Playing the “What-If” Game, Timberwolves Edition

Apr 11, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Ray Allen (34) shoots over Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

What if the Wolves had kept Ray Allen?

The Wolves originally selected Allen fifth-overall in 1996, but he was sent to the Bucks for the fourth-overall pick, Stephon Marbury, on draft day.

As good as Marbury was for the Wolves, he only played three years with the team and could not accept his role as Kevin Garnett’s sidekick. You have to imagine that Allen would have taken any role on that Wolves team, even if it was as Garnett’s sidekick. Allen is committed to winning, no matter the cost; Marbury was not. For Marbury, it was all about him, for Allen it’s always been about the team.

We saw in 2008 when (significantly older versions of) Garnett and Allen won a championship in Boston, how well they worked together. Can you imagine both of them, on the same team, in their primes!? Just picture Ray Allen on that 2004 team that went to the Western Finals…that team beats the Lakers without a doubt.

The proof is in the pudding, people. The Wolves traded away a guy that is a future Hall of Famer, holds the record for most three-pointers made, and an all-around team guy. Instead, the Wolves got three years of Marbury when they could have had 15 seasons of Allen.

Next: Lost Title Shot?