FanShot

The Worst Moves In The Offseason (Britt Robson)

36

• Timberwolves sign 2008 second-round pick Nikola Pekovic to a four-year, $13 million deal and re-sign Darko Milicic to a four-year, $20 million deal A handful of prominent basketball pundits have developed a mob mentality over the supposed incompetence of Timberwolves president David Kahn. But a guy who flips Randy Foye and Mike Miller for Ricky Rubio and obtains Michael Beasley for a pair of second-round picks is probably more than just an arrogant buffoon. That said, Kahn was bidding against himself when he gave Milicic $20 million over four years (although the last year isn't guaranteed), and should be wary of the ripple effect of also signing Pekovic, another big man who has played well in Europe. Signing Milicic and Pekovic is a concession that time and money were wasted on one of last year's free-agent signings, center-forward Ryan Hollins. But more significantly, it creates a frontcourt logjam that risks taking minutes from Kevin Love and Beasley. The Wolves need to see what they have in Beasley. But the top priority should be making Love -- their best player by a country mile and then a city block -- feel wanted. Love, who came off the bench during the second half of last season, already stated he wants to start. Alienating Love for the sake of more time for Milicic and Pekovic would make Kahn's enemies look good -- especially after Love leaves town.