Wolves’ rebuilding “almost complete”?
According to GM David Kahn, the Minnesota Timberwolves makeover he started in 2009 when he was hired is now “nearly complete.” In an open letter to fans, and sounding about as confident as a wholesale clothes salesman, Kahn detailed his off-season moves and the reasoning behind them.
After a season in which the Wolves finished second-worst in the NBA, with a 15-win season, Kahn has rejiggered the roster again, as he did last summer, so that only five players from last year’s team are still with the Wolves – the youngest and most productive of the bunch.
Gone is one-time franchise-savior-in-waiting Al Jefferson, traded to Utah. In his place is… a lot of young talent with plenty of growth potential, but no clear superstar who has emerged into that role just yet. Kahn admitted the Wolves lack a Kobe Bryant / Kevin Durant / Dwayne Wade-level superstar, but insists the team stayed below the salary cap to remain flexible for acquiring such a player in the future, if the right deal comes along, and even suggested some of these young turks might just have to potential to become that kind of player.
The best Wolf, of course, is playing in Spain: Ricky Rubio is still a year away from joining the club, at minimum. Until Rubio arrives, recent additions like Michael Beasley and Wes Johnson seem the most likely to blossom in that way, while Kevin Love could also have a breakout year.
Prior to training camp and the pre-season, hope springs eternal for every NBA team … even the Wolves.
