Don't even think of trading KG

On this wonderful Thanksgiving morning (believe it or not, we've got snow here in Jersey), I just read something that should make everyone in Minnesota give thanks.

Despite the rumors that the Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks had made bids to acquire Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said this week, "I can tell you, definitely, we are not trading KG."

I'm not necessarily a Wolves fan, and to be honest, I'd love to see Garnett in New York, New Jersey or L.A. with Kobe. But I must say this: Good for Glen Taylor.

Taylor would be foolish to trade Garnett. I hear the chatter about trading for expiring contracts (the Knicks' Penny Hardaway and Antonio Davis) and rebuilding, about clearing room beneath the salary cap to become a player in free agency.

But here's the deal: You clear cap room to get a player like Garnett. And most teams that clear cap room never get a guy with even 3/4 the talent of KG, so why, if you're Minnesota, would you clear cap room to get someone who's not as good as Garnett?

Ask Chicago if cap room is always the answer.

Garnett is only 29 years old. He's got a great work ethic. He's durable. He's suffered no major injuries. He's probably got five years left in his prime.

Instead of trading KG, Taylor has to find a way to put a star next to him. That, of course, is no revelation.

I know that's not easy to do because of KG's humongous contract. You might have to take on someone with baggage. OK, so do it.

Spree and Sam Cassell had baggage, and they almost got Minny a title. If Sam hadn't gotten hurt in the playoffs, they might have beaten the Lakers and maybe even Detroit.

I said this last week, but it needs to be repeated: Minnesota should bring back Stephon Marbury.

He is the one legit star the Wolves should be able to deal for. I don't think Marbury wants to be traded from New York. He wants to win and he thinks Larry Brown is the guy who can get him there.

But to be honest, Marbury's chances of winning it all are better in Minnesota with KG than they are in the Garden with LB.

An article in the Newark Star-Ledger implied that Marbury would like another shot at playing with KG, though he'd prefer it be in New York.

While the Knicks might not necessarily be shopping Marbury, they are clearly open to trading him. You might have to get a third team involved to pull it off, but it's time for Wolves VP of Hoop Ops Kevin McHale to start earning his dough -- and stop living off his good name.

Marbury's got dawg in him, and that's what KG needs. For all his histrionics and emotion, KG's really just a nice guy. That's why he couldn't keep things from getting out of hand last season.

Believe me, none of the great leaders of the past -- MJ, Magic, Bird, Isiah -- would have let Spree's and Sam's discontent ruin their year. You know why Dennis Rodman behaved in Chicago? Michael.

KG doesn't have that in him, which is fine. T-Mac doesn't either. That's why KG needs a nasty pit bull beside him, and Marbury's that guy.

Marbury rubs a lot of people, including myself sometimes, the wrong way. He's got his flaws on the court too. But one place he made a team as good as it should have been was in Minnesota.

I believe the Wolves become an instant contender with Marbury and KG. Put the right role players around them and maybe you can win it all.

The chances of winning a title like that are better than they would be by trading Garnett and rebuilding altogether.

There's slight problem Szerb would have to be filler for Minny to try and equalize Steph's salary plus half their roster. Who want's Szerb enough??. Otherwise how can it be done with Garnet taking up 3/4 of the cap by himself?