TIMBERWOLVES: The price of getting younger
| 5
|
Let's admit it. Prior to the Garnett-to-Boston trade, the Minnesota Timberwolves were one of the older teams in the NBA. As in, not young. Some veteran rosters can be a good thing, but after three seasons out of the playoffs, the Wolves simply were not that kind of team. If owner Glen Taylor hadn't broken the group up, they soon would have been reaching their disposable underwear years, which isn't a bad thing in general, but isn't a way to win an NBA championship, either.
Now sure, without KG, the Wolves might not get better right away, but they are certainly younger and have several players who could become quite good in a couple more seasons, as well as a worthy replacement at PF for Garnett. Yes, Al Jefferson isn't KG yet, but he certainly shows signs that he could develop into an elite player.
The Boston trade isn't the "missing piece" for the Wolves. It's an admission that it's time to rebuild for the future. The Chicago Bulls faced that a couple years back and look where they are now; one Eastern Conference finals series away from the NBA Finals.
Perhaps the Wolves can reach that point by 2010; they only reached it once after 12 years with KG and no other superstar on their roster.
