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The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading down the wrong path, one that may end up in a total team overhaul.

Last summer, Minnesota acquired Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell, taking a risk on two players with histories of insubordination. Last year, that risk worked out to near perfection, landing the Wolves in a Western Finals series with the Lakers. Cassell missed most of that series with nagging injuries, and it all went downhill from there.

In what appeared to be a lift, the Wolves brought Troy Hudson back from season-long injury, Wally Szczerbiak was back in the rotation, and the team signed Eddie Griffin as a free agent. Unfortunately, there haven't been enough minutes to go around.

Flip Saunders was inconsistent with his minute distributions, and players like Fred Hoiberg, Sprewell, and occasionally even the reigning league MVP Kevin Garnett were lost in the rotation at times. That, above anything else, was probably the reason Saunders lost his job.

It's been reported that Kevin McHale has tried to move the two cranky vets, but to no avail, and for the other 29 GM's, wisely so. Minnesota is lucky that both Sprewell and Cassell will be gone after this year, as they're in the last year of their contracts. But with all the similarities drawn between them and the old Jail Blazers, there are some concerns.

Kevin McHale had to drop Saunders, because Flip had lost control of the team. The players have lacked heart, and they stopped listening. While it is possible that McHale can keep the attention of his younger players, he won't be able to turn the team around this year.

Kevin hasn't coached a game in his life, and it appears he really didn't want to start Sunday afternoon. Really, McHale just wants the team to fight hard this season and at least give the fans their money's worth, and then break things up and dump Cassell and Sprewell when he gets the chance.

The Wolves are finished this season, and while this has been a total disappointment, Wolves management did the smart thing. They'll let Sam and Spree go, and start fresh next year. They still have Hudson, a good point guard when given real minutes, and Wally, who can provide offense. They'll hold on to Eddie Griffin, a pleasant surprise this year. Trenton Hassell, a good defender and role player, has some value. And they even a first round draft pick next year.

As long as Kevin Garnett is around, the team will remain competitive. Whether the Wolves rise up next season like they did last season depends on who runs the backcourt. With hard-working pieces around him, Kevin Garnett gives them at least a decent chance at a title every year.

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