Former Timberwolves Vice Pressident of Basketball Operations and Head Coach Kevin McHale talks to FOX 9 Sports Director Jim Rich about being fired and what he’s going to do next.

 

From Don Seeholzer/Pioneer Press:

Expect to hear a lot more of the same in the days leading up to Thursday’s draft and an eventual trade or two by the Wolves involving bigger names than the usual suspects such as Mike Miller and Brian Cardinal.

With the possible exception of Jefferson, no one is untouchable, not even supposed core players such as Love and guard Randy Foye, who has two years remaining on his contract.

Unlike his players, Kahn has made it quite clear that he believes this team requires more than a tweak.

“I think we need some help,” he said Wednesday. “I think I have been very candid about that. We won 24 games last year and I recognize that if Al hadn’t got hurt, maybe we would have won a few more. But we need some help.”

As with most trade rumors this time of year — or any time of year, frankly — any discussion of a trade between Phoenix and Minnesota involving Amare Stoudemire and Al Jefferson is premature. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, here’s how this one went down. Suns and Timberwolves officials had a discussion at the pre-draft camp in Chicago that went like this: Phoenix expressed interest in Jefferson. Minnesota indicated that it would be highly unlikely it would be willing to do a deal involving Jefferson. Phoenix asked to be informed if that were to change.
On Wednesday evening, the latest rumor had the Suns dealing Stoudemire to Minnesota for Al Jefferson and the No. 6 pick.

The first two deals were discussed at the February trade deadline, but talks this time around may be premature — Suns sources say neither deal is hot at the moment. And the one with Minnesota is totally bogus, I’m told. A Suns source says that the team has had zero conversations about it.

From Darren “Doogie” Wolfson/Star Tribune:

One of my highlights when working at KFAN Radio was picking McHale’s brain off-air, while he was on hold to chat with host Chad Hartman. Listening to him talk hoops is comparable to tuning in to a Dodgers broadcast with Vin Scully on lead vocals. He’s that entertaining. TNT or ESPN would be foolish not to add him.
He wasn’t great as a coach, but he wasn’t terrible either. He was just the wrong coach at the wrong time for the Timberwolves. Over the last day and a half, people I respect have convinced me he does have some coaching chops. Memphis, Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, and the Los Angeles Clippers would all be wise to give him a call.
Or better yet, my alma mater and his, could use his guidance in the maturation process of Colton Iverson, Ralph Sampson III, and Trevor Mbakwe.

He would look super working with those guys and other Gophers big men.
Kevin McHale’s dismissal by the Timberwolves this week came down to business — the team’s potential for renewing advertising, corporate sponsorships and season tickets — as much as anything else.
Ryan Gomes’ second annual benefit dinner for his Hoops for Heart Health Foundation will be held June 28 at 6 p.m. at the Aqua Turf in Southington.
Instead, McHale went with the risk of a skinny 19-year-old. Many regrettable calls would follow, none greater than being taken by the Trail Blazers in the Brandon Roy-Randy Foye draft-night swap in 2006, but 1995 remains a forever-positive moment.