Wolves 2012-13: The Future Isn't What It Used to Be

Second alternate logo (2008-present) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Minnesota Timberwolves ended their NBA season with a 31-51 record, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 108-95 for the first time at their arena since 2004.  That's the best record they've had in years for such a pitiful franchise, but it still doesn't get them to the playoffs.

The injuries this team has suffered throughout the season have been well documented.  Even if every player were healthy, the Wolves still would not have had the horses to compete in the highly-competitive Western Conference with the likes of the Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers.  Or should that be the Clippers?

So it's time to look to the future, and that future is looking cloudy.  Let's start with Kevin Love, who was lost for most of the season with a hand injury.  He's also made news for mouthing off about his unhappiness with Wolves management and making noises about going someplace else.  Gee, if he really feels that way . . . Maybe the Wolves should give Love what he seems to want, even though he doesn't become a free agent until 2015.

Other Wolves you may or may not see in uniform in November:  Nikola Pekovic, Andrei Kirelenko, Derrick Williams, Brandon Roy.  They will either be traded or allowed to leave via free agency.

Who will be around to make the decisions?  David Kahn's time appears to be up as the Wolves' general manager, as Flip Saunders--who once coached this team, and recently turned down the chance to coach the Gophers--waits in the wings.

Will Rick Adelman return to coach the Wolves next season?  He now has more than 1,000 coaching victories in his NBA career.  But his wife's medical problems caused him to miss several games, and has thrown into doubt how much longer he can continue.  If Adelman can't, enter Saunders.  Unless, as general manager, he wants to pick his own coach.

How long will Glen Taylor continue to own the Wolves?  He ended up with the team after the NBA shot down an attempt by the previous owners to sell to a group that would have moved the Wolves to New Orleans.  Now Taylor is looking for a minority partner who will commit to keeping the team in Minnesota once he decides to step down.  But he hasn't found that person yet.  No one seems to want a franchise that depreciates in value every season. 

So many questions.  The Wolves need a Magic 8 Ball more than they need a healthy Ricky Rubio.

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Of the teams that are actually competing in the NBA playoffs,  here's who we think will be in the finals:
Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs.

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UPDATE:  One of those questions has been answered.  It's been reported that the Timberwolves have bid adios to David Kahn, and Flip Saunders is their new general manager.  Now all he has to do is find better players and convince Rick Adelman to stay as coach.  Or maybe he'll take the job himself.