Without KG, What's Left in Minnesota?
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by Craigbwolf
Minnesota traded superstar Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics for forwards Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green, center Theo Ratliff, guard Sebastian Telfair and two future first round NBA draft picks. After giving up Garnett, Minnesota clearly got a lot of players in return, but what do they really have left?
Players Coming Off the Salary Cap After This Season: Theo Ratliff - $11,666,666 Ricky Davis - $6,817,500 Eddie Griffin - $1,450,000 Ryan Gomes - $770,610 Craig Smith - $687,456
Comments: Minnesota will most likely look to bring back Gomes and Smith. Minnesota will have more than $20,000,000 come off their payroll after this season since they certainly will not bring back Ratliff, Davis, or Griffin.
Veterans Minnesota Will Try To Move: Juwan Howard - Two years and more than $13,000,000 remaining Mark Blount - Three years and more than $20,000,000 remaining Marko Jaric - Four years and more than $26,000,000 remaining Mark Madsen - Three years and more than $7,000,000 remaining
Comments: Now that Garnett is gone, there is certainly no need for Howard and Jaric. I would look for Minnesota to be successful in trading Howard soon. Blount is productive enough to probably stay with the Timberwolves. Madsen will most likely be included in a trade at some point.
Building Blocks for the Timberwolves: Randy Foye (23) Sebastian Telfair (22) Corey Brewer (21) Al Jefferson (22) Rashad McCants (22) Gerald Green (21) Gomes (24) Smith (23) 2008 Boston Celtics First Round Pick 2008 Boston Celtics First Round Pick (originally Minnesota's pick, which was dealt to Boston in the Wally Szczerbiak-Ricky Davis trade last year)
Comments: Minnesota clearly has a number of young players to start their rebuilding process. They are two deep at both guard sports and the small forward position. They need to add one more young big man to put next to Jefferson, which they should be able to do with the pick they acquired that was actually originally their own. If Minnesota has the type of season many expect them to do, they could be in the running for one of the top picks from a draft which should include: Michael Beasley, Darrell Arthur, Roy Hibbert, Kevin Love, Brook Lopez, and Hasheem Thabeet.
Overall, Minnesota is in a great space to quickly rebuild. With four first round picks over the next two seasons, more help will certainly come. General manager and Kevin McHale and the Timberwolves need to move some of his veterans who still have a few years left in their contracts. With a few moves, Minnesota will be in position to add one of the top free agents that will be available next year including: Baron Davis, Corey Maggette, Shawn Marion, and Antawn Jamison. Although they have lost their superstar, the Timberwolves should be able to rebuild quickly and get back to become a Western Conference competitor.
