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If you have a player like Kevin Garnett--that is, an MVP-type big man--many people believe you simply should never trade that guy. And it's hard to find examples from NBA history of teams trading away super-talented big men and then becoming great. In fact, the opposite usually happens (see Lakers, Los Angeles). Good big men are just so important and so rare.

That's why I bet the 'Wolves will only trade Garnett if he insists on it. For the reason above, and because getting him is the only truly magnificent move the franchise has ever made. Think about it. Yes, they've been wholly respectable at times, but what was the second best move in franchise history? And how would you feel about having re-signing Trenton Hassell as the best move you ever made? You just can't put yourself in that situation.

The argument is that the 'Wolves have been shifting around the pieces around Kevin Garnett for a very long time in Minnesota. The league is getting younger and faster around him, some say big men aren't as important any more, Garnett's salary is an incredible burden, and Minnesota appears to be frozen halfway up the basement stairs.

You get the feeling you have seen this movie before, and it doesn't end happily. Could it really be time to just get up and walk out of the theater? Isn't it time to at least consider the options?

Jeff from CelticsBlog had a fantastic idea: let's get various team bloggers to come up with offers for Garnett. They can put them through the trade machine, discuss them with readers, and reach their best and final offers. Then readers of a neutral site (TrueHoop counts as a neutral site for these purposes, because nobody thinks my Blazers want in on this particular action, although for the record Zach Randolph and Darius Miles for Garnett works just fine by the trade machine and me.) You will then vote on the options, determining which one, if any, makes the most sense for the Timberwolves.

Jeff from CelticsBlog proposes that Boston will take back some serious contracts in addition to Garnett, while shipping out some cheap young talent and serious draft picks:

Kevin Garnett, Troy Hudson, and Mike James

for

Gerald Green, Delonte West, Wally Sczcerbiak, Theo Ratliff, and two future unprotected first round draft picks.

Matt from Blogabull, speaking for the Chicago Bulls, has some thoughtful opinions on the matter. He is willing to offer Kevin McHale the following deal:

Kevin Garnett and Craig Smith

for

Tyrus Thomas, Andres Nocioni (signed/traded at $7-8m), Chris Duhon, Viktor Khryapa, New York's 2007 first round pick as well as one of Chicago's second round picks.

Kevin Garnett

for

Adonal Foyle, Patrick O'Bryant, and Al Harrington

No word on whether or not they'd also be willing to throw in some gym shorts, and possibly some regulation NBA socks.

The Los Angeles Lakers are represented in what we have been calling, behind the scenes, "the KG Derby" by Kurt from the blog Forum Blue and Gold. He has mulled it over, listened to his commenters, and even written a thoughtful letter to Mr. McHale explaining everything. This is his offer:

Kevin Garnett and Mike James

for

Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, Brian Cook, Vladimir Radmanovic, and a 2008 unprotected first round draft pick

(Side thought here: bloggers are much more willing than GMs to trade unprotected picks. It almost never happens, I guess because if you're the guy who traded the next Michael Jordan you'll never be able to drink in a sports bar again. But I guess if you're trying to steal a quality big man, you do what you have to do.)

The final offer comes from the New York Knicks, by way of Knickerblogger, who points out that taking Jaric, with his long contract, is a sweetener:

Kevin Garnett and Marko Jaric

for

David Lee, Steve Francis, Nate Robinson, and Malik Rose

So, that's it, TrueHoop-readers-posing-as-Mr. McHale. Those are the offers. They're on the table. Now it's your turn. You need more information? Want to do some homework? Click on those links above to learn more about the rationale behind each offer. Then click here to vote on Kevin McHale's behalf.