The NBA raised what it calls the mid-level salary cap exception to $4,538,000 for this season. The Timberwolves decided to give the entire amount to forward Joe Smith. They went well beyond that, committing to the maximum available -- $34 million over six years -- to sign Smith.

This decision was not greeted with much praise, either from the Twin Cities media or the portion of the sporting public with an interest in the Timberwolves.

This skepticism was not based on lingering resentment over Smith's part in the deception that eventually will cost the Wolves four No. 1 draft choices in a five-year period.

It was based on the idea that Smith was a role player and not the high-impact contributor this team needed to escape from its middle-of-the-pack status in the Western Conference.