Insider Special: Wolves Standing Pat

Are the Wolves the team to beat?

By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider

With Shaq all but gone from the Lakers, Steve Nash bolting the Mavericks, Vlade Divac possibly retiring from the Kings and the Spurs faced with losing at least Hedo Turkoglu to free agency ... what Western Conference team has had the best summer?

Ironically, it could be the one that has done nothing. The Timberwolves made all of their big changes last summer after a series of first-round playoff defeats. The moves propelled them to the Western Conference Finals, where they were destroyed by a dominant Shaq (20.7 ppg, 15.7 rpg).

With all the elite teams in the West looking either the same or weakened, can the Wolves capitalize by taking the road less traveled -- continuity? Or are they willing to move one of their more coveted players, Wally Szczerbiak, in an attempt to find the missing piece of the puzzle?

Here's a look at what to expect as Insider continues its summer blueprint series.


Timberwolves Summer Blueprint
DRAFT: Every draft is the same story with the Wolves these days -- no story. The team still is paying for agreeing to an illegal contract with Joe Smith in 2000 and lost its fourth first-round pick in the past five seasons.

The Wolves did have a rare first-round selection last season and blew it on high school player Ndubi Ebi. Ebi didn't play at all last season and has looked awful in the summer league.

Their lone second round-pick this season, Gonzaga guard Blake Stepp, has a good shot at making the team because of his size, ability to play the point and outside shooting.

FREE AGENCY: The Wolves had just two significant free agents to worry about this summer, and both are key role players for the team. Troy Hudson opted out of his contract to secure a more lucrative deal with the Wolves.

The two sides have been negotiating for a week and it appears Hudson will be back in Minnesota with a six-year contract near the mid-level exception. Hudson played just 29 games last year because of injury, but he's instant offense off the bench when healthy.

Trenton Hassell
Shooting Guard
Minnesota Timberwolves
Profile


2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
81 5.0 3.2 1.6 .465 .787



Trenton Hassell, the Wolves' starting two guard, also should be back. He averaged just 5.0 ppg as a starter last season, but his rock-solid defense has made him a staple in Flip Saunders' rotation. He earned the NBA minimum last season and should command a decent raise.

The Wolves used their mid-level exception last season on Michael Olowokandi. This year they don't seemed inclined to spend the money. Because of Kevin Garnett's huge contract, the Wolves are a luxury-tax player and don't want to incur any more salary than they have to. While there are a few free agents on the market who could make some sense for them (the team has shown strong interest in Jamal Crawford), it appears unlikely they'll spend the money.

TRADES: For the third straight year, the trade focus centers almost entirely around Szczerbiak. The rumors for the past two seasons were that Wally and KG didn't get along. Until last year, Szczerbiak was such an important part of what the team did offensively that it couldn't afford to trade him.

However, with the additions of Latrell Sprewell, Sam Cassell and, to a lesser extent, Olowokandi last year, Szczerbiak suddenly wasn't the important cog he once was. An injury kept him out of the lineup for more than half the season, and when he did return, it was in a sixth-man role with limited effectiveness.

Wally Szczerbiak
Small Forward
Minnesota Timberwolves
Profile


2003-2004 SEASON STATISTICS
GM PPG RPG APG FG% FT%
28 10.2 3.1 1.2 .449 .828



From all appearances, the Wolves have moved on, and Szczerbiak and his $9 million salary are available to the highest bidder. The Bulls, Cavs, Blazers, Hornets and Sixers have flirted with Szczerbiak over the years, but so far, no one has been willing to pull the trigger.

The Cavs and Bulls are both big fans, but are reluctant to take on Szczerbiak's big contract. The Bulls would consider a deal of Crawford (in a sign-and-trade) and Jerome Williams for Szczerbiak that could make some sense for the Wolves. The Blazers could offer Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Derek Anderson or Dale Davis -- all players the Wolves could use.

The Hornets have been shopping Jamal Mashburn. If Mash is healthy, he'd be a great fit in Minnesota. The Sixers are dangling Glenn Robinson on the off-chance the Wolves want to clear cap space.

By almost every account, the Wolves want to make a deal. Now it's about finding the best fit.

COACHING: Flip Saunders is an old-timer by NBA coaching standards. He has coached the Wolves for nine years and finally got them out of the first round of the playoffs last season.



SaundersDespite a string of disappointing playoff defeats, Saunders' job has never been in serious jeopardy, nor should it be. He's an excellent coach and has the respect of his players.
FRONT OFFICE: Kevin McHale took a huge gamble last summer when he added Cassell, Sprewell and Olowokandi. All three have developed reputations as locker-room problems, but Cassell, Spree and Garnett hit it off, and the chemistry on the team was great.

With all four of the Wolves' biggest rivals taking hits this summer, is this the year of the Timberwolves in the West? The pressure is on for this team to take the next step now. Sprewell and Cassell aren't getting any younger. The Wolves' window is limited.

Moving Szczerbiak could be the key to the Wolves' season if McHale can find the right piece. But, on the other hand, with things going so smoothly last season, does he really want to risk upsetting the fragile peace that exists? Sometimes continuity is the best thing. In Minnesota's case, it could be the key to a trip to the Finals.