SLAM DUNKS: F Kevin Garnett (21.8 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 4.1 apg) led the NBA in rebounding and is maybe one of the 10 best players in the world. But with the team's slide in 2005-06, he became grouchy and withdrawn and it may have permeated throughout the team. ... G Ricky Davis (19.4, 4.5, 5.1) settled in after being acquired from Boston and brought slashing and speed. ... The newly acquired James (20.3, 3.3, 5.8) brings explosive scoring as a point guard and will solidify a position that has been in flux since the departure of Sam Cassell.

AIRBALLS: G Troy Hudson (9.5) continues to be injury-prone, having missed 46 games in 2005-06. ... G Marco Jaric (7.8, 3.1, 3.9) had an up-and-down first season with the team and is not quite ready to be the versatile backcourt star the organization thought he was. ... C Mark Blount (11.3) offers some scoring but must do better than 4.5 rebounds per game to help Garnett. GUESSWORK: The Timberwolves have to figure out what position rookie G Randy Foye will play. The team has to be thrilled that he was the MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 24.8 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 53 percent from the field. However, at 6-4, is he big enough to play shooting guard? Or is he skilled enough to handle the ball as a point guard?

THINKING CAP: For a team that was near the bottom of the standings in 2005-06, the Timberwolves are among the top 12 payrolls for 2006-07. The club still owes Garnett $67 million over the next three seasons. Do they still want pay such a high price for one player, or move him for a package and start over with a younger group?

D-LEAGUE CANDIDATE: F Craig Smith

THE COACH SAYS: "I'm most optimistic about the addition of a strong outside shooting game. Foye and James will play that role for us. That's something that we truly missed last year. The games we had a lot of success last year was when we were hitting our outside shots."