Jeff: One Down, One to Go

If you're one of our three or four faithful readers the past couple of years (and a big thanks to you, by the way), you know when it comes to the Wolves, we've only had two problems with them: Kevin McHale, and Wally Szczerbiak. Well last night's trade to the Celtics at least solved one of those. Now if only we could find a way to get rid of the other. ESPN.com NBA guy Marc Stein actually liked the trade for the Wolves, but other than McHale, I think he's the only one. Both the Strib and Pioneer Press bashed the trade, and I thought Souhan's article summed it up especially well. He can expect a call from McHale's wife today after he actually had the nerve to call out Mr. Celtic.

For me personally, I would have been ok with this deal, had the #1 pick not been thrown in. I like Ricky Davis. I especially like Ricky Davis at about $19 million for the next three years instead of paying Wally $46 million for the next 4. Davis is a slasher, a career 19 ppg scorer, and he even plays some D. As for Wally, I don't know whose hearts broke more: the ladies of the Twin Cities, or small forwards from the other 29 teams in the L who won't get to light up Wally when they face the Pups. Although I will not make the argument here, a strong case could be made that Wally was the most overrated athlete in the history of pro sports in Minnesota. A career 15 ppg scorer who had ONE all-star appearance, I just never understood the fascination with the guy. He was a good outside shooter, but brought absolutely nothing else to the table. Nothing. And when the playoffs rolled around, he might as well have suited up for the opposing team, because the guy is a walking turnover when somebody actually gets in his face and guards him. Good riddance.

The biggest question is what is the Wolves direction here? Did this trade make them better, not only this year, but for the future? Only slightly. Davis is an upgrade on Wally, and I'm not sure Blount will be much better than Kandi was. Marcus Banks? The Wolves are in dire need of somebody who can run the point, and maybe all he needed was a change of scenery. Maybe. Yet despite the trade and a slight upgrade in talent, this team is STILL not a championship contender, and with their cap situation they're not going to be for the remainder of Garnett's contract, which runs out in 2009 (again thanks to hoopshype for all the salary info. My favorite new site). Blount and Troy Hudson average more than $6 million per year through 2010, and Jaric's deal is the same but with an extra year through 2011. By the end of those deals, you're looking at more than $20 million a season for three guys that are now completely untradeable. Trenton Hassell averages just under $5 million a season through 2010 as well, so combined with KG's remaining four years, you've got 5 guys taking up almost your entire cap, and three of them you couldn't give away if you tried (unless you threw in a 1st round pick, but aren't we out of those?). So there's no room for the remainder of the time Garnett's here to add that alpha dog he so desparately needs.

And then there's the draft picks. ESPN.com NBA stat guru John Hollinger rated every team on their drafts for the last 10 years, and Minnesota, all under McHale, were one of the six worst teams in the league. The joke about whether it's better or worse for McHale to keep his draft picks has become as old as the Ole and Lina joke's around Minnesota. But all kidding aside, other than Garnett and Marbury, McHale's track record of #1's he's kept has been awful. Other than Starbury and Wally, here's the other guys that have heard their names called by the Wolves in the 1st round since 1995:
Paul Grant (#20-1999), Rasho (#17-'98), Will Avery (#14-'99), Ndi Ebi (#26-'03), and McCants at 14 this past year. That's 7 guys drafted in the first round after KG got here, and now only McCants is left. I'm having trouble finding the words to express how awful that is, so feel free to choose your own. I mean trying to decide which is truly worse, the fact McHale cannot judge talent or the fact he gives away #'1 like candy on Halloween, is like choosing between Star Jones or Roseanne in a beauty contest. There are no winners, just like Timberwolves fans will never feel like winner as long as Kevin McHale continues to make basketball decisions for the team.