---

In 2004 the Minnesota Timberwolves were a dynamic offensive force. With Kevin Garnett as the hub and Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell and others as his trusted spokes, the Wolves rolled all the way into the Western Conference Finals. What probably stopped the Timberwolves from getting to the NBA Finals was injuries to all capable point guards in the state of Minnesota. It seemed as if Minnesota was about the take the final step towards a championship.

Times have changed. After Tuesday night's loss to the Cavaliers, there is talk that Lebron James, not Garnett, is the league MVP. Minnesota is a good but not great team. The competitive drive and fire that seemed to energize them in 2004 has all but disappeared. The Timberwolves need a new spark; a jump-start to the season. Luckily McHale can make it all happen with one single phone call to one of his former teammates.

Before 2003-2004 the Timberwolves had shown desire in two players that are currently available, Gary Payton and Ricky Davis. Payton wants to come to a winner. Danny Ainge wants to move Davis to free up time for rookie Tony Allen. The acquisition of Cassell and Sprewell before last season lit a fire under the Timberwolves and their fan base.

Trading for Payton and Davis, would return the bite to the Timberwolves.

Payton has long wanted to play with Garnett, and his desire to prove to the world he's not over the hill would rev-up the intensity in the Target Center. Davis would provide the scoring, energy and attitude that Sprewell did in 2003-04. With Payton, Davis, Szczerbiak, Eddie Griffin and Garnett all as legitimate scoring threats, defenses would be in trouble.

How can McHale get Payton and Davis to Minnesota? By offering Sprewell and his expiring contract to Ainge and Boston. A trade of Payton, Davis and C Michael Stewart for Sprewell and Ndudi Ebi works under the cap. Boston clears a ton of money off of the books at the end of the season. Tony Allen, Marcus Banks and Delonte West all gain more playing time and Ebi gives Boston another youngster to build around. It would probably take a future first round draft pick to close the deal. Boston would then have Sprewell and Gugliotta as expiring contracts to trade or let expire.

Of course, then Minnesota is left with three point guards. This would inevitably lead to another smaller deal. The point guard situation could be fixed by sending Cassell back home to Houston, who is desperate for a point guard. Cassell for Juwan Howard straight-up would work under the cap. The expiring contract of Ervin Johnson could be shipped at the deadline if the Wolves feel they need to add depth at small forward.

The revived Timberwolves look like this:

PG: Payton, Hudson, Carter
SG: Davis, Hassell, Hoiberg
SF: Szczerbiak, Griffin
PF: Garnett, Howard, Madsen
C: Johnson, Olowakandi, Stewart

A fourth quarter lineup of Payton, Davis, Szczerbiak, Garnett and Griffin could allow Minnesota to take that final step forward to the NBA Finals. It would also better them for 2005 and beyond.