned by Jason Kidd and P.J. Brown, came along, and said, "Uh, Rasho, we also have a pretty good front-court player. His name is Tim Duncan. He has two rings."

Nesterovic picked the club that wins games when it counts, and features a front-court All-Pro who might be gentler on his delicate psyche.

Which reminds me: Whatever happened to Kevin Garnett?

You will recall that almost as soon as Cassell became a Timberwolf, he also volunteered to work as a lobbyist for the organization. He picked up the phone and called Howard.

It was assumed that Garnett was also working the phones on behalf of the Wolves. Who would have a greater ability to make an impression than the franchise's signature player?

Shaquille O'Neal certainly did not hesitate to work to help his team secure a couple of All-Stars. Considering that Garnett needs more help than O'Neal does, it was assumed that KG was following up Cassell's call with one of his own.

Not necessarily.

Through at least much of this process, Garnett has been nowhere to be found. He apparently has shown more interest in lending a helping hand to the Lynx, whom he often applauds from his courtside seats at Target Center, than the team that will pay him $28 million next season.

Is Garnett so wobbly about staying with the team long-term that he refuses to mislead free agents like Howard about his intentions? Or is he simply refusing to cooperate?

For the Wolves, one possibility is bad, the other worse. Yet the Wolves need to find out which it is, now more than ever, to plan the future. The Wolves might have only one bullet left in the gun this offseason, and it better be magic. It would be nice if, in taking aim, they could get a little help from their franchise player, who some of us mistakenly assumed would be more interested in adding an athletic wing player than cheering on Katie Smith.

Dan Barreiro is at dbarreiro@startribune.com.

[JoshHoward5]

Man, who cares bput the Wolves? The Mavs matter!

[one long blue sock]

Well the Wolves do effect the Mavs alot... seeing as they are both in the West, so tehy play eachother 4 games.

the difference between 56 games won, and 60 is alot.