Minnesota Timberwolves 2006 Draft Preview

Minnesota, which lost in the 2003-04 Western Conference finals to Los Angeles Lakers, missed the playoff for a second straight year. The Timberwolves finished with a disappointing 33-49 record.

The 30-year-old Garnett led the Timberwolves in scoring (21.8 ppg) and rebounding (12.7 rpg) during the 2005-06 campaign. He seems to have lost some of his passion and is visibly frustrated with the state of his squad.

If Minnesota can add some talent it could rejuvenate Garnett. Ricky Davis, who was acquired from Boston during the season in a trade that sent Wally Szczerbiak to the Celtics, is a nice player. But the Timberwolves will not win with Davis, who averaged 19.4 points in 78 games with Minnesota and Boston last season, as their No. 2 option.

Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Trenton Hassell, Troy Hudson and Marko Jaric are all role players, while guard Rashad McCants showed a lot of potential during his rookie campaign.

Garnett is not the problem in Minnesota. The Timberwolves need to surround their All-Star forward with different players, and the draft is the right place to start. An athletic forward that can score would be a nice complement to Garnett. Connecticut’s Rudy Gay or Rodney Carney of Memphis would fit in very nicely.

Minnesota also has three picks in the second round (36th, 37th, 57th). The draft is the start of what should be a very busy offseason in Minnesota.

Key Player(s): Marcus Banks (Guard), Mark Blount (Center), Ricky Davis (Guard), Kevin Garnett (Forward), Eddie Griffin (Forward), Trenton Hassell (Guard), Troy Hudson (Guard), Marko Jaric (Guard), Rashad McCants (Guard).

Team Needs: Point guard, scoring forward and players with heart.

Draft picks: 1st round (6th overall), 2nd round (36th overall), 2nd round (37th overall), 2nd round (57th overall).