major trade looms as draft approaches

Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, together? Yes, it's true, the Lakers and Timberwolves, along with help from the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers are working on a four team deal that will send Garnett to the Los Angeles Lakers, Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom to the Pacers, Jermaine O'Neal to the Celtics, and the #5 overall pick (from the Celtics) and either the #19 pick (from the Lakers) or Al Jefferson to the Timberwolves. This may or may not keep Bryant in Los Angeles after he demanded to be traded last week, but I think that this will keep him in LA with an improved team with Garnett as his sidekick.

This deal makes sense for all teams except for Boston. After all, rumors were swirling about Garnett going to the Lakers, Jefferson and the #5 pick going to the Timberwolves, and Bynum and Odom going to the Pacers, although all of them were in separate deals. In order for this big deal to get done, it will probably have to happen before the #5 pick is announced. The draft is this Thursday and begins at 7:00 EST.

What Minnesota should do this Offseason

Basically the Minnesota Timberwolves' entire offseason will be centered around Kevin Garnett and the debate about whether or not the Timberwolves should trade their franchise's all time best player. I think they should because there is a lot of demand for an unselfish superstar like Garnett and he has done so much for the Timberwolves with little to no help around him for all but one year, 2003-04, the year the Timberwolves made the Western Conference finals. The Lakers have been interested in Garnett for some time now and while that is still an intriguing possibility in him teaming up with disgruntled superstar Kobe Bryant, he will likely not go there because reportedly, the Lakers have lined up a trade with the Indiana Pacers to get Jermaine O'Neal. However, if the Lakers don't need to give up Lamar Odom or Andrew Bynum, I could still see Garnett to the Lakers as a possibility.

I could also see him going to the Dallas Mavericks. Jerry Stackhouse's big contract expired this year, possibly clearing up enough space for the Mavs to pair him with someone like Devin Harris or Jason Terry to go to Minnesota and begin the rebuilding process there. I expect the Mavs to make a big change this offseason following their disappointing playoffs.

A free agent that is available for the Timberwolves to get that could help Garnett is Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats. Wallace provided the Bobcats with good stats across the board and probably will with whatever team he plays for, as long as he manages to get playing time.

As for the draft, I expect Minnesota to get the best player available. Al Horford from Florida could help right away on the Timberwolves' front line, maybe as the starting power forward and putting in Garnett at center in a small ball lineup like what the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors do so well.