Minnesota’s Hail Mary

The Minnesota Timberwolves have made a good first step in the post-Saunders era by hiring new head coach Dwane Casey. Casey should infuse fresh blood to the defensive intensity. However, unless the Timberwolves want to be faced with the post-Garnett area they have to make a large move this off-season to put players around Kevin Garnett. This off-season will be as pivotal for the direction of the franchise and the summer they brought in Garnett himself. The addition of Casey and the need to add a very talented player to team with Garnett should lead the Timberwolves to do one thing the moment they are allowed to negotiate with Free Agents – show up on Ray Allen’s doorstep.

Ray Allen was a member of the Timberwolves before, for about 15 minutes. As many know he was drafted by the Timberwolves and traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Stephon Marbury. Minnesota thought they had the next generations Stockton and Malone. What they really had was an egomaniacal point guard who has career is starting to look eerily like Rod Strickland’s. If the Timberwolves can convince Ray Allen to come play at Target Center they can perhaps come closer to the lofty goals that the Marbury/Garnett pairing inspired.

Sounds great, but how? How are the Timberwolves going to convince Ray Allen to come to Minnesota? They have to believe that they offer Allen the best chance at a championship. Last summer that would have seemed easy, today it’s a harder chore than convincing Troy Hudson he shouldn’t shoot. There have been several possible destinations batted around for Allen. Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, and Seattle have been the franchises with the most Allen buzz. Yet looking at all 5 organizations, Minnesota has a clear chance to be considered the most likely to win now.

Denver:

Starting Five with Allen

PG: Miller

SG: Allen

SF: Anthony

PF: Martin

C: Camby

Denver has arguably the most talent. They also have Allen’s coach form Milwaukee, George Karl. Yet Denver has also shown to be the most manic of the teams, at times underperforming. They are the youngest of the teams, which brings with it some questions about maturity. The Nuggets are often considered the front runner.

Chicago:

Starting Five with Allen

PG: Heinrich

SG: Allen

SF: Nocioni

PF: Chandler

C: Curry

This assumes that Chicago elects to keep both Curry and Chandler. They also have sixth man of the year Ben Gordon coming off the bench. There are still questions about Curry’s health and the development of both he and Chandler. Chicago would also look to Allen at the veteran leader of the team.

Cleveland:

Starting Five with Allen

PG: ?????

SG: Allen

SF: James

PF: Gooden

C: ?????

Cleveland gives Allen the chance to be the Pippen to James’ Jordan. Who fills out the rest of the roster is the major question mark. James has the potential to become a top 3 player in the NBA, but it might be unreasonable to ask him to fill that role with an entirely new supporting cast around him. A large part of King James’ game is making his teammates better. That said he still needs better teammates. Cleveland might be the best long term situation for Allen.

Seattle:

Starting Five with Allen

PG: Ridnour

SG: Allen

SF: Lewis

PF: Collison

C: Swift

This is hardly the team that Allen led this past season. It is very possible that Seattle will be able to resign several players yet more than likely Allen will looking to make a decision knowing that only these players are guaranteed to be back in 2005-2006. Factor in that it is a strong possibility that Assistant Head Coach, Dwane Casey and Head Coach Nate McMillian could no longer work in Seattle. If Allen chooses to resign with Seattle it will be a large indication of his loyalty to the franchise and city than his belief that Seattle can be a contender in 05-06.

Minnesota:

Starting Five with Allen

PG: Cassell

SG: Allen

SF: Hassell

PF: Garnett

C: Olowakandi

Minnesota is clearly the most talented or deep of the potential suitors for Allen. For the purposes of this article it is assumed that Wally Sczerbiak would have been involved in the sign and trade that brought Allen to Minnesota. The pursuit of Allen would hinge on the shared belief that he is the missing piece that would help them recapture the form they displayed in 2003-2004. Minnesota clearly has the most ifs. If Cassell can recapture his 03-04 form, if Hassell can effectively shut down the opposing teams’ best wing player, if Garnett can be considered the clear favorite for the MVP and if Olowakandi can just do something worth while – then Allen might help lead the Timberwolves back into contention for a championship.

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