With his team's fortunes apparently spinning out of control, Minnesota Timberwolves General Manager Kevin McHale pulled the trigger on a 7 player deal with the Boston Celtics trading away former first round pick Wally Szczerbiak. Szczerbiak, who is having his best season as a pro, is averaging over 20 points and 5 rebounds per game. The deal sends Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones and a first round draft pick to Boston in exchange for Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Marcus Banks, Justin Reed and two second round picks.
Davis is averaging over 19 points and 4 rebounds for the woeful Celtics and is considered a better defender than Szczerbiak. Blount is a center who averages about 12 points per game, but does not rebound well and has a history of attitude problems. Banks is a third year point guard from UNLV who may see more time in Minnesota because of the failings of Marko Jaric, who McHale traded for last summer.
The other loss for the Wolves in this deal is yet another first round draft pick. The pick is conditional but McHale has now dealt away two first round picks in less than 6 months. Last summer the Clippers got one along with Sam Cassell in the Jaric deal. The Celtics will get a conditional pick dependent on where the Wolves are drafting.
"Through this trade, we've become a much more athletic team," said McHale. "With Ricky Davis, we've added one of the more talented shooting guards in the NBA - both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Plus, with Davis and Trenton Hassell together on the court, we'll have a great defensive presence at the 2-3 positions."
Szczerbiak was in his 7th season with the Wolves. He was an all-star in 2001-02 but battled injuries the last couple seasons before breaking out again this year.
