Kevin vs. Kevin: Trade Garnett or fire McHale
Even after a coaching change midseason, the Timberwolves are still struggling. Coach Randy Wittman, making the best of a bad situation, hasn’t been able to help the Wolves improve over the pace they were on when ownership let go of Coach Dwayne Casey. Now there’s talk heating up that maybe the best way to rebuild the Wolves is to trade The Franchise and get as much as possible for him – potentially from the Chicago Bulls, who have the most to offer.
Such a trade holds some appeal. Garnett is 30, though he has at least five more good seasons in him. Yet a trade with Chicago could net the Wolves one or two first-round picks, as well as a decent young power forward like Tyrus Thomas, as well as – perhaps – SF Luol Deng.
It’s an intriguing proposal, except for a couple things. First, it would strip the Wolves of their only remaining established superstar player. And second, GM Kevin McHale would be almost guaranteed to foul it up.
This is the GM who saddled Minnesota with PG Marko Jaric in exchange for PG Sam Cassell, and gave up a first-round draft pick in the process. He’s also the GM who gave SG/SF Wally Szerbiak away to Boston for SG Ricky Davis and a bunch of extras – and gave up another first rounder in the process.
Odds are, with McHale at the helm, if the Wolves DID land a deal with Chicago for Garnett, it would be Minnesota, not Chicago, giving up two first-round picks. I would hate to see Garnett finish his career with a team other than the Timberwolves. But if it has to happen, McHale’s the last one to trust in putting the deal together, whether it’s trading Garnett away or booking Orlando vacations.
McHale has to go.
