Thu, Jan 26, 2006 at 12:00am

WOLVES AND CELTICS SHAKE IT UP

Minnesota Timberwolves traded Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi, Dwayne Jones and a future first-round draft pick to the Boston Celtics for Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Ricky Davis, Justin Reed and two conditional second-round draft picks.

What does it give the Boston Celtics
At the end of the day, this deal gives the Beantowners a way to get rid of two underachievers: Blount and Banks. Neither really fit into the plans head coach Doc Rivers has for the Celtics and rumors persisted for ages that the team had wanted to dispense of the two. Olowokandi is actually less of a force than Blount in the paint, but his appeal for Boston is a contract that expires this summer and will help the Celts clear $5.9 Million of cap room for free agents. Szczerbiak is a better shooter than Davis but not nearly as good a defender or passer, so he's actually a bit of a downgrade and it remains to be seen if his ego can co-exist with that of Paul Pierce. Olowokandi seems like a spent force, so Blount's exit should mean more playing time for the likes of Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins, and even doghouse dweller Raef LaFrentz. Jones is a raw but hard-working rookie pivot prospect who may eventually be very solid.

What does it give the Minnesota Timberwolves
An upgrade at small forward, three solid reserves, and a couple of middling draft picks. Ultimately this trade was probably engineered to send a message to Kevin Garnett and Minnesota's fans that Minny management is serious about contending again. Szczerbiak was having a great season but was a bit of a ball hog and simply doesn't bring as much to the table as Davis does. Banks, Blount, and Reed are all good (but not great) players who provide needed depth at (respectively) point guard, center, and forward. The two draft picks probably won't produce stars, but they're a nice little consolation prize for losing the cap space Olowokandi's expiring contract would have brought. All in all, this is a nice deal for the Timberwolves that makes them a more talented and competitive squad, now and in the future.

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