It's no secret that I've pretty much been lobbying for Kevin Garnett since Feb. 23, 2005. But I'm not willing, at this point, to toss out the baby with the bath water to get him.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Kings were (roughly) a 4th/5th seed caliber team after they acquired Artest. Is that enough to contend for a title? Not usually.
But, does that mean they're pretty close? Probably.
Sacramento is in a nice spot, where if the Timberwolves want too much for KG, they can simply walk away and try their luck else where. Sign a free agent PF, pick up a decent player with the 19th pick overall and go from there. That could build them a contending team another way.
Minnesota on the other hand isn't in a good spot. They have an aging KG who will be past his prime by the time they rebuild through the draft, a modest lotto pick and not much is looking bright for them. That draft pick is basically their make or break, and coming in at #6, they have to be considering other options.
Minnesota isn't in a spot to demand too much for Sacramento, and the Kings aren't in a spot where they have to accept it.
It's pretty simple to me that Petrie won't neuter the team to bring in KG, as, you don't want to create another version of the TWolves in Sacramento. On the other hand, I think he'd be willing to give up a fair package of players like Brad Miller, Kenny Thomas and Bonzi Wells for him.
If the TWolves will accept that, we'll have to wait and see...