On Wednesday night, when the Timberwolves resume play after the All-Star break, they will see their past in Stephon Marbury. On Friday night, when the Denver Nuggets come to town, they may see their future in Nick Van Exel.

If they have the vision -- and the guts -- to embrace it.

Terrell Brandon for Van Exel? It's shocking, ill-timed and fraught with peril.

And of course, if it can be done, it must be.

Why mess with the chemistry of a team that, despite numerous injuries, still has managed a 33-16 record? Why make such a fundamental change in the team's makeup with 30 games left in a crucial season for an an organization now required to get out of Round One?

Why toss the incendiary mixture that is Van Exel into an often-harmonious locker room?

There is a simple answer. Van Exel can make the Wolves better over the long haul.