Wolves Need To Trade KG

Kevin Garnett has been called one of the NBA's most over rated superstars. I'm not going to go that far, but it's clear that Kevin Garnett is not capable of carrying a team by himself. To win, KG needs scorers surroudning him. And in only one season, with Latrell Spreewell and Sam Cassell, has KG managed to win a playoff series.

For the future of the Timberwolves organization, Garnett needs to go, and GM Kevin McHale can follow him out the door. With all of the recent rumors that Garnett is headed to Boston or Phoneix, a trade now is not only a good idea, it's necessary. Should the T'Wolves hold on to Garnett, he almost certainly bolts after next year, leaving us with nothing in exchange for him.

Kevin McHale is in posiiton to make the trade, and while the majority of Wolves fans will hate him more for the move, it's the right thing to do. If Garnett draws a king's ransom, like Boston apparently offered with Al Jefferson, Sebastian Telfair, the #5 pick, and other considerations, then rebuilding is the best route to go. Allowing McHale to trade Garnett also gives owner Glen Taylor the chance to push McHale out. If McHale can't win with KG, then why trust him going forward? Taylor would be in the clear if he jettisoned McHale.

This isn't to say I want Garnett to leave. His passion, desire and intensity make the Timberwolves a joy to watch--on some nights--in an otherwise dreary NBA. But Garnett's detractors make good points: he's not a great scorer, he can't score in the clutch, he doesn't have a go-to move, he has trouble creating his own offense, and he can't leave a team.

I agree with all of those arguments, but also think he's a one-of-a-kind player. He does everything, and he does it all well. Whoever gets KG will be better off, but I think the Wolves, too, will eventually benefit from trading the franchise's first superstar.

And with KG gone, more media attention in Minnesota will be pointed towards Tubby Smith and company. And that would be a blessing.