The challenge facing the Timberwolves this offseason, beginning with the NBA Draft on Thursday and continuing through three months of trade and free-agent opportunities, is simple: Have a big summer this year or get a big summer thrust upon them next year.

Underlying the goal of Wolves Vice President of Basketball Operations Kevin McHale of improving the team for 2003-04 is the growing urgency to demonstrate progress to All-Star forward Kevin Garnett.

Already, with one season left on Garnett's six-year, $126 million contract, it figures to be a difficult task. If Garnett hits free agency next summer, it could become nearly impossible for the Wolves to impress, encourage and re-sign him all at once, with owners such as Mark Cuban or Paul Allen waving checkbooks and teams such as San Antonio or Detroit flaunting playoff success.

"I want to become a better team," McHale said last week. "I don't want to show something to an individual. Your goal is to become better and try to improve as a team, whether it's for Kevin Garnett or anybody."

Yeah, well, the Wolves' profitability and future are bound up in Garnett's willingness to stay or desire to go. Sure, he says he is " 'Sota," 366 days a year in leap years, and so on. But frustration was written all over Garnett last season, from Terrell Brandon's failure in training camp to return from knee surgery to the lost opportunity against the Lakers in the playoffs.