As a Celtic, Kevin McHale had all the answers. He had all kinds of moves in the low post—a little half-hook in the lane, a classic baseline fallaway, his trademark up-and-under. As a player, McHale had what seemed like an unlimited offensive arsenal and a way out of any double-team.

Now, as vice president of basketball operations for the Timberwolves, McHale again is boxed in and under pressure. Only this time, he has no go-to move. As Minnesota continues its free fall in the Western Conference, McHale certainly must realize there are no quick fixes for his franchise.

Regardless of whether he likes it, McHale must entertain the once unthinkable prospect of trading Kevin Garnett, Minnesota’s first and only franchise player. That concept alone has to be tough for McHale to get his head around. What’s worse is that even if McHale summons the courage to make such a bold move, trading K.G. won’t drastically change the franchise’s immediate fortunes.

McHale and owner Glen Taylor have maintained all season that they will not trade Garnett. Though that stubbornness masked as public relations is admirable, facts are facts, and the Timberwolves simply aren’t getting any better with Garnett and this crew. They rode the .500 train into the New Year, when McHale figured he’d try to reconfigure the players around Garnett by acquiring Ricky Davis, Mark Blount and others from Boston.

Problem was, the Timberwolves regressed after the trade, and now, with less than a month left in the season, the bottom line is that Minnesota is one of the worst teams in the Western Conference. And it’s not as if the Timberwolves have an abundance of young talent on the verge of breaking out. One other problem: There is no cap room to speak of, not as long as Garnett stays on the books at $20 million or so per year through 2008-09.

You don’t have to be a Timberwolves insider to see that Garnett is growing more and more frustrated with the situation. He has vacillated between irate and philosophical all season.

Garnett no longer is young—he’ll turn 30 in May—and you’ve got to believe the notion of playing three more full seasons with the Timberwolves isn’t exactly inspiring.

Throughout his career, Garnett has tried to play and lead the right way. He’s not one to make ultimatums or trade demands. Then again, one has to wonder how much longer Garnett can stay positive with his squad’s losing two out of every three games. It wouldn’t be surprising if Garnett already had gone to McHale or Taylor and said, “Why don’t you go ahead and see what’s out there for me?” After all, that would seem to make sense for all concerned.

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Though most everyone acknowledges Garnett is one of the game’s elite players, that argument loses juice when you consider how the Timberwolves have struggled this season—and last season.

The logical question: How good can K.G. be if Minnesota is this bad?

And what would Garnett bring in the trade market anyway? The plain truth is that he probably would net a less talented player—a flawed star. Best case, trading Garnett brings in an infusion of good young talent. Regardless, making the deal won’t ignite a quick turnaround. And neither will keeping him.

Good luck to McHale with this one.