Before last week, the best trade Kevin McHale had made as Timberwolves vice president was the one that brought Tom Gugliotta to Minnesota for Donyell Marshall in 1995.

But Gugliotta is long gone and McHale probably helped the team more this time when he traded center Dean Garrett, who didn't average three minutes of action, for Golden State's Marc Jackson, an NBA Rookie of the Year candidate last year who gives the team the big, strong rebounder it has needed so badly.

In Wednesday night's 112-101 victory over the Lakers, Jackson played 26 minutes, hit five of nine shots and two of two free throws for 12 points and picked up four big rebounds to give the Wolves a big lift in the third quarter when it looked as if the Lakers were going to make a comeback.

"I liked him a lot in Golden State," said McHale. "He is a big body out there. With his size and height he could play for the Vikings. He helped us win this game tonight."