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Coming off their appearance in the 2004 Western Conference Finals, the Timberwolves opened training camp last fall with very few questions and very high expectations.

We know how that worked out.

So now, after two months of howling at the moon and praying to the lottery gods (at least this year it was impossible for the Wolves to slide lower than their assigned slot), the pieces of the Timberwolves’ offseason puzzle are beginning to fall into place for the team and its fans.

First came new coach Dwayne Casey. A respected, long-time Seattle assistant noted for his ability to develop young talent, Casey wants athletes and a more up-tempo offensive attack.

Next, the Wolves brought in Rex Chapman to help with the draft. Although it is still unclear as to what Chapman’s future role with the team might be, it is clear that the Wolves’ front office has needed some rejuvenation at least as much as the team itself.

And in that regard, on draft night, the team added shooting guards Rashad McCants (14th overall from North Carolina), and Bracey Wright (47th overall from Indiana). McCants, with his offensive game and 6’11’’ wingspan, certainly fits the athletic profile of what Casey wants. Wright was most likely picked as a temporary replacement for sharpshooter, Fred Hoiberg.

That said, the Wolves’ draft does offer a few clues to the team’s plans in free agency.

The fact that they passed on a number of promising small forward prospects (Graham, Green, Granger, Warrick, and Hodge) to pick McCants and then followed that pick with another two guard in the second round tells me that the Wolves want immediate, serious help for Garnett up front and with the possible exception of Andrew Bogut, none of this year’s power forward or center prospects could guarantee the Wolves that kind of help. Getting Garnett that help is going to be the team’s top priority beginning Friday.

Beyond that there’s the Wally question. While Szczerbiak excels at the kind of up-tempo, transition game that Casey likes, without a drive-and-dish type of point guard on the roster who can set him up for easy, open looks…his offensive game in the half-court is fairly dismal. With the right team, and with the right players around him, Szczerbiak can still be an extremely valuable player. But the Timberwolves are not that team and probably should try to move him.

Lastly, look for the Wolves to add another point guard who can run the type of offense Casey wants. Casey says he likes Troy Hudson. But Sam Cassell, strictly a half-court type player at this point in his career, will most definitely be shipped out in free agency or by the trade deadline to a team looking for cap relief next summer.

So while many questions remain, there is one thing about the Wolves that is absolutely certain: Training camp’s going to be a whole lot different this fall.