Kahn's direction

[MLC84]

Just putting togther things we've heard from Kahn to this point -

1. he has "a 16 month timetable for turn-around"

2. he's looking at "7-10 new players" and that the need "to go in another direction is obvious"

3. [i]In discussing the current roster, Kahn said, "On a championship-contending team, Al [Jefferson] might be the second-best player. ... Kevin [Love] might be the fourth-best player." Jefferson, he added later, is ahead of schedule in rehabbing his torn ACL, is expected to be ready at the start of training camp and has lost weight.

It seems to me he is looking first to deal for a "best-player" veteran. I have no idea how he plans to do that - there aren't that many players with more value that Al Jefferson you could hope to get in a trade, especially with what the Wolves could offer.

And there are no players I see in this draft who are "best player on a championship team" caliber - and really none I'd expect to do much in the next 16 months.

So I just don't see how he can realistically hope turn things around quickly. He seems likely to use pieces wth at least some value (Love, Foye, Miller, Gomes) to go after something. But I'm not confident he can come up with good vets or draft picks that will be much of an improvement in the short term.

I'm concerned he'll take a chance on deals and end up with the short end of the stick. I don't see much talent evaluation and team construction in his background. Not that what has been in place in Minn lately is any better, really. But I'm not confident based on what I have heard and seen.

[theGreatRC]

Obviously he wants to T-Wolves to make the playoffs and he is giving himself a 17 month timetable to do so.

I can see Foye, Miller, Gomes, Smith, #6, #18, #28 being used to accomplish that goal.

We also don't know what kind of Free Agent he could sign this off-season or next off-season.

He talks a big game, but he hasn't done **** yet.

[TheProdigy]

3. [i]In discussing the current roster, Kahn said, "On a championship-contending team, Al [Jefferson] might be the second-best player. ... Kevin [Love] might be the fourth-best player." Jefferson, he added later, is ahead of schedule in rehabbing his torn ACL, is expected to be ready at the start of training camp and has lost weight.

While it's refreshing to hear a GM speaking the truth, don't you think that statement could be offensive to either of them? Big Al is a 24 year old coming off a 23 and 11 season, and Kevin Love is only entering his second year. The last thing we want our GM to do is piss off our best players because they feel disrespected.

[Dewey]

I remember he put Indiana in a pickle due to his obsession for Tinsley ... Tinsley was a bust. Well, we will see alot in the next 7 days.

[Dan's with the Wolves]

3. [i]In discussing the current roster, Kahn said, "On a championship-contending team, Al [Jefferson] might be the second-best player. ... Kevin [Love] might be the fourth-best player." Jefferson, he added later, is ahead of schedule in rehabbing his torn ACL, is expected to be ready at the start of training camp and has lost weight.

While it's refreshing to hear a GM speaking the truth, don't you think that statement could be offensive to either of them? Big Al is a 24 year old coming off a 23 and 11 season, and Kevin Love is only entering his second year. The last thing we want our GM to do is piss off our best players because they feel disrespected.

It wouldn't surprise me that at the end of his plan there are no current players on the Wolves roster.

[Esohny]

If you start to feel really nervous, just remember:

We're Timberwolves fans! We're numb to getting slapped in the face with poor personnel decisions!

I think we'll be able to deal with any setbacks with the usual gallows humor and heavy drinking.

[Klomp]

3. [i]In discussing the current roster, Kahn said, "On a championship-contending team, Al [Jefferson] might be the second-best player. ... Kevin [Love] might be the fourth-best player." Jefferson, he added later, is ahead of schedule in rehabbing his torn ACL, is expected to be ready at the start of training camp and has lost weight.

While it's refreshing to hear a GM speaking the truth, don't you think that statement could be offensive to either of them? Big Al is a 24 year old coming off a 23 and 11 season, and Kevin Love is only entering his second year. The last thing we want our GM to do is piss off our best players because they feel disrespected.

Then they should grow up if they get hurt feelings because of that. This is a grown mans game. If you can't take criticism, get out.

Anyways, looking back a long ways, he wouldn't be the best player on championship teams, maybe except for the Pistons in 2004.

2009: Kobe>Al
2008: KG,Pierce>Al
2007: Duncan, Parker>Al
2006: Wade>Al
2005: Duncan>Al
2004: Chauncey?
2003: Duncan>Al
2002: Shaq, Kobe>Al

I'll stop there. SUPERSTARS win championships. Not just stars. Right now, Al is on star level. Either he develops into a superstar (improve defense, range, passing) or we need to find one.

[skorff26]

I think that ideally Al would be the ideal #2 option. just like when we had KG, he would have been better as a #2 option. Most often the #1 scoring option on championship teams is someone playing the wings and if they aren't able to get to the basket, then you get it down low to your big man.

Ideally on offense, we would have a PG who can distribute the ball to the open players, a SG/SF that could hit the 3, a SG/SF that would put up 25 points a night and be our #1 option, a scoring big man downlow as option #2, and another big that can bang away and maybe hit an open shot if need be.

Also look at the big men that averaged more than 20 points a game this year, (Dirk, Jefferson, Bosh, Jamison, Amare, West, Randolph, Howard), other than Dwight Howard, none of these guys have had much success in the playoffs and most are #1 options on their team; you need a wing player to be that #1 option and your big man to be your #2 option

[jpatrick]

I don't know. The last two mini-dynasties were Shaq's Lakers (Shaq was clearly the #1 option over Kobe back then) and Duncan's spurs. I think a big man can be the #1 guy on a championship team but a true #1 post is a better facilitator (can run O through him) and better defender than Al. Jefferson is what he is, a great post scorer, improving shot blocker and probably a #2 guy on a championship team.

[RD&KG2]

I remember he put Indiana in a pickle due to his obsession for Tinsley ... Tinsley was a bust. Well, we will see alot in the next 7 days.

I hate to defend a Cyclone, but Tinsley was not a bust. He was the 27th pick of the draft, and has put up some pretty solid numbers. His problems have been injuries, some significant family issues, and the only one I know that might still be a problem is his attitude.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaal_Tinsley

[RD&KG2]

for the record, I'm not saying I want him here.

[skorff26]

I don't expect a bunch of trades, Kahn says that we will have 7-10 new players; but that doesn't mean anything.

Well, we'll need to have 7-10 new guys since we will be losing these guys in the next 16 months
1. Shelden Williams (probably not resigned)
2. Ollie (probably not resigned)
3. Jason Collins (probably not resigned)
4. Rodney Carney (probably not resigned because of lack of playing time for him)
5. Mark Madsen (probably not brought back after 2010)
6. Bobby Brown (probably not brought back after 2010)
7. Brian Cardinal (probably not brought back after 2010)
8. Craig Smith (probably not brought back after 2010 because of lack of playing time for him)
9. Mike Miller (might not be back after 2010)
10. Ryan Gomes (unguaranteed, possibility of being cut)


-So there's 7-10 players that have a good chance of not being back in 16 months just because they expire, (I think the top 7 won't be here for sure)

-Plus we would be bringing in 3 firsts this year, maybe 2 firsts next year, and some 2nd rounders, and we will probably sign a few free agents as well.

-Kahn is speaking about big changes, but even if the old management was around we would have 7-10 new guys here in 16 months.

[MLC84]

Obviously he wants to T-Wolves to make the playoffs and he is giving himself a 17 month timetable to do so.

I can see Foye, Miller, Gomes, Smith, #6, #18, #28 being used to accomplish that goal.

We also don't know what kind of Free Agent he could sign this off-season or next off-season.

He talks a big game, but he hasn't done **** yet.

I'm not sure he really talks that good a game. Clearly he is headed in a complete rebuild mode. Figure he has to be planning to trade Foye, Miller and Cardinal very soon. Jefferson bacically can't/shouldn't be traded, and Love probably not - though either could happen I suppose. Gomes has some value, but isn't costing you that much to keep. I don't think Brewer has shown anything to invite interest - same with the others now on the team.

With those pieces and picks in a not-good draft to offer, and if he wants $ space for free agents, he can't look for established vet starts back in deals. So you would take back draft picks or young unestablished guys - which puts you basically right were you are now.

If you think about a "17 month timetable", it suggests looking to be active if the free agent market next year. What top-tier free agent might he be looking at for next summer? Where is he going to come up with the #1 and #3 guys? Other than Griffin, are there more than three players in this draft who could realistically pan out to be the #3 (forget the #1) guy if Love if a #4-level talent at best?

[Dewey]

Obviously he wants to T-Wolves to make the playoffs and he is giving himself a 17 month timetable to do so.

I can see Foye, Miller, Gomes, Smith, #6, #18, #28 being used to accomplish that goal.

We also don't know what kind of Free Agent he could sign this off-season or next off-season.

He talks a big game, but he hasn't done **** yet.

I'm not sure he really talks that good a game. Clearly he is headed in a complete rebuild mode. Figure he has to be planning to trade Foye, Miller and Cardinal very soon. Jefferson bacically can't/shouldn't be traded, and Love probably not - though either could happen I suppose. Gomes has some value, but isn't costing you that much to keep. I don't think Brewer has shown anything to invite interest - same with the others now on the team.

With those pieces and picks in a not-good draft to offer, and if he wants $ space for free agents, he can't look for established vet starts back in deals. So you would take back draft picks or young unestablished guys - which puts you basically right were you are now.

If you think about a "17 month timetable", it suggests looking to be active if the free agent market next year. What top-tier free agent might he be looking at for next summer? Where is he going to come up with the #1 and #3 guys? Other than Griffin, are there more than three players in this draft who could realistically pan out to be the #3 (forget the #1) guy if Love if a #4-level talent at best?

I feel Brewer and Miller very good complimentary players (Defense/Shooter) - both preferrably bench players. Love and Jefferson are good starters on a good team. We need a PG and a Center and an upgrade at SG. We may have to use Love or Jefferson to get our PG.