Minnesota Timberwolves Roundup: Kevin Garnett, more rumors

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Kevin Garnett. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: Kevin Garnett. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

Minnesota Timberwolves great Kevin Garnett is back in the news, plus ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is supplies Wolves fans with more fuel to their angry fire when it comes to Tom Thibodeau.

Well, Timberwolves fans, the 2018 NBA Draft is nearly upon us. As we pass the final hours until draft night, let’s discuss a few other Timberwolves notes.

First, let’s cover Brian Windhorst’s appearance on Doogie Wolfson’s podcast.

Wolfson prompted Windhorst on a number of topics, ranging from the development of Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins to the possibility of a Gorgui Dieng trade and the likelihood that the Timberwolves will make a big splash this summer.

When it comes to Jimmy Butler, Windhorst suggested that the Wolves and Butler should have some shared interest in getting a contract extension done this summer, prior to the expiration of his current deal next offseason. Of course, Butler could choose to wait out the next season and see how the Wolves (namely, Wiggins and Towns) progress, or he could choose the security of an extension now. He is coming off of knee surgery, after all.

(To be clear: neither Windhorst nor Wolfson have heard any buzz surrounding a potential Butler extension, but it’s certainly a topic that we’ll hear more about in the coming months.)

Windhorst also states that the Timberwolves cannot be a championship contender with Butler as their best player, and that to reach their full potential, Wiggins and Towns must make Butler a “supporting character…Jimmy Butler needs to be your second or third best player.”

Quite the statement, indeed. Let’s break it down.

I would argue that to be a true, championship contender, Windhorst is right. They’ll need a generational talent to compete with the likes LeBron James, Steph Curry, and James Harden. And yes, Towns certainly has that talent and needs to make a mini leap to get there.

To be a conference finals contender, i.e. being in the mix, that’s a different story. Butler and Towns are already both top-15 players, and a clear argument can be made that Butler is probably in the top seven or eight players league-wide. And if you’re in the mix, it only takes a few lucky bounces or unfortunate injuries to your rivals and things can change quickly.

The meat of the podcast, however, covered the Jamal Crawford saga. Windhorst says that the Wolves will “quite clearly” be losing Crawford, and that “Jamal’s displeasure with Thibs was well known”. Thibs made promises during the free agency recruitment that he couldn’t cash in on, and Crawford took notice.

There’s also some truth to the idea that Crawford is friends with many around the league, and the idea that he isn’t a Thibs fan could prove to be damaging when the Wolves attempt to sign other free agents.

Ultimately, Windhorst says that the Wolves have a talented enough roster to be a top-four team, which does seem about right.

Elsewhere, the Chicago Tribune reports that Kevin Garnett will be starring in a new web series called “Next Up”, broadcast on Facebook Watch. The films are being produced by Turner Sports, whom Garnett works for during his “KG’s Area 21” spots on TNT NBA broadcasts.

The web series will focus on Garnett’s interactions with draft prospects, including Mo Bamba and Jaren Jackson, Jr.

"“Sharing of knowledge is one thing I’ve always been adamant about,” Garnett said. “I frown upon ex-players who don’t really necessarily make themselves available or don’t share the knowledge, especially when they have it. I’m not obviously pushing everybody to work out players. But when you go through the league 15-plus years, that’s a lot of knowledge you’ve gained. And to put it on the wall or not apply it, I think is a bit selfish. But that’s me.“I want to help these young kids. I want to give them some mentorship, a place to go to have some direction for some of their unsolved problems or unanswered questions that they have.”"

This is another cool thing for Garnett to be involved in, as in addition to Area 21, he’s been involved as a consultant with the Clippers and Bucks. Not surprisingly, KG is being picky in what he’s doing post-playing, and while he’s made it clear that he won’t actually be a coach, he’s coaching young players in his own way, like only The Big Ticket can.

Next: Top 15 draft picks in Minnesota Timberwolves history

We’ll be back with more draft coverage throughout the week.