| How Will Trade Shape Wolves' Future? Authored by Josh Klomp - July 31, 2007 - 6:09 pm
The Kevin Garnett Era in Minnesota is officially over. He was officially traded to Boston on Tuesday for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, and two first-round draft picks (one of them originally belonged to Minnesota).
While Boston immediately becomes a contender in the Eastern Conference, it appears as if Minnesota will be cellar-dwellers for a while. However, this trade for youth allows for that young talent on the team to grow and develop together.
Let me analyze each piece of the trade coming to Minnesota:
Al Jefferson: 6'10 PF/C from Prentiss High School (MS)
2006-2007 Statistics: 16.0 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.5 bpg in 33.6 mpg (69 games)
I never thought I would be as excited about Garnett's replacement as I am for Al Jefferson. At 6'10, 256 lbs, he should be a force in this league for years to come, even in the Western Conference. He is still young at 22, and I believe his best years are still ahead of him. He will likely never reach the caliber of Kevin Garnett (who can?), but I have heard many analysts say they see him having a career similar to that of Elton Brand.
Gerald Green: 6'8 G/F from Gulf Shores Academy (TX)
2006-2007 Statistics: 10.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.0 apg in 22.0 mpg (81 games)
When he first came into the league straight out of high school, people were viewing him as the next Tracy McGrady. Now, people think he is just a terrible basketball player. I think both are a little extreme. He put up 10 points per game last year in averaging only 22 minutes, and he played in all but one game for the Celtics last season. His ceiling is high, and is already a decent player with excellent athleticism.
Theo Ratliff: 6'10 C/F from University of Wyoming
2006-2007 Statistics: 2.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 bpg in 22.0 mpg (2 games)
Obviously, the main reason Ratliff is in this trade is for salary cap purposes. However, Ratliff says he's ready to go, and whoever gets him is gonna get a great choice. Ratliff should also be a great locker room presence. His game may not be what it used to be, but anything he can give Minnesota will be extra on top of his contract and leadership.
Ryan Gomes: 6'7 F from Providence College
2006-2007 Statistics: 12.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.6 apg in 31.2 mpg (73 games)
He sort of reminds me of Craig Smith. Similar body frame, similar game. Only thing different is that Smith primarily plays PF while Gomes usually plays SF. However, Gomes could easily play PF in a Craig Smith-like manner. I'm not sure what it is, but I think he can play well alongside Craig Smith.
Sebastian Telfair: 6'0 G from Abraham Lincoln High School (NY)
2006-2007 Statistics: 6.1 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 2.8 apg in 20.2 mpg (78 games)
Telfair has received a lot of criticism from fans and the media since coming into the league straight from high school, and not being able to live up to all the hype. However, he should provide an upgrade in Minnesota at the point guard position, which is currently manned by Troy Hudson, whose contract is soon to be bought out.
Two first round draft picks
These may not be a very big deal to the casual NBA fan, but at least one of these draft choices should be high in the first round. One of the picks sent from Boston was originally Minnesota's pick, which was dealt to Boston in the Wally Szczerbiak-Ricky Davis trade last year. Many people view this as Kevin McHale and Glen Taylor simply trying to correct one of their prior mistakes. The other draft choice will likely be late in the first round now that Boston has the trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.
Kevin Garnett will always remain in the minds of Timberwolves' fans. He was easily the greatest player in the frachise's young history, and one of the greatest players of all-time. It's not easy to lose a player of his caliber. However, I believe the Timberwolves were able to come out of this trade as winners, despite losing Garnett. If you compare this trade with other recent trades of NBA superstars like Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, or Vince Carter, the Minnesota Timberwolves are getting a steal. However, that is only if the young talent this team has assembled can mesh together and develop into a cohesive unit. |
