Feeling Minnesota

T'wolves take major step forward with Sprewell deal

The best thing about the proposed blockbuster trade involving Latrell Sprewell, Keith Van Horn and Glenn Robinson? No more Sprewell trade rumors. Hopefully, after two years of bogus reports out of New York, we can finally put those to rest.

The second-best thing about this deal? The mental image of T'wolves president Kevin McHale greeting Sprewell as he arrives in the Twin Cities.

Who would have ever imagined McHale, so disdainful of the modern ballplayer’s lack of respect for the game, embracing Spree warmly? McHale’s right hand locked in a grip with the same hand that once was wrapped around P.J. Carlesimo’s throat -- the same hand Sprewell broke in a fight last year and then failed to tell his New York bosses about -- that would be a photo for the ages.

But, hey, the T'wolves are trying to win. McHale is the team’s top personnel guy. His job is to put the best players on the floor, regardless of what he might think personally.

Sprewell should help Minnesota. Yes, his best days are behind him (he turns 33 in September) and he’s not a high-percentage shooter, but he’s still a terrific open court player and defender. In fairness, he had to play out of position in New York and force a lot of shots because of the lack of a true pivot player.

With Kevin Garnett and center Michael Olowokandi to draw double teams down low, Sprewell should get better looks at the basket in Minnesota. On the other end, he should provide a defensive stopper on the perimeter to help the slower-footed Wally Szczerbiak. Now the Wolves have the long-armed Sprewell to match up at times against the likes of Kobe Bryant, Peja Stojakovic, Michael Finley, Shawn Marion and some of the other more athletic 2s and 3s in the West.

The big question for Minnesota is whether one basketball will be enough for Garnett, Sprewell, Szczerbiak, Olowokandi, and newly-acquired Sam Cassell. Also, Sprewell might not be so well-suited for the type of pick-and-roll offense the T'wolves are likely to employ with Cassell and Troy Hudson at the controls. Coach Flip Saunders is no doubt glad to have such problems, but it might take time to work out the kinks.

For T'wolves fans, the move at least signals that their team is trying to win now. It also sends a message to Garnett, who can become a free agent next season, that there are some reasons to stick around. After seven straight first-round playoff exits, KG is going to want to know he has a chance to win before he re-ups in the Twin Cities.

So far this offseason most of the news has centered on the moves made by top Western clubs like the Lakers and Spurs. But, quietly, other Western teams like the T'wolves, Jazz, Nuggets and Clippers have undergone intriguing changes as well. Minnesota’s moves put them well ahead of those three teams, and probably still ahead of the Rockets and Suns as top candidates to crack the top four in the West.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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